iFixit Completes iPhone 5c Teardown, Highlights Include Durable Shell, Larger Battery - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

iFixit Completes iPhone 5c Teardown, Highlights Include Durable Shell, Larger Battery

Following last night's teardown of the iPhone 5s, iFixit has completed its iPhone 5c teardown. Unsurprisingly, the iPhone 5c's dismantling has revealed numerous similarities with the iPhone 5, including nearly identical innards with matching A6 processors.

While the internals and form factor are largely the same, the iPhone 5c is slightly thicker and heavier than the iPhone 5 and due to its polycarbonate shell. The 5c also has a larger battery, measuring in at 1510 mAh compared to the 1440 mAh battery of the iPhone 5, and it shares camera parts with the iPhone 5s, though the latter has a larger aperture. iFixit found that the plastic shell was nearly impossible to bend, largely because of its heft – the rear case weighs in at 43.8 grams.

We may not have super strength, but we put this case to the muscle test, anyway. The results: this lacquered plastic is as strong and blue as Captain Planet.

It's good to know that, though the rear panel is made with plastic to presumably cut costs, Apple did not compromise build quality in the process.

iFixit gave the iPhone 5c a 6 out of 10 repairability score, one point lower than the iPhone 5 and the same score given to the iPhone 5s, due to the lack of the pull tab on the battery, the proprietary screws, and the considerable amount of adhesive used to hold the phone together. iFixit has a number of other pictures and a detailed rundown of the iPhone 5c dismantling process on its website.

Popular Stories

Apple Event Logo

Apple Working on All-New Operating System

Wednesday July 29, 2026 11:39 am PDT by
Apple is developing an all-new operating system that is essentially a mix of tvOS, watchOS, and iOS, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In a report this week, he said the operating system will feature a grid of icons, widgets, and apps, along with customizable clock faces. The new software platform is intended for Apple's long-rumored smart home hub. With built-in facial recognition,...
imac video apple feature

Apple Made Its Second-Biggest Acquisition Ever This Year

Wednesday July 29, 2026 12:03 pm PDT by
Apple this year acquired Israeli startup Q.ai for close to $2 billion, according to the Financial Times. That would make this Apple's second-biggest acquisition ever, after it paid $3 billion for the popular headphone maker Beats in 2014. This is also the largest known Apple acquisition since the company purchased Intel's smartphone modem business and patents for $1 billion in 2019. Q.ai...
Dynamic Island iPhone 18 Pro Feature

iPhone 18 Pro: Twelve Changes Coming to Apple's Next Flagship

Thursday July 30, 2026 3:43 am PDT by
We're less than two months out from the launch of Apple's premium next-generation smartphone lineup, and while we're not expecting a dramatic change in terms of functionality, there are still several enhancements rumored to be coming to the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. One thing worth noting is that Apple is reportedly planning a major change to its iPhone release cycle this year,...

Top Rated Comments

168 months ago
I give iFixit a 6 out of 10 in their ability to understand that companies do not necessarily build products to be repairable by iFixit with many good reasons. For example more glue strengthens the substrate and overall monolithic nature of the device to survive falls, etc. And tamper resistant screws prevent the inexperienced from delving in to areas where they wish they had not. Such screws are quite common all throughout industry.

Oh, and let's not forget, that iFixit conveniently has a link to THEIR pentalobe screwdriver set and tools all throughout their allegedly unbiased and democratic reviews that score repair-ability devices for the good of mankind.

Funny that.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AngerDanger Avatar
168 months ago
And here I was, expecting the removal of the plastic shell to reveal a disguised iPhone 5. Oh well…
ifixit completes iphone 5c teardown highlights include durable shell larger battery image
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ikramerica Avatar
168 months ago
I give iFixit a 6 out of 10 in their ability to understand that companies do not necessarily build products to be repairable by iFixit with many good reasons. For example more glue strengthens the substrate and overall monolithic nature of the device to survive falls, etc. And tamper resistant screws prevent the inexperienced from delving in to areas where they wish they had not. Such screws are quite common all throughout industry.

Oh, and let's not forget, that iFixit conveniently has a link to THEIR pentalobe screwdriver set and tools all throughout their allegedly unbiased and democratic reviews that score repair-ability devices for the good of mankind.

Funny that.

Their screwdriver kit and spudgers have helped me greatly. Otherwise, I agree that the repairability of a phone isn't a buying point. I don't recall them even caring if they could repair my old Motorola phones, or sony phones, etc. Then again, the batteries were user accessible...
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
168 months ago
I give your reading comprehension a 2/10. Obviously you miss the entire point of the website.

Don't misunderstand. iFixit is a great website, and their products are great and I use them frequently. I just think their tone of scoring stuff and their pithy attitude is BS. Just stick to delivering good content and tools and dispense with the holier than thou repairability ratings BS.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mac Fly (film) Avatar
168 months ago
I give iFixit a 6 out of 10 in their ability to understand that companies do not necessarily build products to be repairable by iFixit with many good reasons. For example more glue strengthens the substrate and overall monolithic nature of the device to survive falls, etc. And tamper resistant screws prevent the inexperienced from delving in to areas where they wish they had not. Such screws are quite common all throughout industry.

Oh, and let's not forget, that iFixit conveniently has a link to THEIR pentalobe screwdriver set and tools all throughout their allegedly unbiased and democratic reviews that score repair-ability devices for the good of mankind.

Funny that.

iFixit is a great website. I have a lot of respect for the time and effort they put into their breakdowns. They sell stuff to help people fix their iPhones? No way! You mean they are a company and make money by providing a service? Someone jail them all, quick.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
168 months ago
I give iFixit a 6 out of 10 in their ability to understand that companies do not necessarily build products to be repairable by iFixit with many good reasons. For example more glue strengthens the substrate and overall monolithic nature of the device to survive falls, etc. And tamper resistant screws prevent the inexperienced from delving in to areas where they wish they had not. Such screws are quite common all throughout industry.

Oh, and let's not forget, that iFixit conveniently has a link to THEIR pentalobe screwdriver set and tools all throughout their allegedly unbiased and democratic reviews that score repair-ability devices for the good of mankind.

Funny that.

I give your reading comprehension a 2/10. Obviously you miss the entire point of the website.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

🔗 Related Apple News & Rumors

Stay updated with the latest Apple ecosystem news and verified rumors