Simply put, the iPhone 5 was a world-class smartphone, and the iPhone 5c carries on the tradition with the same excellent processor, camera and display. It also offers subtle improvements, such as a new FaceTime camera that's said to perform better in low-light situations, and in some cases -- such as with the Sprint model -- support for a wide array of LTE bands. That said, if you commonly play music through your phone's built-in speaker, be sure to compare the iPhone 5c to the iPhone 5s in the store before you make a purchasing decision. Needless to say, the smaller speaker grille on the iPhone 5c suggests that you might find a noticeable difference in audio quality between the two phones.
Whether you feel the more expensive iPhone 5s is worth the additional cost is a very personal decision that's dictated by your needs and budget. Yes, Apple's new premiere smartphone promises faster performance and better imaging quality, but if you're just a casual gamer or photographer, the iPhone 5c is certainly a suitable choice.
The “C” in this case refers to color (a surprise to few, as this was predicted by blogs and media sources for weeks). The new iPhone 5C shells shined onscreen at the press conference like an LED rainbow. Consumers can choose from bright green, white, blue, red, and yellow, plus purchase a custom contrast-colored case with a grid of 42 circles cut out off the back (think a sheet of candy buttons) to make the colors pop even more. The color also extends inside the phone: the screen’s wallpaper will match the phone’s external hue.
Rainbow tones aside, the iPhone 5C has a few other key features. It is made with a polycarbonate shell, which means it is “beautifully, unapologetically plastic,” as Apple design chief Jony Ive introduced it at the conference. Internally, it is reinforced with steel.
"You are going to be blown away by how rigid and great it feels in your hand,” Apple senior vice president Phil Shiller added. Apple also played a video of its manufacturing process, emphasizing its extensive design, despite its cheaper materials.
The iPhone 5C also comes standard with iOS 7 (the new operating system from Apple) and has an A6 processor, 8 megapixel camera, and a 4-inch retina display.
Some also predicted the “C” could stand for cheap. They were right (sort of).
Pricing: $99 (16GB), $199 (32GB) on-contract; $549 (16GB), $649 (32GB) unlocked
The iPhone 5C will start at $99 with a two-year contract, but without a contract the phone starts at $549. The dotted case is an extra $39. This puts the phone more in the middle price range of smart phones, rather than the low end, as many hoped. It is, however, a bit cheaper than other new evolutions of the phone: the iPhone 5 started at $199 when it was released in 2012. It will be available for pre-order on Sept. 13 and in stores on Sept. 20.
Many believe Apple is offering a cheaper phone in hopes of breaking into emerging markets, such as smart phone-obsessed China, where Apple will be holding a press conference Wednesday.
The 5C was announced alongside the new generation iPhone 5S and the official introduction of iOS 7. Will the vibrant colors, mid-range price and new operating system prove a game changer? We'll have to wait and "C".
The bottom line: The iPhone 5c brings the excellent features of the iPhone 5 to a lower price point, along with a number of vibrant enclosures.
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