Current tech news articles are abuzz with the impending announcement from Apple about the release of the newest version of the hugely popular iPhone. The most surprising thing about the announcement?

Apple is actually announcing two new phones.

The natural progression of the iPhone will be the iPhone 5S, with an upgraded camera flash and various other system improvements. This release will coincide with the much-anticipated arrival of Apple’s new operating system upgrade, iOS 7. News and speculation about the new iOS has been making the rounds on science and tech news sites ever since its unveiling at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference this past summer in San Francisco.

But until now, the rumblings about a second, concurrent iPhone release were just vague rumors. But it’s really happening. Apple will be releasing a cheaper, mid-tier version of the iPhone, primarily for sale in struggling overseas markets. The iPhone 5C will sport a plastic case (instead of Apple’s now-trademark aluminum) that can be bought in a variety of colors.

While critics may see Apple’s introduction of a mid-tier product as a selling-out of sorts, it’s important to note that the event does have some precedence. The iPad Mini was, in fact, introduced as a mid-tier product, meant to provide a slightly more affordable alternative to the full-sized iPad. This move was a response to the ever-growing competition in the tablet market. Likewise, Apple’s iPhone 5C is a response to an overseas market saturation of low-priced Android phones, particularly in China.

The only certainty is that the announcement is sure to cause a stir no matter the rumors, speculations, and current tech news videos. With a company as big as Apple, the scrutiny is nothing new.