iPhone 5SE release date, news and rumors


iPhone SE release date, news and rumours

Update: Things are heating up. Apple just sent out invites for its March 21 event at its Cupertino, CA-based campus. And, of course, we’re already trying to crack the code on the image attached to it.

Apple event

It’s very possible that Apple is showing off the rose gold, pink and silver variations of its rumored iPhone SE. If true, these would be more subdued than the flashy, vibrant options available for the iPhone 5C.

Moving down to the language of the invite, our hopes fall off a bit for the SE. “Let us loop you in.” doesn’t really call out to its line of iPhones so much as it does to the Apple Watch.

We’ll just have to wait a few more days to see what Apple has whipped up.

Original article continues below…

Whatever Apple is going to call the new device, it’s likely readying the iPhone for this month.

According to the latest rumors it’ll ditch the iPhone 6C, 5E and 5SE names and typical September release date.The current thinking is Apple’s new 4-incher will be called the iPhone SE – but it’s still very much up for debate.

Below is what we know about this less expensive handset that’s said to be in production and has seemingly been caught on camera.

Apple hosted its annual iPhone launch on September 9, 2015, and while the main rumors suggesting the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus would be announced held true, we had heard rumblings that we’d see three iPhone models released this year.

The iPhone 6C has been long rumored, ever since the launch of the original “budget” iPhone model in 2013. While the iPhone 5C was designed purely as a more affordable iPhone, the iPhone 6C is likely to have more to differentiate it, with a smaller screen than either of the 6S models.

However, it was not to be, as Apple’s 2015 event came and went, delivering on the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus, but no mention at all of a cheaper iPhone.

Does that mean the iPhone 6C dream is all but dead? Will this year be all about the iPhone 7C? Well not quite. All the rumors point toward it being called the iPhone 5SE as well. Catchy name, eh?

Currently the only way to get an iPhone with a 4-inch screen is to buy the aged iPhone 5S or iPhone 5C, the latter of which is already discontinued, so a future iPhone C model would likely be aimed both at those who want to save some money and those who want to save some pocket space.

Cut to the chase

  • What is it? The replacement to the iPhone 5C
  • When is it out? Likely March 21, 2016
  • What will it cost? Around US$500 (£340, AU$690)

iPhone 5SE release date

Early rumors suggested the iPhone 5SE would launch alongside the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus, but alas that was not the case.

Instead it’s now tipped to arrive at an unconfirmed Apple event on or around March 21, according to the latest leaks. This is a week after earlier reports indicated Apple was planning a product unveil for March 15. It’s set to appear next to a new iPad and new Apple Watch bands.

Back this theory up, the iPhone 5SE (or perhaps it’ll be called the iPhone SE) was tipped for a 2016 launch, with IHS analyst Kevin Wang predicting a release date of mid-2016. Meanwhile anonymous Foxconn employees (the firm that actually builds iPhones) have been quoted saying the iPhone 5SE could by ready as early as this month.

Another rumor suggests Apple may launch the iPhone 5SE alongside the Apple Watch 2, or maybe just some new bands, at an event in March, which has been given a further boost after a roadmap from China Mobile suggest we’d see an iPhone 7C release date in April 2016, although it’s more likely to be called the iPhone 5SE.

According to Nikkei the iPhone 5SE is already in production and will launch this spring, so March is possible. We’re still taking all these rumors with a pinch of salt though as it’s unlike Apple to announce a phone earlier than September. That said, it may free up Apple to put all the focus on the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus when it launches in September next year.

iPhone 5SE news and rumors

Several different sources have spoken of an iPhone 5SE, though there are still some voices of dissent.

When it does arrive it may have a lot in common with the iPhone 5, as a recent leaked image purports to show it alongside the iPhone 5, sporting a similar shape and design, albeit with rounder edges and Touch ID.

iPhone 6C

However it’s not totally clear what material the iPhone 5SE is made from in that image and it could well be more like the iPhone 5C in style, especially as there’s talk and even an image of a plastic shell.

iPhone 6C

If it does launch with a plastic body then there’s no doubt that it will be cheaper than Apple’s flagship phones, though how much cheaper remains to be seen.

Apple might even have leaked them phone itself, with a weird render showing an iPhone 5C-a-like bearing the unmistakeable TouchID button in the picture – but that seems a bit early for a phone that we won’t see until November, so let’s chalk that one up to a glitch in the matrix.

