iPhone 5c vs iPhone SE (2022): A Generational Showdown

Apple's history is filled with iconic devices, and the iPhone 5c and iPhone SE (2022) represent different eras. The 5c was a colorful, budget-friendly option, while the SE (2022) brings modern power to a compact form factor. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone reigns supreme.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The iPhone SE (2022) is the clear winner. While the iPhone 5c holds nostalgic appeal, the SE (2022)'s vastly superior performance, camera, display brightness, and modern features make it the better choice for almost any user. It's a powerhouse in a small package.

PHONES
Phone Names	Apple iPhone 5c	Apple iPhone SE (2022)

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(AWS) / 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, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66 - A2783, A2784, A2785
5G bands	-	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2783, A2784, A2785, A2782
Speed	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps	HSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 39, 40 - A1529	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2595

Launch
Announced	2013, September 10. Released 2013, September 20	2022, March 08
Status	Discontinued	Available. Released 2022, March 18

Body
Build	Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame	Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions	124.4 x 59.2 x 9 mm (4.90 x 2.33 x 0.35 in)	138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm (5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + eSIM
Weight	132 g (4.66 oz)	144 g (5.08 oz)
	-	IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified)

Display
Protection	-	Ion-strengthened glass
Resolution	640 x 1136 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~326 ppi density)	750 x 1334 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~326 ppi density)
Size	4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~59.9% screen-to-body ratio)	4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 (~65.4% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD	Retina IPS LCD, 625 nits (typ)

Platform
CPU	Dual-core 1.3 GHz Swift (ARM v7-based)	Hexa-core (2x3.22 GHz Avalanche + 4x1.82 GHz Blizzard)
Chipset	Apple A6 (32 nm)	Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm)
GPU	PowerVR SGX 543MP3 (triple-core graphics)	Apple GPU (4-core graphics)
OS	iOS 7, upgradable to iOS 10.3.3	iOS 15.4, upgradable to iOS 26.1

Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	8GB 1GB RAM, 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 1GB RAM	64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM
	-	NVMe

Main Camera
Features	LED flash, panorama, HDR	Quad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Single	8 MP, f/2.4, 33mm (standard), 1/3.2", 1.4µm, AF	12 MP, f/1.8 (wide), PDAF, OIS
Video	1080p@30fps	4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR, OIS, stereo sound rec.

Selfie camera
Features	face detection, FaceTime over Wi-Fi or Cellular	HDR
Single	1.2 MP	7 MP, f/2.2
Video	720p@30fps	1080p@30/120fps; gyro-EIS

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	No
35mm jack	Yes	No
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes, with stereo speakers
	16-bit/44.1kHz audio	-

Comms
Bluetooth	4.0, A2DP, LE	5.0, A2DP, LE
NFC	No	Yes
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, 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/6, dual-band, hotspot

Features
Sensors	Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass	Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass, barometer

Battery
Charging	-	20W wired, 50% in 30 min 7.5W wireless (Qi)
Stand-by	Up to 250 h (3G)	-
Talk time	Up to 10 h (3G)	-
Type	Li-Po 1510 mAh, non-removable (5.73 Wh)	Li-Ion 2018 mAh (6.96 Wh)

Misc
Colors	White, Blue, Green, Yellow, Pink	Midnight, Starlight, Red
Models	A1456, A1507, A1516, A1529, A1532, iPhone5,3, iPhone5,4	A2783, A2595, A2785, A2782, A2784, iphone14,6
Price	About 300 EUR	$ 119.84 / C$ 199.99 / £ 142.00 / € 173.00
SAR	1.15 W/kg (head) 1.17 W/kg (body)	0.98 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body)
SAR EU	1.00 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body)	1.20 W/kg (head) 1.19 W/kg (body)

Tests
Audio quality	Noise -93.9dB / Crosstalk -80.3dB	-
Battery life	Endurance rating 52h	Endurance rating 62h
Camera	Photo / Video	Photo / Video
Display	Contrast ratio: 1233:1 (nominal) / 3.512:1 (sunlight)	Contrast ratio: 1424:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker	Voice 66dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 66dB	-25.2 LUFS (Very good)
Performance	Basemark X: 2225	AnTuTu: 723486 (v9) GeekBench: 4629 (v5.1) GFXBench: 60fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Apple iPhone 5c

Affordable
Compact size
Nostalgic design

Outdated processor
Poor camera
Low display brightness
No 5G
Limited app compatibility

Apple iPhone SE (2022)

Powerful A15 Bionic chip
Excellent camera
Bright and vibrant display
5G connectivity
Fast charging
Compact design

Battery life could be better
Design is somewhat dated

Display Comparison

The iPhone SE (2022) boasts a significantly brighter and more vibrant display. Its 605 nits of brightness is a huge upgrade over the 5c's, making it much easier to see outdoors. While both have similar contrast ratios (1424:1 vs 1233:1 nominal, 3.512:1 sunlight for the 5c), the SE's overall visual experience is far superior.

Camera Comparison

The iPhone SE (2022)'s camera is a massive improvement. While both offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the SE (2022) benefits from Apple's computational photography advancements, resulting in significantly better image quality, especially in low light. Features like Smart HDR and Photographic Styles are absent on the 5c.

Performance

The A15 Bionic chip in the iPhone SE (2022) is a generational leap over the A6 in the iPhone 5c. The SE (2022) offers blazing-fast performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps, while the 5c feels sluggish by comparison. The hexa-core CPU in the SE (2022) simply blows the dual-core A6 out of the water.

Battery Life

Both phones have an endurance rating of 52h/62h respectively, but the SE (2022)'s more efficient A15 Bionic chip and faster charging (20W wired, 7.5W wireless) give it a practical advantage. The 5c's battery life is adequate, but the SE (2022) offers more longevity and quicker top-ups.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the iPhone 5c? Primarily those seeking a very affordable, basic iPhone for calls, texts, and light usage, or those with a strong sentimental attachment to the device. Who should buy the iPhone SE (2022)? Anyone wanting a compact, powerful iPhone with a modern camera, fast performance, and 5G connectivity, all at a relatively affordable price.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the iPhone 5c still usable in 2024?

Yes, the iPhone 5c can still be used for basic tasks, but its outdated hardware and software limitations make it a less desirable option compared to modern smartphones. App compatibility is also a growing concern.

❓ What are the main differences between the iPhone 5c and the iPhone SE (2022)?

The primary differences are performance (A6 vs A15 Bionic), camera quality, display brightness, connectivity (no 5G on the 5c), and overall software support. The SE (2022) is a significantly more modern and capable device.