Purported images of budget iPhone 5 for China surface

A plastic budget iPhone is quickly becoming the stuff of myths, yet it is as persistent as ever, surfacing despite Apple's Phil Schiller's insistence that such a device will never happen. The rumors have reached a new level, with the folks over at iLounge publishing what are purported to be leaked images of a budget iPhone 5 made of plastic and destined for China.

The budget iPhone 5 rumors have stated that such a device would be constructed from plastic and would cost less than its higher-end counterpart. Such is said of the device pictured, which is supposed to be of a plastic iPhone created for China, where such a device would be well received (as it would elsewhere). The handset is said to resemble a smorgasbord of other Apple devices.

The alleged budget iPhone is said to be slightly larger than the iPhone 5 by about half a millimeter in height and width. While the device looks like the iPhone 5 in one image, it is said to actually resemble the iPhone 5, the classic iPod, and the 5th gen iPod Touch mixed together. The device has a 4-inch display, the bottom is said to be like that of the iPod Touch, and its overall design is said to be close to the iPod classic.

The resolution is said to be 1,136 x 640, with the Gorilla Glass display being elevated a tad from the rest of the face similar to the iPhone 3G and 3GS. The rest of the body is said to be made from plastic. Aside from the design, little else about the handset is specified. The information is said to come from "reliable sources," but as with all rumors, take this with a healthy dose of skepticism.

[via iLounge]