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The release of iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c in September last year
marked a departure from Apple's usual strategy of releasing one
new iPhone every a year. The launch of the new iPhone would be
accompanied by the outgoing iPhone getting a price cut, and the
one before that becoming free on a contract in certain markets.
This approach served Apple well because the iPhone doesn't age as
quickly as its Android counterparts, and even a generation-old
iPhone competes favourably with most mid-range Android phones
on performance, if not on price.
This strategy was not without its flaws as many people felt
uncomfortable buying 'a one year old phone'. While most non-
flagship phones from other manufacturers run on hardware that's
anywhere between one and several years old, it seems that as long
as the outer package is refreshed and given a new name, you can
avoid the criticism that comes with trying to sell an 'old' phone.
By releasing the iPhone 5c, which sports a brand new look, but has
near identical specs as the now discontinued iPhone 5, Apple
seems to have take a leaf out of the book of its competitors. So is
the iPhone 5c just old wine in a new bottle, or is it another winner
from Apple - let's find out.
(Also see: iPhone 5c vs. iPhone 5)
Build/ Design
The iPhone 5c is of course "unapologetically plastic", as Jony Ive
called it in the introductory video showcased at Apple's developers
conference. While this move surprised a few, it is worth
remembering that iPhone 5c is not the first iPhone to come with a
plastic body. The original iPhone-761) came with a body that used
both plastic and glass, as did the iPhone 3G, and of course the
iPhone 3GS. The metallic chassis seen in recent iPhone models
didn't make an appearance until the iPhone 4.
We have to admit that having been spoilt by the great in-hand feel
of successive iPhone models since the iPhone 4, we were initially
sceptical about the plastic iPhone 5c. However, that changed when
we held the new iPhone in our hand for the first time. iPhone 5c's
plastic body comes with a steel reinforced frame inside that gives
it a rigidity not usually associated with plastic bodies. The plastic
itself is as good as what we've seen used on a phone, and in terms
of overall fit and finish, the iPhone 5c compares favourably with
flagship Lumia devices from Nokia.
One key difference between the iPhone 5c and Lumia devices of
course is that while Apple has gone with a glossy finish for all its
colours - Green, Blue, Yellow, Pink, and White - Lumia devices are
available in both glossy and matte finishes. Apple is clearly trying
to appeal to a younger crowd by going with a glossy finish on the
iPhone 5c and though the result is better than the glossy-finished
Lumia devices, we'd pick the matte-finished Lumia devices over
either, but that's a personal choice.
The iPhone 5c (124.40 x 59.20 x 8.97 mm, 132 grams) is slightly
bigger and noticeably heavier than the iPhone 5 (123.80 x 58.60 x
7.60 mm, 112 grams). While we don't like the idea of moving to a
heavier phone, some people found the overall feel of the iPhone 5c
better than the iPhone 5. It's safe to say, as solid as the iPhone 5c
feels, we prefer the metallic chassis and the lightness of the iPhone
5 and the iPhone 5s.
Display
The iPhone 5c sports the same 4.0-inch 640x1136 seen in the
iPhone 5 and the iPhone 5s. Yes, that display feels small in a world
full of Android flagships around the 5.0-inch mark, and other even
bigger devices that push the definition of the words phone and,
indeed the bastardisation that is phablet. While the likes of Nokia
and BlackBerry have realised the importance of having large screen
offerings in the form of the Lumia 1520 and the BlackBerry Z30
respectively, Apple, rather obstinately some believe, continues to
hold out. It is expected Apple will change that by finally releasing a
bigger iPhone in 2014, though of course there's nothing even
remotely official about that statement. Until then, if you want the
iOS experience, you can choose between the 3.5-inch screen of the
iPhone 4S or the 4.0-inch display that iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s
offer.
As far as the performance is concerned, with the naked eye you'll
struggle to notice any difference when compared to iPhone 5's
display. You'll notice this theme throughout the review, as the
iPhone 5c and iPhone 5 boast near identical internals. While the
display may fall short on specs compared to full-HD smartphones
in the wild, the colour reproduction is excellent, sunlight legibility
is good and viewing angles are great.
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