The rumored Apple iPhone 5C specs may not pale in comparison to current iPhone models after all, at least if a newly leaked camera module photo turns out to be authentic.
The budget iPhone is said to include an 8-megapixel rear camera, according to the leaked image sent to Chinese tech site IT168, disputing previous rumors of it being just 5 megapixels.
That's the same camera contained in the current iPhone 5, a part manufactured by Sony.
The next full-featured iPhone, expected to be called the iPhone 5S, is said to boast an upgraded 12-megapixel camera and slow-motion "Mogul" feature.
Apple needs to compete with the Samsung Galaxy S4, which has been delighting snap-happy consumers with a 13-megapixel camera, and the HTC One with its UltraPixel rear camera.
The price of plastic
Attached to the iPhone 5C camera report is the additional rumor that Apple's first budget smartphone will be made of plastic.
That's a switch from the premium aluminum material found in the iPhone 5.
The benefit of plastic is that the cost of parts should be cheaper. The iPhone 5C bill of materials is estimated to be as little as $180 (about £118, AU$201) for Apple, calculated PhoneArena.
The iPhone 5 bill of materials is thought to be $199 (about £131, AU$222), and $207 (about £137, AU$231) when manufacturing is included, according to market research firm iHS iSuppli.
Therefore, the iPhone 5C could retail for a price between $350 (about £230, AU$390) and $450 (about £264, AU$447) off contract compared to iPhone 5's $650 (about £429, AU$726) also without a contract.
- Check out the new Apple patent for a three sensor camera for iPhone and iPad