i think most of these look ugly and cheap.
best idea of a plastic iPhone for consumers wouldve been this concept based on the original bondi blue imac, in varied colors;
Image
much more apple like.
and some people are confused to think that them looking cheap is acceptable because its a 'cheap' iphone.
we all know that its not going to be cheap. its not going to be a cheap iPhone, its just going to cost less. proof of this is Apple's iPad Mini. and this is actually good news. we dont want Apple to become sony. spreading itself too thin by selling products on a wide range of price and quality.
Apple should stay true - stick to selling premium products and experiences. the philosophy of a product in their ranges should be the category of the product and the use its designed for or market.
it should NEVER be designed for a 'cheaper price' or building a product around price.
examples that shine most in apples current products are macs and ipods. and recently, iPads.
iPad mini's philosophy is greater portability - an everything anywhere device beyond the small size experience of pocket based devices like phones or iPods.
Macs. we know the story of macs, pro and consumer. portability/power/ultra portable.
iPods: Storage / collection; classics. iOS: Touch's. Shuffle: Gym/Exercise/Work . etc..
apple Should bring the philosophy of different categories to iPhones, but it should not be about price. only product. some people might not be concerned with the latest and greatest technologies in an iPhone, they might simply just want the apple OS experience (iOS).
1 area of category is phone/screen size, like macs. some people want bigger and smaller phones.