Rumors are suggesting that Apple is working on an updated 4-inch iPhone have been circulating since the launch of the iPhone 6, but information that’s leaked out about the device has varied quite a bit between news sources. While some rumors pointed towards a 4-inch iPhone equivalent in power to the iPhone 6s, others suggested it would be a lower-end device modeled after the iPhone 5s.
New information shared by 9to5Mac and Chinese website MyDrivers [Google Translate] adds to the growing body of evidence pointing towards an iPhone 5s-style device that’s a step down from the iPhone 6s, potentially set to be called the “iPhone 5se” to denote its position as an upgraded version of the iPhone 5s.
One of the new features, according to the report, is that the iPhone 5se will have the Live Photos feature, something the iPhone 6/6 Plus does not have. This feature alone would put the device at an advantage over the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. Aside from the aforementioned feautres, the 4-inch device is expected to have many features similar to the iPhone 6 including an 8-megapixel camera, an A8 processor, and an NFC chip for Apple Pay support. Color options include rose gold, silver, gold, and space gray just like the iPhone 6/6 Plus and iPhone 6s/6s Plus. The iPhone 5se won’t however have 3D Touch input due to the cost and size of the hardware required.
With the iPhone 5se, Apple may be aiming to introduce a device that’s going to deliver up-to-date features to customers who prefer smaller devices while still refraining from competing with its flagship 4.7 and 5.5-inch iPhones.
Mass production on the 4-inch screen for iPhone 5se is said to have kicked off this week, and while iPhone 6c/5se rumors have disagreed on many prospective features, all rumors have pointed towards an early 2016 release date. Apple is said to be planning a March event to unveil new products, and it’s possible that could be where Apple is planning to debut its 4-inch iPhone.
New Apple’s 4-Inch iPhone to Be Called ‘iPhone 5se’