Despite previous reports that Apple's upcoming new 4-inch iPhone will have specs similar to that of the iPhone 6, a new report claims it will actually be closer to the current iPhone 6s/6s Plus. The handset will likely feature an A9 processor, always-on Siri, and more.
Whenever Apple is working on a new iPad or iPhone, it's nearly impossible for the company to keep details of its new devices under wraps. In May 2014 we reported on an early iPad Pro prototype, which was well over a year before Apple's September 2015 official announcement for the 12.9-inch tablet.
About two months after Apple launched the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, we reported on its successors, the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, which are expected to feature an all-new design that will be so thin that the company has been reportedly forced to remove the standard 3.5mm headphone port. This news was soon followed up with reports that Apple was developing wireless 'AirPod' headphones that would be a new accessory and sold alongside the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus.
The unannounced Apple device that has been making news lately is the company's new 4-inch iPhone. The images of the handset, referred to as both iPhone 6c and iPhone 5se, have leaked. Images show it will have a design that is virtually identical to that of the current iPhone 6s. Reports also claimed that Apple was planning to ship the handset with specs similar to that of the iPhone 6, including the same A8 and M8 processors inside, in order to have it sit below the flagship iPhone 6s and 6s Plus.
Now, a new report from 9To5Mac claims the iPhone 6c/iPhone 5se will likely include the same A9 and M9 processors currently used in the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus. The reasoning behind the new claims is that Apple is planning on using an A10 processor in the iPhone 7 and doesn't want the new 4-inch iPhone's processor to be two processors behind, six months after it launches. The M9 processor will also enable always-on Siri activation, which debuted on the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus and allows users to summon the assistant by saying, "Hey, Siri" without the need to have the device charging.
The report also claims the handset will be offered in both 16 GB and 64 GB and is expected to be announced during the week of March 14.
