14 DAY TRIAL // Apple is believed to be working on a 4-inch version of the iPhone that could help the company tackle the more affordable smartphone market, and the launch of this new device is expected to take place in the next few months.
But while people close to the matter hinted that the new model could be either called iPhone 6c or even iPhone 7c, a new report coming from 9to5mac claims that the device will actually launch as iPhone 5se.
This is certainly a little bit surprising, given the fact that Apple is already at the sixth generation, but what the company is trying to do is actually build a successor to the iPhone 5 that would compete in the 4-inch device market.
The idea does make sense: the purported iPhone 5se could thus be very different in terms of design from the iPhone 6, so it won’t cannibalize its sales, while at the same time be marketed as a special edition and appeal to those still using older iPhone models that would thus have more chances to upgrade.
“Special edition”
Apple codenamed the device N69, and the “se” label stands for special edition, which clearly suggests it will be an improved version of the iPhone 5, with features borrowed from the iPhone 6 and 6s.
The aforementioned source claims that Apple is planning several important upgrades, including small design tweaks, such as replacing the “shiny edges with curved glass like on the iPhone 6 and 6s lines.”
As for hardware, the new device will inherit several features from the iPhone 6 (the standard one, not the S version): it’ll feature the same A8 and M8 chips available on this model, as well as its 8MP and 1.2MP cameras. Additionally, it will have an NFC chip for Apple Pay (Cupertino hopes this more affordable model could boost adoption of its payment service in the US), as well as live photos support and autofocus for video recording.
It will be launched in the same colors as the iPhone 6s, including Silver, Space Grey, Gold, and Rose Gold. Pricing is not yet available, but previous reports claimed the device could hit the market at approximately $500 (€450). The unveiling could take place in March or April.