Chinese labour report references less expensive iPhone production

By Rene Ritchie
last updated

It's nowhere nearly like leaving a prototype in a bar, but if proven accurate, a Chinese labor report potentially leaking information about an announced, less expensive iPhone, certainly won't make Apple happy. First noticed by Jony Evans of Computer World, the report includes:

"Today’s work is to paste protective film on the iPhone’s plastic back cover to prevent it from being scratched on assembly lines. This iPhone model with a plastic cover will soon be released on the market by Apple."

Ben Lovejoy of 9to5Mac noticed this line:

Its assembled products include iPhone 4, iPhone 4s, iPhone 5, and low-priced plastic iPhones

The iPhone 3GS was discontinued when the iPhone 4 went free last year, which means Apple is not longer ordering any known plastic-backed iPhones. So, what product are they referencing?

Source: Computer World, 9to5Mac

Rene Ritchie
Rene Ritchie
Contributor

Rene Ritchie is one of the most respected Apple analysts in the business, reaching a combined audience of over 40 million readers a month. His YouTube channel, Vector, has over 90 thousand subscribers and 14 million views and his podcasts, including Debug, have been downloaded over 20 million times. He also regularly co-hosts MacBreak Weekly for the TWiT network and co-hosted CES Live! and Talk Mobile. Based in Montreal, Rene is a former director of product marketing, web developer, and graphic designer. He's authored several books and appeared on numerous television and radio segments to discuss Apple and the technology industry. When not working, he likes to cook, grapple, and spend time with his friends and family.