Leaked Images Tip Low-Cost 'iPhone 5C'

The fall season is fast approaching, which means it's time for a new flurry of excitement and speculation around what may be the next Apple iPhone. Now, a new image emerging from China may give us a clue about the name of one of the new iPhone models.

Discovered on the forums of Chinese site WeiPhone by Japanese site Macotakara, an image shows a box of what appears to be new iPhone cases with the name iPhone 5C emblazoned on the side. And while the source of the image is unknown and there is no confirmation as to whether it's even a real, undoctored image, the sleek white boxes have the distinctive rounded edges, muted Apple logo, and familiar font that are all instantly recognizable to any regular Apple consumer.

Speculation as to what the "C" stands for ranges from the word "cheaper," as a nod to the low-budget iPhone that has been the subject of rumors for months, to the word "color," a possible descriptor for the multi-colored iPhone model (also, supposedly low-budget) that has been also floated as a possibility via leaked images. According to Apple-focused site MacRumors, the next iPhone could arrive as soon as Sept. 6, a date that would seem to confirm the early September launch date mentioned by KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

However, long-time Apple follower Jim Dalrymple, who is often cited for his accuracy in matters concerning the company's upcoming releases, doesn't seem to agree. On his website, in response to the Sept. 6 speculation, he simply wrote "nope," which, in Dalrymple-speak, is essentially an emphatic "no." So we may have to wait until at least the end of September and possibly into October to find out what Apple has up its sleeve in terms of the next iPhone.

This comes amidst reports Apple is conducting in-house testing of larger iPhone and iPad screens, as well as reports of an iPhone launch delay because Cupertino switched to a larger iPhone display.

UPDATE: A Monday report from China Labor Watch, which focused on labor abuse at Apple supplier Pegatron also seemingly confirmed that Apple is prepping a low-cost iPhone.