(Image Source: Apple ) BY SHANLEY REYNOLDS ANCHOR ZACH TOOMBS This might not come as a huge shock, but a new iPhone will be coming out fairly soon. Fox Business reports there might be a cheaper alternative accompanying this newest iteration. “A report on Digitimes says Apple may release a low-cost iPhone for China and other emerging markets in the last half of this year.” In that report, Digitimes says some unnamed “supply-chain sources” “...claimed that they have seen the sample of the low-cost iPhone, which will come with a larger display, meeting the prevailing trend for the adoption of 5-inch displays for high-end models. They added that the low-priced iPhone will also have a brand new exterior design.” Forbes says even though there have been rumors about a cheaper iPhone for a while, it makes more since this time due to the strong sales of the less expensive iPad Mini... “Like the mini iPad, a cheaper iPhone might simply be a strategy Apple undertakes to protect its operating system. The more people use iOS, the more attractive it is for app developers to code for it. The more apps iOS has, the more attractive the devices are to users.” (Video Source: Apple )   Mac Observer notes that although Apple has been very hesitant to release cheaper versions of their phones, this rumor might have some weight because... “The launch of Qualcomm’s new low- and mid-range Snapdragon chipsets also give Apple a way to provide acceptable performance in a future iPhone without sacrificing the company’s margins.” However, PC Magazine says to take the Digitimes’ report with a grain of salt because most other rumors regarding low cost iPhones say it will be smaller than the current iPhone, while Digitimes claims it will have a larger 5-inch screen. “A larger screen would be more fitting for a higher-end version of the device since such a component would likely make the phone more expensive to produce.”