Apple Announces Colorful New iPhone 5c, Starting at $99 on Two-Year Contract

[AtomicGrog]

AU pricing for the 5C starts at $739 (5S is $869), really don't see that as a winner or a cheap alternative.

Imo looks nice though, plenty of colour options but at that price it will be a while before my kids see them in the xmas stocking...

 

[Eidorian]

Sure, Nexus 4 is 3G phone, no LTE (no LTE antena). Get that fact straight. Don't say that you can tweak to make LTE chip in NX4 work because Google patched it with Jelly Bean 4.2.2.

I understand that would be of concern for some users but it is not for me. $249 without a contract and unlocked is what wins me over.

Welcome to MacRumors.

 

[Altis]

The whole iOS 7 is so girlish somewhat wrote an entire article on it. Look at the game center icon, could you conceive of a more feminine, abstract, or boring icon.

I agree with you other points about pricing.

+1. It's also very hard on the eyes with so much white everywhere.

I understand that would be of concern for some users but it is not for me. $249 without a contract and unlocked is what wins me over.

Welcome to MacRumors.

While I love the price of the Nexus 4 (and its looks), looking it up at various sites showed an alarming number of people having major issues with it. I'd rather buy a used 4S if I at least know it will work properly.

 

[mytdave]

It takes time

First of all, your UK pricing is due to taxes, laws and regulation from your socialist overlords.

In the US, the iPhone 5c is $100 cheaper than the 5s. $100 is a big deal.

After initial demand is met, I bet you'll see a $50-100 price drop in the 5c and a discontinuation of the 4s.

 

[Scrumper]

The high price is so disappointing. I have been telling all my Samsung-owning friends who want to jump on board the Apple train to hang on because a new "low cost" iPhone is on its way. Now I'm going to have to eat my words. My fault for believing the rumours, I suppose. Meanwhile, I'm so glad I got my "5" when I did. And I'm hanging on to it!

 

[AaronEdwards]

First of all, your UK pricing is due to taxes, laws and regulation from your socialist overlords.

In the US, the iPhone 5c is $100 cheaper than the 5s. $100 is a big deal.

$100 is a big deal for those who are unable to understand the total cost of the phone including the 2 year contract and the second hand value of it.

Maybe it says something about the state of education in the low taxed unregulated US?

Edit: Or maybe it says something about the low wages in the US?

 

[seattle29]

In the US, the iPhone 5c is $100 cheaper than the 5s. $100 is a big deal.

At current exchange rates (GBP/USD), the iPhone 5c is $126 cheaper than the 5s in the UK. So they actually get a bigger discount.

 

[caspersoong]

WHY, Apple? They should release a $275 iPhone, not this expensive product! Are they out of their minds? I want to see Apple regain market share but at this rate it seems very improbable. Also, the Chinese care a great deal about reputation and many wouldn't be caught dead with a 'cheaper' phone.

 

[trip1ex]

Wasn't as much of a wish as it was one of the alternative route Apple could have taken to maximize the number of iPhones sold.

$50 an iPhone would really maximize unit sales.

----------

First of all, your UK pricing is due to taxes, laws and regulation from your socialist overlords.

In the US, the iPhone 5c is $100 cheaper than the 5s. $100 is a big deal.

After initial demand is met, I bet you'll see a $50-100 price drop in the 5c and a discontinuation of the 4s.

$100 is nothing considering the contract and considering that the resale value on a 5S likely to be close to $100 more than 5c.

Makes no sense to get a 5c unless you want bright colors and plastic shell. But on the other hand for some people the extra features of the 5s mean squat. My parents would hardly notice a difference.

 

[tmanto02]

It is really to expensive

 

[john123]

The 5C will sell like crazy. I understand the criticism about the specs and plastic case, but it doesn't matter. The target market for this phone are middle class teenagers and young adults. Parents are uncomfortable buying their kids the latest most expensive smartphone, so this will relieve some of the guilt, whist giving in to their kid's desire for an iPhone.. It isn't logical...but, parents do this type of thing all of the time. Me included!

Besides, most people have absolutely no idea what type of hardware is in their phone.....and don't care. If they like the color and it is less expensive, while running the latest Apps and OS, then they will buy it!

And the 50+ crowd that's a little less nimble with technology and prefers something "rugged" over something stylish.

I agree. It'll sell like crazy. The funny thing about this thread and all the complaining is that this is exactly the phone everyone was expecting. But the people posting here are the quintessential example of a vocal minority. This was an excellent, profit-boosting move on Apple's part.

 

[ScruffyS]

Am I the only one who heard right from the keynote that the 5C will only run the background color of the device?

10:33 am: Wallpapers match the colors of the device.

(from the live event) Live Coverage of Apple's 2013 iPhone Media Event

 

[john123]

$100 is nothing considering the contract and considering that the resale value on a 5S likely to be close to $100 more than 5c.

Not everyone resells their phones, or does so through optimal channels. Additionally, upfront costs matter to many people an awful lot. As I stated previously in this thread, $100 is $100. The contract is, frankly, irrelevant. That's almost as non-sensical as saying that your cell phone contract is "nothing" because it's a tiny fraction of what you pay on your mortgage.

 

[stol]

Anyone who I saw walking around with a 5C I would seriously question their judgement and ask them why they couldn't find the extra £80 on top of £459.

I would consider you an awful person to do that to someone!

----------

Am I the only one who heard right from the keynote that the 5C will only run the background color of the device?

You can change the wallpaper anytime, of course. They meant that when you buy a new 5C the background you'll see when you first start it will match the iPhone color.

