What are all the differences between the iPhone 5c models?

Please note that the iPhone 5c has been discontinued. However, this Q&A has been updated with current iOS support details and can be quite helpful for anyone buying or selling an iPhone 5c on the used market.

Although one might assume there is just one iPhone 5c model, there actually are eight distinct models. This is not referring to color choices, either.

To help with differentiation, EveryiPhone.com more precisely refers to each iPhone 5c as the iPhone 5c (GSM/North America/A1532), 5c (CDMA/Verizon/A1532), 5c (CDMA/China Telecom/A1532), 5c (CDMA/US/Japan/A1456), 5c (UK/Europe/Middle East/A1507), 5c (China Unicom/A1526), 5c (Asia Pacific/A1529), and 5c (China Mobile/A1516).

The iPhone 5c models are very similar to one another overall, but there are significant differences in network support. Accordingly, it is particularly important to know which models support which networks and how to identify each. Understanding the similarities among the devices is worthwhile, as well.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPhone 5c, Blue Color Option)

External Similarities & Differences

All iPhone 5c models use the same 4-inch multitouch IPS LED-backlit "Retina" display with 1136x640 resolution (326 ppi).

All iPhone 5c models also use a new polycarbonate body design with a "reinforced steel frame" and were sold in five different glossy colors -- white, pink, yellow, blue, and green.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPhone 5c Color Options)

Apple offered six slip on silicone, microfiber lined cases for US$29 each, but these cases are not designed to mitigate much impact damage.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPhone 5c Cases)

If you think it is a bit strange that Apple didn't design these cases to either completely cover or completely reveal the "iPhone" name on the back, you're not alone. However, there are no shortage of third-party cases to choose from, too.

All iPhone 5c models likewise have dual cameras. The rear 1080p "iSight" camera has an 8 megapixel sensor, a f/2.4 aperture, a single LED flash, a backside illumination sensor, a five-element lens, and a hybrid IR filter.

The front camera, which Apple refers to as "FaceTime HD" in some marketing copy and just "FaceTime" in others, has a 1.2 megapixel sensor and supports 720p video. The rear camera is best suited for photography and videography, whereas the lower quality front camera is intended for use with FaceTime video conferencing.

Each iPhone 5c model additionally have a side-mounted access panel for the Nano SIM, a bottom-mounted headphone jack, a Lightning connector, and a single built-in speaker. They shipped with "EarPod" headphones that include the integrated Remote and Mic, as well.

Identification Differences

Four of the seven iPhone 5c models can be uniquely identified by Model Number, which is listed on the back of each phone in small type. Unfortunately, the remaining three cannot be identified in this manner.

Initially, carrier support and geographic distribution may make unique identification unnecessary for most, but it still is worthwhile to be able to identify each device distinctly, particularly once they have found their way around the globe to new locales and carriers alike.

Specifically, the eight different iPhone 5c models have these model numbers:

iPhone 5c	Model Number
GSM/North America	A1532
CDMA/Verizon	A1532
CDMA/China	A1532
CDMA/US/Japan	A1456
UK/Europe/Middle East	A1507
China Unicom	A1526
Asia Pacific	A1529
China Mobile	A1516

As the above makes clear, three of the models -- two distributed in the US and one distributed in China -- are the difficult ones to identify as they both share the same A1532 model number. As a result, if the iPhone will boot, the most convenient way to conclusively identify a specific A1532 iPhone 5c model is with the Order Number -- which Apple refers to as the "Model" within the iOS -- or its Serial Number listed in software.

To find the "Model" and Serial Number, click the "Settings" icon on the homescreen and select General > About and then scroll until "Model" or "Serial Number" is visible. The "Model" identifier looks like ME505LL/A, which specifically refers to the GSM version of the A1532 iPhone 5c in white with 16 GB of storage and locked to AT&T.

Once you have located the "Model" or the device serial number, EveryiPhone.com's Ultimate iLookup feature can identify it precisely.