Apple iPhone 6C

The iPhone 5SE may also have been caught on video. A clip shared by MICGADGET and supposedly filmed inside Foxconn reportedly shows the phone. However to our minds it looks a little larger than 4 inches and it has exactly the same design as the iPhone 6S, so we’re not convinced that it isn’t just Apple’s latest flagship masquerading as a lower end phone.

That video aside, the iPhone 5SE is largely expected to look a lot like either the iPhone 5C or the iPhone 5, but it could have ever so slightly curved screen edges, like the iPhone 6 does.

It may also share some specs with the iPhone 6, as it’s rumored that the colorful handset will ship with an A8 processor, though while that’s at the high end now bear in mind that the iPhone 6S will almost certainly have a newer, faster chip, marking the iPhone 5SE out as a lower end phone.

It’s also rumored to have NFC and Touch ID, which could mean Apple Pay support, and of course if it launches this year it will run iOS 9 or iOS 10.

China Mobile appears to have shed more light on the 5SE specs, with roadmap details apparently revealing a 4-inch 1136 x 640 display, A9 processor, 2GB of RAM, 8MP camera, Touch ID and three colour options – gold, silver and black.

Another spec listing points to an A8 processor, 1GB of RAM, a 4.0-inch screen and 16 or 64GB of storage. Though it’s not clear whether this is the iPhone 5SE in all but name or something else entirely.

A February report points to the iPhone 5SE having an A9 processor, just as the iPhone 6S does. There may also be some bad news though – it’s possible Apple has dropped the iPhone 5SE all together.

Analysts at Cowen & Company noticed clues in the supply chain that suggested the iPhone 5SE was in production but bizarrely a few days later the clues disappeared. The same analysts then speculated that the phone wouldn’t launch and Apple had axed it due to a worry it’ll eat into current model sales.

We’ve got our fingers crossed they’re wrong – and they very much could be – but it’s also important to note they know what they’re talking about and it could be bad news for the cheaper iPhone option.

There are still many glimmers of hope though, and a Digitimes report claims it sources say the iPhone 5SE is still very much on its way, but it’ll break ranks from Apple’s usual annual release cycle and instead show its face during the second quarter of 2016.

This is backed up by IHS analyst Kevin Wang who predicts a mid-2016 release for the 4-inch iPhone 5SE.

What we want to see

1. Touch ID

Touch ID

While the iPhone 5S has Touch ID, the iPhone 5C (which launched alongside it) doesn’t. Two years on it’s unlikely that Apple would keep it out of the iPhone 5SE, but it is a worry, especially as the phone is likely to be positioned as a budget alternative to the iPhone 6S.

We really, really hope that doesn’t happen though, as it’s one of the best recent iPhone features and not having it would severely limit the iPhone 5SE appeal. Thankfully its inclusion has already been rumored.

2. A powerful processor

As a budget device we don’t expect the iPhone 5SE to match the iPhone 6S, but we hope it comes close, especially as it’s likely to be the best 4-inch iPhone around.

Buyers who want a smaller phone shouldn’t be overly penalised on specs so we’d like to see high-end performance from the iPhone 5SE. Current rumors point to it packing the same chip as the iPhone 6, which should just about cut it.

3. A 4.0-inch screen

iPhone 5C

While it’s expected that the iPhone 5SE will have a 4.0-inch screen it’s not actually confirmed, but we really hope it does.

If Apple only released one iPhone size we’d want it to be the now standard 4.7-inch model, but choice is always good and we’d wager there are many Apple fans who were disappointed by the move to larger screens, so a new model with a small screen would be much appreciated.

4. A more affordable price

While the iPhone 5C was designed to be a comparatively budget option it wasn’t and even now still isn’t particularly cheap.

So we’d like to see the iPhone 5SE be truly affordable. Perhaps not entry-level, but with a mid-range price of around £300/$400/AU$500.

5. A more premium design

iPhone 6

One of the cost cutting measures employed with the iPhone 5C was to replace the premium metal and glass builds of other iPhone models with a colourful plastic shell.

It’s a solid, well-built phone, but it undeniably looks far less premium or stylish than other Apple handsets.

We’d love to see Apple not skimp on the build materials with the iPhone 5SE. Of course it’s very unlikely that we’ll get both a premium build and a lower price, but we can dream.

6. A slim build

Given that the iPhone 5SE will likely be more compact than the iPhone 6S it would be great if Apple went all out and made it simmer too, so it’s truly as pocket friendly as possible.

The iPhone 5C is 9mm thick, but we’d like to see the iPhone 5SE drop down to around 6.9mm thick like the iPhone 6.

7. Plenty of storage

The iPhone 5C was initially sold in several storage sizes, but it’s now just available in a near useless 8GB model.

