What To Expect From Apple’s Launch Event Tonight: iPhone SE, iPad Air 3 And More

Apple fans will have to wait until September to catch a glimpse of the new iPhone 7, but the tech brand is set to unveil several new gadgets tonight including the much-rumoured iPhone SE with a smaller 4-inch screen.

Apple often includes hints as to what will be announced on its event invite which this year includes the mysterious words” ‘Let us loop you in’.

The event kicks off at 5pm UK time tonight (21 March). Here’s what to expect…

iPhone SE
Also previously referred to as the iPhone 6c and iPhone 5SE, the much hyped iPhone SE is rumoured to feature a 4-inch screen, which should please those who feel that the flagship 6s and 6s Plus handsets are too big to handle.

The SE in the name is thought to be short for ‘special edition.

Mockups show what the iPhone SE could look like (Martin Hajek)

Set to replace the iPhone 5s, the news handset would be both the cheapest and the smallest in Apple’s smartphone lineup.

Along with the smaller screen, the SE is expected to feature similar camera hardware to the iPhone 6s, along with a Touch ID fingerprint scanner on the home button.

The graphics on the event invite suggest that the phones will be available in the same colour range as the flagship iPhone 6s and 6s Plus.

iPad Air 3
Apple’s flagship tablet is expected to get a long-awaited update as it’s been well over a year since the iPad Air 2 launched.

The next-gen tablet, which could be called iPad Air, but is more likely to named after Apple’s new iPad Pro line, is expected to have the usual 9.7-inch screen.

The new iPad is expected to feature a similar design to the current iPad Air 2 (Apple)

The new device is also expected to work with the Apple Pencil stylus which was introduced with the supersized 12.9-inch iPad Pro last year.

What’s more, the iPad Air 3 (or whatever Apple decides to call it) will probably feature a boost in power thanks to Apple’s A9X chipset, along with better cameras, a larger 256GB storage option and the maker’s pressure-sensitive 3D Touch display, which it first introduced on the iPhone 6s.

Apple Watch 2
Although Apple is not expected to officially launch it’s second-gen smartwatch at tonight’s event, Tim Cook and co. may offer a teaser before a full launch alongside the iPhone 7 in September.

The Apple Watch is set to get some new accessories (Apple)

What we can expect to see is a new range of Apple Watch strap options in different finishes and colours. Apple is also thought to be announcing partnerships with a number of fashion brands.

iOS 9.3
The Cupertino tech giant is likely to launch it iOS 9.3 software update which is set to include the much-needed ‘Night Shift’ mode.

This is designed to control the amount of blue light emitted from the phone at night to avoid interrupting users’ sleep.

Night Shift mode is designed to help Apple users get a better night’s sleep (Apple)

It’s also likely that Apple will use the event to address its ongoing battle with the U.S. government over encryption laws.

Image credit: Apple