Apple iPhone 5C vs iPhone 5

Apple has announced the iPhone 5C, it's new alternative and cheaper smartphone. So what's the difference between it and the iPhone 5? We take a look in our iPhone 5C vs iPhone 5 comparison review. See also: iPhone 5C review.
On the whole, the iPhone 5C can be thought of as the iPhone 5 but wrapped in a new plastic shell. There are some other differences though so read on to find out what they are. See also: iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S launch: as it happened.

Apple iPhone 5C vs iPhone 5: Price (UK)

Apple has discontinued the iPhone 5, leaving the 8 GB iPhone 4S on sale at £349. So if you want an iPhone 5 you'll have to get it second hand or from a mobile operator which is still selling it. See also: iPhone 4S vs iPhone 5C vs iPhone 5S: What iPhone should I buy 2013?
Nevertheless, here is how the iPhone 5C compares to the pricing system for the iPhone 5 when it was on sale. It's cheaper than usual but can hardly be described as budget.
The iPhone 5C will be available to pre-order from 13 September and will go on sale on 20 September with the iPhone 5S.

Nevertheless, here is how the iPhone 5C compares to the pricing system for the iPhone 5 when it was on sale. It's cheaper than usual but can hardly be described as budget.
The iPhone 5C will be available to pre-order from 13 September and will go on sale on 20 September with the iPhone 5S.

Apple iPhone 5C vs iPhone 5: Design and build

As we mentioned, the iPhone 5C is essentially the iPhone 5 but in a polycarbonate plastic casing and as such is a little bigger and heavier. It's slightly more than a millimetre thicker and is 20 g heavier – nothing major here.

The bigger difference is the plastic casing which comes in five different colours – white, red (Apple calls it pink), blue, yellow and green. The iPhone 5C is steel reinforced inside.

Apple iPhone 5C vs iPhone 5: Processor

Once again,  there's no difference between the iPhone 5C and the iPhone 5 in the engine room. Apple's new plastic iPhone has the same A6 chip inside.

Apple iPhone 5C vs iPhone 5: Connectivity and 4G support

On the connectivity front, the iPhone 5C is largely the same as the iPhone 5 with the Lightning connector, dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 and GPS.
A key difference is support for more 4G LTE frequency bands. Apple states that the iPhone 5C is compatible with EE and Vodafone's networks in the UK but O2 confirmed that the smartphone, along with the flagship iPhone 5S will support it's network.
"And One More Thing...Yes iPhone 5S and 5C will support 4G on O2. More info coming soon." tweeted O2.
O2 uses the same 800 MHz frequency which Three will use when it launches its 4G and the latter is taking registrations for the new iPhones with advertising for 4G so it's all good on this front too.

Apple iPhone 5C vs iPhone 5: Battery life

Apple has given the iPhone 5C a slightly larger battery than the iPhone 5 which is a factor for it's heavier weight. It provides a boost in battery life, according to Apple, of an extra two hours of talk time and browsing over 4G LTE plus 25 hours on standby.