iPhone 5c review

A Colorful Shell Borrows From the Past — iPhone 5c

The iPhone 5c is the first iPhone to come in a bright plastic body. Available in white, blue, pink, green, and yellow, the glossy polycarbonate shell is meant to recall Apple’s earlier cheerful iMacs and iBooks. Each color also comes with matching wallpaper and home screen, which is a nice touch for people who want a complete look.

However, the glossy finish can attract fingerprints and makes the phone feel slippery in the hand. You might find yourself gripping it a little tighter or noticing it slide across a smooth desk. The phone is slightly thicker and heavier than the iPhone 5 it replaces, but not enough to bother most users. Inside, a steel frame adds structural support and also acts as the antenna. The overall build feels solid despite being plastic, much more strong than something like a Galaxy S4. That said, some used examples may show shell scratches or discoloration over time.

The 5c is not meant for people who already own an iPhone 5 or 5s. It is designed for new iPhone owners, especially those coming from an iPhone 4 or 4S. The bright colors and lower price make it a strong entry point for people who want a modern smartphone without paying for the highest-end features. You can also explore many other options in our full collection of phone reviews.

Same Guts, Same Apple A6 Chip — iPhone 5c

What this means for iPhone 5c

Inside the colorful shell, the iPhone 5c uses the same Apple A6 chip found in the iPhone 5. That means performance is identical to last year’s model, which was already quite fast for its time. Apps open quickly, scrolling feels smooth, and gaming is still solid. There is no Touch ID here, which separates it from the 5s, and storage ranges from 8GB to 32GB. Apple does not officially state the amount of RAM, but it runs iOS well.

The 8-megapixel main camera takes strong photos in daylight, and video playback can last up to 10 hours on a full charge. Charging is done with the included 5W wired charger, which is slow by today’s standards. The phone has no official water resistance rating, and there is no IP certification. Cell reception is actually reported to be stronger than the original iPhone 5, which is a nice improvement.

The 5c does not bring any major new hardware features beyond the new case, so if you already own an iPhone 5, there is little reason to upgrade. But for someone switching from an older Android or BlackBerry phone, the 5c is a great introduction to Apple’s app platform at a reasonable price.

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A Display That’s Sharp but Feeling Small — iPhone 5c

The 4.0-inch Retina LCD display is the same one used in the iPhone 5. It has strong sharpness and decent colors, but in 2013 it was already starting to feel small compared to rivals like the Samsung Galaxy S4 or LG G2. The screen is not high refresh rate; it runs at 60Hz. For people coming from an iPhone 4 or 4S, the taller 4-inch screen is still a welcome upgrade, offering more screen real estate without making the phone too large.

If you are used to larger modern phones, you might find the 5c's display cramped for browsing the web or watching videos. The phone was never about pushing the screen size forward; it was about offering a familiar experience in a bright package. The display is also recessed into the plastic body, which helps protect it from scratches, but it does add a bit of a lip around the edges.

Overall, the iPhone 5c is a solid, colorful phone for first-time iPhone buyers or anyone upgrading from an older model. The glossy plastic can be a love-it-or-hate-it choice, but the performance and ecosystem are proven. It is a fun phone that does not try to be anything more than a strong entry-level iOS device. Just keep in mind that there are no shocking new features, and the screen size may feel dated to some users.

A Simple Camera and Solid Battery Life — iPhone 5c

The 5c keeps an 8-megapixel main camera that handles everyday shots well, especially in daylight. While it lacks the advanced sensor of the 5s, it captures pleasing colors and acceptable detail for social sharing. The phone’s video playback time can last up to 10 hours, which is decent for a device of this era. Recharging relies on a 5W wired charger, so topping up takes longer than modern fast-charging standards. There is no official water resistance rating, so careful use around moisture is wise.

Overall, the camera and battery deliver consistent, reliable performance rather than anything groundbreaking—exactly what you’d expect from a phone built on proven iPhone 5 hardware.

iOS 7 Brings a Fresh Look and Feel — iPhone 5c

The 5c launched with iOS 7, which introduced a much brighter, flatter design that suited the phone’s colorful personality. The software ran smoothly on the Apple A6 chip, and the 4.0-inch Retina LCD display handled the new interface well. Apple’s app ecosystem remained a strong draw, offering a vast library of high-quality software. However, the 5c did not include Touch ID—that was reserved for the 5s, which launched alongside it. This means enable the phone depends on the classic passcode method.

For buyers used to older iPhones, iOS 7 felt like a significant step forward, but the software experience here is familiar to anyone who has used an iPhone 5.

Is the iPhone 5c right for you?

In 2013, Apple changed its strategy with the iPhone 5c. Instead of quietly discounting the previous year’s model, the company repackaged the iPhone 5’s internals inside a glossy polycarbonate shell available in white, blue, pink, green, or yellow. The result is a phone that feels sturdy and looks cheerful, though the smooth finish can be slippery to hold. It is slightly thicker and heavier than the 5s and lacks the premium materials of that flagship.

What the 5c does well is serve as an excellent entry point for people coming from an iPhone 4 or 4S. The 4.0-inch screen remains sharp but has not grown with the competition, so it may feel small to current smartphone users. The phone also demonstrated stronger RF reception than the iPhone 5, a welcome improvement. If you want to see how it stacks up against other models, our phone finder tool can help you compare options.

For a direct look at how the 5c differs from its more advanced sibling, check out our side-by-side comparison.