iPhone 5se Release Date: Apple Inc. May Begin Sales Of 4-Inch Smartphone Mar. 18

A 4-inch iPhone and upgraded iPad Air could hit store shelves shortly after their public debut. Apple Inc. is planning to begin sales of its anticipated iPhone 5se and iPad Air 3 March 18, just three days after it is expected to unveil the devices at a media event, 9to5Mac reported.

Preorders for the new device aren’t anticipated for the 4-inch smartphone with such a short window between the expected announcement and release. But it’s not the first time that Apple hasn’t held preorders. In 2013, the company also decided to forego online presales of the iPhone 5S — the device that the 5se is anticipated to replace.

The new model is expected to retain a similar design as the 5S, but come with modern features such as the Apple Pay mobile-payment system, A9 processor, upgraded camera and the ability to take Live Photos. However, the pressure-sensitive 3D Touch display found on the iPhone 6S isn’t expected to come with the 5se. The new smartphone may come in colors such as rose gold, gold, silver and space gray.

The iPhone 5se isn’t anticipated to be priced any lower than the iPhone 5S for emerging markets. But it could be an attractive option for customers who stick to 4-inch iPhones, over 30 percent of all iPhones in use globally, Mixpanel reported.

Apple’s iPad Air 3 is expected to come packed with features such as a rear flash, Apple Pencil stylus support, upgraded camera and A9 processor.

While a new Apple Watch may not be unveiled during the event, Apple could instead unveil a series of new bands and straps for the device, which accounted for two-thirds of all smartwatches shipped in 2015, Canalys reported.