Apple iPhone 5C vs Apple iPhone 5S

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

Apple iPhone 5C smartphone

Apple iPhone 5C

From $32
Full specs, price & review →
VS
Apple iPhone 5S smartphone

Apple iPhone 5S

From $41
Full specs, price & review →

Head to head

Apple iPhone 5CApple iPhone 5S
Price$32$41
Our rating6/106/10
Battery1,510 mAh1,560 mAh
Storage (max)32 GB64 GB
Screen size4 in4 in
Main camera8 MP8 MP
Weight (lower is lighter)132 g112 g
ReleasedSep 2013Sep 2013
Summary: Apple iPhone 5S is ahead on battery, storage (max), weight (lower is lighter).
★ Which should you buy? Apple iPhone 5S is the stronger overall pick on the measured specs. If budget matters more than the extra capability, Apple iPhone 5C is the cheaper option.

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

Display

Apple iPhone 5CApple iPhone 5S
TypeIPS LCD, LED-backlitIPS LCD
Size4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~59.9% screen-to-body ratio)4.0 inches
Resolution640 x 1136 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~326 ppi density)640 x 1136 pixels
ProtectionFingerprint-resistant oleophobic coatingCorning Gorilla Glass, oleophobic coating
Features800:1 contrast ratio (typical), 500 cd/m2 max brightness (typical)800:1 contrast ratio (typical), 500 cd/m2 max brightness (typical)

Platform

Apple iPhone 5CApple iPhone 5S
ChipsetApple A6Apple A7 (28 nm)
CPUDual-core 1.3 GHz SwiftDual-core 1.3 GHz Cyclone (ARM v8-based)
GPUPowerVR SGX543MP3 (triple-core graphics)PowerVR G6430 (quad-core graphics)
OSiOS 7, upgradable to iOS 10.3.3iOS 7, upgradable to iOS 12.5.8
Coprocessor—M7 motion coprocessor

Memory

Apple iPhone 5CApple iPhone 5S
Card slotNoNo
Internal8GB, 16GB, 32GB16GB, 32GB, 64GB
RAM1GB LPDDR2 RAM1GB LPDDR3

Main Camera

Apple iPhone 5CApple iPhone 5S
Modules8 MP, f/2.4, 33mm (standard), 1/3.2", 1.4µm, AF—
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panorama, tap to focus, face detection, backside illumination sensor, five-element lens, hybrid IR filterDual-LED dual-tone flash (True Tone flash), HDR
Video1080p@30fps, video stabilization1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps
Single—8 MP, f/2.2, 29mm (standard), 1/3.0", 1.5µm, AF

Selfie Camera

Apple iPhone 5CApple iPhone 5S
Modules1.2 MP—
FeaturesFace detection, FaceTime over Wi-Fi or cellularFace detection, HDR
Video720p@30fps720p@30fps
Single—1.2 MP, f/2.4, 31mm (standard)

Battery

Apple iPhone 5CApple iPhone 5S
TypeLi-Po 1510 mAh, non-removableNon-removable Li-Po 1560 mAh (5.92 Wh)
Talk timeUp to 10 h (3G)—
Stand-byUp to 250 h (3G)—
Music playUp to 40 h—

Body

Apple iPhone 5CApple iPhone 5S
Dimensions124.4 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)
Weight132 g (4.66 oz)112 g (3.95 oz)
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frameGlass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back
SIMNano-SIMNano-SIM

Comms

Apple iPhone 5CApple iPhone 5S
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, hotspot
Bluetooth4.0, A2DP, LE4.0, A2DP
GPSYes, with A-GPS, GLONASSYes, with A-GPS, GLONASS
NFCNoNo
RadioNoNo
USBLightning portLightning, USB 2.0

Launch

Apple iPhone 5CApple iPhone 5S
Announced2013, September 102013, September 10
Released2013, September 20—
OS at launchiOS 7—
Status—Released 2013, September 20

Frequently asked questions

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

Apple iPhone 5S — 1,510 mAh for the Apple iPhone 5C versus 1,560 mAh for the Apple iPhone 5S.

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

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

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

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

Best phone lists →