Rumored compact 4-inch iPhone enters production: Report

Japanese publication Nikkei reports that Apple has begun mass production of its new 4-inch handset expected to be unveiled in March. (YouTube)

Apple's rumored 4-inch compact iPhone has now entered production, according to Japanese publication Nikkei . The report says that the 4-inch iPhone model which will either be called the iPhone 6c or iPhone 5se, is primarily targeted at emerging markets like China and India where iPhones are ridiculously overpriced.

Earlier reports suggest that Apple is expected to unveil the compact iPhone model sometime in March. Not much is known about the device in terms of design, as some speculate it'll be inspired by the iPhone 5s, while others believe it'll be a miniature version of the iPhone 6.

Internals could include the A9 processor with support for always-on Siri. Optics expected could either be an 8-megapixel or a 2-megapixel rear camera with support for Live Photos. Though chances that the handset would get 3D Touch support are rather bleak. Reports also suggest that the iPhone 5se will most likely replace the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus in the iPhone lineup once the next-gen iPhone 7 is introduced.