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

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.

iPhone-SE-hands-on-1
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.

iPhone-SE-matte

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.

ipad-pro-12-vs-9-side-by-side

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.


Meanwhile, new Apple Watch bands and finishes were announced at today's event. Apple introduced new Woven Nylon bands in a variety of colors, a Space Black Milanese Loop, and new colors for the Leather Loop, Modern Buckle, and Sport bands.

Apple-Watch-new-bands-March-2016

New woven nylon, leather, and sport Apple Watch bands (Image: The Verge)

Apple Watch now starts at $299, and the new bands can be ordered from Apple's website starting today for $49 and up. Orders placed today currently have estimated shipping times of late March for most new bands.

Related Roundups: Apple Watch 11, iPad Pro
Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
imac video apple feature

Apple Makes Its Second-Biggest Acquisition Ever

Tuesday February 3, 2026 12:45 pm PST by
Apple recently acquired Israeli startup Q.ai for close to $2 billion, according to Financial Times sources. That would make this Apple's second-biggest acquisition ever, after it paid $3 billion for the popular headphone maker Beats in 2014. This is also the largest known Apple acquisition since the company purchased Intel's smartphone modem business and patents for $1 billion in 2019....
iOS 26 Home Feature

Apple Gives Final Warning to Home App Users

Tuesday February 3, 2026 8:55 am PST by
In 2022, Apple introduced a new Apple Home architecture that is "more reliable and efficient," and the deadline to upgrade and avoid issues is fast approaching. In an email this week, Apple gave customers a final reminder to upgrade their Home app by February 10, 2026. Apple says users who do not upgrade may experience issues with accessories and automations, or lose access to their smart...
maxresdefault

M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro Launch Imminent as Reseller Stock Dwindles

Tuesday February 3, 2026 12:12 pm PST by
New M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models are slated to launch in the near future, according to information shared with MacRumors by an Apple Premium Reseller. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. The third-party Apple retailer said that MacBook Pro stock is very low currently because there is an imminent new product introduction. Apple typically coordinates supply with...
Apple Logo Black

Apple's Next Launch is 'Imminent'

Sunday February 1, 2026 12:31 pm PST by
The calendar has turned to February, and a new report indicates that Apple's next product launch is "imminent," in the form of new MacBook Pro models. "All signs point to an imminent launch of next-generation MacBook Pros that retain the current form factor but deliver faster chips," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated...

Top Rated Comments

hspace Avatar
129 months ago
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.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nviz22 Avatar
129 months ago
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?
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Bentron Avatar
129 months ago
I want to know what impact the protruding camera has on stability when on a flat surface.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iThingsGurl Avatar
129 months ago
Those edges... Still look so elegant

Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SSD-GUY Avatar
129 months ago
Download that App that tells us the RAM!
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
indiekiduk Avatar
129 months ago
Anyone else sick of having the useless iPad shoved down our throat? Where are the new laptops? People are on 2 or 3 year old ones now.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)