Info: The Apple iPhone 5 vs the Apple iPhone 5C

The new Apple iPhone 5C is supposed to be the “affordable” smart phone from Apple. My only doubt here is whether Apple has changed anything at all apart from making the body out of plastic and introducing 4 new colors (green, blue, yellow and red). One of the easiest ways of finding out is to compare it with its predecessor, the Apple iPhone 5. The Apple iPhone 5S is now Apple’s flagship smart phone. So where does this leave the Apple iPhone 5 and Apple iPhone 5C? Which one is the better smart phone? Which one deserves the number two spot on Apple’s list? Read on to find out...

Phone	Apple iPhone 5	Apple iPhone 5C
Image
Operating System	iOS 7	iOS 7
Processor	Dual Core, 1300 MHz, Apple Swift	Dual Core, 1300 MHz, Apple Swift
System Chip	Apple A6	Apple A6
System Memory	1 GB	1 GB
Graphics Processor	PowerVR SGX543MP3	PowerVR SGX543MP3
Display	4.0” IPS LCD	4.0” IPS LCD
Screen Resolution	1,136 x 640	1,136 x 640
Pixel Density	326 ppi	326 ppi
Storage	16 / 32 / 64 GB Internal memory	16 / 32 GB Internal memory
Primary Camera	8 MP	8 MP
Flash	LED	LED
Secondary Camera	1.2 MP	1.2 MP
WiFi	WiFi 802.11 a / b / g / n / n 5GHz	WiFi 802.11 a / b / g / n / n 5GHz
Bluetooth	4.0	4.0
Battery	1,440 mAh	1,510 mAh
Weight	112 g	132 g
Dimensions	123.8 x 58.6 x 7.60 mm	124.4 x 59.2 x 8.97 mm
Announced	12th September 2012	10th September 2013

Size and weight

There is very little between both these smart phones when it comes to size. The iPhone 5 measures 123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6 mm while the iPhone 5C measures 124.4 x 59.2 x 8.97 mm. It seems the plastic body has made the new iPhone 5C bulkier. The plastic body seems to have affected the weight of the iPhone 5C as well which weighs 132 g as compared to the older iPhone 5 which weighs just 112 g. It is obvious that Apple has made certain cutbacks in the iPhone 5C and these cutbacks have made the smart phone lose the traditional Apple build and quality.

This point goes to the iPhone 5 for being smaller, thinner and lighter.

(Apple iPhone 5 - One / Apple iPhone 5C - Zero)


Display

In terms of display, you can’t really differentiate between both these smart phones at all. Both smart phones come with a 4.0” IPS LCD touch screen. Both smart phones also have a pixel density of 326 ppi. The maximum resolution on both smart phones is the same at 1,136 x 640 as well. So how do you determine which smart phone has a better display between these two. It seems Apple has chosen to leave that question unanswered.

This point is a draw.

(Apple iPhone 5 - One / Apple iPhone 5C - Zero)


Memory & Storage

In terms of memory, neither of these smart phones deserve to be considered a high end smart phone. Both come with 1 GB of RAM which, quite honestly, is disappointing today. I get that Apple is trying to enter the mid-level market with the iPhone 5C, but how they expect people to buy their smart phones if they have just 1 GB of RAM. It just doesn’t work for me. In terms of storage, both smart phones lack external storage, maybe Apple believes that its customers don’t need more than 64 GB of storage on their smart phones ever. The iPhone 5 is available with 16, 32 or 64 GB of internal storage while the iPhone 5C comes with 16 or 32 GB of internal storage. I think it would be unfair to award this point to the iPhone 5 just because it has an additional 64 GB version or because its RAM clocks at 1066 MHz.

I am extremely disappointed with both smart phones and this point is going to be another draw.

(Apple iPhone 5 - One / Apple iPhone 5C - Zero)


Camera

At first glance, it appears both these smart phones have the same camera on the back and on the front. While you can’t really say for sure, from the information available, both cameras appear to be exactly the same. Both smart phones come with an 8 MP camera on the back and a 1.2 MP camera on the front. Both smart phone allow video recording at 1080p and can also be used to record videos through the front camera at 720p. Both smart phones also come with a host of features like digital image stabilization, HDR, face detection, etc. So, which smart phone is better as far as the camera is concerned?

Neither, this one is another draw.

(Apple iPhone 5 - One / Apple iPhone 5C - Zero)


OS & Performance

The only difference when it comes to the operating system in both these smart phones is that the iPhone 5C comes with iOS 7 while the iPhone 5 needs to be updated to iOS 7. But at the end of the day, both smart phones have iOS 7 which means it would be unfair to award this point to either. Since Apple is trying to enter the mid level smart phone market, you would have expected them to at least try something new with the iPhone 5C. But that isn’t the case. They have just used everything from the iPhone 5 on the iPhone 5C. Both smart phones have the Apple A6 chip and Dual core, 1300 MHz, Apple Swift processor. In terms of graphics, both smart phones have a PowerVR SGX543MP3 processor.

It looks like this point is going to be a draw as well.

(Apple iPhone 5 - One / Apple iPhone 5C - Zero)


Battery

At least Apple has put in some effort when it comes to the battery in the iPhone 5C. It comes with a 1,507 mAh battery which offers a standby time of 10.4 days. This is a small improvement from the 1,440 mAh battery on the iPhone 5 which offers a standby time of 9.4 days. This is definitely not the improvement Apple loyalists were looking for when it comes to battery life. But I’m guessing Apple users are used to having to constantly charge their smart phones by now, aren’t they?

The iPhone 5C doesn’t make a strong enough case to win this point. It’s another draw.

(Apple iPhone 5 - One / Apple iPhone 5C - Zero)


Price

The 16 GB iPhone 5 can be picked up (free of contract) for $ 650 while you will have to spend $ 549 if you want to buy the 16 GB iPhone 5C (free of contract). While the iPhone 5C is priced quite effectively for a high end smart phone, I highly doubt it will do too well in the mid level market. It's priced a little too high for the mid level customer. Then again, they haven’t really changed too much in the iPhone 5C either have they? You could even consider it a cheaper iPhone 5.

This point goes to the iPhone 5C.

(Apple iPhone 5 - One / Apple iPhone 5C - One)


Conclusion

The final score reads 1 point each. And if you are honest with yourself, you will admit that the Apple iPhone 5C is not a great mid level concept. Effectively, they have taken the Apple iPhone 5, reduced its build quality, introduced more colors and lowered its price to give you the Apple iPhone 5C. It really can’t be considered a mid level smart phone in any way especially from the point of view of price. Honestly, I don't see too many takers for the iPhone 5C unless you want to be the proud owner of a colorful iPhone 5 with poor build quality.


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