iPhone 5c sales outlook – Apple expects it to outpace 5s

Apple’s analysts predict the newly‑released iPhone 5c will eclipse the higher‑priced iPhone 5s in sales, even though early market data still shows the 5s ahead of its colorful sibling【1】.

Pricing and positioning

Apple introduced the 5c as a lower‑cost alternative to the 5s, wrapping the same internals as the iPhone 5 in a bright plastic shell and pricing it at $99 with a data‑plan subsidy, compared with the 5s’s $199 entry price【2】. The strategy mirrors Apple’s earlier practice of offering a prior‑generation model at a discount, but the 5c is marketed as a distinct product rather than a “hand‑me‑down.” By keeping the 5c’s price below the $199 threshold, Apple hopes to attract price‑sensitive buyers who would otherwise opt for older models such as the two‑year‑old iPhone 4s, which can be obtained for free with a contract【1】.

Market performance versus expectations

Independent analysts report that the 5s is currently outselling the 5c by roughly three‑to‑one in the United States and five‑to‑one worldwide, with the 5s capturing 72 % of global iPhone sales versus 28 % for the 5c【2】. Chinese reports indicate Apple cut daily 5c production from 300,000 to 150,000 units shortly after launch, suggesting weaker-than‑anticipated demand in a key emerging market【2】. Nonetheless, Horace Dediu’s forecast—cited by Macworld—expects the 5c to match or exceed 5s sales once the product gains shelf presence and consumer acceptance of its “new‑phone” feel【1】.

Supply chain signals

Apple’s supply‑chain executives have cautioned against reading too much into single data points, noting the complexity of production forecasts and the presence of multiple suppliers【2】. Rumors of order cuts have not been confirmed, and Apple’s own earnings call emphasized the difficulty of using build‑rate rumors as a reliable gauge of demand【2】. The mixed signals underscore the uncertainty around whether the 5c’s lower price will translate into the projected sales boost.

What to watch

• Quarterly earnings – Apple’s next earnings release (expected late October) may reveal split‑segment sales for the 5c versus 5s.
• Production adjustments – Any announced changes to 5c manufacturing volumes, especially in China, will indicate real‑time demand trends.
• Carrier subsidies – Shifts in carrier pricing or contract structures for the 5c could affect its attractiveness relative to the 5s.

If the 5c does achieve the projected sales parity, it would validate Apple’s tactic of using a modestly upgraded, lower‑priced model to broaden its customer base without cannibalising the premium segment. Ongoing data will reveal whether the “candy‑colored” phone can truly become Apple’s top seller.