It turns out that we might get a new iPhone in March after all, if new rumors are to be believed. 9to5Mac is today reporting that a new 4-inch iPhone will be released this March, with the “iPhone 5se” being its designation. More on that name in a minute.
While rumors had already pegged March as the release date for a new 4-inch iPhone, at the time rumored to be the iPhone 6c, it is now being reported that Apple will call the new model – codenamed “N69” – the iPhone 5se with the device being a mashup of older iPhone 5s and newer iPhone 6 technology.
Aesthetically, the rumored iPhone 5se will see the iPhone 5s’ chamfered edges replaced by curved glass just like the iPhone 6/6s while the screen will stick to the 4-inch display that was so popular before the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus jumped to 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch screens respectively.
When it comes to internals, the updated handset will feature the same 8 megapixel and 1.2 megapixel cameras that were part of the iPhone 6, bringing support for larger panoramas and autofocus during video recording. An NFC chip will also be included in the new iPhone 5se to enable Apple Pay, while the heart of the handset will be A8 and M8 chips just like the iPhone 6. A barometer will also be included in order to allow the Health app to track elevation, according to the new report.
The new, unannounced handset will be available in the same Silver, Space Gray, Gold and Rose Gold color options that we have become accustomed to of late.
As far as software is concerned, Live Photos will indeed be supported by the new iPhone 5se, although that doesn’t mean that the screen will feature 3D Touch because, if the rumor is true, the iPhone 5se screen will not gain pressure sensitivity capabilities.
On the subject of that name, it is now being suggested that the designation is in reference to the device being a special edition, or enhanced version of the 5s. While not being up to the same specification as the current iPhone 6s flagship, the new, smaller iPhone 5se would certainly be no slouch in the performance stakes. If a 4-inch iPhone is your cup of tea, then the iPhone 5se may be a good bet for you, assuming it’s real, of course.
Also set to make an appearance in March is the rumored iPad Air 3 following claims that devices with code names iPad 6,3 and iPad 6,4 have begun showing up. It’s unclear what the iPad Air 3 would bring to the table, especially given the iPad Pro’s recent introduction, but we don’t expect to see Apple Pencil support just yet.
Fans of the Apple Watch are unlikely to see second-generation model this March, though new software update and perhaps new bands are a possibility at this point. Apple Watch 2 will likely be unveiled during the iPhone 7 event in September 2016.
If even a fraction of this turns out to be accurate, March is going to be a busy – and expensive – month for all of us.
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