According to BrightWire, a business-to-business resource for portfolio managers, a major Chinese website called Tencent Tech is reporting this morning that preliminary details about an entry-level iPhone model from Apple have leaked. Reportedly, this future model will adopt a chassis made of plastic instead of the currently-used glass and aluminum materials. The report adds that the model may also adopt a chassis made of plastic and metal. Metal parts inside this new model supposedly will be able to be seen from outside by virtue of a special design. The model, which is still undergoing validation, will most likely be unveiled in 2H 2013. While it sounds like a winner, we have no track record on Tencent Tech's reporting accuracy. Until other sources emerge, it's just a rumor. Rumors began to surface about a low cost iPhone for emerging markets a week ago. In related news out of Taiwan this morning, the Hong Kong brokerage firm CLSA Asia-Pacific Markets has stated in a research note that they believe that Apple is currently sampling four new iPhone models: a refreshed version of the iPhone 5 called "iPhone 5S," an "iPhone Maxi" sized between 4.8 and 5 inches, and one or two "iPhone Mini" lower-end models. Whether the brokerage firm's research is just hype building on hype or reliable sources are unknown at this time.
This Report was Posted at 3:30 AM MST
