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

macbook air blue

What's Coming in the M5 MacBook Air

Thursday February 26, 2026 3:57 pm PST by
Along with the low-cost MacBook, Apple could introduce a refreshed version of the MacBook Air next week. Most of the focus will be on the new machine, but the MacBook Air is expected to get some useful internal updates. M5 Chip The next-generation MacBook Air will adopt the M5 chip, which Apple already introduced in the iPad Pro and MacBook Pro models that came out last year. Apple's M5...
ipad mini 7 1

Could Apple's OLED iPad Mini Finally Be a Kindle Killer?

Friday February 27, 2026 12:08 pm PST by
With a similar screen size and easy, one-handed grip, the iPad mini has always been the Apple device that overlaps most with dedicated e-readers. Now, amid rumors pointing to an OLED display for the next generation, could the iPad mini finally replace devices such as the Kindle and Kobo? The shift from LCD to OLED could make the iPad mini far more appealing as a reading device. OLED panels...
Apple Announces Special Event in New York Feature 1

Apple Teases 'A Big Week Ahead' With Announcements Starting Monday

Thursday February 26, 2026 6:06 am PST by
Apple CEO Tim Cook today teased "a big week ahead," with announcements starting Monday. His post included an #AppleLaunch hashtag with a colorful Apple logo, along with a short video that ultimately shows an Apple logo on the lid of a Mac. Apple is reportedly planning a three-day stretch of product announcements from Monday, March 2 through Wednesday, March 4, with up to five new products...

Top Rated Comments

162 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
162 months ago
And here I was, expecting the removal of the plastic shell to reveal a disguised iPhone 5. Oh well…
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ikramerica Avatar
162 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)
162 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
162 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)
162 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)