New 4-inch iPhone to run Apple's A9 chip, 'iPad Air 3' to sport A9X - report
Though they are expected to be priced as mid-range products, Apple's latest iPhone and iPad updates will run the same latest-generation processors as their flagship counterparts, a new report reveals.

In a cover story profiling Apple's chipmaking operations, Bloomberg reported that Apple's new 4-inch iPhone will run the same A9 processor found in the iPhone 6s series, its sources said. In addition, the "iPad Air 3" is expected to be powered by the A9X processor already found in the larger iPad Pro.
If accurate, the information would reveal that the new 4-inch iPhone, rumored to be called the "iPhone 5se" or "iPhone 6c," will be more powerful than Apple's current mid-range handset lineup, the iPhone 6 series. Priced starting at $549, the iPhone 6 runs an A8 processor with 1 gigabyte of RAM.
The A9 chip in the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, meanwhile, has 2 gigabytes of RAM, allowing app data to remain active in the background for longer. The A9 is more than 50 percent faster than the A8 at multicore operations, and nearly 60 percent faster at single core tasks.
The A9 also includes the M9 motion coprocessor, which allows the iPhone 6s to track pace when running. It also powers the always-on "Hey Siri" functionality that allows users to invoke the voice-driven personal assistant without touching their phone.

If the new 4-inch iPhone gains all of the features of the A9 chip in the iPhone 6s, it's still unknown how Apple plans to price the device. Earlier rumors had suggested Apple might price it under $500 without a subsidy, but that would undercut the $549 iPhone 6 with a device actually more powerful.
As for the third-generation iPad Air, the A9X processor found in the iPad Pro is a dual-core CPU with a 12-cluster GPU. The beefed-up chip doubles the graphics power of the base A9 processor found in the iPhone 6s series.
The A9X also boasts 4 gigabytes of RAM, doubling the amount of memory in the iPad Air 2 and iPhone 6s. Performance is also aided by a new storage controller that improves both read and write speeds.
Apple is widely expected to announce both the new 4-inch iPhone and iPad Air at a media event on March 15. The devices are rumored to go on sale just three days later, on Friday, March 18.

In a cover story profiling Apple's chipmaking operations, Bloomberg reported that Apple's new 4-inch iPhone will run the same A9 processor found in the iPhone 6s series, its sources said. In addition, the "iPad Air 3" is expected to be powered by the A9X processor already found in the larger iPad Pro.
If accurate, the information would reveal that the new 4-inch iPhone, rumored to be called the "iPhone 5se" or "iPhone 6c," will be more powerful than Apple's current mid-range handset lineup, the iPhone 6 series. Priced starting at $549, the iPhone 6 runs an A8 processor with 1 gigabyte of RAM.
The A9 chip in the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, meanwhile, has 2 gigabytes of RAM, allowing app data to remain active in the background for longer. The A9 is more than 50 percent faster than the A8 at multicore operations, and nearly 60 percent faster at single core tasks.
The A9 also includes the M9 motion coprocessor, which allows the iPhone 6s to track pace when running. It also powers the always-on "Hey Siri" functionality that allows users to invoke the voice-driven personal assistant without touching their phone.

If the new 4-inch iPhone gains all of the features of the A9 chip in the iPhone 6s, it's still unknown how Apple plans to price the device. Earlier rumors had suggested Apple might price it under $500 without a subsidy, but that would undercut the $549 iPhone 6 with a device actually more powerful.
As for the third-generation iPad Air, the A9X processor found in the iPad Pro is a dual-core CPU with a 12-cluster GPU. The beefed-up chip doubles the graphics power of the base A9 processor found in the iPhone 6s series.
The A9X also boasts 4 gigabytes of RAM, doubling the amount of memory in the iPad Air 2 and iPhone 6s. Performance is also aided by a new storage controller that improves both read and write speeds.
Apple is widely expected to announce both the new 4-inch iPhone and iPad Air at a media event on March 15. The devices are rumored to go on sale just three days later, on Friday, March 18.
Comments
Also don't be surprised when the old iPhone 6 is dropped from the lineup at the same time this is introduced.
Same with the 6e vs the 6s.
No one expects it to "outdo the Pro". It's the iPad Air 3. It need only outdo the iPad Air 2.
If it had the A8 and had the spec of the Iphone 6 it would make sense.
If they don't boost the screen resolution, that alone would enable them to seriously cut the weight by removing much battery.
So, it could weight 350g. If they don't shave much thickness, the extra space could be used by better speakers.
Such a weight would be great.
it would be close to the perfect weight for such a device to hold long term with one hand.
iPhone 6s Plus $749 -> $649
iPhone 6s $649 -> $549
iPhone 6 / Plus - Discontinues
iPhone 6c? $499
Now why do that? It will literally create another cycle for iPhone buyers. So now instead of a yearly buying pattern, you have added another mid cycle incentive for those who want to upgrade. Normally the latest iPhone price stays the same over the course of the year. So why not get it ASAP. That is why the 1st two quarter after iPhone release tends to the spike. While the last two quarter levels off. By lowering the price two quarters it will also make the prices minded buyer to hold. Which will smooth out the initial production rush.
Also most of Apple's competitors now stays out of the September Flagship model release and not to go head to head with Apple. They all decide to release their phone in March sometimes after MWC. Now Apple will have a weapon against them. $100 dollar discount.
I suspect they'll keep the 6/ 6 Plus around for another 6 months at least, if not 18. it give an 'in' to those who want a larger phone than the 4inch.
So, they won't do it.