Apple to unveil the 4-inch iPhone SE and a smaller iPad Pro on March 21

Apple’s iPhone SE and new the 9.7-inch iPad Pro unveiling has been delayed a bit longer than we previously expected. The wait has been stretched to March 21

Apple’s iPhone SE and new the 9.7-inch iPad Pro unveiling has been delayed a bit longer than we previously expected. The wait has been stretched to March 21 (Reuters)

Apple's anticipated launch of the iPhone SE has reportedly been moved to March 21, a day before the hearing on the San Bernardino case that saw the tech giant take on the American federal investigative agency for asking backdoor access to iPhones.

Earlier reports pegged a March 15 launch for the rumoured compact iPhone SE and the smaller iPad Pro. The special edition device (hence iPhone SE) will apparently be Apple's first four-inch smartphone since 2013, and will likely be fitted with A9 and M9 processors from the iPhone 6s.

The device will also support Apple Pay, Live Photos and Touch ID and is expected to be similar in design to the iPhone 5s, but with slightly more curved edges.

The American tech company has over the past two weeks been locked in a battle with the FBI which asked the company to create backdoor access to an iPhone of a suspect. Apple rejected the investigative agency's request, stating it violated the company's policy over user privacy. The matter is currently being sorted out in a federal court.

Aside from the phone, the event will likely bring out the iPad Pro. The tablet will reportedly come with a 9.7-inch display featuring the same high-end retina display as the original 12-inch model. It is also expected to get support for Apple Pencil along with the new A9X processor. A smaller version of its Smart Keyboard cover attachment may also be part of the unveiling.

In addition, Apple is expected to showcase some new Apple Watch band options along with important software updates at the event.