All the rumors and news about Apple’s 4-inch iPhone 5SE
For the past year, we’ve heard many hints that Apple may release a cheaper and smaller, 4-inch iPhone. The so-called iPhone 5SE (or iPhone 6C/7C, depending on who you believe) didn’t arrive with the 6S and 6S Plus, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Rumors now claim that Apple will launch the smartphone in the spring of 2016. We’ve compiled all the rumors, new and old, about Apple’s smaller, 4-inch iPhone right here for those of you still dreaming of a return to the smaller iPhone.
A familar look
Alleged schematics from a case maker were leaked in late February by @OnLeaks, and show a very similar design to the iPhone 5S. The first schematic is supposedly much older, while the second drawing is believed to be more current, and could wind up being Apple’s final design for the phone.
The overall design is very similar in both drawings, but there are a couple of differences. The first one is the True Tone flash, which was much like the circular design found on the iPhone 6/6S in the older version. However, the updated drawing reverts back to the pill shape found on older iPhones. The other difference is the loss of two speaker portholes on the newer drawing, which provides a more uniform look.
Later, 9to5Mac released renders based on the leaked schematics, and said the iPhone 5SE will fit into existing iPhone 5S cases. However, there are some differences according to what the case maker told the site.
The renders below show the power button moving from the top of the iPhone 5S to the side of the iPhone 5SE. The case maker also claims the edges of the device and the front glass panel are curved, but not as much as the iPhone 6 and 6S. Also, neither the drawings or the renders depict it, but the iPhone 5SE is expected to have Touch ID. Finally, there is the possibility of a small camera bump, which is shown in the drawings, but it’s not clear if it’ll make its way into the final product.
For the past few years (with the exception of the iPhone 5C), Apple’s iPhones have come in a handful of sleek metallic color options. Previous rumors hinted that the 4-inch iPhone would come in the same colors as the iPhone 6: space gray, silver, gold, and rose gold. In Early February, Macotakara claimed the iPhone 5SE will come in hot pink like the company’s iPod Touch.
The site also hinted that neither of the gold color options may be available for the phone. The rumor certainly seems unlikely — especially given the many reliable sources that have said it will arrive in the same colors as the iPhone 6 — though it is possible that Apple will consider more color choices for its future iPhones.
Apple is known for its all-metal phones, and reports are in conflict over the 4-inch iPhone’s housing. Some say plastic; some say metal. The closer we get to the expected spring launch date for the 4-inch iPhone, the more reports lean toward the idea that the phone will be metal. It’s also said to look a lot like the iPhone 6.
A known leaker who has revealed accurate hardware news in the past on the One More Thing forum, posted in late January, what may be a picture of the newly redesigned 4-inch iPhone next to an older model of the iPhone. The photo shows scale, which is something we haven’t seen before. Although it could be a fake, 9to5Mac suggests it could be the real deal. In the photo, you can clearly see that this 4-inch iPhone looks more like the iPhone 6 with its rounded edges, Touch ID sensor, and 2.5D glass. No matter how real it may look, remember that it could still be a fake.
A YouTube video shows what appears to be the all-metal iPhone 6C. It looks much like the iPhone 6S, with its 2.5D glass, smooth, rounded edges, and white antenna lines on its metal back. If this is indeed the new 4-inch iPhone, it will fit in perfectly with the existing lineup.
However, the day after the video leaked, 9to5Mac’s oft-correct Mark Gurman said his sources — who have actually used the 4-inch iPhone — claim the video is a complete fake. He added that the smaller iPhone will be an upgrade of the iPhone 5S and maintain most of the same design language. However, his sources say “the chamfered, shiny edges have been replaced with curved glass like on the iPhone 6 and 6S lines.”
The phone shown in the picture and video above also looks a lot like the New Year’s Day leak from @OnLeaks. In the picture he found, it appears the iPhone 6C will use the same all-metal design as the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, but with a smaller 4-inch display. The leaked mobile has a Touch ID sensor and Apple’s two-tone LED flash.
That matches with the description given by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who said in early December that the 4-inch iPhone will be made of metal and have curved edges like the iPhone 6S. The analyst also said that it’ll have 2.5D glass and sport two or three colors.
