Should I return my iPhone 5c for a iPhone 5s?

Apple’s iPhone 5c may have just hit stores and online retailers last week, but that isn’t stopping users from reconsidering their purchases. Just as with any other device, a brief honeymoon period is often followed by a cold hard look at how a new device fits into a user’s life-style.

Does it do the things you hoped it would? How would upgrading to a more expensive model have changed my experience any? Unfortunately, this normal self-doubt period is only heightened by the launch of the iPhone 5s along with the iPhone 5c. Should you return your iPhone 5c for the iPhone 5s? Let’s take a look.

 

If You Purchased the iPhone 5c Because It Was Cheaper

If you purchased the iPhone 5c with its plastic casing and iPhone 5-era internals because of budgetary constraints, I’d argue it’s probably a good idea to hang on to it. It’s possible that the device won’t stay around as long as the iPhone 5s will – especially thanks to that device’s 64-bit processor – but in two years upgrading will be that much more worthwhile.

 

If You Purchased the iPhone 5c for its Colors.

Don’t return the iPhone 5c for the iPhone 5s if you’re into colored devices. For all talk of gold iPhone 5s shortages, the device doesn’t really offer any color choices beyond that. It’s still a metal and glass slab with a touch of color for color’s sake. Meanwhile the iPhone 5c can be seen from a football field away.

 

If You Purchased the iPhone 5c and Need More Storage.

There’s no way around  the iPhone 5c’s skimpy storage options. It just doesn’t offer as much storage as a 64GB iPhone 5s. If you are finding that you are absolutely going to need more on-board storage than the 32GB max that is available on the iPhone 5c, definitely consider upgrading to the iPhone 5s’s 64GB version. At $399 with a two-year service agreement, it’s not cheap by any means, but if storage is a necessity, it’s your only option.

 

If You Purchased the iPhone 5c and You Want a Fingerprint Reader.

Don’t return the iPhone 5c to get an iPhone 5s simply for Touch ID. At least an extra $100 plus the restocking fee for your iPhone 5c, Touch ID will not necessarily make your device any more secure than using a decent passcode.

 

If You Purchased the iPhone 5c and Want Better Build Quality

There’s no way around the iPhone 5c being made of plastic, and Apple’s Jonathan Ive calling it “unapologetically plastic” isn’t doing it any favors. If you’re a busy professional or need a device that feels substantial in the hand, then the extra cost of returning and purchasing the iPhone 5c is worth it. Plastic is great and all, but it’s no substitute for real alloys.

 

Overall, the iPhone 5c is a great device that should reward users for the slightly lower purchase price over time. However, whether you keep the device or head to the nearest Apple Store to return it, largely depends on your specific needs.

Those looking to return their iPhone 5c for the iPhone 5s might want to place a call to their local retailer before resetting their device. The iPhone 5c may still be largely in-stock, however the iPhone 5s in any color remains somewhat illusive.