Low-Cost iPhone '5C' May Include 8-Megapixel Camera

Apple's upcoming low-cost iPhone, perhaps called the iPhone "5C", may come equipped with the same 8-megapixel sapphire crystal-covered camera found in the iPhone 5, reports Chinese site IT168 [Google Translation]. The site has shared an image of what is claimed to be the iPhone 5C camera module, which appears similar to the existing iPhone 5 camera module.

5ccameramodule
While the low-cost iPhone will potentially incorporate the 8-megapixel camera of the iPhone 5, Apple's iPhone 5S is expected to get an upgraded 12-megapixel camera that will offer improved low light photography.

Though the 5C is labeled as the low-cost iPhone, it appears that it will share other characteristics with Apple's existing iPhone 5 and upcoming iPhone 5S, offering some of the same components in a cheaper polycarbonate shell. Using similar parts prevents Apple from having to source new materials and rumors have suggested that the iPhone 5C could even be intended to serve as a replacement for the iPhone 5.

Based on leaked specs and purported casing images, the iPhone 5C is expected to feature a plastic shell in multiple bright colors. The case design appears to be more rounded than the existing iPhone 5 and it is expected to be slightly taller and larger to accommodate the thicker plastic shell, as seen in renderings commissioned by MacRumors last month.

According to the most recent report, the iPhone 5C is expected to launch in early September, alongside Apple's upcoming iPhone 5S. Estimates have suggested that it could be priced between $450 and $550, which would likely lower the price to $99 or below with carrier subsidies.

(Thanks, Mobilespie!)

Popular Stories

iOS 26

15 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 26.2

Friday December 5, 2025 9:40 am PST by
Apple is about to release iOS 26.2, the second major point update for iPhones since iOS 26 was rolled out in September, and there are at least 15 notable changes and improvements worth checking out. We've rounded them up below. Apple is expected to roll out iOS 26.2 to compatible devices sometime between December 8 and December 16. When the update drops, you can check Apple's servers for the ...
Intel Inside iPhone Feature

Apple's Return to Intel Rumored to Extend to iPhone

Friday December 5, 2025 10:08 am PST by
Intel is expected to begin supplying some Mac and iPad chips in a few years, and the latest rumor claims the partnership might extend to the iPhone. In a research note with investment firm GF Securities this week, obtained by MacRumors, analyst Jeff Pu said he and his colleagues "now expect" Intel to reach a supply deal with Apple for at least some non-pro iPhone chips starting in 2028....
iPhone 14 Pro Dynamic Island

iPhone 18 Pro Leak Adds New Evidence for Under-Display Face ID

Monday December 8, 2025 4:54 am PST by
Apple is actively testing under-screen Face ID for next year's iPhone 18 Pro models using a special "spliced micro-transparent glass" window built into the display, claims a Chinese leaker. According to "Smart Pikachu," a Weibo account that has previously shared accurate supply-chain details on Chinese Android hardware, Apple is testing the special glass as a way to let the TrueDepth...
iOS 26

Apple Seeds Second iOS 26.2 Release Candidate to Developers and Public Beta Testers

Monday December 8, 2025 10:18 am PST by
Apple today seeded the second release candidate version of iOS 26.2 to developers and public beta testers, with the software coming one week after Apple seeded the first RC. The release candidate represents the final version iOS 26.2 that will be provided to the public if no further bugs are found. Registered developers and public beta testers can download the betas from the Settings app on...
iPhone 17 Pro Cosmic Orange

10 Reasons to Wait for Next Year's iPhone 18 Pro

Monday December 1, 2025 2:40 am PST by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models at the same time, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 18 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. One thing worth...
Johny Srouji

Apple's Chipmaking Chief Johny Srouji Responds to Report About Him Potentially Leaving

Monday December 8, 2025 9:23 am PST by
Apple's chipmaking chief Johny Srouji has reportedly indicated that he plans to continue working for the company for the foreseeable future. "I love my team, and I love my job at Apple, and I don't plan on leaving anytime soon," said Srouji, in a memo obtained by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Here is Srouji's full memo, as shared by Bloomberg:I know you've been reading all kind of rumors and...
Johny Srouji

Apple Chip Chief Johny Srouji Could Be Next to Go as Exodus Continues

Sunday December 7, 2025 10:41 am PST by
Apple's senior vice president of hardware technologies Johny Srouji could be the next leading executive to leave the company amid an alarming exodus of leading employees, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports. Srouji apparently recently told CEO Tim Cook that he is "seriously considering leaving" in the near future. He intends to join another company if he departs. Srouji leads Apple's chip design ...
top stories 2025 12 04a

Top Stories: iOS 26.2 Coming Soon, Apple Execs Depart, and More

Saturday December 6, 2025 6:00 am PST by
You'd expect things to be starting to wind down for the holidays by now, but that doesn't seem to be the case yet in the world of Apple news, with Apple just about ready to release iOS 26.2 and other operating system updates to the public. There was also a flurry of news this week about Apple executive departures, some expected and some not so expected, while we also learned that Apple and...
maxresdefault

iPhone Fold: Launch, Pricing, and What to Expect From Apple's Foldable

Monday December 1, 2025 3:00 am PST by
Apple is expected to launch a new foldable iPhone next year, based on multiple rumors and credible sources. The long-awaited device has been rumored for years now, but signs increasingly suggest that 2026 could indeed be the year that Apple releases its first foldable device. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Below, we've collated an updated set of key details that ...
Apple Fitness Plus expansion hero

Apple Fitness+ Coming to 28 New Regions With Digital Voice Dubbing

Monday December 8, 2025 6:19 am PST by
Apple today announced that Fitness+ is expanding to 28 new markets on December 15 in the service's largest international rollout since launch, accompanied by new language dubbing and a K-Pop music genre. Apple Fitness+ will become available in Chile, Hong Kong, India, the Netherlands, Singapore, Taiwan, and additional regions on December 15, with Japan scheduled to follow early next year....

Top Rated Comments

lordofthereef Avatar
161 months ago
I wouldn't be surprised if this new phone is essentially just the iPhone 5 in a less expensive housing.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jalopybox Avatar
161 months ago
12mp is just stupid. Better optics, sensors are needed. I don't need a bunch of larger file sized pics of the same quality. Not needed at all.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iLilana Avatar
161 months ago
I see this

I see this becoming higher and higher cost every time a rumour pops up
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ghettochris Avatar
161 months ago
8 megapixel is enough for me for now, I'd rather they focus on the image quality and low light sensitivity instead. My first digital camera which was 3.2 megapixels still takes better pictures than my phone due to superior optics. I say make the lens and sensor bigger!
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Sodner Avatar
161 months ago
So, basically, they are going for an iPhone 5 with higher profit margins (plastic, cheap material + cheaper to fabricate) and a Lightning connector?

$199 - iPhone 5S
$99 - 'iPhone 5C'
$0 - iPhone 4S

People here have suggested, and I for one agree, that Apple will eliminate the 4 and 4s altogether. Then there is just one screen size to worry about and no more 30 pin connectors as well.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
xionxiox Avatar
161 months ago
Is it only me? but I am getting the idea that the "C" version will take over the "S", and we will see wider disparity between updates from now on. We might not see the next update until next year for the iPhone 5. Wouldn't we see some rumors for the "S" yet?- haven't seen any, surely they would show up by now. We may see the new version as the "6" instead next year...
There have been tons of rumors about the 5S. Just because you're new doesn't mean the rumors don't exist. Go through the past articles.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)