 

[ianwuk]

Designed by Apple in California. Inspired by Nokia Lumia.

I sold my iPhone 4 last week and got a Nokia Lumia 620, in lime green. It has all the apps I need and, so far, I have no regrets. All I have now is an iPad (1st gen) and use Apple for iTunes and iTunes Match.

official video on youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiXYdRWT77c

Loved so far, but i prefer the iPhone 5S

Did anyone else hear that at the start it sounds like he is supposed to say 'more essential' but it sounds wrong? To me at least, I hear 'more ecentral'.

 

[Nahaz]

Too Expensive....

$739 in Australia for the iPhone 5c and $869 for the 5s. That basically means that these phones will be around $50-$70 per month on contract here. Apple has certainly guaranteed the 5c won't eat into the 5s sales.

I understand the concept of making great quality products, but Apple is leaving a big hole at the bottom of the market for all the other smartphone companies to come in and offer great phones for less, and I can even get price matching with them, unlike Apple.

It would of been better to sell the iPhone 5c at the current price Apple is selling the 4s for, and that is $529.00

 

[paradox00]

Designed by Apple in California. Inspired by Nokia Lumia.

Oh really?

 

[ruimpinho]

599€ in Europe???

 

[Altis]

......snip.....the Chinese care a great deal about reputation and many wouldn't be caught dead with a 'cheaper' phone.

Could be said of anywhere, but yes... they could have made a more subtle 5C. Heck, at least with a 4, people won't think you're cheap, but just haven't gotten around to upgrading your 4"s"

$100 is a big deal for those who are unable to understand the total cost of the phone including the 2 year contract and the second hand value of it.

Maybe it says something about the state of education in the low taxed unregulated US?

Edit: Or maybe it says something about the low wages in the US?

It's true that the difference should be at least halved when resale is included (ie. total cost of ownership).

I'm not even touching that last bit about the state of affairs in my neighbours to the south

 

[iSayuSay]

Agree with all comments here. iPhone 5C off contract pricing is an utterfail. $549 and $649 respectively? Just $100 cheaper for the "ultimate" version?

People who buy an iPhone off contract wouldn't care if it's just $100 difference.

Those people ready to flush out $600+ for a phone, so why not spend another $100 to get the best of the best? Nicer material, Touch ID, speedier A7 .. Those extras alone worth too much to pass up for a mere $100.

In contrary buying a 5C means you miss a lot too. Suckier material (FIVE HUNDRED FARKIN DOLLARS PLASTIC FARKIN PHONE, really?), last year's processor, plain and no fancy tech iPhone.

The point of having a "C" class iPhone is to have an economical iPhone to compete with mid end market, which is the most abundant of all. But after looking at this? Hmm .. not sure what 5C means for. Too much compromises, too much stripping down.

Even iPad Mini looks sexier than iPad with RD no wonder it sells like hotcakes. Not so much with 5C to 5S

 

[ScruffyS]

hmm .. Not sure what 5c means for. Too much compromises, too much stripping down.

 

[john123]

Too much compromises, too much stripping down.

It's an iPhone 5 with a bigger battery and plastic, that's now available for a lower price than the iPhone 5 was. Where's the compromise? Where's the strip down?

 

[iSayuSay]

It's an iPhone 5 with a bigger battery and plastic, that's now available for a lower price than the iPhone 5 was. Where's the compromise? Where's the strip down?

Bigger battery .. okay
Bigger plastic .. not sure what it means, but I think it's a bad thing?

A6 is an older tech no wonder it should costs lower. How about keeping the same iPhone 5 nice form factor and sell it for $100 less? Like iPhone 4 when 4S was released? Not really a compromise and everybody's happy.

And most of my point stays. What's the point of even sell a 5C when it only costs $100 less, made of garish-colored plastic, and missing out niceties like dual LED, Touch ID, and nicer camera?

It needs to be cheap, like $399 cheap to compromise so much and pinpoint its target market.

 

[Lindsford]

Apple failed here. The purpose of these phones should have been to make them cheap without a contract.

In many eyes Apple has failed. However I still reckon this will be wildly successful. $100 on contract doesn't seem to be that big of a deal when you can get a 5S for $100 more which i'm sure alot of techies and people who are on the forums will do. However there are others who care more about the color aspect, and saving $100 and not knowing the difference between the 5c and 5s without reading a spec sheet. I think everyone set their expectations a bit too high, and continue to base their new "budget" models against what Google is doing.

Apple is not willing to go to Google's level and sell Hardware at small margins, it's just not gonna happen this has never been their business plan and most likely will never be.

The pricing was to be expected, $199 current gen $99 budget $0 last gen. What will be interesting is what happens with the 5c/5s pricing next year when they release new models and if they will decide to go with a 4.5" model, a 4" 6, a 4" 6C? and if so what will be of the naming scheme? iPhone 6CS? So many questions about what's in store.

I was honestly hoping for a bit of a larger screen I love the size of the S4 but nothing I can do to it thus far makes the experience as smooth as OS. While not as many apps force close as when I had my iPhone 5, Google Play force closes on me atleast once a day, and even after killing it in tasks it still runs in the background draining my battery drives me nuts.

Guess I'll have to sit the iPhone out this year, was even half expecting the "One more thing..." to be a bigger iPhone to re-enforce the whole "Double-down" on security... Looks like one of the biggest years of leaks yet imo.

 

[bandalay]

Here's an idea:

With the ChinaMobile deal there could be a special lower price, and given their unique cellular standard (TD-SCDMA), their version of the device will not be black market-able outside of the country, or even their network.