A recent report from Digitimes provides additional details pertaining to the recently revived cheaper iPhone rumor. As suggested by their “supply chain” sources, the new, unannounced basic iPhone is said to be constructed from a plastic enclosure as opposed to the glass and aluminum materials used on the latest iPhone 5.
Additionally, the report also alludes to another rumor that otherwise suggests the less-expensive iPhone will be built with a “chassis mixed with plastic and metal, with the internal metal parts being able to be seen from outside through special design”.
Low-cost iPhone prototypes are allegedly being run through a rigorous validation procedure and a final product could be introduced to the market in the second half of 2013.
Last week, numerous reports of a cheaper iPhone came in waves, first from Digitimes, quickly followed in rapid succession by the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg. Quickly following last week’s initial reports, Phil Schiller (Apple’s chief of marketing) was quoted saying, “[cheap iPhone models] will never be the future of Apple products”.
In spite of Schiller’s seemingly oppressive take on a less-expensive iPhone, it’s quite possible Apple has such a device in the works. After all, numerous high-ranking Apple officials explicitly stated that the company would never target the 7-inch tablet market, which, contrary to their statements, is exactly what happened when the iPad mini launched in November.
Stay tuned for complete coverage on Apple and any news regarding a cheaper iPhone for prepaid and emerging markets.
