Apple’s new 4-inch smartphone to launch as iPhone 5se: Rumors

Apple’s new 4-inch smartphone to launch as iPhone 5se: Rumors

A spate of recent leaks and reports strongly indicate Apple is working on a 4-inch iPhone. Many believe the smaller iPhone will be launched as the iPhone 6c, while some say it will be an iPhone 5e, where e stands for the ‘enhanced version’. Now, Mark Gurman of 9to5Mac has suggested that the rumored 4-inch iPhone is actually a revamped version of the iPhone 5s, and may launch as the iPhone 5se. The suffix se stands for the ‘special edition’.

According to Gurman, the iPhone 5se, internally codenamed N69, will have similar look and feel of the iPhone 5s, which was launched in 2013. The new smartphone will come with new features and subtle design changes to make it look closer to the iPhone 6 series. A few changes include curved glass like on the iPhone 6 in place of chamfered edges.

The iPhone 5se will have 8-megapixel rear camera and 1.2-megapixel front camera. It might also include support for Live Photos. The smartphone will be powered by A8 and M8 chips, and come with NFC support for Apple Pay. One major new feature that will be missing on the iPhone 5se is support for 3D Touch.

But why Apple will make a new version of its almost two year old-smartphone? According to Gurman, Apple is targeting users who are still using the iPhone 5s mainly because of the smaller form factor, and may have not been impressed with the iPhone 6 slimmer and larger design. Moreover, it could be possible that Apple has plans to phase out the iPhone 5s, and help upgrade its older users.

Whether it is called the iPhone 5e or iPhone 5se or even iPhone 6c, Apple’s 4-inch iPhone launch seems imminent in next couple of months. Right now we are taking all these rumors with pinch of salt. We expect to get more clear picture as we near the official launch, which is speculated to be in late March or April.