Apple's Upcoming 4-Inch Smartphone May Be Called 'iPhone SE' - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple's Upcoming 4-Inch Smartphone May Be Called 'iPhone SE'

Rumors surrounding the 4-inch "iPhone 5se" continue today with new information pointing to the possibility of Apple dropping the "5" from the name altogether and simply calling it the "iPhone SE." As reported by 9to5Mac, the new name would be a shift in focus on the 4-inch iPhone's "enhanced and special edition" status, making it stand out from the numerically named crowd of the iPhone family.

iphone5serendering

A design mock-up of the iPhone SE shows similarities to the iPhone 5s

Based on Apple reinvigorating the 4-inch iPhone screen size at a time where the market is mostly moving toward larger smartphone screens, it would make sense for Apple to position this device as simply the “SE.” Sources say that the dropping of the “5” from the name also simplifies the iPhone lineup as bringing back an iPhone “5” variant amid the iPhone “6” lifecycle could potentially confuse customers. The iPhone SE will replace the existing iPhone 5s and will take its price points.

Mock-ups from earlier in the week suggested that the iPhone SE will look near-identical to that of the iPhone 5s, with a body measuring in at 123.8mm tall, 58.6mm wide, and 7.6mm thick. The device is said to have an A9 processor, an M9 chip to accommodate the new fitness tracking features of iOS, and include "Hey Siri," Apple Pay, and Live Photos support.

The design renderings of the iPhone SE show conflicting claims in regards to the new iPhone's power button placement and camera, but the latter feature is said to support an 8-megapixel system. The iPhone SE is believed to come in the four expected color options of the iPhone line -- Silver, Space Gray, Rose Gold, and Gold -- and be available in 16GB and 64GB sizes.

It won't be long until we find out everything about the iPhone SE, with reports pointing towards a March 15 media event for the reveal of the new 4-inch iPhone. On the same day, Apple is predicted to announce what was thought to be called the "iPad Air 3," but is now believed to be a smaller 9.7-inch addition to the iPad Pro family.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

iphone duo standby

Apple Retail Staff Told to Warn Against iPhone Duo Walk-In Purchases

Saturday October 17, 2026 2:30 pm PDT by
Some Apple retail employees have been told to warn customers against visiting to purchase an iPhone Duo without a pre-order on Friday, October 23. Apple Store employees told MacRumors that they have been advised that there will likely be no iPhone Duo stock available for walk-in purchases on launch day. Staff have been instructed to discourage customers without pre-orders from coming in...
M5 MacBook Pro

RIP, MacBook Ultra

Monday October 19, 2026 9:37 am PDT by
Apple today sent out invites for an experience in Los Angeles on Wednesday, October 28, and the "Pro and tell" tagline on the invitation likely means that the rumored MacBook models with touch-enabled OLED displays will stick with MacBook Pro branding instead of the once-rumored "MacBook Ultra" name. The long-rumored "iPhone Ultra" ended up being named iPhone Duo, so speculation that Apple...
iphone duo feature

Mark Gurman: Apple Made 'Major Mistake' With iPhone Duo Pre-Orders

Sunday October 18, 2026 7:33 am PDT by
Despite knowing that the iPhone Duo would face "severe supply constraints" due to manufacturing challenges, Apple chose to begin iPhone Duo pre-orders on Friday instead of waiting until it had more inventory ready, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In his Power On newsletter today, he called this decision a "major mistake." "Let me cut to the chase: Apple made a major mistake here," he...

