Tag Archives: iphone 5c

Overview of the new iPhone 5c from Apple

Image 09/28/2013 Macmint Leave a comment

The iPhone 5c; something for those of us who like to live life in color. After months of online gossip about a new, cheaper iPhone, Apple made the official announcement about the iPhone 5c on September 10th. The new model of iPhone – for which the c definitely stands for “color” not “cheap” is like a reimagined iPhone 5. On September 20th the iPhone 5c was released in the United States, and many consumers are now excited about this fun, affordable smartphone.

There are many great aspects of the iPhone 5c besides just the affordable price tag. It boasts everything the first iPhone 5 did with a few welcome differences. Here are some of the best features the latest addition to the Apple family has to offer:

A high-quality, colorful exterior

Available in carefully selected shades of green, blue, yellow, pink or white, the 5c is definitely not a cheap, plastic mobile phone. It has a steel reinforced frame that acts as an antenna, which is attached to the phone’s shell and the laser-welded to ensure structural integrity. For those who really like color, specifically designed iPhone 5c cases are available that will allow owners to “mix it up” with 30 different color combinations. 5c cases are designed to be part of the experience. Made of quality silicone with a soft microfiber interior, they are molded to and run parallel with the rim of the phone. As a result, 5c owners can be creative with their color combinations and protect their smartphones without added bulk.

The powerful A6 chip

While it’s not the incredible A7 and M7 chip combination that comes with the iPhone 5s, the A6 is certainly nothing to scoff at. With twice the speed and graphics capabilities of its predecessor, it is more than enough power for the majority of iPhone users and allows use of apps with enjoyment, speed and ease.

Stunning retina display

The liquid crystal display on the 5c is like that of other recent Apple devices. It has a high enough pixel density that the human eye can’t detect pixilation at regular viewing distance. This means that photos are more vivid, games graphics are more vibrant, video quality is sharper and your entire iPhone 5c visual experience is rich and exciting.

Lightning-fast LTE wireless

Both the 5c and the 5s come equipped with this incredible connection capability. However, use of it depends on which mobile carrier you choose. While it’s becoming increasingly common, LTE still isn’t available in all areas. Should you be able to take advantage of it, however, you’ll experience connection and data transfer speeds that are distinctly faster than 3G and 4G.

Improved energy efficiency

While some people were skeptical of the ability to pack so much computing power into an iPhone without making battery life suffer, Apple has proved doubters wrong. The A6 chip is designed with energy efficiency in mind, consequently extending battery life. With 10 hours of LTE internet browsing time, talk time and even video playback time, the iPhone 5c is both powerful enough to do whatever you need and not have you scrambling to charge it back up halfway through your work day.

While many tech experts are focusing on the technological marvel that is the iPhone 5s, it’s important to not write the 5c off as an inferior device. Features like Touch ID and the M7 chip, while impressive, aren’t necessary for many consumers. For those who want a product that combines great technology with a fun design and manageable price tag, the iPhone 5c is a wise choice.

iPhone

Top 5 features iPhone 5s has over the colorful 5c

Image 09/24/2013 Macmint Leave a comment

With the debut of the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 5c, the tech world is buzzing about Apple once again. Seeing as the company was eager to prove they can still innovate, it’s no surprise there is a whole host of new features on each of the latest iPhones. Whichever you pick, the 5s and 5c both offer something extra over the iPhone 5. So are you seeking the latest and greatest in smartphone technology? Or are you after something that offers great features, is hip, affordable and as Apple puts it, “for the colorful?” If you’re not sure yet which iPhone suits you best, it may be helpful to consider what the 5s has that the 5c doesn’t.

A7 chip

With it, Apple has become the first smartphone manufacturer in the world to offer a mobile device with 64-bit architecture. Paired with the M7 motion coprocessor, it means the CPU and graphics performance of the iPhone 5s is up to two times faster than its predecessor. Think of it as desktop computer-class architecture packed into a sleek, super slim smartphone. Best of all, the new iOS 7 was designed specifically with the A7 chip in mind, maximizing performance and functionality.

Touch ID fingerprint sensor

Centered on the iPhone’s home button, which on the 5s is made of sapphire crystal, it reads the ridges and patterns in your print and functions accordingly, providing an unprecedented level of security for locking and unlocking your device. Touch ID technology can also be used in place of a traditional password to make purchases through iTunes, iBooks and the Mac App Store. Fingerprint data stored within the iPhone 5s is encrypted and saved securely in the A7 chip, where it is locked away from everything but the touch sensor itself.

