iPhone 5C alternatives

As you know, the iPhone 5C, Apple's cheaper alternative to the iPhone 5S was released alongside the iPhone 5S and with its current price range, I wouldn't call it exactly cheaper. Contrary to what the "C" is supposed to stand for, RM1600 is definitely not cheap to begin with, then after that I realised "colour" was more appropriate and is what Apple actually intended it to mean. (Well, it was cheaper so you just assume, you know?) That aside, even though Apple phones are good, to begin with, one can't help but feel, sometimes (all the time), Apple is just cheating you out of your money... If you are willing to enter the Apple ecosystem or just eager to enter it, I have nothing more to say and just buy your iPhone, be happy with it and live on. But if you're like me, comparing and questioning, looking for the best value for money, what other alternatives do I have?

That's what I'm trying (I seriously will try, I promise) to do as much as I can for you right now, lets go along.

First, I have to know your needs, if you want to stay Apple, I'm sorry to say (and obviously though) that the cheapest you can get will be the iPhone 5C, unless you want to opt for older versions but if you want anything "this year", that's your only choice, so to speak and stop reading because there are no better options than these throughout this entire post =)

But wait, there's this Android, would you like to hear about it?

Since we're only talking about this year, I'll just give you choices for this year's releases, adding last year would make this list even longer and ain't nobody got time fo dat!

I just had to put that there

First I'll give you the lead contenders from the smartphone world, namely Samsung, Sony and HTC.

Samsung's would be the decisive Samsung S4 Mini and trust me when I say, the only thing you'll hate about this phone is its design, even the price will make you smile =)

This phone either tops everything the iPhone offers (yes both the 5C and 5S) or gives you the same coming at you with a Dual-core 1.7 GHz processor (I'll mention the iPhone's specs in these brackets, dual-core 1.3GHz), 8GB of internal storage with 1.5 GB of RAM, Micro SD upgradable (16/32GB, 1GB RAM, non expandable), an 8M camera with a 1.9M front camera (8M camera, 1.2M front camera) and a larger 1900mAH battery over the 1440mAH battery of the iPhone. It also might be easier to type on with its 4.3 inch, 256 ppi display even though its not retina compared to the 4 inch, 326 ppi on the iPhone.

Now HTC's offerings are closer to the iPhone's but we can't overlook that low light performing UltraPixel camera and BoomSound Speakers, starting off with the dual-core 1,4 GHz processor (dual-core 1.3GHz), 16GB of internal storage with 1GB of RAM, non expandable (16/32GB of internal storage with 1GB of RAM, non expandable), a 4 UltraPixel camera with a 1.6 front facing camera (HTC gets angry when you don't say ultra pixels) compared to the 8M camera and 1.2M front camera and of course the battery which is 1800mAH (1440mAH). 4.3 inches with 342 ppi~

HTC has got to be the lowest with their offerings at this price point, Sony however tells a completely different story with their Xperia ZR. First off, this phone is not exactly a mini version of the Xperia Z but seems more like a refined and simplified version instead. To highlight its primary unique feature, this phone is completely WATERPROOF (the Z was just water resistant), yes it has a higher IP rating. The phone starts with a quad-core, 1.5GHz processor (dual-core, 1.3GHz), 8GB of internal storage with 2GB of RAM, user upgradable (16/32GB of internal storage with 1GB of RAM, non expandable storage), a 13M camera and a VGA front camera (8M camera, 1.2M front camera) and lastly a 2300mAH battery over the 1440mAH battery. 4.5 inch, 323 ppi.

Like I said, the ZR seems like it is of a much higher price range so the phone from Sony I should compare it to is the Xperia SP, not waterproof but its most distinct feature is the LED strip which acts as a notification light but is also able to act as an equaliser, pulsing lights to follow the beat of the song. Starting with its processor at 1.7GHz, dual-core (1.3GHz.... You've probably memorized these by now... so nevermind), 8GB of internal storage with 1GB of RAM, an 8M camera and a VGA front camera with a whooping 2370mAH battery, the highest in this category! 4.7 inch, 319 ppi.

Okay, let's look at Huawei, who seems to be offering their flagship within this price range, the Huawei Ascend P6, its unique features include a 5M front camera (selfie camera alert!) and it being the thinnest of the phones in this class that I know of (6.2 mm to be exact). Because this is their flagship, it has a quad core, 1.5GHz processor, 8GB of internal storage with 2GB of RAM, an 8M camera and a 5M front camera with a 2000mAH battery. To be honest, this phone is one of the most attractive phones I've ever laid my eyes on! 4.7 inch, 312 ppi.

Other options from other years are nothing but aplenty, Samsung S3, LG Nexus 4, LG Optimus 4X HD, HTC One X+, LG Optimus G... but since we're talking this year, you don't have to look them up.

Are you interested in Windows Phone? Because Nokia offers their old flagship the Lumia 920 with 1.5GHz dual core processors, 32GB of internal storage with 1GB of RAM, 8M camera with OIS that boasts great low light performance and a 2000mAH battery as well as a 4.5 inch screen, 332 ppi. Another one would be the HTC 8X but that's last year so focus on the Lumia!

I hope this helps, but in the end, YOU will be using the phone, not me, not your friend, but YOU so buy what makes you happy! however if you still buy the iphone something has got to be wrong with you when everything else beats the **** out of it, oh I give up!