Big Changes Could Be Coming to Apple's Next iPhone

— -- Over the past year, Apple has introduced super-sized iPhones, but the company's next release could be getting smaller.

The Apple rumor mill has kicked into overdrive with predictions that the Cupertino-based company may break from its September iPhone release cycle to introduce a new 4-inch device called the iPhone 5se (special edition) in March, according to 9to5Mac.

The rumored new device would be about the same size as an iPhone 5s but would come with some of the newer design and software updates found in Apple's past two releases, the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s. Both phones also come in a slightly larger plus size.

Among the changes expected are a faster processor, photo and video upgrades and Apple Pay capability, according to 9to5Mac. The blog notes the phone will also have curved glass edges, like those seen on Apple's latest two phone releases.

While Apple hasn't commented on the speculation, the release of a new phone in March would mean Apple fanatics could likely still expect a new iPhone 7, or whatever Apple chooses to call it, around the usual annual September release date.

One of the biggest pieces of speculation on technology blogs about the next generation of iPhones is whether Apple will ditch the traditional headphone jack in favor of its lightning connector.

Nixing the traditional headphone jack could allow Apple to create an even thinner iPhone. As it stands now, the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus are a little more than one-quarter of an inch thick.