Rumor: Apple's new 4-inch handset will be called 'iPhone 5se'
Apple's new, smaller iPhone model expected to launch in the coming months will be a "special edition" version of the iPhone 5s, and will accordingly be named the "iPhone 5se," a new rumor claims.
Citing unnamed sources, 9to5mac reported on Friday that "iPhone 5se" is the expected name for the heavily rumored new 4-inch iPhone. Internally, the device is said to be known by codename "N69."
Most of the other details reported Friday -- including expectations of curved edges and support for Apple Pay -- were already reported last year. But in one small, new wrinkle, it was claimed that the "iPhone 5se" will include support for capturing Live Photos, giving the 4-inch handset a leg up over the year-old iPhone 6.
Aside from that, the device is expected to have many of the same components as the iPhone 6, including an A8 processor, 8-megapixel camera, and an NFC chip for Apple Pay. The device is rumored to come in color options of space gray, silver, gold, and rose gold.
In addition, the "iPhone 5se" is expected to feature a 4-inch Retina display largely identical to the panel found on the currently available iPhone 5s. In line with earlier reports, the display is not expected to feature pressure sensitive 3D Touch input.
Until now, the rumor mill has referred to the anticipated device as an "iPhone 6c," borrowing a naming convention Apple adopted for the iPhone 5c. But that lineup used the letter "c" to refer to the array of colors available, made possible because of the plastic backing Apple opted to use.
Unlike the iPhone 5c, however, it's expected that the new 4-inch iPhone will sport a metal enclosure, giving it a more premium feel to stand alongside the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6 series.
Reports have claimed Apple is planning to hold a keynote presentation this quarter to unveil new products. Recent rumors have suggested a second-generation Apple Watch will not be on tap for that event, instead debuting later in 2016.
Citing unnamed sources, 9to5mac reported on Friday that "iPhone 5se" is the expected name for the heavily rumored new 4-inch iPhone. Internally, the device is said to be known by codename "N69."
Most of the other details reported Friday -- including expectations of curved edges and support for Apple Pay -- were already reported last year. But in one small, new wrinkle, it was claimed that the "iPhone 5se" will include support for capturing Live Photos, giving the 4-inch handset a leg up over the year-old iPhone 6.
Aside from that, the device is expected to have many of the same components as the iPhone 6, including an A8 processor, 8-megapixel camera, and an NFC chip for Apple Pay. The device is rumored to come in color options of space gray, silver, gold, and rose gold.
In addition, the "iPhone 5se" is expected to feature a 4-inch Retina display largely identical to the panel found on the currently available iPhone 5s. In line with earlier reports, the display is not expected to feature pressure sensitive 3D Touch input.
Until now, the rumor mill has referred to the anticipated device as an "iPhone 6c," borrowing a naming convention Apple adopted for the iPhone 5c. But that lineup used the letter "c" to refer to the array of colors available, made possible because of the plastic backing Apple opted to use.
Unlike the iPhone 5c, however, it's expected that the new 4-inch iPhone will sport a metal enclosure, giving it a more premium feel to stand alongside the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6 series.
Reports have claimed Apple is planning to hold a keynote presentation this quarter to unveil new products. Recent rumors have suggested a second-generation Apple Watch will not be on tap for that event, instead debuting later in 2016.
Comments
iPhone 5se will be the flagship iPhone just like the iPad Mini which is the flagship iPad.
The logical name would be 6C. Or 6-something. But 5-something doesn't make any sense.
Imagine a 5S with an OLED display and no wallpaper : a black monolith, perfection.
Written on my 5S.
Well, I could if I was still in my early 20s.
Hmmm. Maybe that is who this phone appeals to?
For shear aesthetics I'm still admiring the 4s. Gorgeous, IMHO.
Apple distinguishes the larger iPhone 6 size by referring to it as the 6 Plus so why not refer to this new model as the 6 mini?
This will keep in line with Apple's current convention with the iPad and iPad Mini.
I recall Steve Jobs intensely disliked the idea of products having long cryptic alphanumerics as their model names. I think he felt that it seemed clumsy, inelegant and helps to confuse the consumer. Apple appears to still hold that view.
Naming a new 4 inch iPhone as the iPhone 5se suggests a return to this alphabet soup of naming.
Just compare the names of Macintosh computers before and after his return as CEO at Apple:
Before his return we had IIfx, Iici, Quadra 9600, 9500, Performa 5200, 5300, Powerbook 1400, 2300 etc etc.
After his return we had Powerbook, iBook, PowerMac G4, MacBook, Mac Pro, iMac.
The iPhone 6s is not only a completely different phone than the iPhone 6, it's far better. It's faster, it's stronger, it has more features, it has a better screen ... the list goes on and on. The difference between an iPhone 6s and an iPhone 6 is probably the biggest difference between a regular and an "s" series of any model of Apple's iPhones yet made.
The idea that they should stop selling it in favour of the old model, (and then introduce it back again a year later anyway?), is just insane nonsense.
Yeah ... except the phone as described will actually look almost the same as an iPhone 6 and not an iPhone 5 (despite the name). It's described right in the article as losing most of the design elements of the iPhone 5, and gaining the rounded corners and antenna lines of the iPhone 6. Also, the term "business class design" is meaningless and made up.
Steve Jobs is dead, and if he weren't, he would tell you to look forward and not back.
6 $450
"5se" $500
6S $550
"6c" $600
6S Plus $650
7 $650
7 Plus $750
So instead of offering the Plus as an entry level phone, they maintain it as a premium phone, but expand the smaller handsets on the budget and mid-tier levels with lost of over-lap in the middle to maximize their take from all customers.