Apple iPhone 5c

The Legacy of the Apple iPhone 5c: A Look Back at a Discontinued Classic

In the fast-paced world of technology, it's easy for new releases to overshadow their predecessors. But for Apple, every product has its own special place in history. And one such product that deserves a closer look is the iPhone 5c – a colorful, plastic-clad device that may have been discontinued, but its impact still lingers on.

In September of 2013, Apple announced the launch of the iPhone 5c. It was a departure from their usual premium aluminum design, with a colorful polycarbonate body and a more affordable price tag. The device was released just ten days after its announcement, on September 20, and became an instant hit.

But despite its popularity, the iPhone 5c was ultimately discontinued in September of 2015, after the release of the iPhone 6. However, its legacy lives on, and here's why.

A Refreshing Change in Design

The iPhone 5c may have been criticized for its plastic build, but it showed Apple's willingness to experiment and cater to a different market segment. Its five bright, playful colors – white, blue, green, yellow, and pink – were a refreshing change from the usual black and white options.

The device also had a 4-inch IPS LCD display, making it smaller and more compact compared to the iPhone 5 and 5s. This made it a popular choice among those who preferred a smaller phone for one-handed use.

Powerful Performance

The iPhone 5c may have been more affordable, but it did not compromise on performance. It was powered by Apple's own A6 chipset, a dual-core 1.3 GHz Swift processor, and a PowerVR SGX 543MP3 GPU. This made it a powerhouse in terms of speed and performance, even though it was released in 2013.

The device also came with 1GB of RAM, which was enough to handle everyday tasks and even some light gaming. And with the option of 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB of internal storage, users had ample space to store their data and media.

Camera Capabilities

The iPhone 5c may have had a single 8-megapixel camera, but it was no slouch when it came to photography. With an f/2.4 aperture, 33mm standard lens, and AF capabilities, it produced sharp and detailed images. It also had features like LED flash, panorama, and HDR, which were not available on other phones in its price range.

The front-facing camera may have been a modest 1.2-megapixel, but it was enough for selfies and video calls. And with features like face detection and FaceTime over Wi-Fi or Cellular, users could connect with their loved ones easily.

Long-Lasting Battery Life

One common concern with smartphones is their battery life, but the iPhone 5c was surprisingly efficient in this department. It had a 1510 mAh Li-Po battery that could provide up to 10 hours of talk time on 3G and up to 250 hours of standby time on 3G. This made it a reliable companion for all-day use, without needing frequent charging.

Cellphone Network and Connectivity

The iPhone 5c may have been released in 2013, but it was well-equipped with the latest technology for its time. It had support for GSM, CDMA, HSPA, and LTE networks, making it a versatile device that could be used anywhere in the world.

It also had Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, and Bluetooth 4.0, A2DP, and LE for wireless connectivity. And with GPS, GLONASS, and Lightning USB 2.0, users had a variety of options to stay connected and transfer data.

Other Features and Specifications

The iPhone 5c may have been marketed as a more affordable option, but it still had some impressive features. It came with an accelerometer, gyro, proximity, and compass sensors, making it a smart device that could track movement and provide accurate location data.

It also had a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm audio jack, which may seem like standard features, but the iPhone 5c was one of the last iPhones to include a dedicated audio jack before Apple made the switch to wireless audio.

Discontinued But Not Forgotten

Despite being discontinued in 2015, the iPhone 5c remains a beloved device among Apple fans. Its colorful design, powerful performance, and long-lasting battery life make it a standout among its successors, even though it may not have the latest features and updates.

But perhaps the most significant impact of the iPhone 5c is the shift towards more affordable devices in the premium smartphone market. It showed that Apple was willing to cater to a wider audience, and this approach has been followed in recent years with the release of the iPhone SE and iPhone XR.

In conclusion, the iPhone 5c may have been discontinued, but its legacy lives on. It may not have been a flagship device, but it certainly made a mark in Apple's history and continues to be remembered fondly by many iPhone users.

In-Depth Apple iPhone 5c Specs and Reviews

LAUNCH

• Announced:  2013, September 10. Released 2013, September 20
• Status:  Discontinued

PLATFORM

• Operating System:  iOS 7, upgradable to iOS 10.3.3
• Chipset:  Apple A6 (32 nm)
• CPU:  Dual-core 1.3 GHz Swift (ARM v7-based)
• GPU:  PowerVR SGX 543MP3 (triple-core graphics)

MEMORY

• Card slot:  No
• Internal:  8GB 1GB RAM, 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 1GB RAM

DISPLAY

• Type:  IPS LCD
• Size:  4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~59.9% screen-to-body ratio)
• Resolution:  640 x 1136 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~326 ppi density)

BODY

• Dimensions:  124.4 x 59.2 x 9 mm (4.90 x 2.33 x 0.35 in)
• Weight:  132 g (4.66 oz)
• Build:  Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame
• SIM:  Nano-SIM

MAIN CAMERA

• Single:  8 MP, f/2.4, 33mm (standard), 1/3.2", 1.4µm, AF
• Features:  LED flash, panorama, HDR
• Video:  1080p@30fps

SELFIE CAMERA

• Single:  1.2 MP
• Features:  face detection, FaceTime over Wi-Fi or Cellular
• Video:  720p@30fps

BATTERY

• Type:  Li-Po 1510 mAh, non-removable (5.73 Wh)
• Stand by:  Up to 250 h (3G)
• Talk time:  Up to 10 h (3G)

CELLPHONE NETWORK

• Technology:  GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
• 2G bands:  GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - - all versions - CDMA 800 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - - A1532 (CDMA), A1456
• 3G bands:  HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - - A1532 (GSM), A1532 (CDMA), A1456 - HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - - A1507, A1529CDMA2000 1xEV-DO - - A1533 (CDMA), A1453
• 4G bands:  1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25 - - A1532 GSM, A1532 CDMA - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26 - - A1456 - 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - - A1507 - 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 39, 40 - - A1529
• Speed:  HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps

SOUND

• Loudspeaker :  Yes
• 3.5mm jack :  Yes - 16-bit/44.1kHz audio

COMMUNICATIONS

• WLAN:  Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band
• Bluetooth:  4.0, A2DP, LE
• Positioning:  GPS, GLONASS
• NFC:  No
• Radio:  No
• USB:  Lightning, USB 2.0

FEATURES

• Sensors:  Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass

MISCELLANEOUS

• Colors:  White, Blue, Green, Yellow, Pink
• Models:  A1456, A1507, A1516, A1529, A1532, iPhone5,3, iPhone5,4
• SAR:  1.15 W/kg (head) & & 1.17 W/kg (body) & &
• SAR EU:  1.00 W/kg (head) & & 0.96 W/kg (body) & &
• Price:  About 300 EUR

Disclaimer: The specifications displayed may differ from the actual product. We cannot guarantee the absolute accuracy of the information provided on this page. The content presented here is solely for informational purposes and is subject to change without prior notice.