Leaker's iOS 18.3 reveals suggest M4 iPad Air & iPhone SE 4 are close to launch
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The iPhone SE could gain the Dynamic Island. A private social media account has claimed the soon-to-release operating system updates will be preinstalled on inbound hardware that could arrive soon, including the fourth-gen iPhone SE and iPad refreshes. Apple entered the release candidate stage of its operating system updates on Tuesday, meaning the final releases to the public could happen soon. If a social media account is to be believed, new hardware may not be all that far behind.
A private X account with a good track record for accuracy as it pertains to operating system details claims that the 22D8062 build of iOS 18.3 will be preinstalled on the iPhone SE, the fourth-gen model that is anticipated to arrive soon. At the same time, it says build 22D2060 of iPadOS 18.3 will be preinstalled on the 11th gen iPad and iPad Air.
The claim of specific builds of operating systems on yet-to-ship hardware could be considered an indicator that Apple is preparing to ship the identified hardware. While Apple doesn't tend to introduce new products in January in recent years, there have been rumors of a potential launch early in the year.
Earlier in the month, it was alleged that the iPhone SE 4 and new iPads were anticipated to launch with iOS and iPadOS 18.3. However, it was also reported that the launches would happen in April, ahead of a release of iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4. A January launch is possible, but unlikely. Potential issues range from supply chain inventory of important components being used for more expensive and profitable products, to the potential cannibalism of existing premium item sales by introducing cheaper models.
