Apple reveals smaller, cheaper iPhone and new iPad Pro
It may not have been a blockbuster event to rival the launches of the original iPhone, iPad or Watch, but Apple's 21 March event at its California headquarters still gave us a range of new and exciting products. Highlights included the iPhone SE, a new iPad Pro with a smaller screen, the public release of iOS 9.3, and a new range of Watch straps.
First of all, let us look at the iPhone SE. Here is a new iPhone which takes the body of the iPhone 5S and fills it with the features, software and performance of Apple's current flagship, the iPhone 6S. The SE has a 4in screen and an angular aluminium body. Inside there is an A9 processor and the option of either 16 or 64GB of storage. Colour options are made up of grey, silver, gold and rose gold.
Touch ID is present and correct, meaning the iPhone SE can be unlocked with a fingerprint and goods can be bought with Apple Pay. However, 3D Touch, which lets an iPhone 6S feel how hard you press the screen, is not included. The iPhone SE is available for pre-order from 24 March and goes on sale on the last day of the month. Prices starts at £359.
Joining the 12.9in iPad Pro, a second model has just been announced by Apple which has the same screen as the iPad Air 2. The new iPad Pro inherits the same powerful A9X processor, Smart Connector and four-speaker audio system as its big brother, along with support for Apple's stylus, the Pencil.
As with the iPhone SE, 3D Touch is missing, but this is unlikely to be a deal breaker. Instead, the new iPad Pro is being positioned by Apple as the 'ultimate PC replacement', blending computer performance with tablet practicality.
The most interesting feature of the new iPad Pro is called True Tone Display. By measuring the colour and 'temperature' of ambient light, the iPad automatically adjusts its display to match both. By doing this, Apple claims the iPad Pro 9.7in will be more comfortable on the user's eyes.
As a first for any iOS device, the new tablet can be bought with 256GB of storage, although the entry-level model has just 32GB. The new iPad Pro has the same side connector as the larger Pro, meaning it can be connected to an Apple keyboard dock (sold separately), and there are four internal speakers.
Storage options are 32, 128 and 256GB. For taking photos, the new iPad Pro has a 12-megapixel rear camera with many features found in the iPhone 6S, including focus pixel, dual-tone flash and Live Photos.
Pre-orders will open on 24 March and the new iPad goes on sale on 31 March. Prices start at £499 and run up to £839.
Apple announced that the starting price of the Watch Sport will be cut from £299 to £259. The company also used the event to reveal a range of new nylon straps, plus a black Milanese Loop band. The nylon straps are available in light blue, pink, peach and black, and each cost £35.
And finally, Apple used the media event to announce that iOS 9.3 is now available for the general public to download and install onto their iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. The software's most interesting new feature, called Night Shift, adjusted the colours of the display at night to help prevent eye strain and help users sleep better after using their phone.
By reducing the amount of blue light produced by the screen, Apple claims users are likely to fall asleep more easily.
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