Apple Could Launch a Cheaper Plastic Coated iPhone 4S

Posted on Jul 29 2011 - 11:59am by Robert

A number of photos, which claim to be a new iPhone 4 prototype, have been leaked by a Vietnamese site.  The site is no stranger to outing new devices and  has previously released details of prototypes for the iPhone 4 and the iPod Touch, correctly unveiling details of a new camera. The site said that the new iPhone 4s is lighter, faster and instead of glass, sports a plastic front and back casing.

If these reports are accurate, rumors of Apple releasing a cheaper and thinner iPhone could be true after all.

The sources have pointed out a major difference between the iPhone 4 and this prototype: the glass front and back casing of the original iPhone 4 is replaced by transparent plastic, allegedly to decrease the production cost, which allows Apple to sell the phone at a lower price.

Since 2009, Apple has made it a point to sell older iPhone models as budget phones, leaving the design unchanged and cutting its storage. This new design, if  true, would be the first time that Apple has built a budget phone model that features more visibly changed components.

Apple may be thinking that Android smartphones are becoming increasingly competitive, a low-end iPhone would be able to bring down the Android onslaught, giving people a less expensive iPhone 4. Because the glass iPhone 4 is too expensive to make, a plastic version could let Apple get a hold of the low-end market.

Do you think Apple do need to launch a budget iPhone alongside the iPhone 5?

 

via: Mac Rumors

5 Comments so far. Feel free to join this conversation.

  1. iOpine July 29, 2011 at 4:49 pm - Reply

    Yes, I do think Apple needs to continue to provide a cheaper alternative to the top of the line iPhone. The $200 entry price is fine for what it offers, but many older adults and families will get pulled in by a $50 less powerful offering. I know, as my family has bought 3 3gs models within the last few months. We wouldn't have even considered spending $200 per unit up front.

  2. fxgeorges July 30, 2011 at 2:20 am - Reply

    I have no problem with eliminating the back glass. But I hope that Apple will think long and hard before using plastic for a touch screen display. Unless Apple is sputtering a diamond coating on that plastic, it will get scratched up very quickly. Unless Apple has access to some very hard plastic or makes that face easily replaceable, my guess is that the display will remain glass.

  3. Howard Marks April 8, 2012 at 8:15 pm - Reply

    The Chinese term for "New Taiwan Dollar" (??? or ???, literally "New Taiwan Currency") typically is only used for banking and in legal contracts where it is necessary to avoid any possible ambiguity, or when talking about foreign exchange or other currencies.

  4. Canada payday loans December 11, 2012 at 6:54 pm - Reply

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