Rumor: Apple's new 4-inch handset will be called 'iPhone 5se'

Apple's new, smaller iPhone model expected to launch in the coming months will be a "special edition" version of the iPhone 5s, and will accordingly be named the "iPhone 5se," a new rumor claims.

Citing unnamed sources, 9to5mac reported on Friday that "iPhone 5se" is the expected name for the heavily rumored new 4-inch iPhone. Internally, the device is said to be known by codename "N69."

Most of the other details reported Friday — including expectations of curved edges and support for Apple Pay — were already reported last year. But in one small, new wrinkle, it was claimed that the "iPhone 5se" will include support for capturing Live Photos, giving the 4-inch handset a leg up over the year-old iPhone 6.

Aside from that, the device is expected to have many of the same components as the iPhone 6, including an A8 processor, 8-megapixel camera, and an NFC chip for Apple Pay. The device is rumored to come in color options of space gray, silver, gold, and rose gold.

In addition, the "iPhone 5se" is expected to feature a 4-inch Retina display largely identical to the panel found on the currently available iPhone 5s. In line with earlier reports, the display is not expected to feature pressure sensitive 3D Touch input.

Until now, the rumor mill has referred to the anticipated device as an "iPhone 6c," borrowing a naming convention Apple adopted for the iPhone 5c. But that lineup used the letter "c" to refer to the array of colors available, made possible because of the plastic backing Apple opted to use.

Unlike the iPhone 5c, however, it's expected that the new 4-inch iPhone will sport a metal enclosure, giving it a more premium feel to stand alongside the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6 series.

Reports have claimed Apple is planning to hold a keynote presentation this quarter to unveil new products. Recent rumors have suggested a second-generation Apple Watch will not be on tap for that event, instead debuting later in 2016.