Better iSight camera

Now with 8 megapixels and an additional 1.5-micron pixels, the iPhone 5s camera boasts True Tone flash for both still photographs and videos, automatic image stabilization, burst mode and slow motion video features. Those who thought previous iPhones had cameras of a high enough quality to replace their traditional point-and-shoot digital cameras are sure to be amazed at the improvements offered in the 5s.

Thinner and lighter design

With many rumors circulating that the new iPhone might be even larger than the 5, or that Apple might release a Samsung Galaxy-style “phablet” similar to the Note, a sleeker smartphone was a pleasant surprise. The iPhone 5s is 4.87 inches tall, compared to the 5c at 4.9 inches. It’s 2.31 inches wide, where the 5c is 2.33 inches. It’s also 0.3 inches deep, compared to the 5c at 0.35 inches. Even better, it weighs just 3.95 ounces, while the iPhone 5c is 4.65 ounces. All this incredible technology, and it’s still smaller and lighter.

Heftier price tag

As expected, the iPhone 5s doesn’t come cheap. A 16GB model is $199 with a wireless contract, or $649 unlocked. By comparison, a 16GB iPhone 5c is $99 on contract or $549 unlocked. The 32GB 5s is $299 on contract or $749 unlocked, while the 32Gb 5c is $199 with a wireless plan or $749 without one. Furthermore, the iPhone 5s is available in a 64GB model for those who have a lot of data to store on their smartphone. It weighs in at $399 on contract or $849 without. There is no 64GB iPhone 5c.

Which iPhone you choose will likely depend on both your budget and the features you can’t live without. If you must have Touch ID and the new A7 chip, but don’t require a lot of data storage, you can save a lot of money by choosing a 17GB or 32GB model. However, if you just want a smartphone that offers some of the latest technology, is fun and comes in a range of attractive colors, the 5c is a great option that won’t break the bank.

News

New plastic iPhone available in multiple colors

Image 08/10/2013 Macmint Leave a comment

As usual, the tech world is buzzing with rumors about the next iPhone. It seemed the moment the 4s was released we were already buzzing about the iPhone 5, and now that it’s old news, we’re all speculating on the possible features on the 5s. But this time around, Apple might be changing the game a little and releasing not one, but at least two new versions of their popular smartphone in order to compete with their rivals, Samsung.

Apparently, Apple is considering two different sized versions of the iPhone 5s – one with the current screen size and one even larger – as well as a cheaper model that will come in a variety of different colorful plastic casings to differentiate from the standard model dubbed the iPhone 5c.

apple-iphone-5c — Hitech_revolution/Flickr

apple-iphone-5c-1 — Hitech_revolution/Flickr

apple-iphone-5c-3 — Hitech_revolution/Flickr

While Apple CEO Steve Jobs had called their signature 3.5 inch screen “the perfect size for consumers,” after his passing the next iPhone had a slightly larger display. Current CEO Tim Cook has also recently hinted at other changes to screen sizes and the company has apparently been looking into offering iPhones with 4.7 inch and even 5.7 inch screens sizes, to compete with popular Android smartphones and “phablets,” those bigger than a smartphone, not quite a tablet devices like the Samsung Note II.

But what’s even bigger news than the changing screen sizes is the rumor that Apple will be producing an even cheaper phone. It will reportedly cost $99.00 and come in five or six different colors, according to supply chain sources. The story is that suppliers have been approached with plans for the new budget iPhones, but that the final product is still unknown. Of course Apple changes specifications right up until the last possible moment, so it’s difficult to say with any certainty what the phones will actually look like and feature by the time they’re released. Still, it’s rumored that trial production for the cheaper iPhone model is currently underway.

Even trials and production of the cheaper iPhone is now subject to rumors, as it’s been stated by those in the know that mixing of colors is taking longer than expected, due to Apple’s high and idealistic standards. If true, it’s great to know that they’re applying that much effort to even their lesser models.

The latest buzz from industry insiders is that 20 million plastic iPhones are expected to ship from the manufacturer between October and December, but the final price for the cheaper smartphone is still yet to be confirmed.

One thing, however, is for certain. Given the constant speculation about the budget-priced iPhones and the larger models due out at the same time, it shows that Apple is feeling – and responding to – pressure to compete with Android smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S4 and Samsung Note. Apple products are still immensely popular around the globe, with consumers lining up overnight to be among the first with the latest “iGadget.” But despite that, the company’s revenue growth has decelerated in recent years, and Samsung has overtaken Apple recently in market share. Perhaps offering a wider range of options in size, features and pricing for the iPhone, similar to what’s been done with the iPad and iPad Mini, is just what Apple needs to gain their market share back.