New 4-Inch 'iPhone 5e' Could Feature A8 Chip, 1GB of RAM, Apple Pay and VoLTE Calling

Chinese website cnBeta [Google Translate] is the latest source to claim Apple will release a new 4-inch iPhone early this year. The blog, citing Foxconn sources, shared many new details about the so-called "iPhone 5e" that we have broken down for comparison against previous 4-inch iPhone rumors below.

iphone5s5c

iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c, both released in 2013

  • "iPhone 5e" vs. "iPhone 6c"
    Apple's next-generation 4-inch iPhone has been given several names, including "iPhone 6c," "iPhone 7c" and "iPhone 5s Mark II," but this is the first report where it has been called "iPhone 5e."

    The website claims "iPhone 5e" will represent an "enhanced" iPhone 5s and replace the latter in Apple's smartphone lineup once released. iPhone 5e would be Apple's new entry-level handset.

  • A8 Chip with 1GB of RAM
    The report says the "iPhone 5e" will be powered by Apple's 64-bit A8 chip and 1GB of RAM. Apple devices with an A8 chip: iPhone 6, 6 Plus, iPad mini 4, Apple TV 4, iPad Air 2 and the newest iPod touch.

    Japanese website Mac Otakara also said the new 4-inch iPhone will have an A8 chip, without disclosing potential RAM, while Chinese website MyDrivers said the device will have an A9 processor and 2GB of RAM.

    KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also said the 4-inch iPhone will have an A9 chip in a research note to investors, but that appears to be more of a prediction rather than supply chain evidence.

  • 16GB/64GB Storage
    The report claims the "iPhone 5e" will have 16GB base storage, with a 64GB model also available. Chinese website MyDrivers also said the new 4-inch iPhone will have 16GB base storage.
  • iPhone 5s Camera
    "iPhone 5e" will have the same rear-facing 8-megapixel iSight camera as the iPhone 5s, according to the report. If the "iPhone 5e" proves to be an "enhanced" iPhone 5s, then this makes sense.

    No other reputable iSight camera rumors have surfaced about the new 4-inch iPhone, but Mac Otakara said the device will have an improved FaceTime HD camera with ƒ/2.2 aperture.

  • Slightly Thinner and Lighter
    The report claims the "iPhone 5e" will be lighter, implying that it will likely also be thinner. Mac Otakara previously reported the new 4-inch iPhone will resemble a sixth-generation iPod touch.
  • Mac Otakara now says the new 4-inch iPhone will have dimensions of 122.90 mm ​​x 57.63 mm, which is fractionally thinner than the iPhone 5s. Apple could use 2.5D cover glass like the iPhone 6s.

  • Apple Pay
    Apple will reportedly add NFC and Touch ID to the "iPhone 5e" to support Apple Pay, which is not available on the iPhone 5s unless paired with an Apple Watch.

    KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has also claimed the new 4-inch iPhone will feature Apple Pay to complete Apple's lineup of NFC-enabled devices.

  • VoLTE Calling
    The report claims the "iPhone 5e" will support VoLTE calling, allowing for wideband, high-quality phone calls on select carriers in the U.S. and nine other countries.
  • Rose Gold and Colors
    The report corroborates previous rumors claiming the new 4-inch iPhone will be available in Rose Gold and other existing iPhone colors.

    Multiple reports claim the device will have an anodized aluminum finish like the iPhone 5s, rather than plastic casing like the budget iPhone 5c.

  • Pricing and Availability
    The report claims the "iPhone 5e" will launch in February-March, possibly around the Chinese New Year, lining up with multiple other reports claiming the new 4-inch iPhone will launch in early 2016.

    Pricing could start at around 3,288 yuan ($500 U.S.).

cnBeta accurately reported on the iPhone 6s Plus's packaging and smaller battery, but also incorrectly claimed the A8 chip would top 2 GHz a few years ago.

