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Photos of Lightning Apple EarPods headphones emerge on Chinese media [Updated]

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Update: The original photo displayed in the article was indeed Photoshopped. However, there are other images of Lightning EarPod cables circling the web of unknown origin, as shown above. It just highlights however that images of this ilk are easily faked.

Although we are expecting a myriad of new announcements later today at Apple’s iPhone SE + more media event, Lightning EarPods were not thought to be on the cards. Images of Lightning-equipped EarPods surfaced on Chinese media today, refuelling rumors that the iPhone 7 will drop the 3.5mm headphone jack. It would make sense, then, that Apple would ship new earbuds in the box that connect to the phone over Lightning.

There is nothing else apparently different, aside from the change of port. The EarPods look visually identical otherwise. If there are other changes in the update, such as changes to sound quality, they aren’t reflected in the product’s physical appearance.


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Leaked image of 4-inch iPhone packaging seems to confirm ‘SE’ branding and 16 GB storage size option

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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.


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Apple event pushed to week of March 21st, 4-inch iPhone SE, new iPad Pro and more on tap

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Well-sourced Re/code is indicating that Apple’s media event and keynote announcement for spring will be held in the week of March 21st. In an independent report by Buzzfeed, John Paczkowski reports that the event will take place on March 21st itself and will be a ‘smaller scale event’, suggesting it will take place in Cupertino on Apple’s campus. The reason for the event’s delay, given Apple initially planned for a March 15th event, is also unclear. Too much executive time spent with the FBI? Maybe!

Korean media site underkg.co.kr suggested the delayed date earlier in the week, although the report was generally ignored given the unknown provenance. In contrast, Re/code has a far better track record with Apple reporting.


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Opinion: Apple’s rumored 4-inch iPhone 5se may well be worth seriously considering

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iPhone 5 one handI remarked on a recent episode of 9to5Mac’s Happy Hour podcast that the rumored 4-inch iPhone would absolutely need to take Live Photos for me to even consider giving it a serious test run. I’ve taken enough really good Live Photos — full resolution still images with brief motion and sound captured as well — on my iPhone 6s Plus that it’s one feature I wouldn’t trade.

Then on Friday we had Mark Gurman’s reporting that Apple was planning Live Photos, an iPhone 6s feature, for the expected 4-inch iPhone 5se (which likely won’t be called 6c). Today that reporting was followed up with the possibility that the iPhone 5se could have the same processor and co-processor as the iPhone 6s, albeit with fewer pixels to push with a smaller display.

Suddenly the iPhone 5se is sounding less like last year’s hardware recycled and more like a serious 4-inch phone to consider. But who is the iPhone 5se for and is it really worth considering if you’re like me and run to the latest and greatest hardware? I’m still thinking through this prospect myself, and I have a few thoughts worth considering before the device is officially unveiled …


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Is this the iPhone 6c? Video purportedly shows new 4-inch iPhone, looks just like an iPhone 6s

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Apple is currently expected to hold an event in March to announce a slew of new products, notably including a new addition to the iPhone lineup. The 4-inch iPhone is expected to be released by April, and MIC Gadget claims to have a hands-on with new unreleased iPhone straight from the Foxconn factory. Unsurprisingly, the purported new ‘iPhone 6c‘ looks just like an iPhone 6s, but smaller. The latest rumors indicate it will also have similar internals, featuring Apple A9 SoC and NFC for Apple Pay.


From our iPhone 6c mockup gallery last month

The validity of the video cannot be confirmed. The ratios of the speaker holes is very similar to the 4.7 inch phone so it’s not 100% that this phone is actually smaller (perhaps the camera guy has big hands). The video also does not include a comparison with other iPhones to confirm the relative size, but they claim it is legit and MIC Gadget has a reasonable history of obtaining device hands-on ahead of time. Watch the 40 second clip and decide for yourself, after the break …


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Unlikely report claims upcoming 4-inch hardware will be called iPhone 5e, not 6c, and get lower spec

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An unlikely report from Chinese site MyDrivers accompanied by an even unlikelier-looking graphic claims that Apple’s new 4-inch phone will not be named the iPhone 6c, as expected, but will instead be dubbed the iPhone 5e. The letter ‘e’ supposedly stands for ‘enhanced.’

Now, the latest news shows, this new machine might be called iPhone 5e (I did not expect), as the letter “e” represents enhanced [referring to] the addition of Apple Pay, NFC and VoLTE Features.

The report also claims that the spec of the phone will be lower than previously rumored, having an A8 processor and 1GB RAM rather than the expected A9 and 2GB. This would essentially give it the same internals as the latest iPod touch …


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KGI: New 4-inch iPhone will resemble iPhone 5s, expect A9 chip and NFC for Apple Pay

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KGI’s Ming-Chi Kuo, who has a good track record on what if not when, says that Apple’s new 4-inch iPhone will “resemble an upgraded iPhone 5s,” but will get some new internals. Externally, he suggests the main visible difference will be similar curved-edge glass to the iPhone 6/6s.

Beneath the hood, he says the phone – expected to be dubbed the iPhone 6c – will get an A9 processor and NFC chip to support Apple Pay. The camera will, however, be identical to that in the 5s. Kuo’s investment note also supports recent reports that the 6c will get a metal case, stating that it will be available in at least 2-3 colors.

Kuo expects the phone to hit in the first quarter of next year, but does think that it may generate relatively modest sales … 
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Unlikely supply-chain rumor suggests a new 4-inch iPhone model next year

A new iPhone 4S doesn't seem a likely prospect

A new smaller-screen iPhone doesn’t seem a likely bet …

Japanese site Feng, seemingly citing DigiTimes as a source, is reporting an unlikely claim that Apple will next year replace the iPhone 5c with a new 4-inch model.

While it’s likely that Apple would want to drop the 5c, it’s hard to see any rationale for a return to a smaller-screened model – and I speak as someone who liked the 3.5-inch screen of my 4S until upgrading to the iPhone 6 this year. The reality is that the iPhone 6 fits into pockets and doesn’t feel like a large phone, something Jony Ive said was a key reason for the rounded edges: making it feel smaller than it is. People like me have gotten over it.

Update: So it appears that a lot of commenters are sticking to their 4-inch guns. Who knows, maybe Apple will adopt a Small/Medium/Large approach to iPhones as well as iPads?

Feng references one-handed use as a reason for the change, but while Apple may have once made a feature of the small screen, the company addressed the issue with reachability. A double-tap (not press) on the home button brings everything within reach of your thumb.