Hands-On: Possible iPhone SE Case Reveals Close but Not Perfect Fit to iPhone 5s

Ahead of the release of the 4-inch iPhone SE next week, we managed to get our hands on some inexpensive TPU cases designed for the device. We've compared the iPhone SE cases to Apple's iPhone 5s in a new video to get a feel for the differences we might possibly see between the two devices.

On the whole, the iPhone SE case supports rumors the iPhone SE will look similar to the iPhone 5s. When put on an iPhone 5s, the iPhone SE case fits, but in our estimation, it's designed for either a device that's slightly thinner or one that has rounded edges, so the fit is not perfect.

There's also a noticeable discrepancy at the volume buttons due to the mismatched fit, and the buttons on the iPhone 5s do not align with the button indentations on the SE case. There have been no rumors suggesting the iPhone SE will be thinner than the iPhone 5s, but it has been rumored to include slightly curved glass at the edges rather than the sharper chamfered edges found on the iPhone 5s, so that could account for the difference in fit.

Cases created for iPhones ahead of launch are typically a solid indication of what a new device will look like, but with the iPhone SE, we've seen several case variations that leave the final design up in the air. Some, like the one in the video, closely resemble iPhone 5s cases, while others have a more iPhone 6 style design. We don't know if the case we've received is an accurate representation of what we'll see when the iPhone SE launches.

Along with case designs, rumors about the SE's shape have been similarly mixed, pointing towards an iPhone 5s-style shell with a slightly curved display glass, but all recent information has largely pointed towards a device that is identical to the iPhone 5s.

We don't have long to wait to see the design of the iPhone SE. Apple will introduce the device on Monday, at its "Let Us Loop You In" event that will also see the debut of the 9.7-inch iPad and new Apple Watch bands.