Another report in December from MyDrivers said that the iPhone 6C would feature an all-metal design and look similar to the iPhone 5S. The report says the color options will be the same, too: space grey, gold, and silver.
A previous report by TechWeb also quotes industry insiders saying the iPhone 6C won’t have a polycarbonate shell like the old iPhone 5C, but an all-metal body like the iPhone 6S. The report correlates with others stating that the iPhone 6C will feature quite a few bold colors, similar to the iPhone 5C.
Before this, Jefferies analyst Ange Wu, wrote about a metal iPhone 6C and that Foxconn would build half of the units for Apple, while KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that Apple would retain the iPhone 5S aesthetic for the iPhone 6C, with mass production of a metal casing beginning in January.
Even though most new rumors suggest a metal design, earlier in the year Apple itself leaked an image of a colorful iPhone sitting on the lightning dock for iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, which may have been a hint of the iPhone 6C. Looking closely at the Home button revealed a chrome surround and an absence of a square icon, giving the impression it’s a Touch ID sensor — a feature not found on the iPhone 5C.
Could this be the iPhone 6C, accidentally leaked by Apple itself? It’s possible, but it could also be a poorly constructed press render, in which we’re seeing something that doesn’t really exist.
However, the Touch ID fingerprint sensor is an essential part of Apple Pay, and the mobile payments system isn’t compatible with Apple phones without it. If an iPhone 6C is coming, it’ll almost certainly have Touch ID. The picture has since been removed from Apple’s site.
Earlier in the year, the first pictures of what appeared to be the colorful plastic housing of the iPhone 6C leaked, and in a very similar color to the model used in Apple’s dock promo photo. The pictures were spotted by Future Supplier, a relatively unknown publication, so take a look at the pictures with a healthy dose of skepticism.
A high-end 4-inch iPhone
Much like the iPhone 5C, the new 4-inch iPhone is expected to have less-than-stellar specs for a lower price. So far, rumors seem to agree on most of the details, though some are in contention.
Most recent reports believe that the 4-inch iPhone will get the same A9 processor that’s inside the iPhone 6S, so that the smaller model isn’t too outdated in a few months time when the iPhone 7 launches (it’s rumored to have the A10 processor inside). In a wide ranging interview with Apple’s chip maker, Johny Srouji, Bloomberg referred to unnamed sources who say the iPhone 5SE will indeed sport the A9 processor.
Well-connected leaker Mark Gurman of 9to5Mac has more information from his sources, which contradicts his earlier report that the iPhone 5SE will have an A8 processor. Apparently, two different versions of the 4-inch iPhone are roaming around Apple’s campus: One with an A8 and M8 chip combination and another with the A9 and M9 chip setup.
Gurman’s sources claim that Apple will use the A10 on the iPhone 7, and it doesn’t want the iPhone 5SE to be two generations of processors behind the new iPhone, so the A9 chip is most likely to power the iPhone 5SE. If that is indeed the case, the 4-inch iPhone will be higher spec that previously anticipated. Gurman also hinted that the iPhone 5SE will come in 16 and 64GB models and support always-on Siri.
According to 9to5Mac’s Mark Gurman and his sources, the 4-inch iPhone will be a remake of the iPhone 5S and sport modern internals. The spec list may be as follows:
- An 8-megapixel rear camera and 1.2-megapixel front camera like the iPhone 6
- Large panoramas and autofocus for video recording
- Barometer to track elevation
- NFC and Apple Pay
- The A8 and M8 chips from the iPhone 6 (now Gurman says it’s more likely to be the A9/M9 chips)
- Bluetooth 4.2, VoLTE, and 802.11ac Wi-Fi chips like those in the iPhone 6S
- Live Photos, but no pressure sensitive 3D Touch features
No one can seem to agree on the processor that’ll power the 4-inch iPhone, with reports shifting between the A8 and A9 chips from Apple. A MyDrivers report from early January says it’ll be the A8 processor with 1GB of RAM. The site claims the 4-inch iPhone will sport a fingerprint sensor for Apple Pay and come with two storage options: 16GB or 64GB. The phone may also include voice over LTE for better calls.
