New 'iPhone SE' cases suggest design nearly identical to iPhone 5s
New pre-release cases for Apple's rumored 4-inch "iPhone SE" may imply that device will be virtually identical to the iPhone 5s, in spite of a recent case suggesting design tweaks more akin to the 6s.

Bumper and shield cases produced by X-Doria align properly with the buttons, ports, and dimensions of the iPhone 5s, according to a YouTube video from MobileFunTV. Both are in full retail packages labeled as being for the "iPhone 5se," a name once rumored but now likely inaccurate.
A similarly-labeled Chinese case received by Unbox Therapy hinted at repositioned buttons, and hence a modified chassis, perhaps with iPhone 6-style curved screen edges.
The discrepancy may indicate that one or both of the casemakers are wrong about the new phone's final design. Case makers have been known to bet --?and lose --?on rumored Apple designs prior to a product's official unveiling.
Internally the device is expected to feature an A8 or A9 processor, Apple Pay support, and an upgraded camera potentially capable of 4K video. This would offer an upgrade path for 5s owners who want a low-cost iPhone, and/or a smaller model than the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 or 6s.
The product should be unveiled at an Apple press event on Monday, alongside a new 9.7-inch iPad and more Apple Watch bands.
Apple's event kicks off at 10 a.m. Pacific, 1 p.m. Eastern next Monday. AppleInsider will be there live with full coverage and hands-on impressions.

Bumper and shield cases produced by X-Doria align properly with the buttons, ports, and dimensions of the iPhone 5s, according to a YouTube video from MobileFunTV. Both are in full retail packages labeled as being for the "iPhone 5se," a name once rumored but now likely inaccurate.
A similarly-labeled Chinese case received by Unbox Therapy hinted at repositioned buttons, and hence a modified chassis, perhaps with iPhone 6-style curved screen edges.
The discrepancy may indicate that one or both of the casemakers are wrong about the new phone's final design. Case makers have been known to bet --?and lose --?on rumored Apple designs prior to a product's official unveiling.
Internally the device is expected to feature an A8 or A9 processor, Apple Pay support, and an upgraded camera potentially capable of 4K video. This would offer an upgrade path for 5s owners who want a low-cost iPhone, and/or a smaller model than the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 or 6s.
The product should be unveiled at an Apple press event on Monday, alongside a new 9.7-inch iPad and more Apple Watch bands.
Apple's event kicks off at 10 a.m. Pacific, 1 p.m. Eastern next Monday. AppleInsider will be there live with full coverage and hands-on impressions.
Comments
He'll wake wake up soon and say "Make it like the 5S, thats my genius!". They'll hand him some tea ( milk after, one spoon), pat his head and say " Shoosh now Johnny, you've said that after your naps for the last few months, and we are doing it. Have some digestive biscuits"
Yes, I think these are shots in the dark. Why would they put a *sticker* on the packaging? Those are totally 5s cases being used in this stunt.... unless Apple thinks the 5s form factor deserves several more years of life. I'd actually be in favour of that.... changing the form causes a LOT of waste in the marketplace as cases and accessories are tossed in the trash.
Otherwise, all these things are just tech they've already introduced. It's not even like introducing an iPad mini, which could be argued was just a miniaturized iPad -- at least it was something we hadn't seen before.
fallenjt may have an interesting point in mentioning the Apple Car. If Apple needs to start road trials this year, and have to get public regulatory approval, then maybe they do need to hold an event to announce it publicly. Perhaps they've reached the point where they can no longer keep it under wraps and rather than risk leaks, they'd rather showcase it. That certainly fits with the "loop" metaphor.