'Low cost' iPhone leaked design review

[bearxor]

I hope they move to a flagship device/cheaper plastic device that's still up to spec.

I get so annoyed having to buy iPhone 4's at work because they are free on contract when they're just SOOOO old. I mean, no one in their right mind in management would buy a three year old Android device, but a three year old iPhone is just A-OK!

It would just be really nice to always have the free-on-contract iPhone be a year behind the current flagship, spec-wise.

 

[Eug]

I hope they move to a flagship device/cheaper plastic device that's still up to spec.

I get so annoyed having to buy iPhone 4's at work because they are free on contract when they're just SOOOO old. I mean, no one in their right mind in management would buy a three year old Android device, but a three year old iPhone is just A-OK!

It would just be really nice to always have the free-on-contract iPhone be a year behind the current flagship, spec-wise.

My carrier Fido (and its parent Rogers) don't even carry the iPhone 4 anymore. There are only the iPhone 5 (with various GBs) and the iPhone 4S, which seems to support the idea of of only a two-iPhone lineup going forward.

Bell does though, as does Telus. I still think Apple might do a 5S/5/plastic three-iPhone lineup, but wouldn't be completely surprised with a two-iPhone lineup.

They are awfully close, i've compared my friend's 5th Gen to my iPhone 5, and although the iPhone looks better, it's not a drastic as it was in the past.

Awesome. Nice to hear.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

The old non-unibody MacBooks had horrific cracking, remember my friend had to replace his keyboard section twice due to it!

I think this signifies the end of the iPhone 4 and 4S, my guess is that they will be replaced with the 'low cost' iPhone at the 4's price point.

I doubt Apple would sacrifice the screen quality, it will still be a premium product.

That is true (my MB suffered from it), but it wasn't cracking of the case - it was cracking of the keyboard wrist rest, because the little plastic lip on the lid wanted to push through the thin, hard plastic used on the wrist rest. Fortunately Apple was very responsive about dealing with it - they actually replaced the entire keyboard and wrist rest on mine when it was more than a year and a half out of warranty.

Based on my experience with the very tough plastic used on the 3G, I can't imagine this thing will suffer from any cracking issues. Ergonomically this actually looks better to me than the 5, and I expect it may be, if anything, more resilient to wear. The aluminum shell of the 5 is nowhere near as tough as the stainless steel on the 4/4S, and I have found it wears nearly as badly as the plastic on my 3G (though at least with the 5 I can easily put a vinyl skin on the back to protect it - that is the closest thing to a case that I personally want to use).

 

[boomhower]

My bet is the the plastic iPhone will essentially be an iPhone 5 is a plastic shell. Possibly a gimped camera and 8GB base model. Older models will cease to be sold. From here on out there will be the flagship and the plastic version. Once the 5S and plastic is released in the fall the 4, 4S, and 5 will no longer be sold.

 

[ElFenix]

aren't these plastic iphone rumors usually just chinese knockoffs rather than actual apple products?

 

[joshhedge]

aren't these plastic iphone rumors usually just chinese knockoffs rather than actual apple products?

The quality and internal design of these shells would seem too good for a KIRF or Chinese knockoff in my opinion, plus there have been a significant amount of various leaks surrounding this design, much like the iPhone 4.

 

[BuCkDoG]

I personally think its awesome. Moving away from the traditional Glass designs while hitting a lower price point for many more consumers will only drive the Apple and App store ecosystem even higher. Not to mention this design incorporates a seamless integration of plastic versus the all aluminum and glass enclosure for better stability. I hope this is the final product as I will most likely be purchasing.

 

[Eug]

iPhone 5C retail packaging

 

[Aikouka]

Hmm I wonder what 'C' stands for? Classic?

 

[joshhedge]

I don't like the look of that packaging at all, or the name.

Would be nice if Apple went with a similar naming convention to the MacBook and the MacBook Pro lines.

 

[jpiniero]

Hmm I wonder what 'C' stands for? Classic?

Cheaper, obviously.

 

[Joe1987]

Hmm I wonder what 'C' stands for? Classic?

Color

 

[Eug]

Crappy?

But yeah, people are suggesting colour.

 

[Eug]

Computerworld: Apple's 'plastic' iPhone mini confirmed in shocking Pegatron labor report

"Today’s work is to paste protective film on the iPhone’s plastic back cover to prevent it from being scratched on assembly lines. This iPhone model with a plastic cover will soon be released on the market by Apple," the report explains.

 

[Eug]

iPhone 5 (for) China

Anyhoo, I just wish they'd release the damn things already. I'm getting sick of my Android Jelly Bean phone.

 

[Rakehellion]

It'll probably be announced this month.

 

[bearxor]

I'm going to go with iPhone 5 Choice.

 

[ultimatebob]

I wouldn't have any problem with a plastic iPhone. I had an iPhone 3G back in the day, and it seemed to be more durable than all of those broken glass iPhone 4's that I see spoiled teenagers carrying around in the mall.

 

[Tyranicus]

I wouldn't have any problem with a plastic iPhone. I had an iPhone 3G back in the day, and it seemed to be more durable than all of those broken glass iPhone 4's that I see spoiled teenagers carrying around in the mall.

If they were truly spoiled, wouldn't they have gotten the broken phones replaced or even upgraded to newer phones?

 

[Aikouka]

If they were truly spoiled, wouldn't they have gotten the broken phones replaced or even upgraded to newer phones?

Maybe it's more hip to have a broken one: "My phone is like my soul... shattered."

Excuse me while I go wash the hipster off.

 

[ultimatebob]

Maybe it's more hip to have a broken one: "My phone is like my soul... shattered."

Excuse me while I go wash the hipster off.

Yeah... kids seem to think that having a cracked iPhone gives them more street cred or something. I don't get it, but them I'm a 30+ year "old guy" now

 

[Red Storm]

Yeah... kids seem to think that having a cracked iPhone gives them more street cred or something. I don't get it, but them I'm a 30+ year "old guy" now

... I think it's because they either don't know or can't afford to get it fixed.

 

[smackababy]

... I think it's because they either don't know or can't afford to get it fixed.

Well, working at Starbucks after getting a degree in Medieval Literature doesn't pay much.

 

[Eug]

All Things D says new iPhone out Sept. 10.

BTW, this is just days after the $50 iPhone education promo ends.

 

[joshhedge]

All Things D says new iPhone out Sept. 10.

BTW, this is just days after the $50 iPhone education promo ends.

Not long to go, shame I have just over a year left on my contract.

I do hope Apple doesn't cut corners on the SOC in the 5C, markets getting far to competitive lately.