Apple’s iPhone 5c was announced at a special event in Cupertino, CA on September 10th, 2013, alongside the iPhone 5s. Intended to be a perfect mix of value and function, the iPhone 5c is offered in five different colors, at a price of just $99 with a new 2-year contract agreement. It will ship with iOS 7, the biggest change to iOS since the first iPhone. The Apple Store along with select wireless carriers will start accepting pre-orders on September 13th, 2013 at 12:00 PST (2:00 CST, 3:00 EST). Those who pre-order can expect to receive their new device on Friday, September 20th, which is also the on-sale date.
Should I buy a cheap iPhone?
There were numerous rumors before the launch of the iPhone 5c that it was going to be Apple’s cheap iPhone. True to form, Apple doesn’t do cheap. What they have done is reduced costs by using a polycarbonate shell, which is a fancy word for plastic. What’s inside the iPhone 5c is virtually the same as the iPhone 5, which we absolutely loved. If you are considering buying the iPhone 5c, don’t get caught up in the talk of it being cheap. It’s low cost, but extremely capable. It features an A6 processor, 4-inch retina display and the 8-megapixel iSight camera than can produce amazing photos.
Choose From 5 Vibrant Colors
The one-piece polycarbonate back housing is available in five colors. Pink, Blue, White, Yellow and Green.
Storage Options and Price
The entry level model, priced at $99, starts with 16GB of storage. You can double the storage to 32GB for $100. If you require additional storage, you’ll want to consider the iPhone 5s, which has a 64GB option available.
Carriers
In the U.S., the iPhone 5c is available through all major carriers including AT&T, Sprint and Verizon. Check with your local carrier or ask in our forums regarding specific questions regarding plans and which plan might be best for you. During the life of a cellphone plan, which is typically two years, part of your costs are to cover the subsidy you receive when you purchase a phone at a discounted price. Smart buyers will want to maximize their subsidy. If you are out of contract, but have plans to stick with a carrier, I’d encourage you to get a new phone. T-Mobile also offers the new model, but they have significantly different pricing. They offer contract-free deals, but you must pay for the phone in monthly installments. A down-payment is also required.
Unlocked iPhone 5c Pricing
Apple has the unlocked iPhone 5c for pre-order starting on September 13th, with the release date set for Friday, September 20th.
- 16GB: $549
- 32GB: $649
These prices are contract-free, but they do require you have wireless service for data/calls. If you don’t like the hassle of being locked into a contract, these are a good option. Note: They will work on T-Mobile and AT&T in the U.S.
Demo Video
Free Premium Apple Apps
With purchase of a new iOS device, Apple will now offer Pages, Numbers, Keynote, iPhoto and iMovie for free.
New Accessories
Apple has created a case specifically for the iPhone 5c. Available in a number of different colors, they can be used to create your ideal color combination. The cases are silicone with circular cutouts and are priced at $29. Unless you love the look, we’d suggest you wait for third-party cases to become available.
Resources
If you need help with anything related to the iPhone 5c, our community of experts can offer you free help and advice. Membership is completely free. As a member, we remove all ads and you can take us on the go with the free Forums for iPhone app, available in the App Store.
iPhone 5c FAQ
Does it come in black?
No. Since Apple is marketing this as ‘colorful’, they opted to stick with lighter colors.
Does it have Apple’s new Touch ID fingerprint scanner?
No, that’s a major feature of the more expensive iPhone 5s. The iPhone 5c features the traditional home button.
Should I buy the iPhone 5 or the iPhone 5c?
At this time, we’ve yet to review the iPhone 5c, so won’t be able to an assessment based on usage. In looking at the specifications, these are largely the same phone and will offer you an equally good experience. I’d recommend reading our iPhone 5 review to get a better understanding of what you’re getting when purchasing the iPhone 5c. The biggest difference being the aluminum body of the iPhone 5, which is lighter and some would argue, more attractive.