Apple may launch improved version of iPhone 5S in March

Apple is said to be launching a new handset called the iPhone 5SE that sports a 4-inch screen and a slew of new features, such as curved edges and the Live Photos feature. A new report, citing its “sources who have used the upcoming iPhone with a 4-inch display” now claims the rumor is not accurate.

A separate report by 9to5Mac on Friday claimed that the new device will be called the iPhone 5se – not the iPhone 6c as previously thought. He says that Apple will launch not one, but two new devices in the first half of this year – the iPhone 5se and the iPad Air 3, AppleInsider reports.

After several updates in a row that brought us bigger, more powerful iPhones, in March we might see the return of the 4-inch model, according to tech blog 9to5Mac. Enter: the iPhone 5SE, a four-inch model that could be available as early as this Spring. This probably makes sense for Apple since the iPhone 5c, despite being cheaper, didn’t perform well after it was released. 9to5Mac, which reported the name, said employees were referring to the “se” as “special edition” or as an “enhanced” version of the 5s.

In terms of camera, the device will borrow an 8MP primary camera and a 1.2MP front snapper from the iPhone 6.

The image, which allegedly showed the iPhone 5se next to the iPhone 5, actually looks more like a smaller version of the iPhone 6. Now, there is more scope with every capture owing to an autofocus and larger panorama feature for video recording.

Gurman also believes that the iPhone 5se will completely replace the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus in the 2016 fall lineup, which would include the iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus. The new handset will also take up the price point of the older iPhone 5s.

There are rumors that Apple will announce these newest lines on March 14 in a confidential company launch.