The cheaper and smaller iPhone device is calculated to help Apple beat the expected slump in global smartphone sales
Apple is preparing to launch a new 4in device entitled the iPhone 5se in March that is expected to come with variants of the M9 and A9 processors, as seen in the iPhone 6s, and may feature always-on Siri.
The new 4in phone is likely to include the new processors because Apple doesn’t want the new device to fall two generations behind the iPhone 7 due out in the autumn, which will include a faster chip called the A10, according to 9to5Mac.
The inclusion of the M9 processor will also enable always-on Siri, Apple’s voice assistant. This means users can launch requests by simply saying “Hey Siri” without pressing any buttons.
Apple is keen to ensure that sales growth of its iPhone devices does not flag at a time when overall smartphone sales are likely to plummet due to saturation.
The company, which is still selling iPhone 5s devices, wants to see more existing iPhone owners move to the newer models, and last year it introduced a new subscription model that would guarantee subscribers a new iPhone every year.
An alleged image of the iPhone 5se began to emerge online over the weekend showing a device with the same rounded edges as the 6 and 6s models. However, the power button will be on the right-hand side of the device rather than on the top.
The new smartphone will also have an 8MP back camera and a 1.2MP front camera, just like with the iPhone 6.
Apple is likely to discontinue the iPhone 5s from 2013 once the new phone goes on sale.
iPhone 6s image via Shutterstock
