Apple Officially Announces 8:00 AM Local Time Launch for New iPad on Friday, March 16

Apple today officially announced that the new iPad will launch at 8:00 AM local time on Friday in the United States and nine other countries. The first hints of an 8:00 AM launch surfaced earlier this week with the grand opening time of Apple's new Highland Village retail store in Houston, and the time was essentially confirmed yesterday with a leaked photo of Apple retail store signage announcing the launch time.

Apple today announced the new iPad, the third generation of its category defining mobile device, will arrive at Apple’s retail stores and the Apple Online Store (www.apple.com) on Friday, March 16 at 8:00 a.m. local time in the US, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Switzerland and the UK; along with Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.

Apple also notes that customers purchasing the new iPad will receive free Personal Setup to get their new device up and running, while promoting Personal Pickup options available through the Apple Store app for iOS devices.

ipad 3 hand
Finally, the company confirms that the new iPad will be available from Best Buy, RadioShack, Sam’s Club, Target and Walmart in the United States. Carriers AT&T and Verizon have also announced that they will be offering 4G models of the new iPad beginning with Friday's launch date.

Related Roundup: iPad
Buyer's Guide: iPad (Neutral)
Related Forum: iPad

Popular Stories

Apple Shopping Event 2025

Apple Announces 2025 Black Friday Event, Here's What You Can Get

Thursday November 20, 2025 6:28 am PST by
Apple's annual four-day Black Friday through Cyber Monday shopping event is returning on Friday, November 28 through Monday, December 1 in many countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Thailand, and others. During the shopping event, customers can get an Apple gift card with...
iPhone 17 Pro Cosmic Orange

10 Reasons to Wait for Next Year's iPhone 18 Pro

Wednesday November 19, 2025 4:00 am PST by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models at the same time, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 18 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. One thing worth...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Adds These New Features to Your iPhone

Thursday November 20, 2025 10:50 am PST by
iOS 26.2 is currently in beta testing. The upcoming update includes a handful of new features and changes on the iPhone, including a new Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics for Apple Music, and more. In a recent press release, Apple confirmed that iOS 26.2 will be released to all users in December, but it did not provide a specific release date. Keep reading...
hikawa phone grip stand apple%402x

Apple Launches Second Limited-Edition iPhone Accessory in a Month

Friday November 21, 2025 3:53 am PST by
Apple has begun selling the Hikawa Phone Grip and Stand, a new limited-edition iPhone accessory designed with accessibility in mind. Designed by LA-based Bailey Hikawa to celebrate the 40th anniversary of accessibility at Apple, the grip uses magnets to securely snap onto any iPhone with MagSafe. Apple says it can be removed with ease, and doubles as a stand with two different viewing...
ipad mini 7 feature red and blue

iPad Mini 8: Four Major New Features to Expect

Wednesday November 19, 2025 7:50 am PST by
Apple's eighth-generation iPad mini is highly likely to arrive next year, offering a significant refresh of the device with at least four major new features. OLED Display The next-generation version of the iPad mini could feature an OLED display, as part of Apple's plan to expand the display technology across many more of its devices. Apple's first OLED device was the Apple Watch in 2015, ...
applecare apple care banner

Apple Brings New AppleCare+ Options to India

Tuesday November 18, 2025 8:42 am PST by
Apple today announced an expansion of AppleCare+ coverage in India, with new options for monthly and annual plans, and the addition of Theft and Loss for iPhone for the first time. Options for monthly and annual AppleCare+ plans in India provide more choice and flexibility, allowing users to keep coverage for as long as they require. Apple's vice president of Worldwide iPhone Product...
watchos 26 workout app

Apple Watch Users Claim Workout App Is Now Worse in Every Way

Thursday November 20, 2025 7:01 am PST by
Apple Watch owners have been voicing their frustration online over changes to the Workout app that Apple introduced in watchOS 26, with many finding the redesigned interface makes starting exercises difficult and exasperating. When Apple launched watchOS 26 in September, the Workout app went from large, easily tapped workout tiles to a scrolling, corner-button interface. Instead of tapping a ...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Two More U.S. States Commit to Offering iPhone Driver's Licenses in Apple Wallet App

Thursday November 20, 2025 8:21 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Earlier this week, Illinois became the 13th state in the U.S. to offer the feature. Subsequently, we shared a list of additional states that are committed...
android iphone airdrop quickshare

iPhone Users Can Now AirDrop Files to Android Devices

Thursday November 20, 2025 9:47 am PST by
Google today announced a new cross-platform feature that allows for file sharing between iPhone and Android users. With AirDrop on the iPhone and QuickShare on Pixel 10 devices, there is a new file transfer function available. The file sharing option works on Apple devices that include iPhone, iPad, and Mac, along with the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Fold....
ipad black friday 2025

The Best Early Black Friday iPad Deals

Thursday November 20, 2025 10:20 am PST by
Black Friday is just over a week away, and iPad deals have finally started to flood in at retailers like Amazon and Best Buy. Below we're tracking discounts on every current generation iPad, including lowest-ever prices on M3 iPad Air and M5 iPad Pro, plus steep markdowns on iPad and iPad mini. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a ...

Top Rated Comments

profets Avatar
179 months ago
Pretty amazing what they've done with this launch. Pre-orders with delivery on launch day. Initial launch in ~10 countries? Secondary launch a week later in another 20(?) countries. And it seems they've done all this while having plenty of stock available.

It's almost a work of art what they've done with their supply chain & logistics. Cook is truly shining here.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Buckeyestar Avatar
179 months ago
Oh I see Apple,,,, I pre-order and pay almost $900 for an iPad only to have someone walk into an Apple store, Bestbuy, Wal-mart, At&t or Verizon store and have their iPad before mine is even out for delivery. I say Apple should deliver all Pre-orders on Thursday!

Seriously? Get over it! Last year you would only be putting on order in on the same day as all those people getting theirs by standing in line. Be glad we were able to preorder this time.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
oscsjc Avatar
179 months ago
This is why I think people that pre-order should have got theirs a day early. We ordered first but we'll get ours last on launch day. :(

Yeah, sucks to be you. Let's see, you don't have to get up early, stand in line at some Best Buy in the cold and hope that you are lucky enough to be in a good place in line to get the exact color and model you desire. Instead you go about your day and some nice person from FedEX rings your doorbell and hand you your shinny new iPad. You are not entiltled. You pre-ordered only because you want to ensure that you get you hands on one on lauch day. boo-hoo.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
S.B.G Avatar
179 months ago
Mine's been sitting at a FedEx facility in TN since Sunday with overnight delivery, but with a delayed delivery date requested. :mad:
Yours and everyone who per-orderded too. Apple said they'd deliver on Friday, so there's no reason to be angry over it. :)

Although, mine is sitting in Middletown, PA.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Blorzoga Avatar
179 months ago
Oh I see Apple,,,, I pre-order and pay almost $900 for an iPad only to have someone walk into an Apple store, Bestbuy, Wal-mart, At&t or Verizon store and have their iPad before mine is even out for delivery. I say Apple should deliver all Pre-orders on Thursday!

You mean: anyone can wake up before dawn, sit outside in a lawn chair, be miserable, miss work, and keep their fingers crossed that the store they're at will have the model they want, while all you have to do is wait for a knock on your door. Yeah, Apple's really screwing you over.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
B.A.T Avatar
179 months ago
I'd rather the Fed Ex guy showed up at 5pm or even on Saturday than waste my time in line. I really hope Dionte's Fed Ex driver is reading this thread and loses his iPad.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)