Apple is rumored to release new iPhone and iPad models this week but without hosting the usual event for a product launch. Instead, the tech giant could opt to silently roll out a Red iPhone 7, an iPhone SE with 128GB of storage capacity, bumped up iPad Pros and possibly the iMac 2017 refresh.
Such stealthy move by Apple was suggested in a new post by MacRumors. The Apple-focused site pointed out that Apple's online store is scheduled for "system maintenance" on March 21, and the announcement came with the advisory that the site will not be accessible between 3 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time on the same day.
In the past, such downtime period has been used by Apple to update its online store with fresh product offerings, giving MacRumors reasons to believe that once the Apple Store maintenance is completed it will carry new product displays. The same report is likewise convinced that in lieu of a big event for product introduction, Apple CEO Tim Cook will just provide a press release.
The guesswork was based on previous tactics employed by Apple when it intends to push out new products minus the fanfare. "Apple commonly issues press releases at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time," MacRumors said on its report, noting that the Apple Store is set to return online after maintenance at around the same time.
Provided the prediction will prove correct, what could Apple be unboxing this week? Rumors say a new iPhone SE is in the works but most likely there will be no big changes to accompany the refresh. According to BGR, the 4-inch iOS device is likely to get bumps in the camera and Touch ID departments. And most significantly, the device will get an expanded memory of 128GB.
Speculations are rife too that the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus will add new color options. There were talks that a Jet White finish will soon be part of the lineup but most likely Apple will unveil Red version of its 2016 flagship phone.
Apple watchers have also been forecasting that the iPad Pro 2 will soon touchdown and there will be four new models to expect. The iPad Air and Mini will be more and to replace them are the 9.7-inch and 7.9-inch iPad Pro 2. The 12.9-inch model will also be upgraded with faster and more powerful processing chip with increased RAM provision.
MacRumors said the newest of the iPad Pro bunch will be the 10.5-inch model that will be distinct for slim-bezel profile. But it's likely that the device will only be announced via the press release and the actual availability will be at the Apple WWDC 2017 that will kick off on June.
And last but not the least is the rumored iMac 2017 release, which could include Intel's Kaby Lake processor as part of its specs-bump list.