As we approach Apple’s March 21 Spring 2016 event, a new photo has emerged that not only claims to show the official packaging for the iPhone SE, but also potentially confirms a number of talking points about the hardware. The image itself has been shared into the public domain via Chinese social media site Weibo, and contains text that pretty much confirms that the hardware will be branded “iPhone SE” and will allow the use of Apple Pay, as well as ship with a base 16GB storage option.
The shared image of the packaging contains no immediate visual reason that would suggest it’s fake. With that said, with no real source to attribute this leak to, it could be photoshopped too. However, if we go with our trusting nature on this one, then the box itself clearly outlines that the new 4-inch iPhone model will be offered in 16GB variant. That would be the entry-level device, with consumers expecting Apple to also introduce a larger, 64GB capacity for those who want to spend a little more to get a little more.
Additionally, the accompanying text on the side of the box also outlines the inclusion of “NFC”, meaning that those purchasing the device would have access to Apple Pay payment platform for contactless payments in supported regions and outlets. That would allow those iPhone SE owners to register a compatible bank card via the Wallet app, and transact in stores and within supported apps with a simple biometric authentication via Touch ID. It’s been heavily speculated over the last few months that the iPhone SE would ship with NFC purely for Apple Pay purposes, and this appears to confirm that.
Finally, the fact that the text mentions “EarPods” as an included accessory pretty much gives the game away from a 3.5mm headphone jack perspective. Rumor has it that the iPhone 7 will ship without the iconic 3.5mm jack embedded within. Shipping with Apple’s standard EarPods means that iPhone SE must have the 3.5mm headphone aperture on the bottom of the device. There’s no visual of the device itself shown on the shared image, but we have no reason to believe that it will deviate from the expected iPhone 5s-esque design that we’ve been expecting.
Apple is expected to announce the 4-inch iPhone SE along with 9.7-inch iPad Pro at its “Let Us Loop You In” media event this coming March 21.
(source: Weibo)
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