Would you want a gold-colored iPhone 5S? [Poll]

By Rene Ritchie
last updated

There's a rumor being floated that Apple will introduce a third color option for their next-generation flagship, what's being conveniently called iPhone 5s, and alongside the current Storm Trooper white/silver and Vader black/slate models we're going to get a - wait for it - Threepio gold model. I'll just pause so you can get the Austin Powers and Flava Flav jokes, and "Steve would never...!" gasps out of your system. Done? No? Now? Okay. So what do you think of that idea?

Is gold an important way to appeal to the Kardashians and the Gagas of the world, or to the Chinese (please make a Hung Bao red!), or to... um... I got nothing. Or is it a sign that someone in the rumor world. if not Cupertino, has gone down the crass path and around the tacky bend?

Vote in the poll up top and then let me know why you voted the way you did in the comments below!

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.

47 Comments
  • I wouldn't use one myself, but I'm sure someone would love to have it. So yeah, it would be nice to have options.for consumers.
  • +1.
  • I disagree. Giving options can serially hurt the perception of the brand and the product and Apple knows this well. If you buy an iPhone you know you get the best and the most premium product. The moment a company starts releasing limited editions, more-premium options or hard-to-obtain versions of their product, the original one becomes "the ordinary version". This seriously hurts the perception of the product. Apple is known for not providing options and this guarantees that you always get the premium product. A platinum/champagne color version of the same value and price, however, sounds reasonable.
  • It's something CrackBerry Kevin would buy lol
  • It'll be quite a hit to those who sees their phone as valuable as gold (without a case, that is). Sent from the iMore App
  • Worst "Bling Bling" idea ever!
  • Ur crazy Sent from the iMore App
  • I'm not against the idea of gold. I'm sure a lot of people would like it. I'd be first in line for a red one, though.
  • Most of the rumors I've read say the iPhone 5S will be more of a champagne color, more akin to this; http://www3.picturepush.com/photo/a/13600131/img/13600131.jpg Credit for this image goes to someone who posted on the following forum; http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1623468&page=4
  • I like that champagne color, only because the top and bottom are white. The gold would look a lot better if the top/bottom were white or even black.
  • http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=17741220&postcount=83
  • Looks like it's been soaking in piss.
  • I. Want. Liquidmetal. iPhone!
  • 1 Sent from the iMore App
  • No way. Only gypsies like this color
  • The rumored champagne colour would be classier.
  • I voted no. However, I'm biased. I don't like the color of gold. I won't even buy gold jewelry.
  • I just think it is ugly. Keep it simple, white and black. Sent from the iMore App
  • My phone will be black, always.
  • me too. Well black or silver i can live with. That said i'm not concerned with stopping others from making their phone gold. mine won't be though.
  • And mine always white colour hehehe Sent from the iMore App
  • To be fair, I would have to see it in person first. I think its important to keep in mind that a gold phone in many cultures would be very desirable. Just because it may not appeal to most American tastes isn't an indicator it would not be a hit in other countries. Example - one UAE luxury hotel gives its VIP guests a gold iPad to use during their stay. Real gold. Overseas is where the most market growth is at present, and tastes there may be different. And who knows, it could be really awesome looking and be a hit here as well!
  • well, I wouldn't be queuing for golden iPhone but I know a lot of people, especially Chinese people.
  • I like it. The anodized metal looks cool.
    Go to a local bike shop and look at anodized bike parts and you might just change your mind.
    I would like to see all kinds of color.
  • I agree it would be great Black white and gold for the 5s And all those crazy colors for the cheaper 5c Sent from the iMore App
  • So we are looking at an iPhone 5c or 5 cheap, and an iPhone 5g or 5 gaudy?
  • Seriously? C'mon dude that's so silly.
  • I think this is already available as a third party mod, and that's the way it should stay. And yeah, Steve would never...
  • Bring it in Platinum!
  • Ti!
    that would be nice.
  • I would be nice if front was black and back gold and black Sent from the iMore App
  • Given that the "analyst" who spread this rumor also said there would be a 128gb option, I'm gonna go ahead and debunk this.
  • WOW! If this if true, FINALLY AN iPhone for DOUCHBAGS!!! It looks like Tim Cook is letting his "GAY" get in the way. What a horrible idea. Apple is completely jumped the shark on this one and Tim needs to be let go. Get someone in there with some passion and actually cares about the products. Just Horrible. Time to jump to Android.
  • What the hell is your bag?
    You jealous much?
    Go to Android. Should or do you really think we care? Douche.
  • I have never owned a phone that wasn't in a complete case. I honestly had to look to see what color my current phone is.
  • It really depends on how it's done. If it's metallic & not plasticky, possibly could be interesting. However. I have a black/slate 5, and intend to get a white/silver (bare metal) 5s, assuming that's still on offer.
  • Champagne, yes. Gold, no.
  • ... and some swarovsky crystal all round would be just right in addition to these all-screaming shiny iOS7. Mmmmmm, yammi
  • High end iPhone does not equal Gold iPhone.
    "Oh that guy has a gold iPhone, he doesn't have the cheap version (5C), he is wealthy hence the gold phone, what a cool guy"
    *Facepalm
  • I would MUCH rather have a (PRODUCT) RED iPhone over a gold one ANY day.
  • Different color iPhones is gonna be good idea. Companies can now match there iPhone or iDevice with company colors. Consumers will now have more options. Personally I'm currently using black iPhone 5. I wish I had the white one, I'll never go black iPhone again.
  • agreed
  • Black. Black as my soul.
  • a gold-coloured iphone ? what for ? white is fine
  • Because it shows your classic gold very good
  • Well I love gold and the idea that I can have a gold iphone þs
    5s sounds amazing !
  • Definitly....I purchased a GOLD Verizon 32gb iPhone 5s and the GOLD Verizon WiFi/Celluar 64gb iPad Air2.......LUV that GOLD