Rear Shell of Apple's Low-Cost iPhone Compared to Other iPhones and iPod Touch in New Video

[Gnomepatrol]

Plastic sht. Its Samsung like.

The plastic feel will not translate to this phone. If you look they have a full supporting structure on the body (which obviously means that there will be no removable battery). Samsung's are just back panels that snap in. The phone should be very sturdy and have a higher quality feel to it.

I think there is a misconception about plastics and quality of feel. When done right a plastic phone (high quality plastics) with good underlying structure is not going to exhibit the same cheap feel. Implementation is very important.

 

[D.T.]

I think it looks great. What I'm dying to know is, what will power this thing? I'm hoping A6...

Yeah, I'd imagine Apple would want to raise their baseline SoC to the A6: better economy of scale and minimum specs for new devices are raised (to coincide with iOS7).

I believe we'll see:

A6
iPhone 5
iPhone P
iPad 4th gen

New/Revised iPad Mini
New/Revised iPod Touch


"A Next Gen"
iPhone 5S
iPad 5th Gen

All minimum A6, [all lightening], all supporting every feature on iOS7.

 

[69650]

Also, nice to see Tim Cook "doubled down" on secrecy.

I don't see what more they could do. These leaks are coming from the supply chain manufacturers.

 

[olowott]

I hope there is major difference between the iPhone5s and the low-cost iPhone

 

[skidmark999]

Man after watching that all the way thru that thing looks very cheap. I'm kinda surprised they're going that route. With carrier subsidies what difference does it make? Iphone 5 is 199 subsidized, is iPhone platico going to be 99 subsidized? Maybe they'll sell them to those cheapo prepaid plans? At any rate, that thing looks like a phone i'd give my kids.

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I don't see what more they could do. These leaks are coming from the supply chain manufacturers.

Well they know where those cases are being manufactured right? Not like they just say someone come make this case for us and let us know how much we owe you.

 

[nekonari]

I would actually have to say that it looks pretty legit to me. I'm a TOTAL sceptic, but that looks very VERY promising.

I used to be a skeptic too. I was so mad at Apple for building cheaper iPhone, but they've also made tons of options for iPod and MacBooks, so why not iPhone?

These will be the phone for my parents :]

 

[CapnJackGig]

I continually am surprised by commenters like you .. If you want the lumia over this .. I'm guessing you don't care for either .. What's baffling is your immediate ruling that the lumia will be better just by watching a 2 min video

I know it's better because it also has an infinitely better OS running it.

 

[dkersten]

yeah, okay, alright already, I get it.. cheap plastic phone for those that are interested in that sort of thing..

How about some news on the 5S ?.. I want the regular iPhone replacement, not a poor man's copy.

Ummm, what news do you want? The iPhone 5s will have the same body as the iPhone 5 with an improved CPU/GPU, more RAM, better cameras, dual flash, and if reports have it correct a fingerprint sensor. It will carry the same price points and most likely same storage options (with maybe a 128 GB option) and will be available everywhere the iPhone 5 is available.

Some people actually care about "a poor man's copy" as we don't know the price, specs, or where it will roll out.

 

[D.T.]

I hope there is major difference between the iPhone5s and the low-cost iPhone

I think the low[er]-cost/plastic model is going to be like the current iPhone 5 internally (vs. a 5S), and if anything, I could see them maybe bumping the 5 spec up just a touch (maybe a slightly tweaked A6 to create a little performance differentiation between the two).

The other option if Apple plans to keep the A5 around for new products is to basically use the current iPod Touch internals: A5 with the 4" display (though with iOS7 in the very near future, I'd think they'd want to "future proof" any new hardware being released over the next months).

 

[gguerini]

Man after watching that all the way thru that thing looks very cheap. I'm kinda surprised they're going that route. With carrier subsidies what difference does it make? Iphone 5 is 199 subsidized, is iPhone platico going to be 99 subsidized? Maybe they'll sell them to those cheapo prepaid plans? At any rate, that thing looks like a phone i'd give my kids.