A late December report from MyDrivers via AppleInsider claims that the iPhone 6C — or iPhone 7C as some are now calling it — will rock an A9 processor, 2GB of RAM, and a 1,642mAh battery. Others have said the A8 will power the phone, though, so the processor is still a point of contention among sources. The report also suggests that the 4-inch screen will have a 1,136 x 640-pixel resolution like the iPhone 5S.
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo weighed back into the debate in December with more possible specs, including an A9 chip from TSMC and Samsung, 2.5D cover glass, NFC support for Apple Pay, metal casing with at least two to three color options, and the same camera specs found on the iPhone 5S: an 8-megapixel camera and a 1.2-MP front shooter. Based on Kuo’s report, it looks as though the main difference between the iPhone 6S and this 4-inch model will be the camera resolution and screen size. Otherwise, it appears to have any of the same specs.
A November report from the blog Macotakara states that the 6C will be a mid-range phone with iPhone 5S-like specs. The 4-inch device will supposedly be powered by the older A8 processor instead of the current A9 chip used in the iPhone 6S or the A10 processor, which is expected to debut in the iPhone 7. The sources also mention 802.11ac Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, and a ƒ/2.2 aperture camera. Although it’s unclear how valid the source is, the specs listed in the report seem to line up with earlier reports,
KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the 4-inch iPhone may use the A9 chipset for smooth performance on iOS 10. To differentiate the 4-inch iPhone from the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus, Apple will not add 3D Touch — this has been backed up by a recent TechWeb report.
DigiTimes cited supply chain sources who claim that Apple will launch the iPhone 6C in the second quarter of 2016, instead. The publication’s sources say that Apple plans to use 14/16nm FinFET chips from the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) and Samsung, which will not be ready for 2015. Originally, Apple planned to use TSMC’s 20nm process, but the FinFET processors proved to be the best bet because they would allow the iPhone 6C to have better specs and battery life.
DigiTimes also reported that the smaller iPhone is said to be powered by the A8 processor, have NFC, and sport the Touch ID fingerprint sensor. Presumably, that means the iPhone 6C could use Apple Pay. Leaked images appear to leave off the sensor, though, so it’s unclear whether the cheaper iPhone will get Touch ID.
A recent leaked image of what appears to be a smaller 1,715mAh battery that could have been for the iPhone 6C recently appeared on Nowhereelse.fr, a site with a good track record with Apple products.
In a note to investors leaked to AppleInsider, analyst Timothy Arcuri suggested Apple may launch an “iPhone 6S Mini” with a 4-inch screen. The device would supposedly sport similar specs to the iPhone 5S, but include a few low-cost components. This may make the device more budget-friendly, making it sound like a revamped iPhone 5C. Arcuri claims the smaller iPhone will have the same curved edge design as the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.
Rumors of an early 2016 launch
A new report seems to line up with previous rumors of an early spring launch date for the new 4-inch iPhone. Apple may be looking to unveil its new lineup — the iPhone 5SE, the iPad Air 3, and new Apple Watch bands — on March 15, says 9to5Mac.
The iPhone 5SE will allegedly replace the iPhone 5S as Apple’s 4-inch iPhone option, and the company reportedly hopes to inspire upgrades from those who’ve been holding onto smaller, older iPhones.
Now, the site is saying that the iPhone 5SE will go on sale on March 18, the Friday after the anticipated event date. Its sources claim that Apple will skip pre-orders this time around and jump right into sales, but cautioned that the plans could change. The report also reiterated the March 15 launch date.
A late December report from AppleInsider hinted at a January production date for the smaller iPhone. In early January, MyDrivers hinted that the 4-inch iPhone is already in production at Foxconn for a March launch date. The site’s sources also intimated that the iPhone 5E — as they’re calling it — will come in 16GB and 6$GB versions only and start at 3,288 yuan, which amounts to around $500.
The so-called iPhone 6C didn’t arrive with the 6S and 6S Plus, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.
During a December China Mobile presentation, a slide allegedly mentioned that the iPhone 6C or 7C would launch in April 2016 at the carrier. It’s unclear if April is the estimated date for the 4-inch iPhone’s launch worldwide or just at China Mobile. Additionally, the Chinese carrier’s device roadmap could be working off of assumptions and rumors about the iPhone 6C, too, so take the report with a healthy dose of skepticism.
