Apple iPhone 5s vs Apple iPhone 5c

Introduction

This year is different for Apple, seeing that instead of offering one brand new iPhone, the company in fact decided to bring to market TWO new iPhones. Before, the decision was a bit easier, and at times, a no-brainer decision for some. However, that’s all changing now as both the Apple iPhone 5s is going to be doing business with its sibling in the iPhone 5c. Naturally, there are significantly more hardware advantages going with the iPhone 5s, but the cheaper iPhone 5c packs its own snappy punch.

Design

Distinctively iPhones from the front, as they bear many of the iconic design characteristics of iPhones past, but that’s where it ends. Flipping them to the rear, it’s quite noticeable that the iPhone 5s is regarded as the more premium smartphone, as it employs an aluminum casing – whereas the iPhone 5c opts for a polycarbonate plastic casing. If you’re all about quality construction with a premium look, the iPhone 5s is hands down the device for you. However, you can’t quite count out the iPhone 5c, seeing that it stands out from a sea of crowded smartphones thanks to the bright color options available with it. And at the same time, its rounded edges make it more comfortable to hold. Needless to say, the iPhone 5s continues to catch eyes with its luxury appearance, but in all fairness, we find the iPhone 5c to have an even bigger drawing factor – thanks in part to its colorful looks.

Looking around the bodies of both phones, all the ports and buttons are featured in both. However, there are a few differences. First, the volume control buttons are different, as the iPhone 5c switches it up with its narrower set. Secondly, the iPhone 5s incorporates a biometric fingerprint reader into its home button, which enables us to unlock the device and confirm our iTunes password for app purchases with a touch. Thirdly, there are more cutouts for the speaker grill on the iPhone 5s. Although they both size up evenly with their 8-megapixel iSight cameras, the iPhone 5s benefits from newer hardware gear – it has a larger f2.2 aperture lens, dual-LED flash, and larger sized pixels at 1.5µm thanks to 15% bigger image sensor.

Display

The iPhone 5s is sporting some killer hardware under the hood, which is fitting seeing that it’s Apple’s flagship phone, however, the iPhone 5c manages to sport the same display as its highly esteemed sibling – a 4-inch Retina Display that features a resolution of 640 x 1136 pixels. Meticulously looking at the two in various lighting conditions and angles, we realize that there’s no difference between the two, as everything is identical. From their very accurate color reproduction, wide viewing angles, strong brightness output, and superb outdoor visibility, everything is remarkable spot-on with these two.

Interface and Functionality

Consistency has always been a fundamental principle with Apple’s iPhones, so knowing that, it doesn’t really surprise us that both the iPhone 5s and 5c pack the same exact software experiences. Sporting the updated iOS 7 experience, it actually helps to freshen up the iPhone line, seeing that the visual presentation of the platform has been unchanged since the debut of the original iPhone – so it’s refreshing to say the least. From their multi-tasking implementation, to the new Notification and Control Centers in tow, the functionality of the platform doesn’t differ between these two.

Looking through the various organizer apps, it shouldn’t surprise anyone to realize that they share the same functions between each other. Heck, even Siri talks and acts the same. As we mentioned earlier, the iPhone 5s bears a biometric fingerprint scanner dubbed Touch ID. It might be viewed as a novel thing by some, but it provides the phone with an added benefit that enables us to unlock the phone.

Same sized screens, same messaging experience – that’s essentially what we get here folks. Flaunting the same keyboard layouts, combined with their responsiveness and phenomenal auto-correct features, we’re able to speedily type with ease.

Processor and Memory

Now this is where things get interesting. Being the “superior” handset, the iPhone 5s bears a one-of-a-kind dual-core 1.3GHz Apple A7 processor, which is based on 64-bit architecture – something that hasn’t been seen before on a phone. On paper and in objective benchmark tests, it handsomely puts the dual-core 1.3GHz Apple A6 processor in the iPhone 5c to shame. However, when it comes to real performance results, it’s nearly impossible to tell which of the two is faster, and in fact, they both exude the same level of snappiness. As more developers take full advantage of the 64-bit processor in the iPhone 5s and implement it into different things, such as games, we’ll more than likely see the true processing power of the iPhone 5s. At the moment, though, there’s no difference.

When it comes to storage options, the iPhone 5s has more variety, seeing that it’s available in 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB capacities. Unfortunately, there’s no 64GB option with the iPhone 5c, which means you’ll need to choose from either 16GB or 32GB.

Internet and Connectivity

Considering that their screens are identical, and that their performances are evenly responsive, the web browsing experience with mobile Safari, which also gets a refreshed looked courtesy of iOS 7, is the same on both iPhones. And they’re armed with 4G LTE connectivity, so that pages load super quickly.
Surprisingly enough, there’s not one handset that has the upper hand with its set of connectivity features. In fact, they pack along the same goodies – aGPS, Bluetooth 4.0, dual-band 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, and iOS 7’s new AirDrop connectivity for quick sharing of files and content.

