There is heavy interest in 2013's iPhone 5c and we know why
Google searches for the iPhone 5c are up 40,500% over the last year
Why is there so much interest in the iPhone 5c? | Image by Apple
Yes, the iPhone Duo is the most hyped iPhone model at the moment, and as the first foldable iPhone, there is no reason why it shouldn't be. However, there is one iPhone model released in 2013 that is generating plenty of excitement from Gen Z. That model is the iPhone 5c. Designed to be a lower-priced option for iPhone buyers, the device featured a colorful polycarbonate shell instead of an aluminum or glass build.
The iPhone 5c had the same A6 processor and camera as the previous year's iPhone 5 and was priced $100 less than the flagship iPhone 5s with a subsidized two-year contract. With the two-year contract pricing, the 16GB iPhone 5c was $99 compared to $199 for the 16GB iPhone 5s on contract. The 32GB iPhone 5c was $199 with a two-year pact compared to $299 for the iPhone 5s.
Google searches for "Buy iPhone 5c" rose 40,500% over the last year
Without a contract, the unlocked iPhone 5c was $549 for 16GB and $649 for 32GB, while the unlocked iPhone 5s was $649 for 16GB, $749 for 32GB, and $849 for 64GB. Apple dropped the "c-series" iPhone after just one release. It seems that consumers were not too enticed by paying a mid-tier price for a plastic iPhone with the previous year's hardware.
When comparing the iPhone 5c’s 8 MP camera to the 48 MP main camera on the latest iPhone 18 Pro, it’s easy to see the appeal of the iPhone 5c for creating a grainy, lo-fi aesthetic no effect can quite match.
Lee Elliott, chief product officer, Compare and Recycle
But there is a reason why Google searches for "Buy iPhone 5c" are up 40,500% over the last year. It seems that older iPhone models are being bought and used as a digital camera. According to Compare and Recycle, a site that focuses on mobile phone recycling, interest in the iPhone 4 picked up sharply last year as the 2010 model was being repurposed as a digital camera.
Now, interest has moved to the iPhone 5c and besides the 40,500% hike in Google searches for "Buy iPhone 5c," searches for "iPhone 5c camera" have climbed 1,815%, and searches for "iPhone 5c" are up 264% over the past year. Used iPhone 5c models are selling between $30 and $70 these days.
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Lee Elliott, chief product officer at Compare and Recycle, warned those interested in buying the iPhone 5c and using it as a digital camera should not install any personal data on the phone. That's because the last iOS version the iPhone 5c can run is iOS 10.3.3, released in 2017. That is almost ten solid years without an update or security fix. Elliott says, "Because of this, the iPhone 5c can’t protect personal data in the way more modern iPhones do, leaving users vulnerable to data leaks, hacking and other security breaches."
So what makes the camera on the iPhone 5c so desirable? Elliott says the camera produces less-processed photos "with a distinct and more authentic early-2010s look."
Protect your personal data and follow these recommendations
But that doesn't mean that you can't use an iPhone 5c as a digital camera. Elliott notes that if you do want to use the iPhone 5c, or an older model iPhone in this manner, be smart and follow these rules:
- Transfer photos manually: move your pictures to your laptop using a cable instead of backing them up in iCloud.
- Move your photos to your laptop using a cable, rather than backing them up to iCloud. Additionally, never sign in using your personal Apple ID. And don’t install email, banking or social media apps that show your personal information.
- Stay offline: Keep the device offline by having Airplane Mode enabled and never insert a SIM card.
Elliiott adds: "Used with the correct precautions, older iPhones can still serve a creative purpose without exposing your personal information." He also points out that "Retro tech has been booming over the past couple of years, with everything from wired headphones to Razr phones and button-only iPods making a comeback."
The iPhone 5c is back in demand. | Image by Apple
He does have a warning about the lithium-ion batteries used to power these older iPhone models. "What you shouldn’t do is leave it forgotten in a drawer. Old smartphones left unused for long periods can become a fire risk as their lithium-ion batteries degrade, especially if they’re damaged or left fully drained," Elliott said.
The rear camera on the iPhone 5c weighs in at 8 MP and features an f/2.4 aperture. There is also a 1.2 MP front-facing camera.
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