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Rumors suggesting 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.

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.

iPhone-5s1.jpg

The 4-inch iPhone in development is rumored to look like an iPhone 5s
Recent rumors have suggested the 4-inch iPhone will have a body that's similar enough to the iPhone 5s that the two devices will be able to share cases and other accessories, but there will be some design differences. The shiny edges that were featured on the iPhone 5s will be replaced with a curved cover glass like the iPhone 6 and 6s.

The iPhone 5se is expected to incorporate the same 8-megapixel rear camera and 1.2-megapixel front camera used in the iPhone 6, along with an improved autofocusing ability, support for larger panoramas, and the ability to capture Live Photos (but no 3D Touch). As has been rumored, it will include an NFC chip to enable Apple Pay, and features like Bluetooth 4.2, VoLTE, and 802.11ac WiFi. It may be available in Silver, Space Gray, Gold, and Rose Gold, or just three of those colors. Rumors are unclear.

According to 9to5Mac, the iPhone 5se will use the same A8 and M8 chips that are in the iPhone 6, while the report from MyDrivers suggests it could come with an A9 chip. Rumors about Apple's 4-inch iPhone have consistently disagreed on the chip that it will use, split between the A8 and the A9.

MyDrivers supplies additional information on RAM, pricing, and battery life. In a somewhat questionable claim, the site says that Apple is sourcing 1GB and 1.2GB RAM from two suppliers. Previous rumors have said the 4-inch iPhone will include 1GB RAM.

The iPhone 5se may include a 1,624 mAh battery, which would last longer than the battery in the iPhone 5s, and according to MyDrivers, it may only be available in 16 and 64GB capacities at prices that start at 3688 Yuan or $560.

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.

Article Link: Apple's 4-Inch iPhone to Be Called 'iPhone 5se' With Design Modeled After iPhone 5s

Idiots. They don't need a whole phone in a small package. That's not where the profit is. But they do need the impression of a tiny phone for the user. A remote wifi or bluetooth remote, short range ADDITION to the existing iPhone is what's called for. Imagine a thin stick of technology that slips into any pocket, lays flat on any desk or meeting table and disappears from intrusion until LEDs animate, signaling an incoming call, message or email. Something you can't lose, because it will never fail to remind you exactly where you left it, and will never work with anybody else's iPhone. Doable. $199. No lost big, honking iPhone sale lost here.
 
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I think iPhone 6c would have been appropriate since they are basically using the iPhone 6 internals. It also would have aligned perfectly with the branding. Unless its an issue with it being called iPhone sexy and I don't see anything wrong with that either.
 
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Glad to hear the exterior is like 5S, which is the best design. Still hoping for 2 GB RAM.
 
If the report that it will support Live Photos is true, that implies that the phone will have an A9 not an A8 chip. (I'm pretty sure Live Photos needs hardware support in the A9 since this feature wasn't back ported to the iPhone 6.) I also don't see Apple making a custom SoC just for this phone. Therefore, I think this will have an A9 with 2GB ram.

I also predict that if this phone has an A8, then it will NOT support taking Live Photos.
 
Remember back in the 1990s when Apple became grossly unfocused with their product lineup? Is history repeating itself?
 
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I notice there are some subtle disses on the size of the 6 and 6s, but I have to disagree. The iPhone 4 inch models were literally eye sores. My brother bought a iPhone 5 recently and he had to exchange it for a 6 because of the eye strain. Modifying text size did not help, but it sure did with the 6 and the zoom setting. The 4 is too small, Apple did the best thing when they upgraded to 4.7 and 5.5 and the market approved. Anybody craving for 4 is just full of nostalgia and you are in a tiny dot niche category. Honestly, how can you call it big??? Remember those Motorola cellular phones from the 90s? Those are big. The iPhone 6s Plus which is what I wanted is just overwhelmingly beautiful.
 
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Remember back in the 1990s when Apple became grossly unfocused with their product lineup? Is history repeating itself?

Yes, but not because of their iPhone brand. I'd blame it on the Apple Watch and the Apple Car, which are only there to appease shareholders.
 
