Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Possible Photos of Plastic Rear Shell from Apple's Lower-Cost iPhone [Updated]

Battlefield Fan said:
I get a feeling that the d bags with upside down backwards white sunglasses will be the ones buying this...
Click to expand...

That's exactly what came to mind when I first seen this picture. The all new iPhone 5 SWAG Edition.

I think the color is ugly and it would be a mistake for Apple to offer a cheap plastic iPhone. I know last years model is considered cheap now but it wasn't when it came out. If Apple is going to release a new product they should put their all into it and go all out. But that's just like my opinion man.

----------
sundragon said:
So I'm going to call it. The “low cost” iPhone that the pundits say Apple’s gonna release are wrong.

Apple doesn't release low cost “cheap” anything - it’s not their style. The “low cost” plastic/rubber phone is actually going to be a waterproof version of the iPhone 5S. It makes sense considering their competitor - Samsung released the Galaxy 4S waterproof edition and that is another feature that many people want in a top of the line *expensive* phone.

What do you think?
Click to expand...

I love the idea of a waterproof iPhone and would buy one in a minute if they released one but it just won't happen. Like you said it's simply not their style. They would have to sacrifice the design of the phone to keep it sealed tight and we know that won't ever happen.
 
bacaramac said:
I'm liking this a lot. Recently sold iphone 5 since it was so fragile.

Edit: Let me clarify. My 3GS and 4s iPhones held up way better than the 5 did. My 5 bent just from having back pocket. I was able to bend back. Marks all over edges were also present when trying to be extremely careful. I don't think aluminum was the right choice on this device.
Click to expand...

It always blows my mind when I see people complain about ruining their phone after sitting on it.

----------
northernbaldy said:
it makes sense
I think apple will start to phase out iPods and add more to the phone range
who wants the classic iPod now?
Click to expand...

I do. Mine's HDD broke, there's nothing else on the market that compares.


Big music fans do exist you know. :rolleyes:
 
Various colors are almost a sure thing in the low cost iPhone. Plastic is believable as its cost effective Gb remains to be seen , 8 at abets case senario
 
bassfingers said:
The iPod mini was smaller, which is a feature. At that time, people perceived the iPod as unbelievably small. So, to release a smaller device was innovation.

I cannot explain the iPad mini. It is a sub-par user experience that doesn't need to exist. I have the same concern about it as i do the cheap iphone. Apple should have reduced the size of the bezel on the full size iPad and continued to promote it as the only viable tablet option.

In the past, apple introduced products at a competitive price by scaling away excess features that legitimately reduced the price, but did not compromise product qualify. Like 20GB iPod down to 4GB mini. However, there are no removable features on the iPhone. An iphone has to have a camera. Old processors run too slow, etc.

Are we waiting on a plastic phone w/o retina display running an old processor with a crappy camera? That'd be cheap, right? It's also the 3GS. A less expensive iPhone just isn't a good phone.
Click to expand...

Different strokes different folks, not everyone who owns or wants an iphone uses its capabilities to the most, and this is evident with the fact that iphone 4 is still alive. Does it run the most demaning apps? No, is it a great phone? Yes. My friends dad who never owned a smartphone just got the 4 and he loves it. His next iphone will probably be the 6, but for now he is blown away by the 4

This model has worked great for 20+ year in pc industry, especially windows pc - they range from $300 to $5,000, why do you think it will fail on smartphones?
 
Ok the color is likely camouflage (though I like extreme colors), but since the form factor looks like iPhone 5, I'd definitely buy it.
At least if the better/best iPhone is bigger than the iPhone 5, because I love the size of the 5.
 
bassfingers said:
The iPod mini was smaller, which is a feature. At that time, people perceived the iPod as unbelievably small. So, to release a smaller device was innovation.

I cannot explain the iPad mini. It is a sub-par user experience that doesn't need to exist. I have the same concern about it as i do the cheap iphone. Apple should have reduced the size of the bezel on the full size iPad and continued to promote it as the only viable tablet
Click to expand...

