iPhone 5c vs iPhone 6s Plus: A Detailed Comparison
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The iPhone 6s Plus is the clear winner. Its significantly improved performance, larger and brighter display, superior camera, and longer battery life outweigh the 5c's nostalgic appeal and lower price. While the 5c was a good phone in its time, the 6s Plus offers a vastly better user experience.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple iPhone 5c | Apple iPhone 6s Plus |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - A1532 (GSM), A1532 (CDMA), A1456 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25 - A1532 GSM, A1532 CDMA | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30 - A1633 |
| 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 (2CA) Cat6 300/50 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, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41 - A1634 | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2013, September 10. Released 2013, September 20 | 2015, September 09. Released 2015, September 25 |
| 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) | 158.2 x 77.9 x 7.3 mm (6.23 x 3.07 x 0.29 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 132 g (4.66 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| - | Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Ion-strengthened glass, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 640 x 1136 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~326 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~59.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~67.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| - | 3D Touch display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.3 GHz Swift (ARM v7-based) | Dual-core 1.84 GHz Twister |
| Chipset | Apple A6 (32 nm) | Apple A9 (14/16 nm - maker dependant) |
| GPU | PowerVR SGX 543MP3 (triple-core graphics) | PowerVR GT7600 (six-core graphics) |
| OS | iOS 7, upgradable to iOS 10.3.3 | iOS 9, upgradable to iOS 15.8.5 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM, 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 1GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 128GB 2GB RAM |
| - | NVMe | |
| 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 | 12 MP, f/2.2, 29mm (standard), 1/3.0", 1.22µm, PDAF, OIS |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@120fps, 720p@240fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | face detection, FaceTime over Wi-Fi or Cellular | Face detection, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 1.2 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, 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 | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (Apple Pay only) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| 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/ac, dual-band, hotspot |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 250 h (3G) | Up to 384 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 10 h (3G) | Up to 24 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 1510 mAh, non-removable (5.73 Wh) | Li-Ion 2750 mAh, non-removable (10.45 Wh) |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | White, Blue, Green, Yellow, Pink | Space Gray, Silver, Gold, Rose Gold |
| Models | A1456, A1507, A1516, A1529, A1532, iPhone5,3, iPhone5,4 | A1634, A1687, A1690, A1699, iPhone8,2 |
| Price | About 300 EUR | About 240 EUR |
| SAR | 1.15 W/kg (head) 1.17 W/kg (body) | 1.12 W/kg (head) 1.14 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 1.00 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body) | 0.93 W/kg (head) 0.98 W/kg (body) |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -93.9dB / Crosstalk -80.3dB | Noise -93.4dB / Crosstalk -71.1dB |
| Battery life | Endurance rating 52h | Endurance rating 85h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: 1233:1 (nominal) / 3.512:1 (sunlight) | Contrast ratio: 1382:1 (nominal), 3.530 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 66dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 66dB | Voice 65dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 64dB |
| Performance | Basemark X: 2225 | Basemark OS II 2.0: 2261 |
Apple iPhone 5c
- Affordable
- Compact size
- Colorful design
- iOS compatibility (older versions)
- Outdated processor
- Small display
- Poor battery life
- Limited camera capabilities
- No 3D Touch
Apple iPhone 6s Plus
- Powerful processor
- Large display
- Excellent camera
- Longer battery life
- 3D Touch
- More modern iOS features
- Larger size may be unwieldy for some
- Older model (limited software updates compared to newer iPhones)
- Can be more expensive (depending on condition)
Display Comparison
The iPhone 6s Plus boasts a larger 5.5-inch display compared to the 5c's 4-inch screen. While both have similar contrast ratios (1233:1 nominal, ~3.5:1 sunlight), the 6s Plus's larger size and likely better panel technology provide a more immersive viewing experience. The 6s Plus also supports 3D Touch, a feature absent on the 5c.
Camera Comparison
The iPhone 6s Plus features a significantly improved camera system. While both offer Photo/Video capabilities, the 6s Plus has a higher resolution sensor, improved image processing, and better low-light performance. The 6s Plus also supports features like Live Photos and 4K video recording, absent on the 5c.
Performance
The A9 chip in the iPhone 6s Plus is a substantial upgrade over the A6 in the 5c. Expect significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better overall responsiveness on the 6s Plus. The 6s Plus's dual-core 1.84 GHz Twister CPU is far more powerful than the 5c's dual-core 1.3 GHz Swift processor.
Battery Life
Battery life is a major advantage for the iPhone 6s Plus. Its endurance rating of 85 hours significantly surpasses the 5c's 52 hours. This translates to noticeably longer usage between charges for the 6s Plus.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the iPhone 5c? Primarily those seeking a very budget-friendly Apple device for basic tasks and nostalgia. Who should buy the iPhone 6s Plus? Anyone needing a reliable, capable smartphone with a good camera, decent battery life, and a larger display for media consumption and productivity.