Apple is rumored to be releasing a new IPhone model, a 4-incher dubbed the IPhone 5se.
9TO5MAC reports that the new device has an internal codename "N69" but will be changed to "IPhone 5se" once the launch date nears. Apple employees has described the "se" suffix as either a "special edition variation of the vintage 4-inch IPhone screen size and as an "enhanced" version of the IPhone 5S.
The 5se has the same 8-megapixel rear camera and 1.2-megapixel front camera as the 5S but it supports larger panoramas and autofocus for video recording. It runs on A8 and M8 chips similar to the IPhone 6, has an NFC chip for Apple Pay and it also has a barometer to track elevation in the Health App.
The chamfered, shiny edges of the 5S has been replaced with curved glass like what is found on the IPhone 6 and 6S. The 5se comes in Silver, Space Gray, Gold and Rose Gold color options.
It also has Live Photos from the IPhone 6, although its screen will not be pressure-sensitive.
Apple hopes that launching this model would make the of IPhone 5 or earlier to upgrade their phones. It is likely that the current 5S model will be discontinued with the 5se taking its price-point.
The Sydney Morning Herald was able to get their hands on what is claimed to be a leaked picture of an IPhone prototype. The photo has has two IPhones being placed side-by-side. One of them is clearly an IPhone 5 while the other is the alleged IPhone 5se.
Finally, over at The Verge, the new IPhone 5se has been pegged for a late March or early April release. This fits the timeline when Apple will be likely to release a new version of the Apple Watch.
Since the 5se has been reported to replace the 5S, it will have a retail price of US$ 450.
The report further states that the 5se should not be taken as a low-cost offering from Apple. Instead, it powers up Apple's mid-range and low-range models with powerful hardware. This way people buying the cheaper options are not stuck with sluggish hardware.