Given that Apple doesn’t allow for expandable storage 16GB is the absolute minimum that we consider acceptable and even that’s pushing it these days. So hopefully the iPhone 5SE will be available with a range of storage capacities and if 32GB was the smallest we wouldn’t complain.

8. Better battery life

The iPhone 5C has respectable battery life, but it’s still a phone you’ll be charging every night, so we’d like to see the iPhone 5SE have longer life.

Very few phones last as long as we’d like, but we’ve seen from the likes of the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact that two days is possible, so we want to see that from the iPhone 5SE.

Source: techradar.com

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25 Comments
  1. Reply Loren Bauch March 10, 2016 at 6:07 pm

    Slimmer? No, no, and no!

    Apple needs to stop obsessing about thinness and go for extended battery life big time! We'd gladly take phones and iPod touches 2x as thick, for double the battery life!

  2. Reply Jason Auer March 10, 2016 at 6:18 pm

    Only 2000? 3000 atleast should be the standard these days.

  3. Reply Evan Lemke March 10, 2016 at 6:57 pm

    They need to make the smaller screen versions, with ALL the features and quality of the larger models…. Plenty of people will buy them ! Don't make a cheap version of the iphone, PLEASE ! I want my phone to fit in my pocket, and the larger ones are too big ! If I want a big screen, the ipad or ipad minis will fit the bill quite nicely….. Apple will be making a big mistake if they don't continue to make the smaller versions ! If they want to cater to cheap, make a 6Sc (c for cheap), and make a 6Sm, (m for mini) 4 models would be perfect, and make everyone happy.

  4. Reply Russ Funk V March 10, 2016 at 7:33 pm

    Polycarbonate is durable, so you could even simply go without a case. Really, a $399 price would be more than enough to charge for these baby sized phones.

  5. Reply Janice Stark March 10, 2016 at 7:58 pm

    plastic is the superior material to make a phone body from. It's lighter, mouldable, flexible, shock resistant and transparent to radio waves.
    Sadly it's not considered premium for fashion concious buyers.

  6. Reply Phoebe Feeney IV March 10, 2016 at 9:13 pm

    yes if I want small with all the functions or fewer functions let the buyer have a choice. apple does not like to give people choices anymore even on their computers. I will take the lower valued 4" model and in plastic since I cover mine

  7. Reply Ezra Effertz March 10, 2016 at 9:20 pm

    And no the home button must stay as Touch ID and Apple Pay are part of it, I started with an iPhone so I'm obviously biased, but I've tried stock Android and while it's not bad it suffers from a lot of the annoying niggles Android is known for, and chrome is a horrible and browser and I prefer the smoothness of iOS and iPhone and love Apple's ecosystem, you Maya's well sell your iPhone 6 and go back to Android now. You will not be missed. I personally don't care about a back button your just nitpicking just like all Android fanboy, could the iPhone be cheaper? Of course but it isn't and the price doesn't bother me as the benefits far outweigh the cost, you just use the boring specs argument you fandroids are famous for. Just please go back to Android, you don't belong on iOS.

  8. Reply Dejuan Schmitt March 10, 2016 at 10:24 pm

    I've been extremely happy with my 5c. When I got it instead of the 5S a year and a half ago, I knew the trade I was doing: I was giving up better technology (64-bit A7, M7, big camera jump including slo-mo video and two-tone flash, Touch ID) for something I felt was more comfortable in hand and better-looking. I figured, at the time, that in the two years following the c line would get TouchID and the better camera later.

    Here we are, and I'm hoping it comes to fruition. I would be OK with something in the 4.7" size, but would prefer the current 4". I don't care if they make it thinner. If they gave us the 5S internals plus an Apple Pay NFC chip, I'd be pleased as punch. Though if they are going to make room for the NFC chip, that probably means a more thorough re-engineering anyway.

    I don't understand the distaste I sometimes read about the 5c. The moment I first saw it when it was unveiled I loved how it looked, and how I expected it to feel in-hand.

  9. Reply Dr. Marquise McKenzie PhD March 10, 2016 at 10:44 pm

    So just what does iOS do better? Nothing. A back button gets you back. I was using an app and just wanted to get back to where it started and guess what, no way to start again. Close the app and reopen that app and it was still at a point where it will not go back. I had to swipe off the app to get to square one.

    I have a Mac and the iPad, along with the phone, so until they break or I sell them, I am keeping them. Actually, I have most all OS on hand, including Chrome OS, and Linux, and that old boy, Windows 10.

