iPhone 5c

Please be aware that this A1526 iPhone 5c model does not officially support LTE/4G or CDMA EV-DO connectivity, but it is compatible with both UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA and GSM. It is designed for the mainland China market for use on China Unicom's network.

All iPhone 5c models, irrespective of network compatibility, feature a 4-inch (diagonal) widescreen multi-touch IPS LED-backlit "retina display" with a 1136x640 resolution (326 ppi). They have dual cameras: a rear 8-megapixel, 1080p "iSight" camera and a front 1.2-megapixel, 720p "FaceTime" camera. The device is housed in a polycarbonate "unibody" case offered in five vibrant colors (white, pink, yellow, blue, or green).

Each iPhone 5c is powered by a 1.3 GHz dual-core "Apple A6" processor, has 1 GB of RAM, and was available with 8 GB, 16 GB, or 32 GB of flash storage. This model also supports dual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0, includes a bottom-mounted headphone jack, and uses the "Lightning" connector. This model, along with the A1532 China Telecom version, does not officially have 4G/LTE support.

Apple's battery life estimates for the iPhone 5c models are up to 40 hours of audio playback, 10 hours of 3G talk time, 8 hours of 3G internet use, 10 hours of 4G/LTE internet use (where applicable), 10 hours of Wi-Fi internet use, 10 hours of video playback, and 250 hours of standby.

In China, this A1526 iPhone 5c was initially available unlocked and contract-free (for use on China Unicom or other GSM networks) with 16 GB or 32 GB of storage for RMB 4,488 and RMB 5,288, respectively. On September 9, 2014, Apple replaced the 16 GB and 32 GB models with an 8 GB version priced at RMB 3,288, which was also sold unlocked. It was completely discontinued on September 9, 2015.

The China Unicom iPhone 5c variant earned recognition from technology reviewers for providing a colorful, accessible option for GSM users in the Chinese market. Critics appreciated how this model maintained the playful design language of the 5c family while adapting to local network requirements and regulatory frameworks. The device's success in attracting younger Chinese consumers to the Apple ecosystem was particularly noted by industry analysts who saw it as a strategic move to build brand loyalty in a rapidly growing market. Despite lacking official LTE support, reviewers acknowledged that the 5c delivered a compelling iOS experience that helped establish Apple's presence among China's emerging middle class smartphone users.