Rumors are rising suggesting Apple might release an 8-gigabyte version of its iPhone 5c as early as Tuesday.
Talk started when a German blog posted what appear to be leaked documents from O2 Germany to retailers. (Via Caschys Blog)
Although unverified, the note says Apple will add a new, entry-level device that will cost roughly $707, compared to the approximately $791 16-gigabyte iPhone 5c that's currently available. (Via Apple)
Of course, we don't know what the cost would be with a service plan, but it would be cheaper than its bigger companion.
That said, you can't get much cheaper than the 8-gigabyte iPhone 4s, which many carriers are giving out for free with a two-year service plan. (Via Apple)
AppleInsider says an 8-gigabyte 5c could slide in to replace the 4s, and that would make perfect sense.
The older model still uses the 30-pin dock connector and has a 3.5-inch display, rather than the iPhone 5's 4-inch screen. (Via Apple)
Still, a new 5c isn’t something we were expecting to hear about after January’s earnings call, when CEO Tim Cook said response to the device had been "different than we thought." (Via Apple)
Some speculated the colorful phone might disappear from Apple's lineup entirely.
But if an image sent into Engadget is to be trusted, it looks like someone has an 8-gigabyte 5c's box in hand.
And MacRumors says, "Several tipsters have even reported to MacRumors that shipments of the new models have arrived at carrier stores in the UK."
So it's likely not dead yet. In fact, this move — if it's true — would be a sort of retry by Apple.
The 5c was introduced to be the cheaper option. But with the 4s being free and the 5s only $100 more, the 5c could have been easily overlooked by some customers. (Via Apple)
But since Apple hasn't given an official 4s, 5c, 5s breakdown, it's difficult to know the exact reason. Should the recent rumors hold true, we will know more Tuesday.
