First iPhone SE Cases Start Appearing With Conflicting Designs

Last week, we saw some conflicting designs for what the upcoming 4-inch iPhone 5se or SE might look like, based on information obtained from case manufacturers. With less than three weeks to go before the device's introduction, we're now seeing the first actual "iPhone SE" cases surface online, although it's clear these companies have yet to nail down just what the phone will look like.

iphone_5se_case_1

iPhone 5se/SE case with iPhone 5s-like design including power button on top

As revealed in images obtained by MacRumors, distributors offering "iPhone 5se" cases for bulk purchase are carrying cases of both rumored designs, which include one very similar to the iPhone 5 or 5s design with the power button on the top and another more like the iPhone 6 design with rounded edges and the power button on the side.

iphone_5se_case_2

iPhone 5se/SE case with iPhone 6-like design including power button on side

Early case leaks have historically been fairly accurate indicators of new iPhone designs, though there have been a few notable exceptions. With two distinct case designs still floating around this close to the iPhone SE's launch, it's clear there is still confusion over just what Apple intends to release.

Yesterday, we published our own take on one way to reconcile the conflicting rumors, combining a curved-edge front glass panel that has been a consistent feature of iPhone 5se/SE rumors with a metal chassis that has a bit of the iPhone 5s design aesthetic including glass antenna windows at the top and bottom of the device's back.

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

Top Rated Comments

smacrumon Avatar
105 months ago
Protruding camera, terribly obvious antenna lines, no 3d touch will mean no upgrade from my 4s, a time when good clean design principles actually mattered to Apple. I will wait another two more years or change brand.

Customers collectively pay Apple billions of $ to make decisions about products that exceed design standards in every way across many criteria. It's not acceptable for Apple to continue to release products that are unresolved and feature compromises such as that seen in the iPhone 6/6s.

Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
yaxomoxay Avatar
105 months ago
Protruding camera, terribly obvious antenna lines, no 3d touch will mean no upgrade from my 4s, a time when good design principles actually mattered. I will wait another two more years, or change brand.
I jumped from 5s to 6S+. Best decision of my (iPhone) life. I thought that I would've never loved it, now I can't live without it.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ValO Avatar
105 months ago
Protruding camera, terribly obvious antenna lines, no 3d touch will mean no upgrade from my 4s, a time when good design principles actually mattered. I will wait another two more years, or change brand.
There are lots of people like this.
They don' t even like the design of the 5/s.
" back in de old days".......

I think the 4s was great for its time, I loved the design. But when I got hold of the stealth black iPhone 5, I never looked back.
The 4s looks dated now, really...
Try something new, you could grow to like it...
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WaxedJacket Avatar
105 months ago
This is news? A case? Not the phone itself... but a CASE?
The case sheds some light on the form factor of the physical phone.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iZac Avatar
105 months ago
Either Apple have been baiting leakers with incorrect/varied specs, or they're releasing two 4" phones - a 6s mini and a new 'budget' 5 series.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Michael Scrip Avatar
105 months ago
My personal preference is to carry a smaller device.

I use an iPad mini for more in depth work which isn't much larger than 6s+.
Isn't much larger?

Ummmm...



:D
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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