Packaging for a rumored budget iPhone 5C shows up online

It's uncertain whether the image is the real thing, but many Apple watchers expect the company to reveal a "budget" iPhone in the fall.

(Credit: Weiphone forum)

As Apple's fall product reveal approaches, alleged images of the new iPhone parts are appearing with greater frequency. The latest is plastic packaging for an iPhone 5C, which appeared on the Chinese WeiPhone discussion forum. The 5C could be the rumored lower-cost, plastic encased iPhone that could show up along with an updated iPhone 5, expected to be call the 5S.

It's uncertain whether the image is the real thing. It doesn't fit into Apple's current visual treatment for an iPhone with two characters, such as the 4S, but given the makeover Apple is giving iOS, it's not beyond reason that the designers would tinker with iPhone logos. The packaging could be similar to the plastic case that of the iPod touch than the iPhone 5. What the "C" stands for is unclear.

(Credit: Apple)

The iPhone 5, which almost a year old, was the most popular iPhone sold in Apple's quarter ending June 30, but the iPhone 4 (first available June 24, 2010) and 4S (first available October 14, 2011) models sold well in emerging markets, indicating demand for a more updated budget iPhone to go along with the new, rumored iPhone 5S in the fall lineup.