Camera

Running their camera apps, there’s nothing too different with their functions and interface. Everything is again kept simple, as the UI isn’t cluttered up with many things. It’s still lacking in the shooting mode department, as we’re only presented with these various color filters. And when it comes to manual controls, you can forget about it on both. With the iPhone 5s, though, it gains the benefit of featuring a slow motion video capture mode, which delivers some slick Matrix-like effects.

Already proving itself on paper as the ideal thing for shutterbugs, the iPhone 5s seems like the leading candidate between the two. Is that really the case? Well, as we peek into the sample images from each iPhone, it’s clear that their qualities don’t differ much with outdoor scenery where lighting is ample. Seriously, our eyes have difficulty in telling the two apart, seeing that the results are the same with their sharp details, neutral color reproduction, and balanced exposure – so yeah, we’re shocked by this revelation considering the better camera gear in tow with the iPhone 5s.

Although the iPhone 5c is giving its sibling a good run for its money, the true telling with the iPhone 5s’ camera superiority is seen with low lighting situations. Thanks in part to its larger aperture and pixel size, which enables it to capture in more light, the iPhone 5s delivers the more satisfying image compositions with its iSight camera. Actually, it’s pretty darn good with the iPhone 5c, but shots from the iPhone 5s are noticeably brighter, which in turn draws out more details in the scenery – plus, there’s a bit more noise seen with the iPhone 5c’s set of images. Finally, the amber and white LED flashes of the iPhone 5s enables it to produce the more natural skin tones with our subject.


Yet again, the same results persist with their 1080p high-definition video recording qualities. When lighting is ample, the difference between the two is nearly impossible to tell apart – so they’re pretty darn good looking. However, we’re again presented with the low lighting superiority of the iPhone 5s, as it delivers the sharper visuals and smoother recording. In contrast, the iPhone 5c’s video is softened a bunch by the distracting evidence of noise.

Multimedia

You heard right folks! Cover flow mode is no longer available with these two new iPhones, as iOS 7 phases it out in favor of a new, yet more conventional looking music player. Cranking their volumes to the max, there’s no question that they’re able to emit tones that are robust. However, the overall volume output of the iPhone 5c is a smidgen lower than the 5s.

Well, this isn’t a shocker, especially when they feature the same display, but the video watching experience is 100% identical. Playing the same movie trailer, the two iPhones play it with relative ease thanks to their processing might – while their sharp displays help to complement the experience.

Call Quality

Overall, we can’t complain about the call quality on these two iPhones, seeing that their earpieces emit power tones that make voices audible in noisy environments – plus, their noise cancellation features kick in very quickly to mute any background disruptions. However, there is only one distracting element that we find on both phones. For the iPhone 5s, voices have a hint of distortion over the speakerphone, while the iPhone 5c’s speakerphone has some crackling to it.

Battery

Thankfully, we’re able to get through a solid one-day of normal usage with their batteries fully charged – something that’s viewed as nothing more than average amongst the smartphone realm. Interestingly enough, with heavier usage, the iPhone 5c edges out its sibling by a couple of hours. With it, we’re able to get to the 12 hour mark before requiring a charge – whereas the iPhone 5s churns out 10 hours with heavy usage.

Conclusion

The pricing structure is somewhat interesting with these two iPhones, and in turn, people will gravitate to whatever suits their needs. Obviously, savings is at hand with the iPhone 5c’s lower starting cost of $100 on-contract – whereas it’s $200 for the iPhone 5s. Taking into account the $100 price difference between the two iPhones, it kind of makes sense considering that the iPhone 5s is stuffed with cutting edge gear and some added goodies that aren’t available with the iPhone 5c – like its better camera and neat/novel Touch ID biometric fingerprint sensor. In addition, the inclusion of a 64-bit processor means that the iPhone 5s isn’t messing around, but its true worth isn’t seen right now.

Diving into the platform experience, the iPhone 5c doesn’t see any compromise in this department, as it matches its sibling to the teeth in every aspect. Heck, even its overall performance rivals the iPhone 5s too – and that’s despite not having that snazzy 64-bit processor! And in all honesty, the color variety of the iPhone 5c is a tantalizing element that sprinkles a dash of flavor and style to this new iPhone line. At the end of the day, though, you can’t go wrong siding with either device. Certainly you’re going to get a better overall performance with the iPhone 5s, not to mention a premium looking device too, but the iPhone 5c can’t be forgotten because of its peculiar looks and equally charming performance.