Apple to launch iPhone 5se, iPad Air 3 on March 15

US technology giant Apple has reportedly announced to launch iPhone 5se and a new iPad Air on March 15, a media report said.

The new 4-inch iPhone would be available online and in retail stores on March 18. Apple is unlikely to offer pre-orders for the new devices, tech website 9to5mac reported on Friday.

Manufacturing of the new iPhone began ramping up in January.

The iPhone 5se is an improved version of iPhone 5s that have specifications of iPhone 6 such as iPhone 6's 8-megapixel primary camera, 1.2-megapixel front camera, NFC chip for using Apple Pay, company's latest A9 processor, and improved connectivity like faster Wi-Fi.

The phone will also support Live Photos and may have a slight design change and a curved glass around its edges.

The phone is likely to support always-on Siri activation and will come in the same colours as the 6s: gold, rose gold, silver, and space grey.

"The iPad Air 3 is said to include a Smart Connector and support for Apple-branded accessories, which could mean that updated Smart Keyboards and Apple Pencil support for the 9.7-inch device are in the pipeline," the report said.

The new iPad is also expected to an upgraded camera system, a rear flash for brighter photos and include a variant of the A9 processor.

Apple is also planning to unveil a series of new Apple Watch Sport Band colours, a Space Black Milanese Loop, and NATO-style nylon bands.