Earlier reports are conflicted on the launch date. Noted KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has often correctly divined Apple’s plans in the past, said that the 4-inch iPhone could arrive in early 2016. Kuo believes that Apple wants to meet its customers’ demand for a smaller iPhone, adding that the company could sell 20 million units over the course of a year. The analyst predicted that production will kick off in the first quarter of 2016, and the iPhone 6C will launch early on in the year.
In keeping with Apple’s traditionally high prices, the mid-range 4-inch iPhone could be priced between $400 and $500 in the United States. Although the price point isn’t too far away from the iPhone 6S’s hefty price tag, Kuo’s prediction would be in line with iPhone 5C pricing.
A report from Chinese news site TechWeb, citing Foxconn insiders, claims Apple might launch the iPhone 6C in February 2016, with an event supposedly set for January 2016. It is the first time a leak has mentioned the month, with earlier rumors suggesting the phone might launch in the first quarter next year.
In October, GforGames spotted a Weibo post from China’s IHS Technology Research Director Kevin Wang. In the note, he hints that the 4-inch iPhone 6C could launch in mid-2016.
A research report published by KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also claims that Apple is still planning to launch a 4-inch iPhone, despite the no-show at Apple’s September event. Earlier this year, Kuo stated in a note to investors obtained by AppleInsider that Apple won’t launch the 4-inch iPhone 6C until 2016. Kuo expects Apple to launch the 4-inch iPhone at its new March event, where we may also see an update to the Apple Watch and MacBook.
The information published by Kuo correlates with a note from Ananda Baruah of Brean Capital to investors, obtained by Business Insider, stating that the 4-inch iPhone will arrive in the spring of 2016. Baruah and Kuo are backed by a few other analysts who claim the 4-inch iPhone is real and will launch early next year, before the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus.
“A new lower-end iPhone — either a smaller functional iPhone model or a “skinny (our term) iPhone 6 sized phone,” Baruah wrote. “This would allow AAPL to tap into emerging market / lower functional ASP-sensitive areas of the smartphone market.”
An August report from DigiTimes cited supply chain sources who claim that Apple will launch the iPhone 6C in the second quarter of 2016. DigiTimes also published a report earlier in the year that said it would launch with the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, which turned out to be false.
In July, Jefferies analyst Ange Wu wrote in advice to clients that Foxconn — a major Apple supplier — had won the contract to build at least half of the total number of iPhone 6C units. Wu’s report claimed the 4-inch iPhone would release in 2016, similar to Kuo and Baruah comments.
Analyst Timothy Arcuri of Cowen and Company stated the 4-inch iPhone had been scrapped in July. Arcuri was the first to comment on the 4-inch iPhone, but said the phone had disappeared from Apple’s internal networks, perhaps due to the company pushing the launch date to early 2016.
UltrapixelWhat’s in a name?
Initially, the 4-inch iPhone was rumored to be called the iPhone 6C, but since then, various reports have called it by other names. Alternatives like iPhone 7C and iPhone 5E or iPhone 5SE have been floated around by different sources. Some say iPhone 6C is the logical choice because the last C series iPhone was the 5C, but others contend that iPhone 7C makes more sense because the iPhone 6 series has already launched. Others still say the iPhone 5SE name makes sense, as it’ll be a remake of the iPhone 5S.
The most recent guess for the 4-inch iPhone’s name is even odder. Mark Gurman from 9to5Mac, who is usually right about Apple’s moves, says the 4-inch iPhone will be called the iPhone 5SE. Apparently, SE may stand for “Special Edition,” and the device is said to be a remake of the iPhone 5S with its smaller screen and better internals.
A previous MyDrivers report from China says it’ll be called the iPhone 5E because it is an updated version of the iPhone 5S. Regardless of what it’s called, most sources agree that a 4-inch iPhone is indeed on its way. Only time will tell what Apple decides to call the device, and we’ll keep you updated on that front.
We’ll keep you updated on all the latest iPhone 6C rumors here.
