14 DAY TRIAL // After unveiling the new, entry-level 9.7-inch iPad with Apple Pencil support for students, it seems that Apple has released the iOS 11.3 operating system only for this new device.
The iOS 11.3 software update is now available for installation on the new 9.7-inch iPad devices, as build 15E216 for iPad7,5 and build 15E218 for iPad7,6. These are the new 9.7-inch iPad with Wi-Fi and with Wi-Fi and Cellular. However, the new iPad devices haven't yet shipped to customers, so Apple is just preparing the iOS 11.3 release for the official launch later this week.
Download links are provided here and here for those who want to manually install the iOS 11.3 software update on these new iPad models, but the rest of world will have to wait a little longer for the final iOS 11.3 release to arrive on their devices. At the moment of writing, the Apple Developer website still displays the current beta versions of the iOS 11.3, tvOS 11.3, macOS High Sierra 10.13.4, and watchOS 4.3 operating systems.
iOS 11.3 brings new animoji, new AR experiences, and new battery features
The iOS 11.3 software update is Apple's biggest since the official unveiling of iOS 11 last year during the WWDC (Worldwide Developer Conference) 2017 event, and it promises to add an extra layer of new features to supported iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices, including four new Animoji, new AR (Augmented Reality) experiences, especially on the new iPad with Apple Pencil support, and a new Battery Health feature so you know when it's time to replace it.
Will reveal more about the new features as soon as the final iOS 11.3 release is available for everyone else, including supported iPhone and iPod touch devices, as well as other supported iPad models. Until then, you should prepare for the major update by making a backup of your device by turning on iCloud Backup in Settings -> iCloud -> Backup. We'll update this story as soon as Apple releases iOS 11.3 for all supported devices.