A look at the iPhone 5c and 5s

Each year, for the past five years, Apple has conducted an annual launch party for the iPhone. At each event a new device was introduced to much fanfare. This year’s launch happened on September 10, and turned out to be a bit different from any previous ones. The main difference being that Apple launched not one, but two new iPhones. This has left some people scratching their heads and wondering that the difference is between the devices.

Below is an overview of the two different phones recently launched by Apple.

The iPhone 5c
Some joke that the ‘c’ stands for ‘cheap’, and that’s just what this phone is. Kind of. Here’s what we know:

• Size – The 5c comes in at 4.90 inches tall by 2.33 inches wide. This means the device should have no problem fitting into pockets and using with one hand.
• Processor – The processor on the 5c is the same one found in the 2012 version of the iPhone 5, and should have more than enough power and memory to cover all user needs.
• Storage – There are two versions of the 5c, one with 16GB of storage and the other with 32GB of storage.
• Display – There is a 4 inch Retina display on this device, the same as the 2012 version of the iPhone 5c.
• Body – This is possibly the biggest change compared with other iPhones. The body of the 5c is made from plastic, and is in one piece – there are no seams or lines.
• Price – In the US, the 16GB 5c is USD$99 with a two year contract and the 32GB is USD$199 on a two year contract. If you buy the phone unlocked – without a plan, the 16GB model will cost you USD$549.

The iPhone 5s
Does the ‘s’ stand for ‘supreme’? Maybe. This new device is Apple’s high-end smartphone. Here’s what we know:

• Size – The 5s is slightly smaller than the 5c, coming in at 5.87 inches tall and 2.31 inches wide. To many, this isn’t a noticeable difference as both phones will fit into most pockets and fit comfortably in the hand.
• Processor – The 5s will get a new processor – the A7. This processor is supposedly two times faster than the one found in the 2012 model, which means it will be able to handle pretty much everything you can throw at it, and then some.
• Storage – There are three different versions of the 5s: One with 16GB of storage, one with 32GB and one with 64GB. Aside from the amount of storage, there are no other differences.
• Display – The display is the same as last year’s model and that found in the 5c – a 4 inch Retina screen.
• Body – The body is similar to the 2012 version with a metallic body made from aluminium.
• Price – In the US, on a two year contract, the 16GB, 32GB and 64GB will cost USD$199, 299 and 399 respectively. If you want to buy the phone unlocked and not on contract, the cost is USD$649, $749 and $849 for the 16GB, 32GB and 64GB versions.

Which is better?
It is hard to say which device is better. When compared purely on technical specifications, the 5s is the more impressive device. That being said, most small to medium businesses don’t look solely at the tech specs, instead focusing on price and usability as well.

When it comes to price, the 5c – on contract – is hard to beat. It has more than enough processing power to handle nearly any task and usability should be the same as previous versions of the iPhone. The only worry is the actual durability – while Apple is known to produce high quality devices, the type of case used on the 5c is new, so whether this will be as durable as the 5s will remain to be seen. That being said, putting a case on it will likely negate any issues.

When can I get my hands on one?
If you are looking for a new phone, pre-orders for the iPhone 5c started September 13, with first delivery scheduled for September 20. Knowing how popular Apple’s products are, there may be a bit of a wait for delivery.

The 5s will be available to order from September 20, with first delivery likely being in late September to early October.

If you are looking to learn more about these devices, please contact us today to see how we can help.