Rumor: Photo may show retail packaging for Apple's low-cost "iPhone 5C"
A new photo released into the wild this week may show a portion of the retail packaging for Apple's forthcoming low-cost iPhone, which -- if the photo is genuine -- could hit the market under the name "iPhone 5C."
The photo, which appeared on the same WeiPhone forums that have produced several other early peaks at Apple devices, shows a manufacturer's bin full of dozens of new plastic retail boxes in the size, shape, and style that one would expect to cradle the company's lower-cost handset, based on recent rumors.
The side of the plastic retail boxes also read "iPhone 5C," suggesting Apple could possibly adopt such a naming convention to distinguish the more affordable devices from the premium versions of the next iPhone largely rumored to adopt the name iPhone 5S.
For its part, AppleInsider cannot independently confirm the authenticity of the items in the photo, and therefore publishes images simply for the sake of discussion.
For the latest on Apple's much rumored low-cost iPhone and iPhone 5S, see our recent report: 'iPhone Lite' on track for early Sept., but 'iPhone 5S' production more challenging
Update: Some AppleInsider readers are speculating in the forums that "C" may be for "Color," given the recent rumors that the low-cost iPhone would be made available in a variety of colored plastic enclosures (above) when it arrives later this year. They also note that the plastic retail packaging would be consistent with the latest packaging for the iPod touch, which similarly features a plastic container topped off by the device itself, then covered with a transparent cover.
The photo, which appeared on the same WeiPhone forums that have produced several other early peaks at Apple devices, shows a manufacturer's bin full of dozens of new plastic retail boxes in the size, shape, and style that one would expect to cradle the company's lower-cost handset, based on recent rumors.
The side of the plastic retail boxes also read "iPhone 5C," suggesting Apple could possibly adopt such a naming convention to distinguish the more affordable devices from the premium versions of the next iPhone largely rumored to adopt the name iPhone 5S.
For its part, AppleInsider cannot independently confirm the authenticity of the items in the photo, and therefore publishes images simply for the sake of discussion.
For the latest on Apple's much rumored low-cost iPhone and iPhone 5S, see our recent report: 'iPhone Lite' on track for early Sept., but 'iPhone 5S' production more challenging
Update: Some AppleInsider readers are speculating in the forums that "C" may be for "Color," given the recent rumors that the low-cost iPhone would be made available in a variety of colored plastic enclosures (above) when it arrives later this year. They also note that the plastic retail packaging would be consistent with the latest packaging for the iPod touch, which similarly features a plastic container topped off by the device itself, then covered with a transparent cover.
Comments
Have they ever packaged using plastic?
Regarding the naming convention, Apple must feel the 5S is a substantial upgrade and is clear step up from the 5C to use "5C". It would be an unexpected, bold move by Apple. It would also signal they have decided not to enter the lower tier end of the market (yet)
Quote:
Originally Posted by allenbf
I'm all for the iPhone lite, but I don't believe this one. Plastic packaging? No. One thing I like about Apple is their efforts to reduce their environmental footprint. This doesn't do that.
Have they ever packaged using plastic?
Yeah. Most of the iPods were packaged in translucent plastic and paper (including iPod touch). But this would be a first for the iPhone.
Quote:
Originally Posted by allenbf
I'm all for the iPhone lite, but I don't believe this one. Plastic packaging? No. One thing I like about Apple is their efforts to reduce their environmental footprint. This doesn't do that.
Have they ever packaged using plastic?
Yeah -- Look at the iPod touch (current gen) Scroll to bottom of page:
http://www.apple.com/ipod-touch/specs.html
Quote:
Originally Posted by allenbf
I'm all for the iPhone lite, but I don't believe this one. Plastic packaging? No. One thing I like about Apple is their efforts to reduce their environmental footprint. This doesn't do that.
Have they ever packaged using plastic?
iPod Touch 4G
That is true, didn't consider the iPods.
One interesting point is that the lettering of the iPod touch cases is the color of the device. Above, they are all Black. Just FYI
When I think about this I was almost correct... Only it will happen this year on iPhone 5S introduction, the phone will be an iPhone 5 in iPod touch (5 gen) design, it will have an 4 inch screen and it will be called iPhone 5C...
Maybe my brain just fallen into alternate dimension that night, where they introduced cheaper iPhone a year sooner.
Also I don't know how they will name those two, next year we will get iPhone 6C for sure. But in 2015 we will get iPhone 6[B]CS[/B] ??? That's cool
I guess these would be for the black iPhone 5(c) then?
I just hate to see all the waste, would rather see biodegradable packaging. I'm sort of an environmental geek. But I'd forgotten about the iPod packaging earlier
Here's the product packaging for iPods and iPhones. This packaging looks NOTHING like it.
Why would they call it iPhone 5 though? Why not just iPhone and iPhone color? But even that doesn't make much sense because then the lower tier iPhones would always be associated with colors. Unless Apple expects cheaper iPhones to always come in colors?
Maybe it stands for "California"
C stands for College Girls
http://www.theonion.com/video/new-iphone-geared-towards-collegeaged-girls-comes,30769/
So this is iPod Touch replacement, or this year new iPod Touch will be even cheaper. hmm...
Also, as was already mentioned, C for color probably makes the most sense, and with the huge amount of Apple leaks coming out of China, I'd say that there's a damn good possibility that this packaging and the colored iPhones are both the real deal. And if this packaging turns out to be fake, then I still believe that the colored iPhones are for real.