Sorry but since I got my iPad mini my big retina iPad is barely used.
The lightness is the point. I don't even miss retina in it, even if I thought I did when I bought it.
In my opinion Apple found a perfect form factor for a smaller tablet.
Btw it shows that S. Jobs was as wrong as with "no one needs more than 720p on AppleTV" and some other things when he first rejected the mini.
 
Casiotone said:
Plastic is more fragile than metal.

Sorry, I've been informed by the Plastics Industry Council that the statement I made above is not true. Plastic is stronger than metal.
Click to expand...

The issue is that plastic's surface qualities are more favorable to wear and tear. It doesn't look crappy from daily handling (and mishandling) as quickly as polished metal.

Anodized aluminum looks like crap fast (and I worked in an aluminum extrusion factory) unless you put a thick hard coat anodize on it... There isn't enough metal on an iPhone 5S to waste the time with. The best consistent aluminum finish is to tumble the parts in a box of rocks 12 hours. It deburrs and surface hardens!

----------
northernbaldy said:
it makes sense
I think apple will start to phase out iPods and add more to the phone range
who wants the classic iPod now?
Click to expand...

An iPod classic with 512 GB flash would sell. I know several people that like the classic specifically because they want to carry a lot of music with them and they don't need games or anything. You'd think Apple could daisy chain some cheaper flash modules as audio/video for iPod has been topped out for a while. An iPod Classic the thickness of just the front panel would be really slick.
 
Piggie said:
Don't be stupid

You want the bumpers on your car make from Aluminium that will crush and distort on impact of will take the force and spring back.

there is a whole world of "plastics" out there, far more suitable than soft Aluminium
Click to expand...

Kind of like there is a whole world of metals out there? Ever hear of a tank made of plastic?
 
sclawis300 said:
Kind of like there is a whole world of metals out there? Ever hear of a tank made of plastic?
Click to expand...

A plastic tank would melt, so there's a melting point issue right there. Also, plastic is flammable. A phone should hopefully not cause any plastic to melt or ignite.
 
Last edited:
I would honestly love a phone in some cool color. The options in the industry are generally "boring black" and "generic white." Part of me wishes more companies would think like Nokia. Not only are the phone designs on the Lumia line very original and really cool (and sturdy as hell if you've ever used one), the color options are awesome. Neon red phone? Why not! Fluorescent yellow your thing? Sure! I really like the bright color options and, as a big fan of laguna seca blue, I'd buy the hell out of an iPhone if it came in a bright blue.

----------
sclawis300 said:
Kind of like there is a whole world of metals out there? Ever hear of a tank made of plastic?
Click to expand...
Actually, there's research being done into plastic and composite armor for tanks. There's a whole field of infantry fighting vehicles that could greatly benefit from a material that's more impact and bullet resistant than steel or alloys but, due to its plastic nature, is much lighter. Besides, most modern tank armor is ceramic interlaced with composites anyway.

I get your point, but don't misunderestimate plastics as strong viable materials. Strong polycarb is a wonderful feeling material on a consumer electronic. Just because Samsung uses the same plastic that lego does to make their bricks doesn't mean all plastic is cheap and flimsy.
 
Why don't people understand that it's not the price of the phone that's the problem, it's the monthly fees. At least here in the states.
 
Haswell said:
Why don't people understand that it's not the price of the phone that's the problem, it's the monthly fees. At least here in the states.
Click to expand...

Yep. Maybe my dreams will come true and Google will enter the wireless carrier market as well as fiber!
 
I don't like the new colors they are using since last year's iPod.. may be they look good in real, as I haven't been to Apple store and especially in the iPod section since long.

same goes with these pictures(if they are real) and the iOS7 icons, I just wish they change it in GM.

and yes I know apple doesn't care what I think and may be its just me.. etc.. etc.. :)
 
I think the entire low-cost iPhone thing is Apple's secret intelligence program, canary trap, etc.

It's not coming - just a lot of broken contracts and firings.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back