Apple iPhone 5 vs Apple iPhone 5C

A spec-by-spec comparison of the Apple iPhone 5 and the Apple iPhone 5C, taken from their full specification sheets. Green marks the better value in each measured row.

Apple iPhone 5 smartphone

Apple iPhone 5

From $39
Full specs, price & review →
VS
Apple iPhone 5C smartphone

Apple iPhone 5C

From $32
Full specs, price & review →

Head to head

Apple iPhone 5Apple iPhone 5C
Price$39$32
Our rating4/106/10
Battery1,440 mAh1,510 mAh
Storage (max)64 GB32 GB
Screen size4 in4 in
Main camera8 MP8 MP
Weight (lower is lighter)112 g132 g
ReleasedSep 2012Sep 2013
Summary: Apple iPhone 5 is ahead on storage (max), weight (lower is lighter). Apple iPhone 5C is ahead on our rating, battery.
★ Which should you buy? Specs are close to an even split here, so Apple iPhone 5C is the better buy — the extra cost of the other one isn't matched by a clear spec advantage.

Researched with AI assistance by infozme.com from manufacturer and retailer sources — see how we research & rate phones.

Display

Apple iPhone 5Apple iPhone 5C
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, LED-backlit
Size4.0 inches4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~59.9% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution640 x 1136 pixels640 x 1136 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~326 ppi density)
ProtectionScratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coatingFingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating
Aspect Ratio16:9—
Pixel Density326 ppi—
Features—800:1 contrast ratio (typical), 500 cd/m2 max brightness (typical)

Platform

Apple iPhone 5Apple iPhone 5C
OSiOS 6, upgradable to iOS 10.3.4iOS 7, upgradable to iOS 10.3.3
ChipsetApple A6Apple A6
CPUDual-core 1.3 GHz Swift (ARM v7-based)Dual-core 1.3 GHz Swift
GPUPowerVR SGX 543MP3 (triple-core graphics)PowerVR SGX543MP3 (triple-core graphics)

Memory

Apple iPhone 5Apple iPhone 5C
Card slotNoNo
Internal16GB, 32GB, 64GB8GB, 16GB, 32GB
RAM1GB LPDDR2 RAM1GB LPDDR2 RAM

Main Camera

Apple iPhone 5Apple iPhone 5C
Single8 MP, f/2.4, 33mm (standard), 1/3.2", 1.4µm, AF—
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama, tap to focus, face detection, backside illumination sensor, five-element lens, hybrid IR filter
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, video stabilization
Modules—8 MP, f/2.4, 33mm (standard), 1/3.2", 1.4µm, AF

Selfie Camera

Apple iPhone 5Apple iPhone 5C
Single1.2 MP, f/2.4—
Video720p@30fps720p@30fps
Modules—1.2 MP
Features—Face detection, FaceTime over Wi-Fi or cellular

Battery

Apple iPhone 5Apple iPhone 5C
TypeLi-Po 1440 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 1510 mAh, non-removable
Talk timeUp to 8 h (3G)Up to 10 h (3G)
Music playUp to 40 hUp to 40 h
Stand-by—Up to 250 h (3G)

Body

Apple iPhone 5Apple iPhone 5C
Dimensions123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6 mm (4.87 x 2.31 x 0.30 in)124.4 x 59.2 x 9 mm (4.90 x 2.33 x 0.35 in)
Weight112 g (3.95 oz)132 g (4.66 oz)
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass), aluminum back, aluminum frameGlass front, plastic back, plastic frame
SIMNano-SIMNano-SIM

Comms

Apple iPhone 5Apple iPhone 5C
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, hotspot
Bluetooth4.0, A2DP4.0, A2DP, LE
GPSYes, with A-GPS, GLONASSYes, with A-GPS, GLONASS
NFCNoNo
RadioNoNo
USBLightning, USB 2.0Lightning port

Launch

Apple iPhone 5Apple iPhone 5C
Announced2012, September 122013, September 10
Released2012, September 212013, September 20
Discontinued2013, September 10—
OS at launch—iOS 7

Frequently asked questions

Which has the better battery, Apple iPhone 5 or Apple iPhone 5C?

Apple iPhone 5C — 1,440 mAh for the Apple iPhone 5 versus 1,510 mAh for the Apple iPhone 5C.

Which is lighter, Apple iPhone 5 or Apple iPhone 5C?

Apple iPhone 5 — 112 g for the Apple iPhone 5 versus 132 g for the Apple iPhone 5C.

Which is newer, Apple iPhone 5 or Apple iPhone 5C?

Apple iPhone 5C — Sep 2012 for the Apple iPhone 5 versus Sep 2013 for the Apple iPhone 5C.

Is the Apple iPhone 5 or the Apple iPhone 5C rated higher?

We rate the Apple iPhone 5 4/10 and the Apple iPhone 5C 6/10.

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