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Apple managed to make their phone look cheaper than Samsung

Funny to read threads like this that we're made prior to the announcement. The iPhone 5c ended up being nowhere close to an entry level smartphone in price like everyone expected. It will be interesting to see what happens with it over the coming months.
 
iPhone 5C Meta Hands-On: Proudly Plastic, Surprisingly Premium

The iPhone 5C sure turned out to be exactly what we expected, except with some serious iPhone 5 guts in there instead of the old 4S snoozers. And just $100 (on contract). But that's only half the fun. How do those plastic backs feel, with and without the horrible cases? There's one big takeaway: This ain't no "cheap" iPhone.

TechCrunch

The iPhone [5C] performs terrifically, and looks fantastic. The colors really pop, and the case fits solidly in the hand and thanks to a slightly rubberized feel it should be easier to hold onto than any previous iPhone as well. ...I’m maybe most impressed by how light and yet solid the iPhone 5C feels. While it may not quite live up to the ultra-luxe metal and glass feel of the iPhone 5 and now 5S, it doesn’t feel like a cheap device; this is a premium phone, despite the price tag and somewhat older internals.

The Loop

The iPhone 5C is a gorgeous looking phone, no matter what color choose. They all feel very rugged in their construction, so you can put any thoughts of a cheap iPhone out of your mind right now. Perhaps it’s the reinforcement that Apple put inside the plastic casing or the build of the casing itself—whatever it is, the 5C is a solid phone.

The Verge

It's actually a bit surprising how high-end Apple's made the plastic phone feel, though it certainly doesn't hold a candle to the new 5s, which is far more premium and attractive. The 5c is almost like a toy, a rugged, comfortable device that doesn't feel much heavier than the iPhone 5 despite being noticeably larger ...the device feels far better than Samsung's or LG's plastic options. Even the rubbery cases look nice, their open-circle backs fitting in nicely with the color palette.

Pocket Lint

Technology aside, the plastic outer, which is meant to represent a more youthful product and one that is more playful is shiny-smooth to touch, but feels very much a part of the phone rather than something that could be peeled off after some use.

The polycarbonate has a very different feel from other "plastic" devices on the market at the moment and feels more of a return to the same finish - but in an array of colours - to the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS.

SlashGear

The [iPhone 5C's] form-factor is unmistakably that of an Apple smartphone, though the glossy-finish plastic feels warmer and softer to the touch than the 5S’s bevelled edges.

It’s not a cheap-feeling phone, but it doesn’t have the same premium finish as the 5S. There’s something a little toy-like about it, though not in a bad way; it’s solid and dense, and creak-free, and the weight is evenly balanced along the length.

Engadget

Apple continually mentioned during its event that it's "unapologetic" about the plastic build, and deservedly so — not only does it feel great, it's the most solid polycarbonate build that we've ever laid hands on. There is absolutely nothing about this setup that makes us believe it's not capable of handling a full share of wear and tear, and the reinforced steel frame convinces us that it's even going to survive falls without a problem.
 
Rogifan said:
iPhone 5C Meta Hands-On: Proudly Plastic, Surprisingly Premium

The iPhone 5C sure turned out to be exactly what we expected, except with some serious iPhone 5 guts in there instead of the old 4S snoozers. And just $100 (on contract). But that's only half the fun. How do those plastic backs feel, with and without the horrible cases? There's one big takeaway: This ain't no "cheap" iPhone.

TechCrunch

The iPhone [5C] performs terrifically, and looks fantastic. The colors really pop, and the case fits solidly in the hand and thanks to a slightly rubberized feel it should be easier to hold onto than any previous iPhone as well. ...I’m maybe most impressed by how light and yet solid the iPhone 5C feels. While it may not quite live up to the ultra-luxe metal and glass feel of the iPhone 5 and now 5S, it doesn’t feel like a cheap device; this is a premium phone, despite the price tag and somewhat older internals.

The Loop

The iPhone 5C is a gorgeous looking phone, no matter what color choose. They all feel very rugged in their construction, so you can put any thoughts of a cheap iPhone out of your mind right now. Perhaps it’s the reinforcement that Apple put inside the plastic casing or the build of the casing itself—whatever it is, the 5C is a solid phone.

The Verge

It's actually a bit surprising how high-end Apple's made the plastic phone feel, though it certainly doesn't hold a candle to the new 5s, which is far more premium and attractive. The 5c is almost like a toy, a rugged, comfortable device that doesn't feel much heavier than the iPhone 5 despite being noticeably larger ...the device feels far better than Samsung's or LG's plastic options. Even the rubbery cases look nice, their open-circle backs fitting in nicely with the color palette.

