While it remains unknown if Apple will ever release a new budget smartphone to succeed the iPhone 5c, which was a plastic-backed carbon copy of the iPhone 5, a new gallery of renders from 3D Future provides an early look at what the so-called "iPhone 6c" could look like. The concept smartphone essentially combines an iPhone 5c and iPhone 6 into one, which would seem like a logical move if Apple ever releases an iPhone 6c.

iPhone 6c concept
The concept iPhone 6c features several design attributes adopted from the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, including a slimmer design, rounded edges, pill-shaped volume buttons, circular speaker grilles and a slightly protruding rear-facing camera. The smartphone also appears to have a 4.7-inch display and is pictured alongside the iPhone 6 for a side-by-side comparison.

iPhone 6c Concept 1
It is important to note that these mockups are not based on any leaked specifications, design attributes or other information. Apple did not release an iPhone 6c alongside the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus last September, prompting debate as to whether the company will hold off until the iPhone 6s next September or eventually phase out the mid-tier model from its lineup entirely.

iPhone 6c Concept 2
Apple is expected to release its flagship iPhone 6s next September. It was reported in November that the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus could have the "biggest camera jump ever" with a dual-lens, DSLR-quality system. The smartphone is still expected to retain an 8-megapixel rear camera and is rumored to feature an improved Touch ID fingerprint scanner with reduced errors. At this point, it remains unclear if an iPhone 6c is also in the works, but these artistic renditions provide a teaser of what could be.

Top Rated Comments

BeSweeet Avatar
119 months ago
Is the use of "budget" in the title and article referring to when it's subsidized? Otherwise, it's still not really a "budget" device.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Spectrum Abuser Avatar
119 months ago
To be fair, a $449.00 phone is not 'budget' at all. A true to the root meaning of a budget phone would be the Nokia Lumia 635. $49.00 with free shipping directly from the Microsoft store (http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/mobile/phone/lumia635/offers/?op_160=on&re_160=on&opp=10). The actual mockup is outstanding, though!
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JonneyGee Avatar
119 months ago
This makes a lot of sense. Even though the 5c got mixed reviews on its success due to awful analyst predictions, I know a lot of people who have the phone and really like it. A 6c created in similar fashion would make a lot of sense and be a good way for Apple to relegate the iPhone 6 to mid-tier status as it did with the iPhone 5 in 2013.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CmdrLaForge Avatar
119 months ago
White front and at least 16 GB ! The current 8 GB are a joke.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
illegalprelude Avatar
119 months ago
Calling the iPhone 6C or whatever it may be called (and really therefor calling the iPhone 5C) a budget phone is from the outside perspective which doesn't understand Apple. The 5C was simply a different phone but it was never intended to be budget. Apple has time and time again shown its not interested yet everybody ran with the idea that the 5C would be a budget and was shocked/disappointed when Apple revealed its price tag.

If there is a 6 version, it will not be a budget device. Apple has said many times, they don't care about market shares and why should they? Look at their earnings report.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tuslaw12 Avatar
119 months ago
Deja Vu

It might just be me but I thought the iPhone 5c was a bit of a failure. I don't see why they would bring it back
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

maxresdefault

Apple to Launch New iPad Pro and iPad Air Models in May

Thursday March 28, 2024 11:07 am PDT by
Apple will introduce new iPad Pro and iPad Air models in early May, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Gurman previously suggested the new iPads would come out in March, and then April, but the timeline has been pushed back once again. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Apple is working on updates to both the iPad Pro and iPad Air models. The iPad Pro models will...
General Apps Messages

Google Reveals When to Expect RCS Support on iPhone for Improved Texting With Android Users

Friday March 29, 2024 7:14 am PDT by
In November, Apple announced that the iPhone would support the cross-platform messaging standard RCS (Rich Communication Services) in the Messages app starting "later" in 2024, and Google has now revealed a more narrow timeframe. In a since-deleted section of the revamped Google Messages web page, spotted by 9to5Google, Google said that Apple would be adopting RCS on the iPhone in the "fall...
airtag new orange

Criminals in Montreal Using AirTags to Steal Vehicles

Friday March 29, 2024 12:50 pm PDT by
Thieves in Montreal, Canada have been using Apple's AirTags to facilitate vehicle theft, according to a report from Vermont news sites WCAX and NBC5 (via 9to5Mac). Police officers in Burlington, Vermont have issued a warning about AirTags for drivers who recently visited Canada. Two Burlington residents found Apple AirTags in their vehicles after returning from trips to Montreal, and these...
top stories 30mar2024

Top Stories: WWDC 2024 Announced, New iPads Delayed, and More

Saturday March 30, 2024 6:00 am PDT by
Apple's WWDC 2024 dates have been announced, giving us timing for the unveiling of the company's next round of major operating system updates and likely some other announcements. This week also saw some disappointing news on the iPad front, with update timing for the iPad Pro and iPad Air pushed back from previous rumors. We did hear some new tidbits about what might be coming in iOS 18 and...
iphone 16 cases sonny dickson 1

First iPhone 16 Cases Outline New Rear Vertical Camera Bump

Friday March 29, 2024 4:09 am PDT by
Photos of the first iPhone 16 cases have been shared online, offering another preview of the rumored new vertical rear camera arrangement on the standard iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus. Image credit: Accessory leaker Sonny Dickson Over the last few months, Apple has been experimenting with different camera bump designs for the standard iPhone 16 models, all of which have featured a vertical ...
Apple iPhone 15 Pro spatial video capture lifestyle

$3 App Shoots Better Quality Spatial Video Than iPhone's Camera App

Friday March 29, 2024 4:48 am PDT by
A $3 third-party app can now record spatial video on iPhone 15 Pro models in a higher resolution than Apple's very own Camera app. Thanks to an update first spotted by UploadVR, Spatialify can now record spatial videos with HDR in 1080p at 60fps or in 4K at 30fps. In comparison, Apple's native Camera app is limited to recording spatial video in 1080p at 30fps. Shortly after Apple's Vision ...