At least one variant of the device will offer 16GB of storage, but many are expecting a 64GB option to be available as well, as the rear-facing iSight camera is expected to support 4K Ultra HD 3840x2160p video capture like the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus that were launched six months ago.



Image source: Weibo.com

Meanwhile, 9to5Mac is reporting that the iPhone SE design will look almost identical to the iPhone 5S launched in 2013 with matte edges, and it should include NFC for Apple Pay. Many other reports have suggested that the device will feature the same A9 SoC as the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus. The difference this time, however, is that we expect the entry-level device to feature an Intel modem with support for Category 6 LTE-Advanced with download speeds up to 300Mbps. This will be achieved using carrier-aggregation, something that many wireless operators are still reluctant to support.

A video posted to YouTube on March 14th shows the device at a retail store in Huaqianbei, Shenzen, China, just one week before the official product announcement. Based on the video, the iPhone SE will be slightly taller than the iPhone 5S but will feature rounded matte edges similar to the iPhone 6 and 6S and still retains the 3.5mm headphone jack. This is a feature expected to disappear in the upcoming iPhone 7 and iPhone Pro models later this fall.



iPhone SE (left), iPhone 5S (middle), iPhone 6S (right) (via YouTube)

Nvertheless, Apple is expected to transition this year to a three-model iPhone lineup to keep on par with its new three-sized iPad lineup, as completed last year with the introduction of the iPad Pro. The iPhone SE will be announced as the new entry-level model early next week, followed by a midrange iPhone 7 and flagship iPhone Pro later this fall.



Three-model iPhone concept by Martin Hajek (via MartinHajek.com)