iPhone 5S or iPhone 5C: Which is Best for You?

Comparing specs, features, and more.

For the first time, Apple is launching not one, but two new iPhone models, including the high-end iPhone 5S and the lower cost, more colorful iPhone 5C. Aside from the obvious question of preference in style, which version is best for you? We compare the features, specs, and other qualities of each to help you deicide.

iPhone 5S: Performance, Photography, and Convenience

As Apple's new flagship device, the iPhone 5S boasts the company's latest and greatest tech, including its new 64-bit A7 processor, making it the obvious choice for users who demand the most processing power. Early reviews have cited exceptional performance in not only CPU speeds, but graphics. Processor specialists AnandTech report the the iPhone 5S yielded substantial graphics benchmarking gains over the Galaxy S4, HTC One, and the recent Moto X in several tests. Of course, whether the A7 will offer a discernible difference in optimized apps remains to be seen.

But those that opt for the iPhone 5S will benefit from more than just the A7 processor. Apple has made notable improvements to the camera, which could sway those that take a lot of photos and video with their smartphone. While the total megapixel count remains unchanged from the iPhone 5 — both it and the iPhone 5S have 8-megapixel sensors — the new model differentiates itself in two distinct ways: pixel size and aperture. The benefit, in simplified terms, is that the iPhone 5S' camera will theoretically take in and capture more light, for more vibrant photos and increased low-light performance. At least in theory. There's also Apple's new TrueTone LED flash, which adjusts the hue and brightness of the built-in flash to prevent blown out or over-saturated colors.
The A7 and new camera sensors also offer functionality that is exclusive to the iPhone 5S, including 720p HD slow-motion video, burst photo capture, and improved image stabilization.
On its own, it may not be enough to drive consumers to the iPhone 5S, but the new TouchID fingerprint sensor is definitely a convenience-enhancing bonus. Never again will you have to enter a 4-digit PIN to access your phone or enter your iTunes password when trying to download or purchase an app.
As mentioned, the aesthetic value of the iPhone 5S as compared to the iPhone 5C will be a matter of preference, but there are other factors to consider as well, such as durability and size. The iPhone 5S is thinner than the iPhone 5C (7.6mm vs. 8.97mm) and lighter, too —the iPhone 5C is over half an ounce heavier than the 5S. On paper, the difference may seem negligible, but in-person, it's definitely noticeable. The iPhone 5S' aluminum chassis is also less susceptible to scuffing and accumulating dirt, though its chamfered edges are prone to dings and dents.

iPhone 5C: Colorful, Cost Conscious, and (Potentially) More Storage

It's easy to write off the iPhone 5C as simply the cheaper, plastic-encased option with last year's specs — and to a degree, that's true — but last year's specs are still exceptional. If you pick up an iPhone 5C, you're getting the iPhone 5's gorgeous Retina Display and 8MP camera with Apple's exceptional image processing technology. In effect, the iPhone 5C will still take some of the best photos of most smartphones on the market and maintain a fairly high level of performance.

But iPhone 5C also adds a few small, but noteworthy hardware improvements, including expanded LTE support and an improved front-facing camera. The 5C's expanded LTE bands add increased network compatibility abroad in Europe and Asia. It obviously benefits those that reside in those regions, but it also means greater reliability and compatibility for travelers. The front-facing camera now sports improved backside illumination over the iPhone 5, enabling it to capture better low-light photos and videos, which could be useful for FaceTime calls. A recent FCC filing also revealed that the iPhone 5C features a slightly larger battery over the iPhone 5, going from 1440mAh to 1507mAh.
The iPhone 5C may not be the low-cost model many pre-announcement rumors it suggested it would be, but it's still a comparatively inexpensive iPhone. For anyone on a budget, it comes in $100 less than the iPhone 5S with a 2-year contract. Those less concerned with cost and more interested in more storage, the $199 32GB iPhone 5C offers double the storage of the $199 16GB iPhone 5S. If you're willing to forego cutting-edge specs, the larger capacity will be especially useful for storing more games, apps, and media.
The iPhone 5C's plastic shell also theoretically offers more shock absorption than the iPhone 5S' aluminum casing, though is more likely to scratch, scuff, and collect dust as a result of the high-gloss finish.