iPhone 5c vs iPhone 5s: A Detailed Comparison
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The iPhone 5s edges out the 5c thanks to its significantly faster A7 chip, improved camera, and slightly better sunlight display performance. While the 5c offers a more colorful design, the 5s's performance advantages make it the superior choice for most users seeking a retro iPhone experience.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple iPhone 5c | Apple iPhone 5s |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all models |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - A1532 (GSM), A1532 (CDMA), A1456 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - A1533 (GSM), 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, 19, 20, 25 - A1533 GSM, A1533 CDMA |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 39, 40 - A1529 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 39, 40 - A1530 | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2013, September 10. Released 2013, September 20 | 2013, September 10. Released 2013, September 20 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Corning-made glass), aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 124.4 x 59.2 x 9 mm (4.90 x 2.33 x 0.35 in) | 123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6 mm (4.87 x 2.31 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 132 g (4.66 oz) | 112 g (3.95 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 640 x 1136 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~326 ppi density) | 640 x 1136 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~59.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~60.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.3 GHz Swift (ARM v7-based) | Dual-core 1.3 GHz Cyclone (ARM v8-based) |
| Chipset | Apple A6 (32 nm) | Apple A7 (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR SGX 543MP3 (triple-core graphics) | PowerVR G6430 (quad-core graphics) |
| OS | iOS 7, upgradable to iOS 10.3.3 | iOS 7, upgradable to iOS 12.5.7 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM, 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 1GB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 1GB RAM, 64GB 1GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.4, 33mm (standard), 1/3.2", 1.4µm, AF | 8 MP, f/2.2, 29mm (standard), 1/3.0", 1.5µm, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | face detection, FaceTime over Wi-Fi or Cellular | face detection, HDR, FaceTime over Wi-Fi or Cellular |
| Single | 1.2 MP | 1.2 MP, f/2.4, 31mm (standard) |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| 16-bit/44.1kHz audio | 16-bit/44.1kHz audio | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, LE | 4.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | Lightning, USB 2.0 | Lightning, USB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, hotspot |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 250 h (3G) | Up to 250 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 10 h (3G) | Up to 10 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 1510 mAh, non-removable (5.73 Wh) | Li-Po 1560 mAh, non-removable (5.92 Wh) |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | White, Blue, Green, Yellow, Pink | Space Gray, White/Silver, Gold |
| Models | A1456, A1507, A1516, A1529, A1532, iPhone5,3, iPhone5,4 | A1453, A1457, A1518, A1528, A1530, A1533, iPhone6,1, iPhone6,2 |
| Price | About 300 EUR | About 330 EUR |
| SAR | 1.15 W/kg (head) 1.17 W/kg (body) | 1.12 W/kg (head) 1.18 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 1.00 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body) | 1.00 W/kg (head) 0.80 W/kg (body) |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -93.9dB / Crosstalk -80.3dB | Noise -93.6dB / Crosstalk -90.3dB |
| Battery life | Endurance rating 52h | Endurance rating 54h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: 1233:1 (nominal) / 3.512:1 (sunlight) | Contrast ratio: 1219:1 (nominal) / 3.565:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 66dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 66dB | Voice 68dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 69dB |
| Performance | Basemark X: 2225 | Basemark X: 14341 |
Apple iPhone 5c
- Colorful polycarbonate design
- Slightly lower price (historically)
- Compact size
- Slower processor
- Less capable camera
- Older technology
Apple iPhone 5s
- Faster A7 chip
- Better camera with advanced features
- Slightly improved display sunlight performance
- Touch ID fingerprint sensor
- Less vibrant design compared to 5c
- Older technology
- Battery life is limited by modern standards
Display Comparison
Both phones feature 3.5-inch Retina displays with a nominal contrast ratio of around 1200:1. The iPhone 5s boasts a marginally better sunlight contrast ratio (3.565:1 vs 3.512:1), making it slightly easier to view outdoors. However, the difference is minimal and likely imperceptible to most users.
Camera Comparison
The iPhone 5s features a superior 8MP camera with improved image processing and a faster aperture. It also introduced burst mode and HDR photos. The 5c's camera is adequate but lacks the 5s's advanced features and overall image quality.
Performance
This is where the iPhone 5s truly shines. The A7 chip is a significant upgrade over the A6, offering substantially faster processing speeds and improved graphics performance. The 5s feels noticeably more responsive and capable of handling more demanding apps and games.
Battery Life
Both phones offer similar battery life, with endurance ratings of around 54 hours. Real-world usage will vary depending on usage patterns, but neither phone offers exceptional battery performance by modern standards.
Buying Guide
The iPhone 5c is a good option for users prioritizing a vibrant, colorful design and a slightly lower price point (if you can find one). It's suitable for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light web browsing. The iPhone 5s is ideal for those wanting a more responsive experience, better camera quality, and a more modern (for its time) feature set. It's a better choice for light gaming and more demanding apps.