  10. Reply Dr. Dee O'Reilly Sr. March 10, 2016 at 11:03 pm

    that's opinion and I respect that. The truth is the 5C just didn't and still doesn't appeal to me. Touch ID was a big sell for me on the 5S plus the better camera it came with. I'm jumping ship over to Android as I'm kinda bored with iOS and the meagre storage iCloud gives you. I know that with Apple you pay for everything. And I want to be challenged and let's be honest iOS doesn't offer that challenge. Plus I'm tired of the poor battery life. The iPhone 6C should replace the iPhone 6 like the 5C replaced the 5. I may one day come back to Apple.

  11. Reply Laney Kuvalis I March 10, 2016 at 11:37 pm

    se stands for sheep edition …

  12. Reply Maiya Vandervort March 11, 2016 at 12:16 am

    The 5c is the only reason I went to apple after giving up my Blackberry addiction. It's still a great phone. I love the form factor, the size, the screen, and the bright colour. I have small hands (and a small purse) and a 6 or 6s just wouldn't fit me at all.

  13. Reply Ms. Sallie Pouros March 11, 2016 at 12:38 am

    Sorry but iOS is easier to use than Android for me but I'm just used to iOS and like how iPhone and iOS work s lot better than Android or any OS overall.

  14. Reply Dr. Nicholaus Kuphal March 11, 2016 at 2:18 am

    I've got a 5 on which the 5c is based and it is excellent.

  15. Reply Dino Smith Jr. March 11, 2016 at 2:45 am

    "Hopefully the 'C' will stand for cheap this time"

    Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha, but no, cheap and apple are not words that go together ever

  16. Reply Mrs. Abby Feest March 11, 2016 at 2:51 am

    My 5c is a tank. It's over a year old, and has hit the ground almost bi-weekly, but somehow it is still in one piece and shows almost know wear. 10/10 would buy an iPhone 6c right this minute if it's this durable. I destroy phones.

  17. Reply Linnea Gulgowski Sr. March 11, 2016 at 3:14 am

    Is it just me that prefers the plastic iPhone 5c design to the usual bare metal varieties? To be fair, I was a big fan of the colourful Lumia phones too.

  18. Reply Anastacio Johnston March 11, 2016 at 3:34 am

    You need larger pockets.

  19. Reply Delaney Wintheiser March 11, 2016 at 3:45 am

    capture–bonding, is a psychological phenomenon in which owners ( especially Apple ) express empathy and sympathy and have extreme positive feelings toward their products always to the point of defending them ad nauseum

  20. Reply Mrs. Elise Lebsack V March 11, 2016 at 4:38 am

    the rumor about Apple's upcoming iPhone 4-inch has been heard since iPhone 6 was released and it's getting closer. I think iPhone SE will complete the iPhone series in terms of display size and price.

  21. Reply Alf Rosenbaum March 11, 2016 at 6:53 am

    Cheap? No one wants cheap. This is a mid-range product, with a tiny screen, and thus worth around $399 tops. I think a logical person would simply ask for a proper price for a product. Under $400 is proper.

    I have the iPhone6 and miss the easier to use Android OS, but I realize security is better and the camera and reception is good in my phone — not really worth the price however. Next time around, I will likely go back to a pure Android phone, unless security issues remain or worsen. As for iOS, would it ask too much to have a back button, and be rid of this physical button navigation? A phone with a soldered in battery, and memory, with the parts it has, and cheap labor, should sell for around $499 for the normal screen iPhone 6 and $299 to $399 for the miniature screen. That's my opinion.

  22. Reply Faustino Bashirian March 11, 2016 at 7:45 am

    Yes, a Corvette will never sell, as it is not made of a metal.

  23. Reply Mr. Enid Tillman I March 11, 2016 at 9:17 am

    If the iPhone 6C can be the same as iPhone 6 or 6 Plus and yet come in a 4" screen size, I would gladly give up the better specs of the 6S or the 6S Plus and jump to 6C. I don't need the premium design on the back of the phone because my phone is anyway enclosed within a case (for protection). I wish for a 2000mAh battery to power the 6C if possible. I want my phone to be a phone, not a phablet. TBH, if phones follow the 4" size, more people will buy tablets seperately along with their phones and therefore the sales for these tech companies would be high.

  24. Reply Dr. Eduardo Leannon March 11, 2016 at 9:23 am

    I wouldn't buy a plastic iPhone no matter how durable it is it simply doesn't look as premium. That said I don't think there will be a follow up to the iPhone 5c.

  25. Reply Prof. Zula Hills DDS March 11, 2016 at 9:55 am

    Sad & Expensive

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