Related Roundups: Apple Pay, iPhone SE
Buyer's Guide: iPhone SE (Caution)

Top Rated Comments

Abazigal Avatar
107 months ago
Why? Apple, why? Is it so hard to create a 4" iPhone with flagship specs? Why deliberately gimp your own products this way? There is nothing about a smaller phone which suggests it has to be inferior to a larger phone.
Score: 66 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rogifan Avatar
107 months ago
A8 and 16GB starting at $500? Did this come from the Onion?
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
myrtlebee Avatar
107 months ago
Why even bother? Just keep selling the 5S until September and then release the 7 in three sizes.
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
User 6502 Avatar
107 months ago
This is strictly for people who just prefer a smaller device. Some will trade the higher specs for size.
You mean a NORMAL sized device
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
newdeal Avatar
107 months ago
no touchid, no buy
the 5S has touchid and applepay uses touchid so not sure why you think this wont have it
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
naeS1Sean Avatar
107 months ago
So...is it only greed that stops them from making a flagship 4" phone? Certainly seems that way...
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 16 Camera Lozenge 2 Perspective Gray

Five Key Upgrades Coming to iPhone 16

Friday March 15, 2024 1:45 pm PDT by
The iPhone is Apple's top-selling product, and it gets an update every year. In 2024, we're expecting the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro lineup, with an arguably more interesting feature set than we got with the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Capture Button All four iPhone 16 models are set to get a whole new button, which will be...
When To Expect New iPads Feature 1

Apple to Announce New iPads on March 26, Rumors Claim

Monday March 18, 2024 4:02 am PDT by
Apple is widely expected to release new iPad Air and OLED iPad Pro models in the next few weeks. According to new rumors coming out of Asia, the company will announce its new iPads on Tuesday, March 26. Chinese leaker Instant Digital on Weibo this morning 日发布%23">claimed that the date will see some sort of announcement from Apple related to new iPads, but stopped short of calling it an...
airpods 3 orange

Two New AirPods 4 Models Expected to Launch in September or October

Sunday March 17, 2024 7:56 am PDT by
Apple suppliers will begin production of two new fourth-generation AirPods models in May, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Based on this production timeframe, he expects the headphones to be released in September or October. Gurman expects both fourth-generation AirPods models to feature a new design with better fit, improved sound quality, and an updated charging case with a USB-C...
iphone se 4 modified flag edges

iPhone SE 4 Expected to Depreciate Heavily

Tuesday March 12, 2024 9:04 am PDT by
Resale value trends suggest the iPhone SE 4 may not hold its value as well as Apple's flagship models, according to SellCell. According to the report, Apple's iPhone SE models have historically depreciated much more rapidly than the company's more premium offerings. The third-generation iPhone SE, which launched in March 2022, experienced a significant drop in resale value, losing 42.6%...
iOS 17 Passkey With Apple ACCOUNT Feature

'Apple ID' Expected to Change to 'Apple Account' Starting With iOS 18

Sunday March 17, 2024 7:13 am PDT by
MacRumors was first to report that Apple was planning to rebrand "Apple ID" to "Apple Account" across its software platforms and websites like iCloud.com as early as this year, and now Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has corroborated this change. A mockup of the new Apple Account branding In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said the new "Apple Account" branding will start to be used later this...
General iOS 17 Feature Orange Purple

iOS 17.4.1 Update for iPhone is Imminent

Monday March 18, 2024 5:27 am PDT by
iOS 17.4.1 and iPadOS 17.4.1 should be released within the next few days, with a build number of 21E235, according to a source with a proven track record. MacRumors previously reported that Apple was internally testing iOS 17.4.1. As a minor update for the iPhone, it will likely address software bugs and/or security vulnerabilities. It is unclear if the update will include any other changes. ...
M3 iPad Feature 3

New iPads Likely to Begin Shipping in April

Monday March 18, 2024 9:52 am PDT by
Apple's new iPad Pro models with OLED displays will likely begin shipping to customers in April, according to information shared today by Ross Young, CEO of display industry research firm Display Supply Chain Consultants. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman also said the new iPad Pro models might not ship until "deeper" into April in his Power On newsletter on Sunday:I've repeatedly said that new...