Photo

Hideyuki Togashi, 39, shows off Apple's iPhone 5 after he bought at a store in Tokyo Friday morning, Sept. 21, 2012. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)

Regular Photo Size

More Featured Content

4 Americans killed since 2009 by drones

Attorney General Eric Holder says four American citizens have …

UK official: London attack could be terror-related

London attack is possible terror act

British Prime Minister David Cameron says there are "strong …

Twinkle's Kitchen | Burgers 101

Nothing really defines the first cookout of the year than a …

IRS official Lerner: I did nothing wrong

IRS official: I did nothing wrong

The Internal Revenue Service official at the center of the …

FBI: Man fatally shot in Boston bombing probe

FBI: Man fatally shot in Boston probe

Law enforcement officials say a man was shot while he was being…

Report: Apple may build less expensive iPhone

WSJ: Could come out as early as this year

Updated: Wednesday, 09 Jan 2013, 2:10 PM EST
Published : Wednesday, 09 Jan 2013, 2:10 PM EST

NEW YORK (AP) — A published report says Apple may introduce a cheaper iPhone in an effort to reclaim some of the sales that the company has been losing to less expensive handsets running on Google's Android software.

Wednesday's story in The Wall Street Journal speculates that Apple could lower the iPhone's price by equipping the device with an exterior that costs less the aluminum housing on current models.

The cheaper iPhone could come out as early as this year, or the idea could be scrapped, as has previously happened. The Journal cites unnamed people briefed on the matter.

Apple Inc., which is based in Cupertino, Calif., declined to comment.

Prices for the latest iPhones without a wireless contract currently start at $649. Apple, though, already sells older models at discounts