A poster on Chinese social media site Weibo has supposedly photographed part of the spec sheet for Apple’s soon-to-be-unveiled 4 inch iPhone. The image appeared on the social media site earlier in the week and is likely legitimate, given the official announcement is just a matter of days away.
The image confirms the rumored ‘iPhone SE’ nomenclature and existence of a 16 GB size option for the new phone. This confirms numerous reports from 9to5Mac in the past.
We have previously reported that the iPhone SE will come in 16 GB and 64 GB SKU’s. It will replace the iPhone 5s in the lineup which is currently offered in 16 GB and 32 GB configurations. The 16 -> 64 lineup matches with the trend of other iOS devices, like the flagship iPhones which are sold in 16 GB and 64 GB capacities, but not 32 GB. It will be offered in silver, space grey, gold and rose gold casing colors.
The leaked image also shows the phone supports NFC for Apple Pay. Again, this confirms our earlier reports. The inclusion of Apple Pay will help boost adoption of Apple’s mobile payments service, as the 5s (which the SE will replace) does not support the feature at all.
Interestingly, supply chain leaks about the iPhone SE have been practically non-existent … unusual for iPhone releases. We are already seeing plentiful leaks about the iPhone 7 due in the fall, for instance.
The silence (outside of our own coverage) is probably due to the fact that the iPhone SE will sell in far smaller volumes than flagship iPhones. In addition, it is expected to visually appear nearly identical to the iPhone 5s, making it less interesting for prospective leakers in factories.
Apple will announce the iPhone SE at an event on Monday. Read our full roundup of everything to expect, including a 9.7 inch iPad Pro and updates to the Apple Watch lineup.
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Words can’t describe how happy I am that they aren’t calling it a 5SE… It should be called the iPhone SE or 6c which I would prefer, design notwithstanding.
16GB is the new 4GB.
Ugh, 16GB. Really wish they would just kill that size off. As long as they do 32GB or higher as well then this will likely be my new phone. Currently have a 6S but actually preferred the size of the 5 so would love to return to that.
Really wish people like you would just comprehend that 16 GB is not the only option. 16 GB is more than enough for the vast majority of users.
All I hear when I see these complaints is “I’m cheap and want to buy the base model”.
how is that complaining? he wants more storage, not the cheapest base model. troll.
Apple will probably become bankrupt if they dont sell 16gb models. Memory prices are too much high these days.
@Tom, 16 GB storage costs $5.50, 32 GB would be about $12, and 64 GB would cost about $20.
What’s the price difference between the two models going to be? Much more than $14.50.
http://recode.net/2015/09/29/apples-iphone-6s-plus-costs-an-estimated-236-to-make-749-to-purchase/
It is a mid range phone so I can’t really be upset. But on the other hand if Apple pulls the 16GB card with the iPhone 7 all hell will break lose.
iPhone 7 should be 32GB, 128GB and 256GB. I would pay the extra $100 to jump to 128GB.
Yeah, no. Since more than half of all iPhone buyers purchase the base model, not knowing or caring how much storage it has, I can assure you that no hell will be breaking loose.
Apple hasn’t increased the base model storage since the iPhone 3GS, so count me among those that think an increase is overdue. It is precisely because “more than half of all iPhone buyers purchase the base model” that Apple should increase it to 32GB. All of my extended family members have iPhones. They all have 16GB. They all run out of space and can’t back up or update. It is a problem.
Waiting for 64GB, 128GB & 256GB system
Doubt it. If Apple does change storage sizes for iPhone, chances are it will follow iPad – 32GB, 128GB, 256GB (at least for the Plus models). Non-plus models may still stay 16GB, 64GB, 128GB
Take a clear, patient look: There’s no 32GB but there has to be three tier options
And why do you think they’ll re-introduce 32GB and replace the 64GB that even the SE will have?
nowhere did I say such a thing. learn how to read carefully
I posted the reply at wrong place, no offence :)
Cue the people who always buy the highest storage capacity complaining about 16GB. Oh, I’m too late…
Enough with the damn 16GB storage option. I refuse to believe that this is because of cost. Why not 32GB for the low end?
Tell me One thing Mr. Experts, Will the iPhone SE be of 7000-series aluminium? same as the 6s?
Not saying I know; I’m just guessing.
I don’t think it’ll have that series of aluminium.
Then again, we’ll just wait and see.
I hope there’s a review, like UnboxTherapy on YouTube.
There’s no possible way that’s NOT going to happen. ;)
16GB and 64GB for iPhone SE and 64GB 128GB 256GB for iPhone 7. Mark my words.
I’ve never bought a brand new iPhone and always got 2nd hand ones (3Gs & 4S) but now I’m dying to get my hands on an SE!
Just hope they do a 32GB version.
The ‘SE’ name means absolutely nothing to me, I believe is confusing and was hoping that the Internet blogs got it wrong. Why oh why didn’t apple call it the iPhone 6s mini, because that’s what it is, and why didn’t they attach a number too it. What are they going to call the next 4 inch iPhone, the ‘new new iPhone SE’, like they were doing with iPads!?!?!?
Personally, I hoped that the iPhone SE would have the same internals as an iPhone 6s. But oh well; beggars can’t be choosers.
48k was good enough in the ’80s.
im thrilled with this phone. ive been following it for weeks and weeks and hoping they would have a smaller model for at least the last 6 months. i will not go to a larger model because it is impractical for my lifestyle and i hate that id have to use two hands to hold the thing. its a long overdue update for people like me who wont swap over for various reasons. ive learned my lesson on the storage though and will be purchasing the larger model. as much as i didnt expect much coverage i would have expected phone companies like verizon to let their employees know there will be an upgraded model coming out in the month.