Product leaks out of Apple don’t happen that often, though the latest indicates that the Cupertino company intends to return its cheapest handset to the market, following much speculation that the company intends to produce either an updated iPhone 5c or new iPhone 6c.
The image – which actually advertises a new iPhone Lightning charging dock – depicts what appears to be an updated iPhone 5c model – possibly an iPhone 6c – sporting a new Touch ID sensor.
The press image depicts Apple’s new iPhone charging dock – which the company has officially returning to producing, following a lengthy absence – with what seemingly is an iPhone 5c connected to the dock’s Lightning connector. However, the model depicted bears a Touch ID sensor – something the original iPhone 5c lacked; the original model made use of Apple’s older home button.
Interestingly, the model depicted displays the traditional iOS 8 wallpaper – the iPhone 5c was originally marketed using a coloured backdrop that matched the colour of the smartphone’s rear shell, indicating that this – if the addition of a Touch ID sensor wasn’t enough confirmation – might represent an entirely new model. Despite the release of iOS 8, Apple still has not yet updated its 5c marketing page to reflect the new OS.
Apple neglected to release an updated version of the 5c alongside the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, leaving many to speculate that the company had left its cheap(er) smartphone behind as a failed experiment. However, the leak follows several rumours indicating that Apple is in the process of updating the 5c for launch alongside an iPhone 6s or 7.
The most recent rumour – a leaked product image – displays a new backing shell for the c model, with a circular flash as well as two speaker grills on the device’s bottom pane as opposed to one. While the leaked Lightning dock image doesn’t display the iPhone’s rear or bottom panel, it seems likely that Apple intends to soon re-introduce a cheaper iPhone.
Follow Bryan on Twitter: @bryansmith1138
