Design Drawings Suggest iPhone 5se Will Look Almost Identical to iPhone 5s

Multiple rumors about the iPhone 5se have suggested the device will resemble the iPhone 5s, but its exact design has been difficult to nail down because the same rumors have also pointed towards a curved iPhone 6-style display, hinting at two design styles that don't mix well.

Case maker's design drawings and schematics shared today by 9to5Mac and OnLeaks (via iGen.fr) give us a clearer picture of what the iPhone 5se may look like, depicting a design nearly identical to that of the iPhone 5s.

iphone5serendering
The iPhone 5se's dimensions are essentially the same as the dimensions of the iPhone 5s, measuring in at approximately 123.8mm tall, 58.6mm wide, and 7.6mm thick. In 9to5Mac's rendering, created from information obtained from a case maker, the power button has been moved to the side of the device, while OnLeak's schematic still has a power button at the top of the phone.

iphone5seschematic
There's also conflicting information provided about the camera. The schematic depicts a protruding rear camera with a pill-shaped flash, while 9to5Mac says the iPhone 5se camera matches the camera of the iPhone 5s. It is unclear which is correct, but both agree on the general design of the device.

iphone5sepowerbutton
As for rumors of an iPhone 6-style curved cover glass, the iPhone 5se is said to have a display that curves slightly at the edges, but the curve isn't as dramatic as on Apple's newer devices.

In line with our sources have been saying since January, the case maker tells us that the edges of the device and the front glass panel are slightly curved around the edges, but not as curved as the sides of the iPhone 6 and 6s. Schematics shown on website iGeneration also show these curves, but do not show the relocated power switch.

The iPhone 5se will reportedly come in standard iPhone colors -- Silver, Space Gray, Rose Gold, and Gold -- which will make it nearly indistinguishable from an iPhone 5s at a distance. Its similarity to an iPhone 5s may explain why we have yet to see part leaks for the device despite its imminent launch date.

Case makers often put a lot of time and resources into nailing down the design of products ahead of their launch because being first to market with accessories for a new iOS device can be quite lucrative. Design drawings and schematics aren't accurate 100 percent of the time, but they often provide a clear look at upcoming product designs.

Apple is expected to introduce the iPhone 5se at an event that's planned for March 15, with a launch set to take place just a few days later on March 18. Other features rumored for the iPhone 5se include an A9 processor, an improved camera, and NFC to enable Apple Pay.

Related Roundup: iPhone SE
Buyer's Guide: iPhone SE (Caution)
Related Forum: iPhone

Top Rated Comments

wikiverse Avatar
99 months ago
It's unapologetically similar.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JCrz Avatar
99 months ago
"What is this? MacRumors???"
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MasterRyu2011 Avatar
99 months ago
The iPhone 5 and 5S are the best-designed iPhones. This probably will be shave costs for Apple as well to re-use the same design. Smart economics.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Crosscreek Avatar
99 months ago
That's fine. I love the design of my 5s. A+ No camera hump.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mbh1976 Avatar
99 months ago
I thought the 5S design was great. I don't care if it looks exactly the same, I just want upgraded internals.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Vanilla35 Avatar
99 months ago
But will it RAM
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 17 and iPhones Feature

iOS 17: 10 New Features That Just Launched

Sunday September 17, 2023 12:35 pm PDT by
In June, Apple announced iOS 17 with a wide range of new features and changes for the iPhone. Following over three months of beta testing, the free software update will be released this Monday, September 18 for the iPhone XS and newer. Below, we have recapped 10 key features coming to the iPhone with iOS 17, with additional features coming later this year. The update should be released to...
iPhone 15 Pro Lineup Feature

iPhone 15 Models Feature New Setting to Strictly Prevent Charging Beyond 80%

Tuesday September 19, 2023 2:04 pm PDT by
All of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models feature a new battery health setting that prevents the devices from charging beyond 80% at all times when enabled, as confirmed by The Verge's Allison Johnson during a Q&A session today. The new setting is separate from the pre-existing Optimized Battery Charging feature on iPhones, which intelligently delays charging past 80% until a more...
maxresdefault

Apple Releases iOS 17 With StandBy, Live Voicemail, Improved Autocorrect, FaceTime Video Messages and Tons More

Monday September 18, 2023 10:05 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, the latest operating system updates that are designed for the iPhone and iPad. As with all of Apple's software updates, iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 are available for free. iOS 17 is compatible with the iPhone XR/iPhone XS and later, while iPadOS 17 runs on the iPad mini 5 and later, the iPad 6 and later, iPad Air 3 and later, the second-generation 12.9-inch...
flighty standby

Best Apps With New iOS 17 and watchOS 10 Features

Monday September 18, 2023 3:02 pm PDT by
With the release of a new operating system, there are multiple features and design elements for developers to adopt. Now that iOS 17 is out, many major apps are getting interesting updates today, which we've rounded up below. watchOS 10 also has a new design language, so there are a range of Apple Watch updates to check out too. Flighty (Free, Premium Subscription) Popular flight tracking...