New High-Resolution Photos of Low-Cost iPhone Rear Shell Surface, Pricing Similar to iPhone 4?

Following a video from earlier this week that appeared to show a partially assembled device, Sonny Dickson shares new alleged high resolution photos of the low-cost iPhone, potentially named the iPhone 5C. A prominent poster on Chinese microblogging site Sina Weibo, C Technology, also claims (via phoneArena) the low-cost iPhone in China will be priced at 3000 yuan off contract, which is equivalent to $490 and in line with current pricing on the iPhone 4.

iphone_5c_hr0
The photos show the shell from various angles, including views from the back and side of the device, as well as the shell's interior which includes a set of metal linings and screw holes. The images also appear to be consistent with previous alleged sightings of the device, with notable features such as an 8-megapixel camera, Lightning connector, speakers and flash for the phone.

The part appears to be nearly identical to previously seen in high-quality photos and a video last month, with pin holes instead of full cut-outs for a number of physical features like power/volume buttons and the SIM card slot.

iphone_5c_hr2
Like other sightings of the device, the phone in these photos does not appear to have the required legal information and certifications on its lower body, making it unclear as to whether this is a final version or a prototype, although such information is generally printed on the devices at different stages of production.

iphone5c_hr6
According to the most recent report, Apple is expected to launch the low-cost iPhone in early September, alongside the upcoming the iPhone 5S.

Related Forum: iPhone

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....
Photos App Icon Liquid Glass

John Gruber Shares Scathing Commentary About Apple's Departing Software Design Chief

Thursday December 4, 2025 9:30 am PST by
In a statement shared with Bloomberg on Wednesday, Apple confirmed that its software design chief Alan Dye will be leaving. Apple said Dye will be succeeded by Stephen Lemay, who has been a software designer at the company since 1999. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that Dye will lead a new creative studio within the company's AR/VR division Reality Labs. On his blog Daring Fireball,...
ive and altman

Jony Ive's OpenAI Device Barred From Using 'io' Name

Friday December 5, 2025 6:22 am PST by
A U.S. appeals court has upheld a temporary restraining order that prevents OpenAI and Jony Ive's new hardware venture from using the name "io" for products similar to those planned by AI audio startup iyO, Bloomberg Law reports. iyO sued OpenAI earlier this year after the latter announced its partnership with Ive's new firm, arguing that OpenAI's planned "io" branding was too close to its...
iOS 26

Apple Seeds iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 Release Candidates to Developers and Public Beta Testers

Wednesday December 3, 2025 10:33 am PST by
Apple today seeded the release candidate versions of upcoming iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 updates to developers and public beta testers, with the software coming two weeks after Apple seeded the third betas. The release candidates represent the final versions of iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 that will be provided to the public if no further bugs are found during this final week of testing....
iphone air camera

iPhone Air's Resale Value Has Dropped Dramatically, Data Shows

Thursday December 4, 2025 5:27 am PST by
The iPhone Air has recorded the steepest early resale value drop of any iPhone model in years, with new data showing that several configurations have lost almost 50% of their value within ten weeks of launch. According to a ten-week analysis published by SellCell, Apple's latest lineup is showing a pronounced split in resale performance between the iPhone 17 models and the iPhone Air....
iPhone 17 Pro Cosmic Orange

iPhone 17 Pro Lost a Camera Feature Pro Models Have Had Since 2020

Thursday December 4, 2025 5:18 am PST by
iPhone 17 Pro models, it turns out, can't take photos in Night mode when Portrait mode is selected in the Camera app – a capability that's been available on Apple's Pro devices since the iPhone 12 Pro in 2020. If you're an iPhone 17 Pro or iPhone 17 Pro Max owner, try it for yourself: Open the Camera app with Photo selected in the carousel, then cover the rear lenses with your hand to...
ios 18 to ios 26 upgrade

Apple Pushes iPhone Users Still on iOS 18 to Upgrade to iOS 26

Tuesday December 2, 2025 11:09 am PST by
Apple is encouraging iPhone users who are still running iOS 18 to upgrade to iOS 26 by making the iOS 26 software upgrade option more prominent. Since iOS 26 launched in September, it has been displayed as an optional upgrade at the bottom of the Software Update interface in the Settings app. iOS 18 has been the default operating system option, and users running iOS 18 have seen iOS 18...
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 ...
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...

Top Rated Comments

monaarts Avatar
161 months ago
Double down my ass.

They will have enough storage options to fill the $0, $99, $199 and so forth price points between the low cost model and 5S, so the 5, 4S and 4 will go away.

This is my thought as well. Something along these lines:

iPhone 5C 16GB - $0
iPhone 5C 32GB - $99
iPhone 5C 64GB - $199

iPhone 5S 32GB - $199
iPhone 5S 64GB - $299
iPhone 5S 128GB - $399

The slight price overlap makes you decide what is more important, more storage or a better phone, which is very Apple like. :cool:
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dvoros Avatar
161 months ago
5c

We have been patiently waiting for over nine months for a new product release from Apple. How proud they must be to give us last years model in cheap plastic. Apple is amazing.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Four oF NINE Avatar
161 months ago
How many times are we going to see this same plastic phone story?
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Chrjy Avatar
161 months ago
More expensive than I thought it would be.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
maflynn Avatar
161 months ago
It depends on what's inside. So far I'm liking what I see externally but it all depends on screen quality and cpu/gpu performance.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sclawis300 Avatar
161 months ago
Do we know if this will have the same specs as the 5S?

are you high?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)