Alexei Volkov
Apple's iPhone 5C was released on September 20, 2013, and was marketed as unapologetically plastic. The iPhone 5C is an iPhone 5 encased in a plastic shell, with an improved front-facing camera and battery size. The plastic shell is made of polycarbonate, which is shatter-resistant, heat-resistant, and scratch-resistant. The c in the iPhone 5C's name stands for color, and the phone was available in several color options. While some criticized Apple for using plastic, others embraced it, highlighting the aesthetic and functional benefits of polycarbonate. The iPhone 5C's plastic front screen and shell make it durable and lightweight.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| iPhone 5C front screen material | Plastic/Polycarbonate |
| Back and sides material | Polycarbonate |
| Back coating | Lacquer |
| Back coating purpose | Scratch resistance |
| Weight | 132 grams |
| Thickness | More than iPhone 5 and 5S |
| Durability | Shatter-resistant, heat-resistant, scratch-resistant |
| Camera | 8-megapixel rear camera, 1.2-megapixel front camera |
| Processor | 32-bit |
| Colors | Green, White, Blue, Pink, Yellow, Black |
| Release date | September 20, 2013 |
| Predecessor | iPhone 5 |
| Successor | iPhone 6 and 6 Plus |
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What You'll Learn
- The iPhone 5C's polycarbonate shell is shatter-resistant, heat-resistant, and lightweight
- The plastic is coated to prevent scratching, but it can still scratch
- The c in iPhone 5C stands for color
- Apple embraced the aesthetic and functional benefits of plastic, showcasing it without pretending it's something else
- Other plastic Apple products include the original iMac, iBooks, and MacBooks
The iPhone 5C's polycarbonate shell is shatter-resistant, heat-resistant, and lightweight
The iPhone 5C is a smartphone developed and marketed by Apple Inc. It is part of the sixth generation of iPhones and was unveiled on September 10, 2013. The ""C" in its name stands for "color", as the phone was available in several color options, including green, white, blue, pink, and yellow. The iPhone 5C is essentially an iPhone 5 inside a plastic shell with an improved front-facing camera and battery size.
The iPhone 5C features a polycarbonate shell, which is a type of plastic. Polycarbonate is known for its shatter resistance, making it ideal for various applications, including eyeglass lenses, motorcycle windshields, and aircraft windshields. The polycarbonate shell of the iPhone 5C is not only shatter-resistant but also heat-resistant and lightweight.
The use of polycarbonate in the iPhone 5C's shell offers several advantages. Firstly, it keeps the weight of the phone down, making it comfortable to hold and carry. Secondly, its shatter-resistant properties provide durability and protect the internal components of the phone in the event of a drop or impact. Additionally, the heat-resistant nature of polycarbonate helps dissipate heat, preventing the device from getting too hot.
While polycarbonate offers these benefits, it is important to note that it is still susceptible to scratches. To address this, Apple coated the polycarbonate shell of the iPhone 5C to enhance its scratch resistance. However, it is still recommended to use a protective case to further safeguard the device from scratches and other types of damage.
The iPhone 5C's polycarbonate shell contributes to its overall durability and lightweight design, making it a popular choice for users seeking a combination of functionality and aesthetics.
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The plastic is coated to prevent scratching, but it can still scratch
The iPhone 5c is a smartphone that was developed and marketed by Apple Inc. It is part of the sixth generation of iPhones. The device was unveiled on September 10, 2013, and released on September 20, 2013. The "c" in the iPhone 5c's name stands for "color". The iPhone 5c is a variant of the iPhone 5, with similar hardware specifications but a hard-coated polycarbonate shell instead of the aluminum of the original iPhone 5.
The iPhone 5c is often referred to as being "unapologetically plastic". Apple has embraced the use of plastic in the iPhone 5c, showcasing it as a durable and functional material. The polycarbonate shell of the iPhone 5c is coated with a lacquer to make it more scratch-resistant. This coating helps to prevent scratching, but it is important to note that the iPhone 5c can still scratch if enough force is applied.
Polycarbonate is a type of plastic that has been used in various industries for its durability and strength. It is commonly used in products such as eyeglass lenses, motorcycle windshields, and computer screens. In the case of the iPhone 5c, Apple utilized polycarbonate to create a shatter-resistant and heat-resistant device.
While the lacquer coating on the iPhone 5c's polycarbonate shell helps to improve scratch resistance, it is not completely scratch-proof. The device can still scratch if subjected to sharp or abrasive materials, or if enough pressure is applied. This is a common issue with polycarbonate, as it tends to scratch more easily than other materials such as metal or glass.
To protect the iPhone 5c from scratches, it is recommended to use a screen protector and a case. This will provide an additional layer of protection and help to keep the device looking new. While the iPhone 5c's plastic construction may be more susceptible to scratches than other materials, it offers other benefits such as a reduced weight and improved durability in the event of drops or impacts.
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The c in iPhone 5C stands for color
The iPhone 5C was released on September 20, 2013, as a lower-cost alternative to the iPhone 5S. The "C" in iPhone 5C's name stands for "color". This was the first time iPhones were available in a variety of colours, with options for blue, green, pink, yellow, white, and red. The iPhone 5C was also the first iPhone to feature a plastic shell, made of polycarbonate, which is shatter-resistant, heat-resistant, and scratch-resistant.
