Lower-Cost iPhone Said to Use 'Super-Thin' Plastic and Fiberglass Shell in 4-6 Colors

MacRumors · Mar 15, 2013, 11:49 AM

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is reiterating his claims that Apple's low-cost iPhone will have a 4-inch screen, plastic casing, and be available in a range of colors similar to Apple's iPod lineup, sharing a few new details in a report highlighted by AppleInsider. In particular, Kuo shares offers some information on the device's plastic and fiberglass casing.

Quote:

The new, less expensive iPhone model is said to have a "super-thin plastic casing mixed with glass fiber." The material will make it stronger, thinner and lighter than typical smartphone plastic casings, Kuo said.

He expects the thickness to be between 0.4 and 0.6 millimeters, which is thinner than the average plastic casing at between 0.7 and 1 millimeter.

Kuo had previously suggested the phone would be available in a range of six colors, but is now being more cautious in suggesting "between four and six."

Key Apple supplier Foxconn will manufacture complete phones, he says, while Green Point will make additional casings for phones that will be assembled by Pegatron. The analyst has previous suggested that Apple is looking to diversify suppliers, and that Pegatron would be responsible for assembling the majority of the low-cost iPhones.

Article Link: Lower-Cost iPhone Said to Use 'Super-Thin' Plastic and Fiberglass Shell in 4-6 Colors

Xenomorph · Mar 15, 2013, 11:51 AM

But will it have a barometer?

room237 · Mar 15, 2013, 11:51 AM

My cat agrees.

bushido · Mar 15, 2013, 11:51 AM

apple making something thinner? really? next u r gonna tell me that they r gonna add another row of apps

magid · Mar 15, 2013, 11:52 AM

What would the price points be?

SkippyThorson · Mar 15, 2013, 11:52 AM

I think I would actually be game for the cheaper iPhone model when they hit the used markets. Of course, it depends on what's inside... I've gotta say though, a Product(RED) iPhone would be pretty cool.

For the first time in a long time, I'm excited to hear about possible new product rumors.

pixelpro · Mar 15, 2013, 11:52 AM

It would be cool to return to the candy imac style. Translucent back, showing the internals.

Twimfy · Mar 15, 2013, 11:53 AM

I'd love to see an iPhone made in the shape of a 4/5 but with a polycarbonate shell as was used in the old white plastic MacBook.

Basically a white iPhone 4 but with no metal rim.

fun173 · Mar 15, 2013, 11:53 AM

"Help I snapped my iPhone in half!!!"

Sky Blue · Mar 15, 2013, 11:54 AM

ghettiPhone

JilzVT · Mar 15, 2013, 11:57 AM

Beginning of the end for Apple if this happens.

They're not a company who competes on price by giving up quality.

adildacoolset · Mar 15, 2013, 11:57 AM

Seeing a bondi-blue kind of iPhone is kinda cool. Rather than plasticising the body and try to disguise it like metal, they're using the theme of cheap and cheerful. So they are using the plastic t their advantage.

Samsung, are you observing?

Mjmar · Mar 15, 2013, 11:57 AM

They should make the screen at least 6" so they have a chance at competing with Samsung

Sky Blue · Mar 15, 2013, 11:57 AM

Colours: Black, Midnight, Coal, Noir

Bahroo · Mar 15, 2013, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JilzVT

Beginning of the end for Apple if this happens.

They're not a company who competes on price by giving up quality.

who said they were giving up quality? the 3gs and the 3g felt premium in the hand, and this design will be a radically improved 3gs/3g casing design tagged along with a very nice display for a phone that will be cheap to the masses

adildacoolset · Mar 15, 2013, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JilzVT

Beginning of the end for Apple if this happens.

They're not a company who competes on price by giving up quality.

OMG you're sooo right eh? Remember that stainless steel iPhone 3G? Oh right, my bad.

----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mjmar

They should make the screen at least 6" so they have a chance at competing with Samsung

No no no no. Their rumoured TV set should be the new phone.

paradox00 · Mar 15, 2013, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JilzVT

Beginning of the end for Apple if this happens.

They're not a company who competes on price by giving up quality.

Quote:

The new, less expensive iPhone model is said to have a "super-thin plastic casing mixed with glass fiber." The material will make it stronger, thinner and lighter than typical smartphone plastic casings

Sorry, what were you talking about again?

BobZap · Mar 15, 2013, 12:04 PM

Honestly, this is the most sensible rumor I've seen.
They need to retire the 4 and 4S this year in order to get all phones on the same 4" screen and lightning connector.

Asclepio · Mar 15, 2013, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pixelpro

It would be cool to return to the candy imac style. Translucent back, showing the internals.

no way!

miniroll32 · Mar 15, 2013, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pixelpro

It would be cool to return to the candy imac style. Translucent back, showing the internals.

The internals? All you're going to see pretty much is a big battery.

jonnysods · Mar 15, 2013, 12:06 PM

Won't having so many product lines hinder apple? This was one of the problems they had in the 90's when they were tanking.

bloggerblog · Mar 15, 2013, 12:06 PM

Now that mobile-phones are becoming a popular web browsing and texting platform with lesser actual phone calling. I hate to admit it but the iPhone 5's screen is way too narrow for web-browsing in portrait mode, and fails in its landscape mode too. I'd rather it sport a wider 5" screen than the current skinny one.

treyjustice · Mar 15, 2013, 12:07 PM

Honestly wouldn't mind a colored iPhone

Blorzoga · Mar 15, 2013, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sky Blue

Colours: Black, Midnight, Coal, Noir

What about Snow, Ice and Frost?

