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Over the past several weeks, a number of leaks about Apple's rumored lower-cost plastic iPhone have surfaced, including design drawings from a case maker and photos of alleged rear shells in a number of bright colors. Based on these leaks, earlier this week we released our own high-resolution renderings showing what the device might look like in its entirety.

Techdy now reports that it has gotten its hands on what it believes to be legitimate front and rear parts for this lower-cost plastic iPhone, offering the first good look at how the device will appear fully assembled.

techdy_plastic_iphone_front.jpg
Among the most obvious differences from previous assumptions is the use of a black panel for the device as opposed to white. Techdy tells us that this black front panel will be used with all color variations of the rear shell, which will reportedly include blue, pink, yellow, green, and white.
The budget iPhone will be made substantially from plastic (we can feel it's actually polycarbonate material). It will have a 4" screen, like the iPhone 5, and interestingly, the budget iPhone actually has a shape that's similar to Apple's original iPod. When we hold the budget iPhone in our hands, the plastic chassis does not feel cheap at all. Unlike the plastic build quality of the Samsung Galaxy phones, the plastic material used on the budget iPhone feels more sturdy.
Physical features on the device appear to be as expected, although the rear shell has only pinholes where the power and volume buttons and SIM card slot should be, suggesting that the leaked shell had not yet had holes for those features punched out during production.

Techdy's gallery contains over 40 photos highlighting various views of the device, including side-by-side comparisons with an iPhone 5 and closeup views of the individual rear shell and display parts.

techdy_plastic_iphone_back.jpg
Based on this design for Apple's plastic iPhone, Techdy has already begun work on an Android clone of the device. Known as the Basic Bear and priced at $199, the device is scheduled to begin shipping in September.

iPhone5mod is also already advertising replacement rear shell and display assembly parts for the plastic iPhone, with availability set for September 1.

Article Link: High-Quality Video and Photos Reveal What Apple's Plastic iPhone Will Look Like
 

Moonjumper

macrumors 68030
Jun 20, 2009
2,740
2,908
Lincoln, UK
I some ways this looks better than the iPhone 5. The continuous rear shell looks better than the glass signal windows on the 5. This design is more minimalist.
 

pittpanthersfan

macrumors 6502
Jun 7, 2009
362
51
"When we hold the budget iPhone in our hands, the plastic chassis does not feel cheap at all. Unlike the plastic build quality of the Samsung Galaxy phones, the plastic material used on the budget iPhone feels more sturdy."

By equating plastic and budget, Apple is trying to make a statement about Samsung's flagship phones.
 

TSX

macrumors 68030
Oct 1, 2008
2,632
80
Texas
When will people realize the iphone will never have a "snapdragon processor", and run andriod. Idiots
 

usersince86

macrumors 6502
Oct 24, 2002
430
1,075
Columbus, Ohio
cheaper phone isn't the issue

for me, it's the carrier contract... let's get a lower-priced version there as well

(yes, I know they need to make $ and help subsidize the cost, etc.)
 

johnhw

macrumors 6502
Jun 16, 2009
300
1
Makes sense for a black front. They don't have to match the white plastic with the white glass. (hint: it's really not possible)

The "normal" iPhone will undoubtedly be the faster, sexier and better iPhone.

Looking good. :apple:
 

tann

macrumors 68000
Apr 15, 2010
1,944
813
UK
It honestly looks very slick.

I could see a lot of people picking one of these over a discounted 5 or new 5S. Even if it's just because of the colour selection.
 

ThomasJL

macrumors 68000
Oct 16, 2008
1,597
3,504
No bare metal antenna = good

One very good thing about this plastic design is that the user will not have to subject himself to the potential dangers of touching a bare metal antenna. The only way to accomplish this on an iPhone 4/4S/5 is to buy a case which adds bulk. For those who want to avoid the potential dangers of touching a bare metal antenna but don't like cases, this new plastic iPhone design is good.
 

Chupa Chupa

macrumors G5
Jul 16, 2002
14,835
7,396
"When we hold the budget iPhone in our hands, the plastic chassis does not feel cheap at all. Unlike the plastic build quality of the Samsung Galaxy phones, the plastic material used on the budget iPhone feels more sturdy."

By equating plastic and budget, Apple is trying to make a statement about Samsung's flagship phones.

Nope. This quote isn't from Apple. Apple hasn't even acknowledged the product.
 

Chupa Chupa

macrumors G5
Jul 16, 2002
14,835
7,396
Will look like a plastic phone and it's tooooo expensive for a yet-another-plastic-phone... :rolleyes:

We have no idea what it will look like in real life or what the price tag will be. You need to put your horse in front of the cart. Then you'll you have the proper perspective.

BTW, you'd be surprised how much plastic trim is in the interior of a $100K BMW M6.
 

Tysknaden

macrumors regular
Jun 19, 2013
198
0
Looks good enough. I do not need a personality-crutch; a slave-contract to a provider, I do not need, too. But there is no way to make a price higher than 250.- Euro/ 2000.- SEK looking reasonable to me - for this product.
(By the way: It would have been an option, to leave out useless ballast like mechanical buttons for volume control.)
 
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Risco

macrumors 68000
Jul 22, 2010
1,947
262
United Kingdom
Bravo to Apple for making a cheaper phone still look high quality and desirable.

The big question is, how big are the margins and will how much will it eat in to iPhone 5 / 5S sales.
 

thaifood

macrumors 6502
Jun 8, 2011
310
96
Looks nifty. Will be interesting to see what the price is.

But, what an over dramatic video for a rumoured part leak...pretty silly
 
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