Metro Weekly

Apple announces cheaper, colorful iPhone 5C

iPhone5c_34L_AllColors_PRINT (1280x1114).jpg

Shocking absolutely nobody after numerous leaks, Apple today confirmed that they are bringing a range of cheaper, plastic, multi-colored iPhones to the market. Dubbed the 5C, it’s essentially an iPhone 5 in bright clothing.

Those colors are blue, white, red, yellow and green, and each sports a glossy finish. Made from polycarbonate plastic, Apple worked hard to give it the same density and quality as the aluminium iPhone. With a unibody design, the iPhone 5C contains a reinforced steel structure that should give it a little extra stability for any unfortunate knocks or trips to the curb.

Specs-wise, it’s not going to appeal to anyone looking for the bleeding edge of technology — but that’s not the intended market here. A 4-inch Retina display with full sRGB and widescreen video, the A6 chip that powers the iPad and the iPhone 5, an 8MP iSight camera with backside illumination, hybrid IR filter and a 5-element lens, a FaceTime HD camera, dual-band WiFi, BlueTooth 4.0 and support for more LTE bands across the world than any other smartphone.

iPhone5c_Backs-Cases_PRINT (1280x494).jpg

Apple is also designing a range of custom cases — and the emphasis here is on fun. They’ll be $29 each and come in a variety of shapes and colors to complement the colorful nature of both the iPhone 5C and the new iOS 7.

As for the phone itself? When I say cheaper, it’s relative to Apple. On a 2-year contract, expect to pay $99 for the 16GB version, and $199 for the 32GB model. It’s available to pre-order on September 13, and will be in-stores on September 20.

Join our e-mail list.

Support Metro Weekly’s Journalism

These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!