According to information from manufacturers, Apple is planning to build a new cheaper iPhone for China and other emerging markets in the second half of 2013. Some sources even say that they have seen a sample of the new cheaper iPhone, which will have a larger screen, adopting the new trend of the 5 "monitors in high-end models. Also add that the new cheaper iPhone will have completely different design. Growing sales iPad mini, especially in China and other less "developed" markets may have prompted Apple to consider the possibility of developing a cheaper iPhone to repeat the undeniable success of iPad mini and penetration of the market.

Also, some sources say that the new Snapdragon chipsets of Qualcomm, including the dual-core MSM8960 and the quad-core APQ8064, perhaps above helped to Apple at the thought of building this new iPhone. Finally, some other sources disclose that Apple is also planning a collaboration with China Mobile to launch a TD-version of the iPhone in order to consolidate further in the Chinese market.