Earlier this week we shared drawings of Apple’s upcoming 4-inch device and reported that Apple plans to call the device the iPhone SE. Now, French site NowhereElse has shared images that claim to show the front display portion of the upcoming device. We’ve long reported that the iPhone SE won’t feature support for 3D Touch, and these images corroborate that.
3D Touch, a flagship feature of the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, works by taking advantage of a pair of capacitive touch sensors beneath the display. As you can see in the image above, which shows the iPhone SE next to the iPhone 6s, the smaller device lacks the sensors necessary to support 3D Touch.
Other than the lack of 3D Touch, the leaked images don’t appear to show too much about the iPhone SE. 3D Touch was one of the features highlighted the most when Apple announced the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus last year. The company also touted Live Photos, a feature that the smaller iPhone SE is expected to offer.
Our own Mark Gurman shared design drawings of Apple’s rumored iPhone SE earlier this week. The images show a design that’s nearly identical to that of the iPhone 5s, but with slightly curved edges. While some have reported that the power button will be moved to the side like the iPhone 6s, Mark recently confirmed that the power button for the iPhone SE will be on the top.
Apple is expected to announce the iPhone SE, as well as new Apple Watch model options and a new 9.7-inch iPad Pro, at a press event on March 15. The iPad Pro is expected to offer Smart Keyboard and Apple Pencil support, while the Watch is expected to gain a new Space Black Milanese Loop and NATO-style nylon straps.
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How can anyone get excited about this phone is beyond me? This is going backwards not forward.
Because some people prefer a smaller form factor. Persumably, it willl also be offered at a lower price point, making it attractive to those that want the latest hardware (sans 3D Touch) but won’t spring for the more expensive 6s
I understand that people want a smaller phone but do people want a smaller phone with less features? No 3D Touch????
I know about 15 owners of iPhone 6s and no one uses 3D Touch anymore.
Not everyone bothered to use the 3D touch.
I beg to differ. Large screen phone in the past years have attracted a lot of market. But lately we have started to use our phone rather more frequently. Large phones are very inergonomic for such extensive use. You can also see Sony with compact versions of its big xperia phones.
so even apple knows 3d touch is a gimmick. Or else why would they limit it?
To allow the 6S/Plus to have as a headline feature and a reason for people to pay more.
To differentiate from the flagship device. To reduce costs. Supply constraints. Just a couple reasons off the top my head.
This is the most exciting announcement of a phone I’ve seen yet. I have the 6S, and kind of, basically, hate how big it is. Functionally it adds nothing to the phone (given I hardly watch videos), and actually detracts from the usability (I can never reach the top left corner, and have a hard time swiping back). The 4-inch size was absolutely perfect. Hoping for a lineup like this one day:
• iPhone Plus
• iPhone
• iPhone mini
Where they all share the same internals and design, just verify on the preference of who likes what size.
Not only will you be losing money on your current 6S when you part with it (sale or give it to someone else) but you would rather downgrade to a smaller device with less features and pay again?
But then again I’m going to sale my 6S for a S7 Edge but I see that as a big upgrade. So I guess I’m doing the same thing but for different reasons.
Maybe he sees having a screen of a reasonable size the most important feature. It was a huge mistake to love to these huge screens leaving behind the 4”, and now it’s a mistake not to give the renewed 4” EXACTLY the same features the latest 6S has (screen size apart).
Even after buying the SE, I’ll have money left over from selling my 6S.
long-nailed male
I’m looking forward to seeing this new phone. I’ve had every model of iPhone, most Nexus/Samsung devices, and get to play with Xiaomi/LG/HTC phones at the office and I keep coming back to the 5S as the standard by which to measure all other phones. It’s the perfect size, feels the best to hold in the hand, and I really like the industrial design. I’m really not a fan of the rounded edges of the 6/6S and while I think 3D Touch is a neat trick, there just aren’t any compelling reasons yet to buy a phone just to have it. As long as the edges aren’t too rounded on this new iPhone I could see myself selling my S6 Edge to get one.
Why would anyone want a smaller phone nowadays? Phablets are the new norm. 5.5 and 5.7 are such standard everyday sizes
My hands didn’t grow because people started buying huge phablets. 4” is the best size.
New norm doesn’t mean everyone likes it. Why must all follow the norm?
Most people on the planet are also idiots and it’s surprising they know how to tie their shoes. Proof positive is how well Android phones have done in pure unit sales – they just don’t care about what phone they have at all. So that’s the “norm.” Regardless of which size iPhone someone may prefer, people choosing iOS are informed, they’re not the “norm.”
Just call it iPhone mini.
it would be nice if it has 3d touch
The 4″ has something even better than 3D Touch: you can touch anywhere on the display…single-handed use is back!
i was so excited about the new i phone mini until they said it will look like the 5s model. why would anyone want the same model? why would we want an outdated design? why is it so hard to make 3 iphone 6 models mini, reg., and plus? its very simple. i will never get this model if it looks like the 5 design. tim cook should step down. i miss steve jobs
Thanks for the laughs!
“…confirm lack of 3D Touch.” No loss.