iPhone 6C Pink Case Leak Suggests Similar Design To Apple Inc.'s iPhone 5S

Will the next plastic iPhone share similarities to the iPhone 5S? A purportedly leaked photo of the so-called “iPhone 6C” plastic shell suggests that to be the case.

Photos published by Chinese smartphone spare part vendor Future Supplier reveal an iPhone housing similar to the iPhone 5C with a few notable differences: a pill-shaped LED flash cutout and two-rows of speaker grilles at the bottom and no protruding camera cutout. If that design looks oddly familiar, it’s because it’s similar to what Apple used with the iPhone 5S, including the pill-shaped “True Tone” flash in the iPhone 5S and two rows of cutouts for its speaker and microphone.

The case design suggests Apple could use iPhone 5S parts to build its 6C, AppleInsider notes. It’s also a similar tactic Apple used with the 5C, which contained components with similar specs to the iPhone 5. On the other hand, it’s entirely plausible that the case is a completely fake design.

Apple’s next lineup of iPhones could come in three sizes, two corresponding with the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, and one 4-inch model similar to the 5S and 5C. The plastic 6C is expected to appeal to customers looking for a smaller iPhone, as well as low and mid-price customers in emerging markets.

Beyond the shell, Apple may also add Force Touch capability -- first introduced in the Apple Watch -- to its next line of smartphones, along with NFC (near-field communication) for Apple Pay and a Touch ID fingerprint reader. Force Touch allows a touch screen or trackpad to detect differences between a light tap and a hard press, enabling new gestures and controls. The company is also experimenting with ways to waterproof their iPhone, patent filings reveal. But it’s unknown if or when such feature would be introduced in its products.