iPhone 5c Review: Specs, Features, and Performance

iPhone 5c

Definition: The iPhone 5c is a mid-range smartphone developed and marketed by Apple Inc., released on September 20, 2013, alongside the flagship iPhone 5s. Positioned as a colorful, affordable alternative to the premium iPhone 5s, the “c” in its name stands for “color”—a key selling point highlighted by its plastic polycarbonate shell available in five vibrant hues. It retained the internal hardware of the iPhone 5 (released in 2012) while introducing a more playful, durable design targeted at casual users, first-time smartphone buyers, and younger demographics.

Core Technical Specifications

Component	Details
Display	4.0-inch Retina Display, 1136 × 640 resolution (326 PPI), IPS LCD, 16:9 aspect ratio, oleophobic coating to resist fingerprints
Processor	Apple A6 chip (dual-core 1.3 GHz ARM Cortex-A9, 32 nm fabrication process), PowerVR SGX543MP3 GPU
Memory & Storage	1 GB LPDDR2 RAM; 8 GB/16 GB/32 GB non-expandable internal storage (no microSD card slot)
Camera	Rear Camera: 8 MP iSight camera, f/2.4 aperture, 1080p HD video recording (30 fps), LED flash, autofocus, face detectionFront Camera: 1.2 MP FaceTime HD camera, 720p video recording (30 fps)
Battery	Non-removable lithium-ion battery (1510 mAh); up to 10 hours of talk time, 8 hours of internet use, 250 hours of standby time
Connectivity	4G LTE (up to 100 Mbps), 3G HSPA+, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n (2.4 GHz/5 GHz), Bluetooth 4.0, GPS/GLONASS, Lightning port (for charging and data transfer)
Operating System	Initially shipped with iOS 7 (the first iOS version with a flat, minimalist design); upgradable up to iOS 10.3.4 (final update released in July 2019, dropped support for iOS 11 and later due to hardware limitations)
Design & Dimensions	Hard-coated polycarbonate unibody shell (available in white, pink, yellow, blue, green); aluminum frame; 124.4 × 59.2 × 8.97 mm; weight 132 g
Sensors	Accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, digital compass
Other Features	Dual-microphone noise cancellation, 3.5 mm headphone jack, Siri support, Apple Pay (not supported—lack of Touch ID sensor), water-resistant coating (not IP-rated)

Key Design Features & Selling Points

Vibrant Polycarbonate UnibodyUnlike the aluminum unibody of the iPhone 5 and 5s, the iPhone 5c used a hard-coated polycarbonate shell—a durable, lightweight plastic that came in five bright colors (white, pink, yellow, blue, green). The plastic shell was reinforced with a steel frame to maintain structural integrity, and its glossy finish added a playful aesthetic distinct from Apple’s traditional minimalist design.
Retained iPhone 5 Internal HardwareThe iPhone 5c shared the same Apple A6 chip, 4-inch Retina Display, and camera system as the iPhone 5. This meant it delivered identical performance to the 2012 flagship, including smooth multitasking, 1080p video recording, and support for iOS 7’s new features (e.g., Control Center, AirDrop, and the redesigned App Store).
Affordable Price PointAt launch, the iPhone 5c was priced lower than the iPhone 5s: the 16 GB model started at $99 (with a two-year carrier contract in the U.S.), compared to the iPhone 5s’s $199 starting price. This made it Apple’s most accessible smartphone at the time, aimed at capturing market share in emerging markets and budget-conscious segments.
iOS Ecosystem IntegrationLike all iPhones, the 5c integrated seamlessly with Apple’s ecosystem, including iCloud, iTunes, App Store, and services like FaceTime and iMessage. It supported AirDrop for wireless file sharing with other iOS devices and Macs, and its Retina Display offered sharp text and graphics for apps and media.

Limitations & Criticisms

No Touch ID SensorUnlike the iPhone 5s (which introduced Apple’s Touch ID fingerprint scanner), the iPhone 5c lacked biometric authentication. Users had to unlock the device with a passcode, and it did not support Apple Pay when the service launched in 2014.
Non-expandable StorageThe iPhone 5c did not include a microSD card slot, forcing users to choose their storage capacity (8 GB/16 GB/32 GB) at purchase. The 8 GB model, in particular, was criticized for its limited space (after iOS installation, only ~4 GB of free storage remained for apps and media).
No Hardware Upgrades Over iPhone 5Many reviewers noted that the iPhone 5c was essentially a rebranded iPhone 5 with a colorful plastic shell, rather than a new device with upgraded specs. This led to criticism that Apple was not offering meaningful innovation in its mid-range segment.
Limited Software SupportThe iPhone 5c was only compatible with iOS versions up to iOS 10.3.4. Apple discontinued software updates in 2019, as the A6 chip could not support the performance demands of iOS 11 and later (which introduced features like ARKit and a redesigned App Store).

Release & Market Performance

Launch Date: September 20, 2013 (available in 10 countries at launch, including the U.S., UK, and China).
Initial Reception: Mixed reviews—praised for its colorful design and affordability, but criticized for its lack of hardware upgrades over the iPhone 5.
Market Impact: The iPhone 5c sold well in emerging markets and among younger users, but it did not meet Apple’s sales expectations. It was discontinued in September 2015, replaced by the iPhone SE (2016), which offered more powerful hardware at a similar budget price point.

Legacy

The iPhone 5c marked Apple’s first deliberate attempt to target the mid-range smartphone market with a colorful, affordable device—departing from its premium, monochrome design language. While it was not a groundbreaking product, it paved the way for future budget-friendly iPhones like the iPhone SE series, which combined high-end performance with lower price points. The iPhone 5c is also remembered for its iconic colorful design, which stood out in a market dominated by black and white smartphones in the early 2010s.