Even when they have been on the market for years, Apple iPhones have that aura of exclusivity, which makes older models continue to be interesting. One of those that has been on the lips again is the iPhone 5c, which has just entered a new category within Apple itself. The question is, is it worth buying this mobile in the middle of 2020?
Answering this question depends on many factors, but especially the use that the user can give such an old mobile. Recall that the iPhone 5c was presented on September 10, 2013 . It hit the market as one of the successors to the iPhone 5, alongside the iPhone 5s. Although reputed to be “modest”, the truth is that it has the same hardware features as its predecessor, but with a different rear cover, made of polycarbonate.
Can it be purchased in 2020?
Buy it new
The answer is yes, although it is already very difficult to find it new in stores. Of course we must forget about seeing it on the Apple website . However, it is surprising to find it in stock in some stores such as Fnac, where we find it new for 299 euros in its yellow variant.
Refurbished option
There is also the option to buy it reconditioned, in one of the main dedicated websites, where it usually costs around 60 euros. In addition, the reconditioned iPhone 5c can come directly from China, since we also see it on Chinese portals such as Wish or Aliexpress, where they will send us a refurbished unit for a cost of around 40 euros.
Is it worth buying?
By benefits
If to answer this question we have to look only at the performance of the device, the immediate answer would be a resounding no. Seven years is many years in a lightning-fast industry, and this iPhone seems prehistoric compared to today’s models. Remember that it has a 4-inch screen, large frames around its screen and a processor, such as the A6, which may have problems with some current applications or games. However, it could serve undemanding users who use the mobile for what it was invented and something else.
For assistance and support
The iPhone 5c is on Apple’s “Vintage” product list. This means that the company has dropped its support, but may be receiving hardware service from Apple’s service providers, including Apple’s retail stores. That is , it is still possible to repair the device if it breaks , but its support is less assured than in more modern devices. If we manage to acquire the new terminal in a store or portal, it must ensure the current two-year warranty. However, if we opt for the reconditioned option that we have seen above, the conditions of this type of terminals reduce the warranty period considerably.
Keep in mind that the iPhone 5c was born with iOS 7. Although we usually applaud Apple’s update policy, it should not be overlooked that this iPhone has been anchored in iOS 10.3.4, so there are dozens of news and functions present in other iPhones, which you cannot have. Also, if we plan to keep it with us for a considerable time, it is possible that some applications will abandon support for older versions of iOS. In this sense, we should update the mobile yes or yes to its latest version in order to continue using WhatsApp in 2021 on the iPhone 5c, since it will not work in versions lower than iOS 9.
By use and price
As a second mobile, as part of our private collection, or as a child or adolescent’s first approach to the iPhone universe , the iPhone 5c can have a pass and be worth it. However, you always have to keep the price in mind, as it can be crazy to pay more than 150 euros for this new device, or more than 60 euros if it is reconditioned. There are too many factors on the table for everyone to weigh the purchase or not of an iPhone 5c in the middle of 2020.