Closeup Photos of Alleged Lower-Cost Plastic iPhone Rear Shell Compared to iPhone 5

Over the past several weeks, an increasing number of photo leaks of what has been claimed to be the rear shell of Apple's rumored upcoming lower-cost plastic iPhone have surfaced, showing a device just slightly larger than the iPhone 5 and carrying the same layout of physical features, albeit with simplified microphone and speaker grille designs along the bottom edge.

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Japanese magazine Weekly ASCII now shares some new closeup photos [Google translation, via Mac Otakara] of a yellow version of this plastic rear shell, showing it in good detail while also placing it alongside an iPhone 5 for comparison. The design continues to show a screw hole layout consistent with leaked iPhone 5S logic boards, suggesting that both the iPhone 5S and the lower-cost iPhone may share very similar logic board designs, at least at a broad level.

yellow_plastic_iphone_side_comparison
There is no confirmation that this rear shell is a genuine one leaked from Apple's supply chain, and the sheer number of photo leaks from various sources suggests that some of these parts may simply be unauthorized replacement parts. Still, these parts are appearing in significant quantities standardized around a common design that is also consistent with long-running rumors of Apple's plans for the device. At a minimum, there is a good chance that these parts offer a good representation of what Apple's lower-cost iPhone will look like.

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Top Rated Comments

Chase817 Avatar
156 months ago
I have a feeling I'm going to want the plastic one more than the more expensive one...
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mdelvecchio Avatar
156 months ago
better than previous pics but still looks like a cheap plastic back case compared to iPhone 5.

what on earth would you expect? if real, it IS a cheap plastic alternative to the iphone5...that's the whole point. want premium? buy premium.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cwwilson Avatar
156 months ago
Looks cheap.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
designaholic Avatar
156 months ago
Hideous.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jibbajabba Avatar
156 months ago
Just thought I am getting the usual out of the way.

"SJ would have / wouldn't have"
"Never going to happen / will happen"
"Will never sell / I will queue three days in a line"
"It will / won't be called iPhone <insert xyz here>"
"I move to Android / Windows"
"Looks awesome / sh****"
"Share Price Up"
"Share Price Down"
"Safari is snappier"

So now that's out of the way ... Moving on :)
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gedto Avatar
156 months ago
Sweet

Looks awesome.

Want it.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)