Apple currently offers three models of the iPhone, the older iPhone 4S, and the iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S, so what is the difference between iPhone 5C and 5S.
The main difference between iPhone 5C and the 5S is the price, the iPhone 5C retails for $549 in the US unlocked or $99, with a new two year contract with the major carriers, where as the iPhone 5S retails for $649 without a contract or $199 with a contract.
Both handsets share similar specifications, although the iPhone 5S has Apple’s latest hardware inside. The design of the two devices is different and they are made from different materials.
Design – iPhone 5c vs iPhone 5C
The iPhone 5C features a plastic casing, the handset is available in a range of bright colors, which include white, yellow, pink, green and blue.
The iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S share similar dimensions, although the iPhone 5C is slightly larger and heavier than the iPhone 5S, the handset measures 4.9 inches tall by 2.33 inches wide by 0.35 inches thick, the device weighs in at 132 grams.
The iPhone 5S is thinner and lighter than the iPhone 5C, the handset measures 4.97 inches tall, 2.31 inches wide and 0.3 inches thick, it weighs in at 112 grams.
The iPhone 5S features a case made from higher quality materials, the device feature an aluminum casing which is available in three different colors, gold, silver and space grey.
Display, Processor And More – iPhone 5c vs iPhone 5S
The iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S share some of the same hardware specifications, although the iPhone 5S has higher end hardware components in terms of the processor and more.
Both the iPhone 5S and 5S are equipped with the same 4 inch iPhone Retina display that has a resolution of 1136 x 640 pixels at 326 pixels per inch.
Where the two devices differ is the processor, the iPhone 5C features an Apple A6 processor, the iPhone 5S features Apple’s A7 processor, which is a 64-bit mobile processor, it also comes with the Apple M7 motion coprocessor.
The iPhone 5S is the first of Apple’s new devices to come with TouchID, this is a feature that lets you unlock your device by placing your finger on the home button of the handset, the home button then scans your fingerprint and unlocks you device, TouchID is not available on the iPhone 5C.
Camera – iPhone 5c vs iPhone 5S
Both the iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S feature an 8 megapixel Apple iSight camera, although the iPhone 5S version is an advanced camera that comes with some extra features.
The iPhone 5S camera is an 8 megapixel camera with 1.5µ pixels with an ƒ/2.2 aperture, it also comes with extra feature like auto image stabilization and a burst mode, this camera comes with an improved flash over the iPhone 5C which Apple calls the True Tone Flash, the camera has the ability to record slow motion video.
The iPhone 5C camera is an 8 megapixel Apple iSight camera with an f/2.4 aperture, it features an LED flash, and both handsets feature the same 1.2 megapixel Apple FaceTime camera up front.
Another difference between iPhone 5C and 5S is the storage options that are available, the iPhone 5C comes with a choice of other 16GB or 32GB of built in storage, where as the iPhone 5S comes with three storage options, 16GB, 32GB and 64GB.
Software – iPhone 5C vs iPhone 5S
Both the iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S come with the same software, Apple iOS 7, which come with the same features like Apple’s voice activated assistant Siri, they also come with FaceTime for video chat and a range of Apple apps pre-installed.
The main software difference between the iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S is the new TouchID software which we mentioned earlier, this is a useful feature that adds an extra layer of security to your handset, it also makes the device easier to unlock, as you do not need to enter a passcode to unlock your device.
Conclusion
Both the iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S share similar specifications and features, the handsets have the same software, same display, the iPhone 5S comes with a faster processor, improved camera and a built in fingerprint scanner.
The two devices retail for almost the same, the iPhone 5S is $100 more than the iPhone 5C, so if you can afford the extra $100, then the iPhone 5S would be my choice out of the two smartphones.
The iPhone 5S has been replaced by the iPhone SE, have a look at our comparison of the iPhone 5S vs iPhone SE.
Source Apple
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