Rumors

It goes without saying that mysterious photo leaks from anonymous sources can't always be trusted. Apple itself has been known to develop and test several prototypes before deciding which model to put into production for the masses, so even legitimate leaks don't mean much. Even so, Tactus claims this photo depicts the back of the upcoming budget iPhone coming later this year.

Analysts and the rumor mill have been talking about a less expensive iPhone model for some time, which would presumably make it possible for Apple to further increase the market share of the handset. Not only could a cheaper iPhone make the device more accessible to more people, it would certainly lower production costs for Apple while introducing the App Store and iTunes to more paying customers.

The iPhone will play a "prominent role" at today's T-Mobile "Uncarrier" event being held in New York City, according to CNET. T-Mobile is expected to use the iPhone to showcase its new no-contract service plans which were rolled out over the weekend.

The carrier hopes its new no-subsidy model will attract customers since they can pay for smartphones and data in smaller monthly installments. This will allow customers to avoid restrictive two-year contracts and costly data plans by paying for new devices such as the iPhone 5 themselves. T-Mobile is also expected to roll out its new 4G LTE network on Tuesday.

I don't know if it's due to a lack of interest, or lack of information, but next generation iPhone rumors have been scarce this year. However, one rumor that has been consistent is that the next generation iPhone will feature a fingerprint sensor. Apple is purportedly working with Chipbond Science and Technology to make the fingerprint sensor a reality, according to the China Times.

The Home button will be transformed into a fingerprint scanner, which will allow users to easily enter passwords or authorize purchases with just the push of a button. This will be a lot easier than having to enter a password every time you want to access your phone, or buy an app, but I doubt Big Brother conspiracy theorists will be big fans.

Apple's low-cost iPhone will feature "a 4-inch screen, like the iPhone 5, a bottom like the latest iPod touch, and a shape that’s most similar to the iPod classic," according to iLounge's Jeremy Horwitz. The phone will be comprised mostly of plastic like a previous rumor suggested, and it will feature the same sensor, camera, and button arrangement as the iPhone 5. The low-cost iPhone 5 will also sport a Gorilla Glass screen, "pill-shaped" volume buttons, and Lightning port.

Here's Horwitz's description of the new phone:

"Apple’s budget housing looks closest to the iPod classic in shape, though not in materials. Unlike the plastic iPhone 3G/3GS, which featured soft curves on all sides, the budget iPhone’s curves start and end at flat surfaces, so each side and the back are flat..."

The always reliable Jeremy Horwitz of iLounge has debunked some of the rumors we covered in our first 2013 rumor roundup. Apple is currently developing three iPhones, but that does not mean we will see all three in 2013. U.S. Apple fans will be getting an iPhone 5S this year. It will look like the iPhone 5 and feature a "larger rear flash," according to Horwitz. Apple is also developing a low-cost” plastic-bodied iPhone for China Mobile's 700 million subscribers. It''s unclear if the more affordable iPhone will ever make its way to the U.S..

As for my favorite recent Apple rumor, the iPhone Math is most likely the iPhone+. It's another new model in early prototyping stages which probably won't be released this year, if at all.

"Consider it Apple’s 'just in case / Plan B' hedge against ever-growing Android phone screen sizes," explained Horwitz.

Horwitz did not address the unnamed iPhone with a 12MP camera, which also came from the iPhone Math camp, but it could just be the iPhone 5S.