Tim Cook: " The SE stands for Special Edition. Angela Ahrendts came up with it and it also comes in 24 karat gold and platinum "
 
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I notice there are some subtle disses on the size of the 6 and 6s, but I have to disagree. The iPhone 4 inch models were literally eye sores. My brother bought a iPhone 5 recently and he had to exchange it for a 6 because of the eye strain. Modifying text size did not help, but it sure did with the 6 and the zoom setting. The 4 is too small, Apple did the best thing when they upgraded to 4.7 and 5.5 and the market approved. Anybody craving for 4 is just full of nostalgia and you are in a tiny dot niche category. Honestly, how can you call it big??? Remember those Motorola cellular phones from the 90s? Those are big. The iPhone 6s Plus which is what I wanted is just overwhelmingly beautiful.

This is why there are different opinions.

I find the 6 and 6+ unusable eyesores - and plenty of other people do as well. The 5 was a perfect size for many people for one handed use, for being an ideal pocketable size.

No one is telling you to give up your 6S+, we are just asking for a 3rd choice.
 
Yes, the name is horrible and the lineup convoluted. But let's focus on what else is wrong. The iPhone 5/5s body is not very good industrial design and it aged badly. Why not make an update to the plastic 5c and call it 6c. Some toned down colors and it would look brand new and stylish, plus the factories already exist. The main reason not to buy the 5c was the 64-bit transition. But with the innards of an iPhone 6 this could be a compelling device.
 
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Don't worry, 9to5mac is wrong very often.
Gurman is pretty up there. I would not disregard this.
[doublepost=1453526038][/doublepost]So the iPhone lineup for 2016 is the:
iPhone 5se
iPhone 6s
iPhone 6s Plus
iPhone 7
iPhone 7 Plus

Jesus Christ Apple. Get your **** in order
 
The A8 is barely faster (25%) than the A7 in the original 5S, the amount of ram is identical, the 8MP camera in the 5s is widely accepted to better than the one in the 6 they are shoehorning into this.... Besides being able to use Apple Pay (at all 3 places that support it) and being able to see Live Photos why would I buy this instead of a 5S which is approx half the price?

I agree with your sentiment.

Interestingly, Real world, it's less much less than the 25% and that all depends on its clock speed. The A8 in the iPhone 6/6+ performed at 10-12% gains in many CPU benchmarks, due to the CPU being, in essence, the exact same design as the one in the A7 albeit at a higher clicker speed - whereas The A8 chip in the iPod touch 6th gen for instance is actually a bit slower than the A7 in the iPhone 5s

The gpu was enhanced a fair bit (also not as much as Apple claimed, it was less that 50% closer to 40% when pushed) but few games and apps even pushed the A7

Apple will still find a way to sucker those with a 5s into thinking they're getting a big upgrade here especially those who have eagerly waited since 2013 for a new 4" device.

Some 5s users will be informed about the tech though and realize they don't benefit from upgrading laterally to this device and will hold out for a solid processor upgrade (the A9 would have remedied this) in hopefully a new 4" device next March/April.

This phone will be attractive to those with an A6 device or older however, and that will be a solid upgrade

I really hope this device ends up shipping with 2GB of ram but it seems to be positioned to replace the iPhone 6 this fall.
[doublepost=1453527068][/doublepost]
Oh for Petes sake - apple just put 2Gb of ram and an A9 processor. It's not that freaking hard.

A8 and 1GB of ram is absolutely pointless and not even much of a step up from the 5S.

Yep. My sentiments exactly.

Though, this phone may be attractive for those who have A6 or older 4"/3.5" devices.
 
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Gurman is pretty up there. I would not disregard this.
[doublepost=1453526038][/doublepost]So the iPhone lineup for 2016 is the:
iPhone 5se
iPhone 6s
iPhone 6s Plus
iPhone 7
iPhone 7 Plus

Jesus Christ Apple. Get your **** in order
Gurman has been wrong before.

As for the proposed lineup above, what's wrong with it?
 
I would rather expect all 3 devices to be same hardware, apart from the screen size of course. I didn't like apple looking at plus as more premium and smaller ones as less premium. for my need 4.7 is good but i want that to be as premium as the plus one with all the features in.
Keeping that in mind, i think apple can make all 3 devices equal in pricing. I mean apart from the screen size and battery that would eat up few dollars, rest all remains pretty much same. isn't it?

it would be great to see all 3 sizes coming out at same time with same features and same price. user can choose the size he prefers.
 
Why not iPhone 6m or iPhone 6 Mini for pete sake? Apple can't be that dumb. Would bring in consistency with the rest of their product lines.
 
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