Apple's 4-inch iPhone may be dubbed as iPhone 5e with 1GB RAM and A8 processor

Fresh reports regarding the much anticipated 4-inch iPhone indicates that the device will be named as iPhone 5e instead of iPhone 6c. Earlier it was rumoured that the new compact smartphone will be following the footsteps of the iPhone 5c.

According to Chinese website MyDrivers, Apple’s new 4-inch phone will sport lower specs and features as expected earlier. The device is said to be powered with A8 processor and 1GB RAM in the place of the expected A9 processor and 2GB of RAM. The report also indicates that the iPhone 5e will probably ship with 16 GB or 64GB in-built storage options and a significantly bigger battery.

Previously, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities, who has very good track record for predicting Apple’s moves, indicated that the new 4-inch iPhone will come packed with an NFC chip to support Apple Pay.

Kuo also shared an investment note back in November where he mentioned that the metal clad 4-inch device will be an upgraded version of iPhone 5s and feature the latest A9 processor, reports 9to5Mac. Furthermore, he anticipated that the new compact iPhone 6c will feature a 4-inch Retina Display.

However, the handset will not sport Apple’s latest 3D Force Touch technology used in iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus. He also predicted that Foxconn will be the only manufacture of the handset.

Apple is rumored to release its 4-inch compact iPhone in March along with iPad Air 3 and the next generation of Apple Watch. Moreover, the Cupertino-based tech giant is also expected to launch the much hyped iPhone 7. The device may come packed with a gigantic 256 GB internal storage option, a beefy 3 GB RAM, a Touch ID embedded into its touch screen display, an upgraded 3,100 mAh battery and waterproof capabilities along with a "self-healing elastomer" preventing water seepage.