iPhone 5c (vs. iPhone 5s)

[maflynn]

Its that time, where my kids are approaching the age where they'll be getting them cell phones, and so now I'm looking to buy some used iPhones.

Obviously the price of the 5c is considerably less on Swappa then the 5s. What advantages do the 5s have (other then the fingerprint sensor) have over the 5c.

I'm liking the idea of the 5c as their first phone but it may be so many versions down, that running the latest OS maybe a bit of a pain, i.e., too slow.

Thoughts, opinions, recommendations?

 

[I7guy]

Its that time, where my kids are approaching the age where they'll be getting them cell phones, and so now I'm looking to buy some used iPhones.

Obviously the price of the 5c is considerably less on Swappa then the 5s. What advantages do the 5s have (other then the fingerprint sensor) have over the 5c.

I'm liking the idea of the 5c as their first phone but it may be so many versions down, that running the latest OS maybe a bit of a pain, i.e., too slow.

Thoughts, opinions, recommendations?

My cousin had a 5c. This is 32 bit phone has some differences in camera specs; i.e. Burst, slo-mo and some others that I can't remember off the top of my head. 5c is more toward an iPhone 5. iOS 9 is probably the last operating system. For a first phone for children it should be fine.

Edit: even an iPhone 5 would be appropriate as a first phone.

 

[recoil80]

If you really want 5C don't buy the 8GB model or your kid will end up deleting stuff every now and then to make room for more content.
And 5s is more future proof, I'm not sure whether 5c will be able to run iOS 10 and for example there is no night shift mode in 5c.
If the difference is around $100/$150 I'd go for the 5s

 

[barondebxl]

For first phone you could get them a 5C, it's cheaper and still does the job. It doesn't sound like they need all the bells and whistles right now.

 

[maflynn]

If the difference is around $100/$150 I'd go for the 5s

Good point, my kids love those features on my phone so yeah, it will be a nice addition.

For first phone you could get them a 5C, it's cheaper and still does the job. It doesn't sound like they need all the bells and whistles right now.

Actually for 100 bucks more I think it may be a nice to have.

 

[barondebxl]

Good point, my kids love those features on my phone so yeah, it will be a nice addition.


Actually for 100 bucks more I think it may be a nice to have.

Well there's no question the 5s is the better device, so it's up to you on how much you wanna spend.

 

[maflynn]

Well there's no question the 5s is the better device, so it's up to you on how much you wanna spend.

Agreed, I forgot what the differences were between the two and @recoil80 did a good job and documenting some of those.

 

[AlliFlowers]

Depends on the age, too. Some parents feel that 1st grade is the age for their first cell phone. Others feel that it's 6th grade, and others feel it's a h.s. privilege.

 

[richwoodrocket]

Get the 5c. It will make them learn to appreciate an upgrade when they get it. I'm 16 now, I started on an iphone 4 in 2013, and have a 5c now. Can't afford to upgrade so I'll probably have it a for few years. Having an iphone 4 made me appreciate how much better my current phone is.

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

Another factor to consider is durability. I've never owned a 5c, but it's plastic shell leads me to believe it would be more durable than the 5s.

It's true that obsolescence on the 5s is farther out, however I'd be surprised if the 5/5c didn't get iOS 10. I mean the 4S runs iOS 9.

Only you know what your kids will use; I gave my mom my old iPhone 5 and it's perfect for her. The only additional feature I could see her using on a 5s would be the fingerprint scanner (and by default improved camera, but I don't think she uses her camera that much, plus she was fine taking pictures on my hand-me-down iPad 2... *shudder*)

For what it's worth, I'm reaching the point where I don't think I need the latest and greatest iPhone. I've been on the 2 year upgrade cycle, and I have the iPhone 6. I honestly don't expect to upgrade to the 7 (or maybe even the 7s). I'm sure it will be a great update, and I was even super tempted by the 6s. But now that the excitement has died down, I've realized that there's really not anything I need changed on my iPhone 6.

 

[BSG75]

For a first phone, the 5c is a good option. That was our daughter's first iPhone. When she wanted to upgrade, we told her that she had to save up some money to pay for some of the cost. Between household chores and baby sitting gigs, she saved up enough to cover the down payment cost of the 6s 64gig on a 2-year contract. We ended up doing a device payment plan instead, but she still contributed her share of the cost.

Since she has some skin in the game, she really appreciates her new iPhone. So, to answer your original question, the 5c makes a great starter phone. Just stay away from the 8gig models.

 

[Radon87000]

I own a 5C and although I love the colourful look the 5S with its metal body design seems more durable.I would get the 5S as its well worth the extra premium

 

[maflynn]

Some parents feel that 1st grade is the age for their first cell phone.

Wow, I never seen or heard that. I teach karate and so I see a lot of 5 year olds up through teenagers and I can fully say that a 6 year old is too young. I do see your point however, but at this point given their level of maturity, and most other kids already have phones (why by them a phone when no one else they know doesn't have phones), and the need to reach us is such. I think its time.

I still like the idea of having a 5s over the 5c, but there is definitely some wisdom to getting the 5c.

 

[Andres Cantu]

I would say it depends on what carrier you're looking for. For example, Boost Mobile had a crazy price for a 5s a couple of weeks ago (not sure if they still have it). I think it was like $200 for a new device.

 

[CNeufeld]

How likely are your kids to drop/destroy/lose a phone? My son went through 3 different phones before he managed to keep one alive for more than a year. My daughter went through 2, and ended up living with a cracked display for 4 months. If you're going to end up replacing the phone at your own cost inside a year anyway, you may just want to get the cheapest one.

C

 

[maflynn]

How likely are your kids to drop/destroy/lose a phone?

That's a good point, I've seen a marked improvement in their responsibility this past year. They've been handling their iPod touches with a lot of responsibility.

 

[TC03]

Get the 5s. It has a 64 bit chip and will most likely receive updates for a longer time than the 5c. Furthermore, it's faster, has a batter camera and Touch ID.

That's a good point, I've seen a marked improvement in their responsibility this past year. They've been handling their iPod touches with a lot of responsibility.

Lol. You sound like a scientist.