Apple has been rumored to be working on a low-cost iPhone 5 for quite some time now. Many reports claim the company needs to come up with a low-budget solution in order to keep the brand competitive on the smartphone market for people with lower income. Previously older generations of the iPhone filled that space on the market but now it appears that plan won't work. Since the iPhone 5 is not suitable for low-end mass production, the company has decided to create a plastic-backed iPhone for $99. New photos leaked online finally show the name of this low-cost iPhone - The iPhone C.
The photo, pictured above, shows what appears to be packaging for an iPhone with the title "iPhone C' written on the back. DigitalSpy notes the "C" in the title is likely a reference to the fact that the plastic-encased iPhone will likely come in a variety of colors including red, green, yellow, blue and white. The photo originally appeared on Chinese website WeiPhone. It is important to note that the plastic packaging isn't typical of the way Apple currently packages iPhones. Normally the device comes in a sleek cardboard box, however, the plastic lower-budget packaging would fit the phone's general motif. While the packages in the bin don't have a front, it's possible that is only because it is at a stage of production where a front packaging isn't necessary yet. If the front is clear, these new cases will give the phone the visibility in the packaging that it needs to show off the color of the plastic case one is getting.
The most recent reports put the iPhone C, formerly nicknamed the iPhone Lite, at $99 with a release date of September 18 at an, as of now unannounced, press event to go along with the release of the iPhone 5S. Both smartphones will become available on September 27.
