Rumors of a low-cost Apple iPhone model have been floating around for years, and today we've got a new report to add to the list. The Wall Street Journal just sent out a tweet claiming that Apple is currently prepping a "less-expensive iPhone" that could launch as soon as late 2013. One source claims that the cheaper iPhone could look like the regular model but would be made of a lower-cost body, such as one made of polycarbonate plastic. A tipster goes on to say that while the plan for a cheaper iPhone has been floating around Apple for a while, it's been making progress through the company and may finally see the light of day. However, the report goes on to caution that it's possible that Apple could always opt to stop work on it.

Traditionally when Apple introduces a new iPhone model, it knocks $100 or so off of the price of the last version and makes it the low-cost iPhone. The company has also kept a third model around to offer as a free device in recent years, with the iPhone 3GS taking that spot in 2011 and the iPhone 4 earning the $0 price tag last year. While much of the information surrounding this purported low-cost iPhone is still a mystery, it could be a way for Apple to offer a more up-to-date model in a cheaper package. Now we just have to wait and see whether 2013 will finally be the year of the less-expensive iPhone model or if we just end up with a cheap 4S.

Via @WSJ, The Wall Street Journal