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Everything we know about the iPhone SE

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iPhone 5
Getty Images/Justin Sullivan

Apple sent out invitations for an event at its campus on March 21, and among other things, we're expecting the announcement of the iPhone SE. 

A few leaks and rumors have emerged in the last few weeks about the iPhone SE's design and features.

Check out the latest rumors:

 

It'll be called the iPhone SE.

iPhone 5C
Flickr/Gadgetmac

Initially, 9to5Mac's Mark Gurman reported the iPhone rumored to be coming in March would be called the iPhone 5se, not the iPhone 6c as previous rumors stated.

However, Gurman came back with another report after that claiming Apple will call the device the iPhone SE.

It'll have a 4-inch screen.

iphone 5s
Nicole Kasper/Flickr (CC)

One of the first rumors of a 4-inch iPhone came from Chinese news site Economic Daily News.

The rumors claimed that Apple had set up a deal with a display manufacturer to make 4-inch screens for a phone.

Since then, the rumors of a 4-inch iPhone have piled on from multiple reputable sources.

It'll look like a mashup of the iPhone 5 and iPhone 6.

iphone 5 se leak
Steve Hemmerstoffer/@OnLeaks

Leaked schematics of the alleged iPhone SE posted by gadget leaker Steve Hemmerstoffer (a.k.a. "OnLeaks") suggest it'll have look a lot like the iPhone 6 on the front and back while donning some iPhone 5 aesthetics on the sides and bottom. 

It'll supposedly have a metal back, as well as a front panel with slightly rounded edges like the iPhone 6.

Unlike the 5c, it'll have a metal body.

iPhone 5s
Wikipedia/Paul03798

A report by respected KGI Securities Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo (via 9to5Mac) suggested the iPhone SE would resemble an iPhone 5s.

That conflicts a little bit with the leaked schematics above, as those designs look more like an iPhone 6 than a 5s. But it could also suggest that the iPhone SE will be made of metal, like the iPhone 5s.

It will be very powerful.

ifixit iphone 6s tear down
Source: iFixit. iFixit

Mark Gurman from 9to5Mac came out with a report claiming the iPhone SE would run on the super powerful A9 chip that's currently powering the iPhone 6s.

The A9 chip is insanely powerful for a smartphone chip. Tech publication Anandtech performed benchmarking tests to gauge the A9's performance compared to chips in other smartphones, and the A9 blew the rest out of the water.

If true, the iPhone SE offers a decent value proposition compared to Apple's last "cheap" smartphone, the iPhone 5c.

It'll have features from the iPhone 6s.

iphone live photos
Antonio Villas-Boas/Tech Insider

Gurman also claimed we'll see a few of the premium features from the iPhone 6s in the iPhone SE, including Live Photos, Apple Pay, TouchID, and voice-activated Siri. 

This rumor compliments the rumor that the iPhone SE will run on the powerful A9 chip, as some features need the horsepower it provides to work. 

It'll use Apple's latest and greatest camera.

iPhone 6 Gold camera
George Frey/Stringer/Getty Images

MacRumors reported on another note by Ming-Chi Kuo claiming the iPhone SE would have a 12-megapixel camera like the iPhone 6s.

Earlier rumors pointed to the 8-megapixel camera from the iPhone 5s and 6.

If true, the combination with the powerful A9 chip raises the iPhone SE's value proposition even more.

It'll be cheaper than the iPhone 6.

iphone 6s smaller
Antonio Villas-Boas/Tech Insider

Ming-Chi Kuo also predicts the iPhone SE will cost between $400 and $500, according to 9to5Mac. That's not cheap by any means, but it's less than the $550 16GB iPhone 6. 

That predicted price range is in the same ballpark as the $450 iPhone 5s, which Apple is still selling. It's likely that the iPhone SE would replace the iPhone 5s when it's released.

We expect Apple to announce the iPhone SE on March 21.

apple event
Apple

Apple sent out invitations on Wednesday for an event on March 21, where we expect Apple will announce the iPhone SE.

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Antonio Villas-Boas was a consumer tech expert with over a decade of experience testing and reviewing smartphones, tablets, computers, smartwatches, and phone carriers.ExperienceAntonio joined the Business Insider team in 2015 as a tech reporter on the news desk and moved to the service journalism team in 2020. During his time as Business Insider’s senior tech reporter, Antonio developed industry-leading battery-life tests for smartphones and tablets, and covered and reviewed hundreds (if not thousands) of products from major brands like Apple, Google, Samsung, and OnePlus since as far back as Samsung’s Galaxy S6, the original Apple Watch, and the very first Google Pixel. This decade-plus of experience has given him tremendous insights into what consumer tech truly stands the test of time and what will be irrelevant in just a few years' time (RIP The Pebble).Antonio is also an experienced deal hunter, surfacing the best discounts on phones, laptops, and smartwatches for readers during sale events like Prime Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday. Previously, Antonio was a consumer-electronics analyst at PCMag and ran his own blog. Why you can trust AntonioAntonio approaches all his reviews not only as a tech expert but as a consumer himself. He reads every word of fine print in the phone carrier plans he reviews, and is deeply skeptical of deals that promise you the latest iPhone model for free. (Spoiler: it might be “free,” but you could be stuck with it for three years.)He largely recommends less expensive and small-scale fixes to upgrade your existing tech before considering buying the latest and flashiest in new tech. Antonio believes his role as the go-to “tech guy” for his family and friends extends to his readers as well; he only recommends products that have stood up to the testing process.Scripps News, NewsNation, Fox 5 DC, NBC LX, and Rich DeMuro’s “Rich On Tech” radio show have requested his commentary and expertise. ExpertiseHis expertise includes:
  • Phones, including the iPhone, Google Pixel, and Samsung Galaxy models
  • Phone accessories, including charging cables, phone cases, and protection plans
  • Smartwatches, including the Apple Watch, Galaxy Watch, Pixel Watch
  • Mobile carrier plans, including major carriers and MVNOs
  • Tablets, including iPads and Galaxy Tabs
  • Laptops and computers, including MacBooks and Windows models
  • Computer accessories, including mice, keyboards, and monitors
EducationAntonio graduated from Colgate University in 2009 with a bachelor's degree in history.Outside of workBesides testing tech products, Antonio is also a full time dad to two young kids. His ideal day would be spent on a lake in the Adirondacks.Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here.Learn more about how we test tech and electronics.