----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by JilzVT

Beginning of the end for Apple if this happens.

They're not a company who competes on price by giving up quality.

Oh yeah, they're going out of business.

MonkeySee.... · Mar 15, 2013, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treyjustice

Honestly wouldn't mind a colored iPhone

I know what you mean. I wouldn't get one personally but I don't think there is anything wrong with it.

These look really nice:

Mar 15, 2013, 11:51 AM	#4
bushido macrumors 68040 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Germany, Europe	apple making something thinner? really? next u r gonna tell me that they r gonna add another row of apps __________________ '13 MacBook Pro Retina 2.5 GHz '13 MacBook Pro 2.54 GHz, C2D, 128GB SSD iPhone 5 (white & silver), 16GB iPad 3 white, 32 GB, Wifi+Cellular Apple TV 3
	3

Mar 15, 2013, 11:52 AM	#5
magid macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jan 2003	What would the price points be? __________________ MacBook Air 11" 1.7ghz i5 8gb ram 64gb SSD iPhone 5 Slate 32gb 16gb iPod Nano 6G
	2

Mar 15, 2013, 11:52 AM	#6
SkippyThorson macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Utica, NY	I think I would actually be game for the cheaper iPhone model when they hit the used markets. Of course, it depends on what's inside... I've gotta say though, a Product(RED) iPhone would be pretty cool. For the first time in a long time, I'm excited to hear about possible new product rumors. __________________ Skippy Thorson @ Blogspot AT&T iPhone 4S, 4 & 2G, iPad 2, iPad 3G, v5.5 iPod, v3 & v2 Nano, v1 Shuffle, TV2 2.4ghz Al. MacBook, 1.33ghz iBook G4, 1.25ghz & 800mhz iMac G4s, AEBS
	4

Mar 15, 2013, 11:53 AM	#8
Twimfy macrumors member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: UK	I'd love to see an iPhone made in the shape of a 4/5 but with a polycarbonate shell as was used in the old white plastic MacBook. Basically a white iPhone 4 but with no metal rim. __________________ My app - Gamer FM for iPhone
	1

Mar 15, 2013, 11:53 AM	#9
fun173 macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Mar 2009	"Help I snapped my iPhone in half!!!" __________________ Happy New Year!! Now, buy my apps
	1

Mar 15, 2013, 11:51 AM	#2
Xenomorph macrumors 6502a Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: St. Louis	But will it have a barometer?
	3

Mar 15, 2013, 11:51 AM	#3
room237 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Queens, NYC	My cat agrees.
	6

Mar 15, 2013, 11:52 AM	#7
pixelpro macrumors member Join Date: Jun 2010	It would be cool to return to the candy imac style. Translucent back, showing the internals.
	9

Mar 15, 2013, 11:54 AM	#10
Sky Blue macrumors 603 Join Date: Jan 2005	ghettiPhone __________________ "The case is so square that it easily stands at attention as if begging for treats."
	0

Mar 15, 2013, 11:57 AM	#11
JilzVT macrumors newbie Join Date: Apr 2010	Beginning of the end for Apple if this happens. They're not a company who competes on price by giving up quality.
	3

Mar 15, 2013, 11:57 AM	#12
adildacoolset macrumors 6502a Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Lusaka, Zambia(If you know where it is)	Seeing a bondi-blue kind of iPhone is kinda cool. Rather than plasticising the body and try to disguise it like metal, they're using the theme of cheap and cheerful. So they are using the plastic t their advantage. Samsung, are you observing? __________________ Last edited by adildacoolset; Tomorrow at 09:42 AM. Reason: grammar error
	0

Mar 15, 2013, 11:57 AM	#13
Mjmar macrumors 6502a Join Date: May 2008	They should make the screen at least 6" so they have a chance at competing with Samsung __________________ "The only sure way to predict the future is to invent it." MacBook Air 2012 - iPad 3 - iPhone 5
	3

Mar 15, 2013, 11:57 AM	#14
Sky Blue macrumors 603 Join Date: Jan 2005	Colours: Black, Midnight, Coal, Noir __________________ "The case is so square that it easily stands at attention as if begging for treats."
	11

Mar 15, 2013, 12:04 PM	#18
BobZap macrumors newbie Join Date: Mar 2013	Honestly, this is the most sensible rumor I've seen. They need to retire the 4 and 4S this year in order to get all phones on the same 4" screen and lightning connector.
	5

Mar 15, 2013, 12:06 PM	#21
jonnysods macrumors 68020 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Aussie living in Canada	Won't having so many product lines hinder apple? This was one of the problems they had in the 90's when they were tanking.
	1

Mar 15, 2013, 12:06 PM	#22
bloggerblog macrumors member Join Date: Jun 2007	Now that mobile-phones are becoming a popular web browsing and texting platform with lesser actual phone calling. I hate to admit it but the iPhone 5's screen is way too narrow for web-browsing in portrait mode, and fails in its landscape mode too. I'd rather it sport a wider 5" screen than the current skinny one.
	4

Mar 15, 2013, 12:07 PM	#23
treyjustice macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: TX	Honestly wouldn't mind a colored iPhone __________________ 32 GB iPhone 5; 2011 Mac Mini 2.5 i5
	0

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