Hands-On With iPhone SE, 9.7" iPad Pro, and New Apple Watch Bands

[MacRumors]

Following today's Apple event that saw the 4-inch iPhone SE, 9.7-inch iPad Pro, and new Apple Watch bands and pricing announced, members of the press have been invited for hands-on time with the new products.

The new iPhone SE looks almost identical to the iPhone 5s, beyond the switch to matte-chamfered edges and a color-matched stainless steel Apple logo on the rear.

The new 4-inch smartphone retains a 3.5mm headphone jack, despite rumors that Apple will switch to an all-in-one Lightning connector on the iPhone 7 due later this year.

A closer look at the iPhone SE's new matte-chamfered edges (Image: The Verge)​

iPhone SE is available in the same four colors offered across most of Apple's newer product lineups: Gold, Silver, Space Gray, and Rose Gold.

16GB and 64GB models can be purchased for $399 and $499 respectively. The 16GB model is also free when subsidized with a two-year carrier contract. Financing plans are available from $17 per month.

The new iPad Pro also looks virtually identical to its larger 12.9-inch sibling, with the only noticeable difference being the tablet's smaller 9.7-inch screen akin to iPad Air.

A side-by-side comparison of the new 9.7" iPad Pro (right) and 12.9" iPad Pro (left) (Image: The Verge)​

The smaller iPad Pro has adopted many of the same pro-level features, including an Oxide TFT display, Smart Connector, Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard support, and the same positioning of other ports and buttons.

The new 9.7-inch iPad Pro comes in four colors: Silver, Gold, Space Gray and Rose Gold. Pricing starts at $599 for 32GB of storage with Wi-Fi only, while 128GB and a new 256GB option will be available for $749 and $899 respectively. Pre-orders begin March 24 and shipments to customers will start March 31.Click here to read rest of article...

Article Link: Hands-On With iPhone SE, 9.7" iPad Pro, and New Apple Watch Bands

 

[SSD-GUY]

Download that App that tells us the RAM!

 

[Deeznuts.]

Wallpaper?

 

[Cayden]

That is the best looking iPhone I've ever seen. I wish we had a larger version of this phone with this look. I am for sure going to pick up one of those 9.7" iPad Pros

 

[Bentron]

I want to know what impact the protruding camera has on stability when on a flat surface.

 

[Sasparilla]

RAM on the iPhone SE?

 

[waquzy]

iPhone SE Space Grey 64GB - my next phone.

Thanks Apple

 

[Michael Scrip]

Download that App that tells us the RAM!

I would guess having the A9 processor would also require 2GB of RAM. Isn't the RAM built into the chip?

 

[iThingsGurl]

Those edges... Still look so elegant

 

[garylapointe]

Who is offering carrier subsidies (in the US) to get it for free these days?

Gary

 

[nviz22]

Anyone find it stupid how Apple makes a great looking SE device w/ no protruding camera, yet the 6S/6S Plus have a protruding camera?

 

[hspace]

Who came up with the "brilliant" idea of a camera bump on the iPad - the device that you are more likely to use on a flat surface than any other device!?!?!? Dumb beyond belief.

They are basically forcing you to get a case for it.

 

[Brenster]

Suspect the rose gold SE might be in the Mrs future - she loves her 5s and really isn't wanted anything bigger. This looks to be right up her street. And for myself I'm looking at the black Milanese loop, assuming the black mostly matches the black Sport 38mm watch. Not the most exciting Apple event ever but the iPhone SE is a solid upgrade for those who don't want to go bigger than their 5/5s's.

 

[Unami]

it's great that the se has the same form factor as the 5s - leather cases for the 5s were already disappearing from stores - now they'll be back again.

btw., are the 9.7" ipad pro's bezels wider than the air 2's?

 

[gugy]

I think Apple missed an opportunity to have a silent update here. They wasted a special event on ordinary updates.

 

[ssl0408]

Will there be an unlocked model released?

 

[Michael Scrip]

Who is offering carrier subsidies (in the US) to get it for free these days?

Gary

I heard Sprint went back to offering contracts just two months after they got rid of them. I'm sure there are other carriers who will still offer them if you want.

But here's the deal... it's only "free" at the time of purchase... meaning you don't have to pay anything up-front.

However... YOU will definitely be paying the $399 over the next 24 months. It isn't a gift from the carriers.

Subsidized contracts are just another type of payment plan. Instead of paying for the phone in full... you pay little or no money down... and the rest is built into your monthly bill.

No "free" phone is ever really "free"

 

[waquzy]

Anyone find it stupid how Apple makes a great looking SE device w/ no protruding camera, yet the 6S/6S Plus have a protruding camera?

Thats because 6S/Plus are thinner than SE

 

[laerning]

Is it just me, or did the classic buckle leather band really got seams?!

 

[waquzy]

Will there be an unlocked model released?

Of course, as always

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Who is offering carrier subsidies (in the US) to get it for free these days?

Gary

Yeah, I heard that during the presentation and thought the same thing. Wasn't ATT the last but now no longer offers them even to grandfathered accounts?

 

[chabig]

Will there be an unlocked model released?

I believe all iPads cellular models ship unlocked.

 

[TechRemarker]

Anyone find it stupid how Apple makes a great looking SE device w/ no protruding camera, yet the 6S/6S Plus have a protruding camera?

The SE is the newest iPhone model so it has improved beyond previous versions such as the iPhone 6s in terms of battery life and protruding camera. So presumably the iPhone 7 will also get increased battery life and no protruding camera.

 

[tanyet]

this video reminded me of how cool the black iPhone 5 looked. I know they had problems with the anodization but it would be nice to have that color back on the phones and not just the iPods.

 

[Candlelight]

I only hope the ME and LE phones in September go back to this design. So much prettier than the 6.