You know something? It makes totally sense. They will probably get rid of the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S altogether. The Plastic version will be the substitute for these models, but offering Lightning connector and a 4' screen. Doing that, it opens doors for Apple to release a brand new iPhone 6 with a 4.3/4.5' display as a premium. And once again they will be dealing with only two screen sizes. Yes, I know there are millions of iPhone 4 and 4S in the market.. but it tends to shrink in a few years.

And Apple is probably "doubling down" the secrecy of the iPhone 6 to surprise the market. It's going to be huge.

Let's see....

 

[drblank]

The reason why this doesn't sound right is that underneath the word "iPhone" there is no other information printed on the back. If you look at a REAL iPhone, the word "iPhone" is printed into the material, but there is other information like the FCC ID number as well as the verbiage "Designed in Cupertino", "Assembled in China" "Model Nom." etc. So, if it doesn't have other things printed on the back, then it's a fake. It might still be something that resembles the final product, but until it has the official printing, it's still considered NOT the final version.

 

[skidmark999]

You know something? It makes totally sense. They will probably get rid of the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S altogether. The Plastic version will be the substitute for these models, but offering Lightning connector and a 4' screen. Doing that, it opens doors for Apple to release a brand new iPhone 6 with a 4.3/4.5' display as a premium. And once again they will be dealing with only two screen sizes. Yes, I know there are millions of iPhone 4 and 4S in the market.. but it tends to shrink in a few years.

And Apple is probably "doubling down" the secrecy of the iPhone 6 to surprise the market. It's going to be huge.

Let's see....

I don't know, I think of Apple as a PREMIUM Product company. For the most part all of their products are more expensive and better made than their competitors so making a cheap looking iphone seems like a step in another direction. I just don't think of Apple making "Low Cost" anything these days.

 

[HenryDJP]

Plastic shell means no need for a case.

Well.....not really. While I've never had a 3GS I have had an plastic Macbook and the Nano (when it was plastic) and they scratched up ridiculously. That being said I've given up on cases anyway. If I have to cover it up then that means I'm enjoying it less and what's the point? Keeping it pristine for better resale value IMO is pointless, that means I'm saving it for someone else to enjoy when I never did.

 

[Patriot24]

The reason why this doesn't sound right is that underneath the word "iPhone" there is no other information printed on the back. If you look at a REAL iPhone, the word "iPhone" is printed into the material, but there is other information like the FCC ID number as well as the verbiage "Designed in Cupertino", "Assembled in China" "Model Nom." etc. So, if it doesn't have other things printed on the back, then it's a fake. It might still be something that resembles the final product, but until it has the official printing, it's still considered NOT the final version.

Judging by the fact that the volume rocker and power button ports haven't even been cut out, I think it is fairly obvious that this isn't a final model.

With that said, I do believe this is legit and what the phone will look like. Everything about the inside of the shell screams Apple if you're familiar with their internals.

 

[JohnPhamlore]

Conceivably there could be a "premium" version that sells for $450 unsubsidized and effectively replaces the iPhone 4 and 4S in developed markets, and a lower priced version in the $300 range primarily intended for emerging markets. They could sell a version that lacks LTE, for instance, to push the price down.

Yes, I had thought that a new plastic shell might make it easier to swap out chipsets for differing markets.

There is one piece of news I have been contending for months that might actually dramatically juice Apple's stock price: a deal to offer the iPhone officially on China Mobile. I have also been contending for years that the real hold-up for the iPhone on China Mobile is that China is pushing an LTE version TD-LTE. Actually, to work on China Mobile, such a phone would have to have backwards compatibility with China's earlier TD-SCDMA.

The win-win for Apple and China would be for Apple to swap out the Qualcomm chipset for a Huawei chipset. That would help validate the Chinese solutions for LTE.

 

[E.Lizardo]

Looks like garbage. I'll gladly buy a Lumia, which will be infinitely better than this, AND cheaper.

Because of course it's all about how the shell looks,not what's on the screen

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This one Will take the place of the 4/4s ! Apple can't keep 3,5" screen in his store

That sound very possible.Dump the 4/4s,replace it with this one.Interesting Idea.

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Try thinking "iPhone Nano": it's a phone, and not much else.

Those who have tablets still need phones, but don't need a full duplication of capability plus a full data plan. I carry an iPad everywhere; carrying two (one crammed into a 4" screen space, otherwise equal capability) is overkill but I still need the phone.
Some people need "just a phone", but the available dumbphones are just downright stupid (inch thick, insane menu layout, overall obnoxious); would that apply their design principles to that large market.