The iPhone 5C's polycarbonate shell is a significant departure from the iPhone 5's aluminum body. This change in material resulted in a slightly heavier and thicker design compared to the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5S. However, the use of polycarbonate allowed for a variety of colours, giving the iPhone 5C a unique and playful appearance.
The iPhone 5C's colourful design was well-received, offering a fun and affordable alternative to the more expensive iPhone 5S. The phone's polycarbonate shell also contributed to its durability, making it one of the most durable iPhones ever created.
In addition to the colourful options, Apple also released custom cases for the iPhone 5C, providing even more opportunities for personalisation. These cases, made of silicone with a soft microfiber lining, featured cutouts that allowed the colour of the iPhone's housing to peek through, creating a unique two-tone look.
The iPhone 5C's focus on colour and its durable yet colourful polycarbonate shell made it a standout iPhone model, offering a combination of functionality and fun that has since been echoed in other iPhone releases.
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Apple embraced the aesthetic and functional benefits of plastic, showcasing it without pretending it's something else
Apple's iPhone 5C is a smartphone that was developed and marketed by Apple Inc. as part of the sixth generation of iPhones. The "C" in its name stands for "color." The iPhone 5C is a variant of the iPhone 5, with similar hardware specifications but a different exterior design. While the iPhone 5 featured an aluminum exterior, the iPhone 5C was redesigned using polycarbonate housing, a type of plastic. This polycarbonate shell keeps the weight of the phone down, is shatter-resistant, heat-resistant, and scratch-resistant due to a lacquer coating.
Apple's decision to use polycarbonate for the iPhone 5C's case sparked discussions about the company's focus on product quality. Some criticized Apple for using plastic, considering it a cheaper material. However, Apple embraced the aesthetic and functional benefits of plastic, showcasing it without pretending it's something else. In the introduction video for the iPhone 5C, Jony Ive describes the phone as "beautifully, unapologetically plastic."
Apple's approach to the iPhone 5C's design stands in contrast to other phone manufacturers, who might use plastic in their products but try to disguise it. For example, some companies use metallic paint or fake leather textures to make plastic look more like a premium material. Apple, on the other hand, chose to highlight the benefits of plastic, such as its durability and weight, rather than trying to pass it off as something else.
The iPhone 5C was available in various colors, including green, white, blue, pink, and yellow. It retained the 8-megapixel back camera of the iPhone 5 but featured an improved front-facing camera and improved battery size. Apple positioned the iPhone 5C at a lower cost than its new iPhone 5S, making it more accessible to customers.
Overall, Apple's iPhone 5C showcases the company's willingness to embrace plastic for its functional and aesthetic advantages, offering a durable and affordable smartphone option to consumers.
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Other plastic Apple products include the original iMac, iBooks, and MacBooks
Apple's iPhone 5C features a plastic back made of polycarbonate, which is shatter-resistant, heat-resistant, and lightweight. The use of polycarbonate, a type of plastic, in the iPhone 5C's design sparked discussions about Apple's focus on product quality. However, polycarbonate is not just plastic; it is a high-performance material used in various industries, including optics and aviation, due to its superior properties.
Apple has a history of incorporating plastic into its product designs, including the original iMac, iBooks, and MacBooks. The iMac G4, for instance, is renowned for its aesthetic appeal, with some users expressing a preference for the older plastic models over their aluminium successors. The iBooks, plastic MacBooks, and iBook G3s were also well-received by consumers, with some considering the plastic MacBooks iconic.
The plastic casing on the original iBook and MacBook models offered certain advantages. For example, the plastic MacBook's WiFi reception was superior to that of its aluminium counterpart due to the material's higher transparency to RF signals. Additionally, the plastic casing contributed to excellent battery life and was less prone to scratches.
Apple's utilisation of plastic in its products, such as the iPhone 5C, showcases the company's ability to innovate and enhance the user experience. The choice of polycarbonate for the iPhone 5C's back cover demonstrates Apple's attention to detail and its commitment to creating durable and lightweight devices.
While Apple has discontinued the production of plastic MacBooks, there are ongoing discussions and suggestions for the company to reintroduce plastic as a material option for its MacBook line. Some users appreciate the diversity of design choices that plastic offers, including an infinite number of colour options, a feature that could appeal to artists and creatives—a key demographic for Apple. Additionally, polycarbonate is less energy-intensive to work with than aluminium, making it a more sustainable option.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the iPhone 5C's front screen is not plastic. The “C” in the iPhone 5C's name stands for "color", referring to its hard-coated polycarbonate shell.
Polycarbonate is a type of plastic that has been used in various industries for its shatter-resistant and lightweight properties. While it is scratch-resistant, it can still scratch if enough force is applied.
Apple chose to use polycarbonate for the iPhone 5C to offer a smartphone with similar hardware specifications to the iPhone 5 at a lower price point. The use of polycarbonate allowed for a variety of color options and improved durability compared to glass or aluminum.
