Following a plethora of rumors that Apple is planning a gold color option for their upcoming iPhone 5S, AllThingsD – among the more reputable Apple reporting sources – has confirmed the rumors. Claims of a gold iPhone first surfaced back in June, based on some limited part leaks, suggesting the color will be more subtle, and not a gaudy, rich gold color.
John Paczkowski, reporting for AllThingsD:
Apple is adding a new color to the iPhone color palette and, yes, it is indeed gold.
Sources in a position to know tell AllThingsD that Apple, after years of offering the iPhone in either black and white, will soon offer it in a gold tone, as well. Apple-news siteiMore was first to break the news last Friday, its story corroborated in short order byTechCrunch on Sunday, along with 9to5Mac.
The new color option was described to AllThingsD as an “elegant” gold tone. “Think champagne, not ingot,” a source said, confirming what not seems to be some spot-on speculation from iMore last week. Sources say that the gold iPhone will feature a white face, with a gold-tone back plate and chamfered edging.
More recently, well-sourced analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, iMore editor in chief Rene Ritchie, 9to5Mac reporter Mark Gurman, and MG Seigler of TechCrunch have added additional weight to the idea. And all this is in addition to the leaked components that have already surfaced showing shat such a device would look like.
As for the reason – apparently (according to iMore), gold is one of the easiest colors to anodize onto aluminum, and is also one of the most popular aftermarket color treatment and case options for current iPhones. In reality, it’s more a question of “why not”. Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 5S, and a cheaper plastic-backed iPhone 5C at a media event on September 10th.
