Reported by 2 outlets
The story so far
AI summary of the reporting below · Updated · How we work
Apple's 2013 iPhone 5C is seeing an unexpected resurgence in interest. Data from refurbishment and recycling platform Compare and Recycle shows that searches for "Buy iPhone 5C" jumped 40,500% over the past year, while queries for "iPhone 5C camera" surged 1,815%. Younger buyers and Gen Z users are driving the demand by adopting the colorful, decade-old smartphone as a budget alternative to retro digital cameras for capturing a Y2K aesthetic without digital filters. [1][2]
The phone features an 8-megapixel f/2.4 rear camera with a 1/3.2-inch sensor and a 33 mm equivalent focal length. Although it lacks a dedicated xenon flash, the handset provides Wi-Fi and iOS integration. However, experts at Compare and Recycle warn of substantial digital security vulnerabilities. The device maxes out at iOS 10.3.3, a software release from 2017 that has gone years without security patches, making it incapable of safeguarding personal information like modern phones do. [1][2]
To stay safe, Compare and Recycle chief product officer Lee Elliott recommends treating the iPhone 5C purely as an offline camera by keeping it in airplane mode without a SIM card, transferring files via a cable, and avoiding personal Apple IDs. Users who must connect online are advised to use throwaway accounts and avoid storing sensitive personal data on the phone. [1][2]
The Apple iPhone 5C is currently more popular than it has been in a decade, with a platform for refurbished smartphones recording over 40,500 percent more searches for the smartphone than in the previous year. The smartphone is reportedly gaining popularity among younger users as a retro compact camera.
via Notebookcheck
The iPhone 5C is a retro tech revelation for Gen Z, but it's also extremely vulnerable to hacks and viruses.
via TechRadar