The iPhone 5c, released in 2013, came in a variety of bright and vibrant colors that distinguished it from previous iPhone models. This was an intentional design choice by Apple to make the iPhone 5c a more fun and approachable device. The use of color was meant to appeal to younger customers and those who wanted more options for personalizing their phone.
Introduction
The iPhone 5c was available in 5 different colors at launch: blue, green, pink, yellow, and white. The colors were saturated and eye-catching, with a glossy finish and rounded edges. Apple marketing focused heavily on the color options to promote the iPhone 5c as a stylish, lower-cost alternative to the flagship iPhone 5s which came in more subdued metallic finishes.
The vibrant colors and plastic shell of the iPhone 5c represented a departure from the trend of sleek aluminum and glass designs that Apple was known for. It was intended to be less expensive to produce but still distinctly Apple in aesthetics and quality.
The five colors offered customers a great deal of choice to express their personal style or complement their existing accessories and outfits. The colors were a defining aspect of the iPhone 5c identity and a big part of how Apple communicated its fun, youthful appeal.
Blue
One of the colors available for the iPhone 5c was blue. This was a vibrant, deep blue tone that really popped visually.
Blue is a popular color that many consumers are naturally drawn to. It connotes feelings of trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, and intelligence. Having a blue version of the iPhone 5c gave customers another option besides the standard black or white smartphones common at the time.
The blue iPhone 5c was especially eye-catching because of its glossy, sleek exterior and smooth rounded edges. Against the white front bezel of the phone, the blue color really stood out visually.
Blue was also likely chosen as it’s considered a gender-neutral and universally appealing color. It worked equally well for professional settings or casual personal use for men and women alike.
Green
Another color option for the iPhone 5c was green. This was a vibrant lime green tone that gave the iPhone 5c a playful, fun look.
Green is a color strongly associated with nature, health, renewal, vibrance, and environmental awareness. Having a green version appealed to customers who wanted an upbeat, lively accent for their technology.
On the iPhone 5c, the slick glossy green finish looked great and helped the phone stand out from the crowd. Especially with tech products typically coming in neutral tones, the green version was a more daring choice.
Green also appealed to younger demographics. Teens and kids often enjoy green accents and accessories. The green iPhone 5c therefore catered perfectly to students and families looking for a lower-cost iPhone.
Pink
Pink was another color option buyers could choose from for the iPhone 5c. This was a vibrant pink reminiscent of bubblegum or cotton candy.
Pink is often considered a fun, playful color that connotes femininity, innocence, hope, and optimism. Offering a pink version of the iPhone 5c was a clever way for Apple to appeal to female customers who wanted a smartphone to coordinate with their accessories or outfit.
On the glossy iPhone 5c design, the pink color looked bright and eye-catching. It would appeal to younger female demographics as well as women of all ages who appreciate pops of color.
Having an iPhone in a distinctive pink shade also allowed customers to easily personalize or accessorize their phone case further. The color was already vibrant and noticeable on its own.
Yellow
Yellow was another brightly colored option for the iPhone 5c. This was a vibrant, saturated yellow reminiscent of a lemon.
Yellow is associated with happiness, optimism, intelligence, and energy. Having an iPhone 5c in yellow conveyed a personality that was upbeat, cheerful, and fun-loving.
The glossy yellow finish helped the iPhone 5c look youthful, casual, and approachable. Against the white front bezel, the saturated yellow was eye-grabbing and distinctive.
Yellow is also a unisex color, so the yellow iPhone 5c appealed to men and women of all ages looking for an affordable iPhone with a vibrant look.
For consumers who wanted a colorbright, playful accent for their technology, the sunny yellow iPhone 5c delivered.
White
White was also one of the iPhone 5c color options, likely selected to appeal to users who preferred a more neutral yet clean aesthetic.
White conveys purity, innocence, and simplicity. By offering a white version, Apple allowed customers to still personalize their phone via colorful cases if they wished.
The white iPhone 5c had a sleek, glossy finish that maintained the friendly, rounded edges of the design. Visually, white helped display and complement the other colorful plastic elements of the iPhone 5c.
Having a white version also made matching accessories easier for iPhone 5c users. From headphones to charging cables, many accessories come in white or black which wouldn’t clash with a white iPhone.
For consumers who wanted an affordable yet stylish iPhone in a more understated color, the white iPhone 5c delivered.
Availability and Pricing
The iPhone 5c launched on September 20, 2013. It was available for purchase on that date simultaneously in multiple countries, including the United States, Canada, China, France, Germany, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
Pricing for the iPhone 5c varied slightly by country based on taxes, import fees, and currency differences. In the United States, pricing at launch was:
- $99 for 16GB model with 2-year contract
- $199 for 32GB model with 2-year contract
- $549 for 16GB without contract
- $649 for 32GB without contract
Pricing in other countries was quite similar when accounting for currency conversions and taxes.
This pricing positioned the iPhone 5c as the lower-cost option compared to the flagship iPhone 5s which launched at the same time. Having both models available allowed customers to choose between prioritizing price or premium features.
Reception and Sales
Initial reviews of the iPhone 5c focused heavily on the new colors which represented a bold change in direction for Apple’s smartphones. Overall reviews were mixed, with some seeing the plastic casing as lower quality while others appreciated the more accessible price point.
Early sales data indicated weaker demand for the iPhone 5c compared to Apple’s projections. Within a few months of launch, Apple cut orders from suppliers and adjusted their sales tactics to focus on selling more of the high-end iPhone 5s.
However, many customers still remained drawn to the colorful style of the 5c. Younger demographics in particular appreciated the lower cost and personalization options. The iPhone 5c colors helped Apple appeal to consumers who may have previously purchased Android devices.
While it wasn’t the runaway hit Apple may have hoped for, the iPhone 5c still sold respectably well. Having the additional lower-cost option helped introduce iPhone to new demographics and cement Apple’s position as a leader in the smartphone market.
Conclusion
The iPhone 5c brought colors like pink, yellow, blue, and green to Apple’s smartphone lineup. This was a change in direction from previous iPhones which came in more traditional colors like white and black. The colorful plastic casing helped distinguish the iPhone 5c as the lower-cost, more youthful alternative to the flagship iPhone 5s.
While sales were slower than Apple anticipated, the iPhone 5c still performed respectably well commercially. The expanded color options helped draw new customers to iPhone, even if many existing users opted for the higher-end 5s. The iPhone 5c colors effectively injected more fun and personalization into Apple’s smartphones.
For consumers on a budget who still wanted Apple’s quality and App Store ecosystem, the iPhone 5c delivered. And it gave buyers a chance to express their personal style with color choices like pink, yellow, green, blue, and white.
