Kevin Bostic
Apple's iPhone remains the top-selling handset in the world, but a new video seems to support the notion that the Cupertino company is not resting on its laurels and may be close to releasing a plastic-backed version of the iPhone to address lower-cost markets.
The case shown in the new video is virtually identical to previously leaked images that also purported to show a plastic iPhone body. The video, posted by YouTube user DetroitBORG, shows a partially completed case without the necessary cutouts for volume and mute buttons or a SIM card tray.
The video creator also makes it a point to show the plastic iPhone case alongside Apple's last plastic iPhone, the iPhone 3GS. The device appears best described as the intersection of the 3GS with the current iPod touch.
Should the previously leaked images and this video prove accurate, the lower-cost iPhone will be slightly thicker and wider than the current iPhone 5, with a 4-inch, presumably Retina display. Both the previous images and the new video point out that the lower-end model will likely come in an array of color options, and a number of different colors could also be an option on the higher-end model.
The plastic-backed iPhone would represent an attempt by Apple to reach into the lower-end market for smartphones. Industry consensus points to an apparent slowing in the high-end of the smartphone segment, with much of the growth in the industry now occurring in developing markets. Apple CEO Tim Cook, though, sounded less convinced speaking yesterday during the company's quarterly conference call.
"I don't subscribe to [the notion that] the higher end of the smartphone market has hit its peak," Cook said. The Apple chief declined to comment on any possible lower cost devices or the possibility that Apple would begin accepting trade-ins in its stores in order to boost supplies to sell in developing markets.
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80 Comments
Although the phone looks nicer in these videos I'm more convinced these plastic cases are fake.
The two things I find most interesting about this design (assuming it's the real deal), are: - The increased thickness would seem to allow for a double-size battery assuming the other components remain the same. - If the front screen attaches in the same way as described by the previous leak with a sort of rubber gasket around the edge, this thing would be almost indestructible because most screen damage occurs with the shock of an edge-drop. So it *could* be a supremely "chuckable," almost indestructible phone with a two day battery. If it's also cheap, that would make it a category destroyer and it would eat Android phones for lunch.
Not me. I think it's the real deal. A little late in the game to be able to protect so many supply chain elements. Also, the internal metal elements add to difficulty in faking this up.
The "iPhone" font is thin on the shell.
On thing that strikes me as odd is the fact that the button slots are not cutout already. I cannot see the benefit of cutting them out after putting in parts of the chassis. But I am not a manufacturing engineer so there could be reasons to do this. Also... the normal Apple printed information is not present bellow the iPhone label... so that is suspect. However... it look a bit to well made for a knock-off.