The iPod Nano's value is being a music player and not much else. The design philosophy makes it a joy to use, and a nice extension of the ecosystem. It does a core task, includes maybe a few simple "apps" (radio, photos, pedometer), interfaces nicely with the iTunes world, and otherwise doesn't burden you with any more bulk or cost.
An iPhone Nano would have similar value, being "just a phone" that fits well into the ecosystem. And we'd be able to get phones back to being phones, and being small enough to fit comfortably in a pocket.

*sigh*That shell is the same size as the 1P5.
I really doubt there's a large enough market for what you describe.Smart phones are over 50% of the US market now.

 

[CHMK]

i really do not like the direction apples going in... personally i think the plastic one looks crap, and as apples always harping on about thinner, diamond cut, aluminium, premium, lighter products, this really does not fit in with their ethos. it appears that apple soon is going to be like brands such as samsung and laptop brands, where there will be so many different phones that they willstart codenaming them eg iphone 5xjl,... i really do not think that apple should compromise aesthetics and quality with cost just to grab a larger market share in places like india or china with the sole purpose of making money, so cliched: but steve jobs would never have let this happen...

 

[Digital Skunk]

I used to be a skeptic too. I was so mad at Apple for building cheaper iPhone, but they've also made tons of options for iPod and MacBooks, so why not iPhone?

These will be the phone for my parents :]

Yes indeed. Or that secondary business/personal phone. Prepaid or totally contract free for some carriers.

I definitely welcome those options.

 

[tasslehawf]

I want my phone machined out of a solid block of delrynn.

 

[Kitsune Frost]

Well regardless of the validity of the back piece in the video, it's going to come down to the cost in the end. And what is going to happen to the iPhone 5? Personally speaking you may not want a fingerprint scanner, making the 5 more relevant. And thus giving Apple a now mid range device. The ability to attack the market from all angles is a big deal for any manufacturer. I'm personally interested to see how Apple is going to handle the situation.

 

[Masquerade]

finally i can give more money to apple and call it cheap

 

[BlindMellon]

that white 3gs is sweet! really miss that form factor. i'm looking forward to this plastic model.

 

[aylk]

The reason why this doesn't sound right is that underneath the word "iPhone" there is no other information printed on the back. If you look at a REAL iPhone, the word "iPhone" is printed into the material, but there is other information like the FCC ID number as well as the verbiage "Designed in Cupertino", "Assembled in China" "Model Nom." etc. So, if it doesn't have other things printed on the back, then it's a fake. It might still be something that resembles the final product, but until it has the official printing, it's still considered NOT the final version.

Exactly, and not only that, the typography on the iPhone logo is wrong, exactly like every other knockoff in the history of the product.

 

[Tiger8]

And overall manufacturing quality out the gate should be a million times better than the iPhone 5 launch.

No scuff gate stupidity for sure. The amount of attention to detail needed for defect free manufacturing of the iPhone 5 is not practical for a mass produced phone cell phone IMHO

True, and whether we like it or not, it did NOT hold up well (unless you have it in a GOOD case, which is most likely plastic, btw)

 

[Michael Scrip]

i really do not like the direction apples going in... personally i think the plastic one looks crap, and as apples always harping on about thinner, diamond cut, aluminium, premium, lighter products, this really does not fit in with their ethos. it appears that apple soon is going to be like brands such as samsung and laptop brands, where there will be so many different phones that they willstart codenaming them eg iphone 5xjl,... i really do not think that apple should compromise aesthetics and quality with cost just to grab a larger market share in places like india or china with the sole purpose of making money, so cliched: but steve jobs would never have let this happen...

Who knows... maybe Steve Jobs would have kept the iPhone 4S around for another year.

But that would have been another year with the 30-pin Dock Connector and the old 3:2 screen.

So rather than waiting another year for the iPhone 4S to be retired... they are replacing it NOW with this plastic phone with a 16:9 screen and a Lightning Connector.

And come on... this is the "entry-level" iPhone. If you want "high-end diamond-cut aluminum" you'd pony up the extra money for the flagship model.