Top Rated Comments

139 months ago
SE - Same Enclosure
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
blairh Avatar
139 months ago
Better than 5 SE. But 'Mini' is an even better name.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jal217 Avatar
139 months ago
The line needs simplifying. How about iPad Pro iPad and iPad mini. iPhone plus, iPhone and iPhone mini? That is so much simpler. I think the numbers will stay though because it sells phones when you increase the number. But SE just doesn't fit
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
negrohero9 Avatar
139 months ago
A mini, and pro line for iPhone would be a more ideal naming scheme. It helps fit with the iPad lineup.
Basically:
iPhone Mini (4 inch model)
iPhone (Number +/- S model, 4.7 inch model)
iPhone Pro (Replaces the Plus name for the 5.5 inch model)
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
LukasValine Avatar
139 months ago
Or how bout they call it the iPhone 6s Mini.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lightmyway Avatar
139 months ago
This makes more sense. I would love if they stuck to this form factor and name, and just quietly changed out the internals as they go along, like they do with Macs.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Latest Stories
Apple's October 28 'Pro and Tell' Launch: What's Coming
Apple's October 28 'Pro and Tell' Launch: What's Coming
1 hour ago
Apple Limiting U.S. iPhone Duo Orders to Two Per Customer
Apple Limiting U.S. iPhone Duo Orders to Two Per Customer
2 hours ago
Apple Buys AI Audio Editing App Samplab
Apple Buys AI Audio Editing App Samplab
3 hours ago
EFF's Privacy Badger Anti-Tracking Extension Expands to Safari
EFF's Privacy Badger Anti-Tracking Extension Expands to Safari
4 hours ago
HomePod 27.2 Adds Sound Glow to Existing HomePod Models
HomePod 27.2 Adds Sound Glow to Existing HomePod Models
5 hours ago
Apple Starts Moving Up iPhone Duo Delivery Dates
Apple Starts Moving Up iPhone Duo Delivery Dates
6 hours ago
tvOS 27.2 RC Lays Groundwork for HomePod Surround Sound
tvOS 27.2 RC Lays Groundwork for HomePod Surround Sound
6 hours ago
Apple Says iPhone Duo Not Available on Walk-In Basis in Two Countries
Apple Says iPhone Duo Not Available on Walk-In Basis in Two Countries
7 hours ago
Apple Seeds macOS Golden Gate 27.2 Release Candidate to Developers
Apple Seeds macOS Golden Gate 27.2 Release Candidate to Developers
8 hours ago
Apple Releases iOS 27.2 Release Candidate
Apple Releases iOS 27.2 Release Candidate
8 hours ago
Apple Seeds watchOS 27.2, tvOS 27.2 and visionOS 27.2 Release Candidates
Apple Seeds watchOS 27.2, tvOS 27.2 and visionOS 27.2 Release Candidates
8 hours ago
Samsung Slashes Prices on Frame TVs With Biggest Savings Yet for 2026 Models
Samsung Slashes Prices on Frame TVs With Biggest Savings Yet for 2026 Models
8 hours ago
RIP, MacBook Ultra
RIP, MacBook Ultra
9 hours ago
Apple Announcing New Products Next Week: 'Pro and Tell'
Apple Announcing New Products Next Week: 'Pro and Tell'
9 hours ago
GM Says Apple Wallet Car Keys Coming to These Vehicles
GM Says Apple Wallet Car Keys Coming to These Vehicles
11 hours ago
Amazon Offers $900 Off 2026 16-Inch MacBook Pro With M5 Max Chip
Amazon Offers $900 Off 2026 16-Inch MacBook Pro With M5 Max Chip
12 hours ago
Amazon Discounts New Mac Mini by Up to $149, Mac Studio by $200
Amazon Discounts New Mac Mini by Up to $149, Mac Studio by $200
1 day ago
Apple Expected to Release New Products on Next Four Fridays
Apple Expected to Release New Products on Next Four Fridays
1 day ago
Apple Reveals iPhone Duo's Battery Capacity
Apple Reveals iPhone Duo's Battery Capacity
1 day ago
Apple Planning 'HomeView Max' With 9-Inch, 360-Degree Screen
Apple Planning 'HomeView Max' With 9-Inch, 360-Degree Screen
1 day ago
Mark Gurman: Apple Made 'Major Mistake' With iPhone Duo Pre-Orders
Mark Gurman: Apple Made 'Major Mistake' With iPhone Duo Pre-Orders
1 day ago
Apple Retail Staff Told to Warn Against iPhone Duo Walk-In Purchases
Apple Retail Staff Told to Warn Against iPhone Duo Walk-In Purchases
2 days ago
Apple Hires Former Meta Lawyer to Oversee Global Litigation
Apple Hires Former Meta Lawyer to Oversee Global Litigation
2 days ago
Top Stories: Apple HomeView, New Apple TV and HomePod mini, and Sold-Out iPhone Duo
Top Stories: Apple HomeView, New Apple TV and HomePod mini, and Sold-Out iPhone Duo
3 days ago
Verizon Will Charge $10 a Month for iPhone Handoff
Verizon Will Charge $10 a Month for iPhone Handoff
3 days ago
Apple Calls iPhone Duo Demand 'Extraordinary' After Orders Slip to 2027
Apple Calls iPhone Duo Demand 'Extraordinary' After Orders Slip to 2027
3 days ago
New App Store Rules Target AI Deepfakes and Nudify Apps
New App Store Rules Target AI Deepfakes and Nudify Apps
3 days ago
Didn't Pre-Order Apple's HomeView? Here's How Long the Wait is Now
Didn't Pre-Order Apple's HomeView? Here's How Long the Wait is Now
3 days ago
Apple's $79 iPhone Duo Case Sticks On With Adhesive
Apple's $79 iPhone Duo Case Sticks On With Adhesive
3 days ago
Apple TV 4K and HomePod Mini Price Increases 'Much More Striking' Than New Features
Apple TV 4K and HomePod Mini Price Increases 'Much More Striking' Than New Features
3 days ago