Network Connectivity & Carrier Support Differences

Each iPhone 5c model, regardless of other network compatibility, supports 802.11n Wi-Fi on both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies in addition to Bluetooth 4.0.

All iPhone 5c models also support the 850, 900, 1800, and 1900 MHz frequencies of GSM/EDGE, but other supported cellular networks are quite different:

iPhone 5c	Model Number	UMTS/HSPA+ DC-HSDPA	CDMA EV-DO	LTE Bands (4G)
GSM/North America	A1532†	850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz	None	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25
CDMA/Verizon	A1532	850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz	800, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25
CDMA/China Tel.	A1532	850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz	800, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz	None
CDMA/US/Japan	A1456	850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz	800, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26
UK/Europe/M. East	A1507	850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz	None	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20
China Unicom	A1526	850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz	None	None*
Asia Pacific	A1529	850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz	None	FDD-LTE (1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20); TD-LTE (38, 39, 40)
China Mobile	A1516	850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz	None	TD-SCDMA 1900 (F), 2000 (A); TD-LTE (38, 39, 40)

† In the US, only the GSM version of the A1532 iPhone 5c was sold unlocked and without a contract. Please note that it does not support CDMA networks.

* Officially, only the A1516 China Mobile iPhone 5c as well as the A1529 Asia Pacific iPhone 5c can "access China Mobile's 3G and 4G networks with a carrier setting update." However, a helpful Chinese reader reported that people "managed to crack the carrier settings and enable LTE-TDD" on China Mobile with the A1526 China Unicom iPhone 5c, also.

For complete details regarding specific LTE support, it will be necessary to check with the carrier(s) in a particular location.

Internal & Battery Life Similarities & Differences

Apple only reveals that the iPhone 5c models are powered by a dual core "Apple A6" processor. However, third-party software analysis has confirmed that it specifically uses a dual core 1.3 GHz Apple A6 processor and has 1 GB of RAM.

Originally, the iPhone 5c models were introduced with 16 GB or 32 GB of flash storage.

However, on March 18, 2014, Apple added an 8 GB option, but only in the UK, France, Germany, Australia, and China. On April 16, 2014, as first spotted by 9to5Mac, Apple quietly added this low-end configuration in many other European countries, as well. Specifically, Apple added the 8 GB iPhone 5c model in Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. On September 9, 2014, Apple discontinued the 16 GB and 32 GB configurations entirely and replaced them with an 8 GB configuration worldwide. Finally, Apple discontinued the iPhone 5c altogether on September 9, 2015.

Regardless of capacity, Apple reports that iPhone 5c models provide "up to" 40 hours of audio playback, 10 hours of talk time on 3G, 8 hours of Internet use on 3G, 10 hours of Internet use on 4G/LTE, 10 hours of Internet use on Wi-Fi, 10 hours of video playback and 250 hours of standby time.

iOS Support Similarities

Regardless of where the device was sold, the carrier, or network support, all iPhone 5c models originally shipped with iOS 7. They subsequently shipped with iOS 8 and also can run iOS 9 and iOS 10. The iPhone 5c is completely compatible with each of these versions of the operating system with the exception of FaceTime audio for Chinese models due to state limitations on VOIP services as well as the Raise to Wake or Rich Notification features running iOS 10). They are not capable of running iOS 11 or later versions of the iOS at all, including the current version.

It also is worth noting that the iPhone 5c models are a bit slower running iOS 9 or iOS 10 than iOS 8.

