REVIEW: The cheaper iPhone 5C doesn't sacrifice performance

Source: Tulsa World, Okla.迷你倉Sept. 20--You've probably heard the joke by now -- the "C" in "iPhone 5C" stands for "cheap."Yes, it's true that the iPhone 5C is less expensive, with the base model starting at $99. And yes, unlike the standard anodized aluminum back the others have, the iPhone 5C is plastic.Yet the iPhone 5C doesn't feel like a cheap phone at all.Let's start with that plastic back. It's actually a polycarbonate plastic, similar to what you might have on a high-end appliance. It's molded handsomely and has a nice, solid feel in the hand.Each of the five colors are bright and pleasing, plus they're paired with a specific background in the operating system when you turn it on. It's an attractive package that will make the choice between putting it in a protective case or leaving it naked a tough one.Put side-by-side with the now-discontinued iPhone 5, and there are few differences in the dimensions. The 5C looks to be a few millimeters thicker and maybe a hair or two heavier, but it's not anything that's obvious or obtrusive at all.The only other real change is in the volume buttons, which are rounded rectangles ra迷你倉最平her than small circles. That small tweak might prevent some cases made for the iPhone 5 from fitting completely.Some news sites have noted the battery life on the 5C is just a bit better than the 5, but with my brief time with the phone I couldn't verify that for myself.Otherwise, the 5C performs exactly like a 5 that's been upgraded to the iOS 7 operating system. Apps boot up exactly as fast, photos look the same, data is processed at the same speed, and so on.Compared to other smartphones in the $99 range, the 16GB iPhone 5C outperforms the majority of them. But there are plenty more phones that can outperform the $199 32GB version of the 5C, and if you're an Apple fan who really needs 64GB of smartphone storage, it seems like a waste to spend $299 on the 5C when an extra $100 will get you the significantly improved 5S.But if you're looking for the iPhone experience on a tighter budget, the 5C is a solid experience that won't leave you feeling like you're using an antique.Copyright: ___ (c)2013 Tulsa World (Tulsa, Okla.) Visit Tulsa World (Tulsa, Okla.) at .tulsaworld.com Distributed by MCT Information Services迷你倉