Apple iPhone SE reportedly to launch on March 21

Apple is holding a media event in March where it is expected to launch a 4-inch iPhone, iPad Pro Mini and new Apple Watch bands. The media event was rumored to take place on March 15, but a new report from BuzzFeed suggests that the event will be on March 21.

It is worth noting that the event is one day prior to Apple's March 22 showdown with the U.S government over a motion that would compel Apple to hack an iPhone used by one of San Bernardino terrorists to help FBI and other intelligence agencies for accessing data.

Meanwhile more details related to name, pricing and specifications of the 4-inch iPhone has surfaced. The 4-inch iPhone so far has been called by many names- iPhone 6c, iPhone 7c and till now it was iPhone 5se. However, according to a new report the 4-inch iPhone will be called iPhone SE. SE stands for Special Edition.

Additionally analyst Ming Chi Kuo at KGI Securities in a research note mentioned that the iPhone SE will have a design similar to iPhone 5s, but with slightly curved edges. It will come with an A9 SoC w/ M9 co-processor, 12-megapixel rear camera, Apple Pay and 1642mAh battery.

As per Kuo the iPhone SE will be priced between $400 and $500. He claims that the iPhone 5s will get a 50 percent price cut, so it coulbe be available for around $225 off-contract. Kuo also estimates 131 percent growth in 4-inch iPhone shipments, which will be around 37 million units in 2016. 

Apple iPhone SE rumored specs

• 4-inch display
• A9 SoC w/ M9 co-processor
• 12-megapixel rear camera
• 1.3-megapixel front camera
• support for larger panorama for video recording
• Barometer for tracking elevation in the Health app
• Live Photos, no 3D Touch support
• NFC chip for Apple Pay
• Apple Pay
• 1642mAh battery
• Space Gray, Silver, Gold, Rose Gold color options.

 Via