Pocket Lint

Technology aside, the plastic outer, which is meant to represent a more youthful product and one that is more playful is shiny-smooth to touch, but feels very much a part of the phone rather than something that could be peeled off after some use.

The polycarbonate has a very different feel from other "plastic" devices on the market at the moment and feels more of a return to the same finish - but in an array of colours - to the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS.

SlashGear

The [iPhone 5C's] form-factor is unmistakably that of an Apple smartphone, though the glossy-finish plastic feels warmer and softer to the touch than the 5S’s bevelled edges.

It’s not a cheap-feeling phone, but it doesn’t have the same premium finish as the 5S. There’s something a little toy-like about it, though not in a bad way; it’s solid and dense, and creak-free, and the weight is evenly balanced along the length.

Engadget

Apple continually mentioned during its event that it's "unapologetic" about the plastic build, and deservedly so — not only does it feel great, it's the most solid polycarbonate build that we've ever laid hands on. There is absolutely nothing about this setup that makes us believe it's not capable of handling a full share of wear and tear, and the reinforced steel frame convinces us that it's even going to survive falls without a problem.
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Love it. I am SO glad that they went this route, building a more affordable phone, rather than a CHEAP phone. $100 on contract isn't bad at all. Somehow people are still crying about the price? To me, if they wanted to price the phone any lower, they would have had to have made compromises to the build quailty and internal components (which are very strong)...I am glad (though not surprised) that they didn't cheap out on this thing.

They're sticking to their guns and standing strong against the outcries to build a super inexpensive (cheap in both price and quality) phone just for the sake of moving more units. GOOD! I would much rather see Apple continue to be a more premium company, offering world class products ONLY.
 
jjusmo said:
You do know you don't have to buy the 5C? Stick with the 5 or go for the 5S. There are a lot of ppl who will go crazy over the colors and cheaper price. The phone is obviously targeted towards younger audience and poorer countries..
Click to expand...

Not sure I should have upticked your post ;) considering that I personally can remember back to butter and sugar rationing in WWII... my job as a wee kid was to knead those dots of orange food coloring into the blasted packets of white margarine, which is how it was sold back in those days. Never count me as someone especially nostalgic for yesteryear...

Anyway, as an old fogey who's attracted to the 5C enough to have sprung for a green one this morning, I clearly think the targeting is towards people who just like the livelier colors (at least for a change-up cycle). You don't have to be 11-23 to dig the 5C colors. If they'd had a flame orange one i might even have gone for that. And, a nice thing about cases (or shells, skins, sleeves) is that they let you change your mind... frequently!

But I certainly do agree with you that the OP has other choices. The 5S looks like a good option too, just not for me this time. I'd remind the OP that beauty is always in the eye of the beholder, and also refer him to the tech specs on the 5C. It's not some cheapo thing. It's a great pick for a smartphone. I'm glad to get away from the glass-and-metal thing for awhile. Maybe next time I'll want that again, who knows. Meantime lovin' that green 5C and just can't wait to have it in hand.
 
I actually think quite the opposite on a few points....

(1) I don't find the GS4 cheap-feeling or looking at all. Never really cared much about the whole "plastic is cheap" nonsense, even being an Apple fan - and now that I own a GS4, I can say there's nothing about this phone that feels or looks cheap.

(2) I actually think the 5C LOOKS really really nice. The finish on it is what gets me and (just speculation) I'd imagine it feels quite sturdy. I'm still trying to figure out a way to get both the 5S and a 5C as a backup, "toy" that I can use when I sell my main device and in case of emergencies or with Beta software. Just not keen on the $550 off contract pricing, and I only have 1 upgrade to use.....thinking about burning an early upgrade. Likely gonna buy a Nexus 5 off contract anyways which should keep me tied over until 2015 on both the iPhone and Android front.....and even if the 6 blows my socks off, I have plenty of devices to sell.

I also might be one of the only human beings on earth that doesn't think the 5C case is an abomination.....I actually kinda like them. Green iPhone 5C with the yellow case - Sic 'Em Bears!
 
asleep said:
Not possible.
Click to expand...

Quite possible, and at least IMO Apple succeeded quite well. Just when we thought the 5C could not be uglier Apple added that Holey case to it, wow, just wow. :eek:

Of course it's all subjective, one man's trash is another man's treasure.
 
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