The iPhone 5c is not compatible with iOS 6 or earlier versions of the iOS. Also, if the iPhone 5c is running a later version of the iOS, it is not simple to "downgrade" to an earlier version without resorting to "jailbreaks" or other hacks.

iPhone 5c Comparison Chart

These differences -- identifiers, storage, network support, and target countries -- along with pricing details are summarized below:

	GSM US/CA	CDMA Verizon	CDMA China	CDMA US/JP	Europe & UK	China Unicom	Asia Pacific	China Mobile
Model No:	A1532	A1532	A1532	A1456	A1507	A1526	A1529	A1516
Storage:	16, 32 GB	16, 32 GB	8, 16, 32 GB	16, 32 GB	8, 16, 32 GB	16, 32 GB	8, 16, 32 GB	16, 32 GB
FDD-LTE:	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25	No	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20	No	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20	No
TD-LTE:	No	No	No	No	No	No	38, 39, 40	38, 39, 40
TD-SCDMA:	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	1900 (F), 2000 (A)
GSM/EDGE:	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
UMTS:	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HSPA+:	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
DC-HSDPA:	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
EV-DO:	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No
Region:	US/Canada	US	China	US/Japan	UK/Europe	China	Asia-Pacific	China
Intro Price:	US$99*† US$199*†	US$99* US$199*	4,488§ 5,288§	US$99* US$199*	£469** £549**	4,488§§ 5,288§§	A$739†† A$869††	4,488*** 5,288***

* These prices are for 16 GB and 32 GB configurations, respectively, and are both locked to a carrier and required a two-year contract. On September 9, 2014, Apple discontinued the 16 GB and 32 GB options and introduced an 8 GB configuration for US$0 locked to a carrier. On September 9, 2015, Apple discontinued the iPhone 5c altogether.

† The A1532 iPhone 5c (GSM) also originally was available unlocked and contract free in the US for US$549 and US$649, with 16 GB and 32 GB of storage. The 8 GB configuration subsequently was US$450 unlocked and contract free until it was discontinued on September 9, 2015.

§ This model originally was offered in China on China Telecom's network without a contract for RMB 4,488 and RMB 5,288, with 16 GB and 32 GB of storage, respectively. The 8 GB configuration was added March 18, 2014 for RMB 4,088. On September 9, 2014, Apple discontinued the larger capacities and dropped the price of the 8 GB configuration to RMB 3,288. This later configuration was discontinued on September 9, 2015.

** Prices varied depending on country and carrier, but in the UK, this iPhone 5c originally was offered available unlocked and contract free for £469 and £549 with 16 GB and 32 GB of storage, respectively. The 8 GB configuration was added March 18, 2014 for £429. On September 9, 2014, Apple discontinued the 16 GB and 32 GB configurations and dropped the price of the 8 GB option to £319, still unlocked and contract free. This final configuration was discontinued on September 9, 2015.

§§ This model originally was offered in China on China Unicom's network both unlocked and without a contract for RMB 4,488 and RMB 5,288, with 16 GB and 32 GB of storage, respectively. On September 9, 2014, Apple discontinued the 16 GB and 32 GB configurations and introduced an 8 GB option for RMB 3,288. This final configuration was discontinued on September 9, 2015.

†† Prices varied depending on country and carrier, but in Australia, this iPhone 5c originally was available unlocked and contract free for A$739 and A$869, with 16 GB and 32 GB of storage, respectively. The 8 GB configuration was added March 18, 2014 for A$679. On September 9, 2014, Apple discontinued the 16 GB and 32 GB options altogether and reduced the price of the 8 GB option to A$529, still unlocked and contract free. This final 8 GB configuration was discontinued on September 9, 2015.

*** This model originally was offered in China on China Mobile's network for RMB 4,488 and RMB 5,288 with 16 GB or 32 GB of storage, respectively. On September 9, 2014, Apple discontinued the 16 GB and 32 GB configurations and introduced an 8 GB option for RMB 3,288. On September 9, 2015, Apple discontinued the 8 GB configuration.

For introductory pricing in dozens of other countries, see the "Global Prices" on the specs page for each iPhone as well as the "By Global Original Prices" section.

EveryiPhone.com's Ultimate iComparison feature, which makes it easy to dynamically compare any iPhone model to any other iPod, iPhone, or iPad additionally may be of interest.

Also see: What are all the differences between the iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, and iPhone 5s?