Welcome to your definitive, albeit historical, guide on the iPhone 5c price in Nigeria for October 2025. Stepping back 12 years to September 2013, the iPhone 5c was an interesting, if somewhat controversial, release from Apple. Launched alongside the flagship iPhone 5s, the 5c was essentially the previous year’s iPhone 5 repackaged in a colorful, unibody polycarbonate (plastic) shell. It shared the same A6 chip, 4-inch display, and 8MP camera as the iPhone 5 but came in vibrant hues like blue, green, pink, yellow, and white, marketed as a more affordable, expressive option.
Fast forward to late 2025, and the iPhone 5c is a relic, an artifact from a different era of mobile technology. Its presence, if any, in the absolute deepest, dustiest corners of Nigeria’s second-hand electronics market – perhaps glimpsed in a repair shop’s spare parts bin in Computer Village, Lagos, or listed for next-to-nothing on Jiji – is solely due to its potential rock-bottom price, possibly even undercutting the already ancient iPhone 5. It might be considered only by someone seeking the absolute cheapest possible device with an Apple logo, purely for its brand association or maybe for extremely basic, offline tasks (like a rudimentary music player), assuming it even functions.
Crucially, searching for an iPhone 5c today restricts you entirely to the realm of heavily used, likely damaged, and severely functionally limited devices. Brand New units vanished from legitimate channels over a decade ago. Any listing claiming “new” status is unequivocally false, masking a poorly refurbished unit or simple deception. The market consists solely of:
This article will meticulously explore the current, near-negligible iPhone 5c price in Nigeria across these used categories. We will break down its profoundly obsolete specifications, highlight the almost complete lack of relevant features, weigh the minimal pros against the overwhelming cons (especially its ancient iOS 10 software limit and inability to run 64-bit apps), and provide stark warnings and essential guidance for anyone even contemplating acquiring one, emphasizing the extreme risks of scams, faulty hardware, and dangerous software insecurity in 2025.
In October 2025, the iPhone 5c occupies the absolute basement of the used smartphone market in Nigeria, often priced even lower than the metal-bodied iPhone 5 due to its plastic construction and slightly less premium original positioning. It is functionally obsolete. Finding a genuinely new one is impossible. The market comprises only very old, heavily worn UK Used and Nigerian Used devices. Expect significant cosmetic damage (cracked plastic, deep scratches), failing components (especially batteries), and software limitations that make it unusable for modern communication or online activity.
Here’s a comparison table showing the typical, extremely low price ranges for a used iPhone 5c in Nigeria:
| Phone Model & Storage | Condition | Price Range (NGN) | Popular Retailers / Markets |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 5c (8GB) | UK Used | ₦10,000 – ₦20,000 | Jiji, Computer Village (back stalls), Small Repair Shops |
| iPhone 5c (16GB) | UK Used | ₦12,000 – ₦25,000 | Jiji, Computer Village (back stalls), Small Repair Shops |
| iPhone 5c (32GB) | UK Used | ₦15,000 – ₦30,000 | Jiji, Computer Village (back stalls), Small Repair Shops |
| iPhone 5c (8GB) | Nigerian Used | ₦7,000 – ₦15,000 | Jiji, Facebook Marketplace, Personal Sellers |
| iPhone 5c (16GB) | Nigerian Used | ₦9,000 – ₦20,000 | Jiji, Facebook Marketplace, Personal Sellers |
| iPhone 5c (32GB) | Nigerian Used | ₦12,000 – ₦25,000 | Jiji, Facebook Marketplace, Personal Sellers |
| iPhone 5c (Any) | Brand New | Non-Existent / Fake | ~₦25,000 – ₦50,000+ (AVOID COMPLETELY) |
Disclaimer: These prices are rough estimates for October 2025 and represent the extreme low end, bordering on e-waste value. Actual costs depend heavily on whether the phone functions at all, cosmetic condition (expect very poor C/D grade), battery status (almost certainly needs replacement), seller honesty, location, and negotiation. Many units are sold “as-is” with no guarantee.
It cannot be stated strongly enough: You cannot buy a genuinely Brand New, factory-sealed iPhone 5c in 2025. Production ceased nearly a decade ago. Any advertisement for a “Brand New” iPhone 5c is fraudulent and likely points to:
Sellers might attempt to charge ₦25,000 to ₦50,000 or more for such items. This price is ludicrous for a device with effectively zero modern utility. For less money, you could buy a basic, brand-new feature phone with a warranty, or for slightly more, a vastly superior used iPhone (like a 6s, 7, or SE 1st Gen) or an entry-level Android phone that runs current, secure software. Purchasing a “new” iPhone 5c is an absolute waste of money and should be avoided at all costs.
“UK Used” refers to imported second-hand phones. For a 12-year-old plastic device like the 5c, this label offers no guarantee of quality. Expect these phones to be heavily worn, scratched, and potentially cracked, with completely degraded batteries.
These are devices used locally for many years, often repaired multiple times. They represent the absolute cheapest option but carry the highest risk of being non-functional, locked, or having hidden damage.
Mainstream retailers have long forgotten the iPhone 5c.
The iPhone 5c’s 2013 specifications, based heavily on the 2012 iPhone 5, are entirely primitive and inadequate for any modern use case in 2025.
| Feature | Specification | Notes (Relevance in 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 4.0-inch IPS LCD | Very Small, same panel as iPhone 5, large bezels |
| 1136 x 640 pixels (~326 ppi) | Low resolution | |
| Design | Polycarbonate (Plastic) Unibody | Colorful, prone to scratches/cracks, No Wireless Charging |
| Steel-reinforced frame internally | Added some rigidity | |
| Physical Home button (No Touch ID) | Lacks fingerprint security | |
| No Water Resistance | Highly susceptible to liquid damage | |
| Headphone Jack Present | Convenient for wired audio | |
| Processor | Apple A6 (32 nm) | Excruciatingly Slow: Same as iPhone 5, unusable |
| CPU | Dual-core 1.3 GHz Swift (ARM v7-based) | Ancient 32-bit Architecture: Cannot run modern 64-bit apps |
| GPU | PowerVR SGX 543MP3 (triple-core graphics) | Extremely weak graphics |
| RAM | 1GB RAM | Cripplingly Insufficient: Zero multitasking capability |
| Storage | 8GB, 16GB, 32GB | All capacities utterly unusable, especially 8GB |
| Rear Camera | Single 8MP Wide Camera: | Same as iPhone 5, very basic, poor quality |
| 8MP, f/2.4, Digital Image Stabilization (DIS) | Terrible low-light performance | |
| Video Recording | 1080p at 30fps | Basic HD video, poor quality |
| Front Camera | 1.2MP, f/2.4 | Extremely poor quality for selfies/video calls |
| Battery | ~1510 mAh (Li-Po) | Microscopic Capacity: Slightly larger than iPhone 5, still terrible |
| Charging | Lightning Port | Outdated, charges extremely slowly |
| No Wireless Charging | Lacks this feature | |
| Standard 5W charging (Very Slow) | No fast charging | |
| Biometrics | None (Password/PIN only) | Lacks Touch ID and Face ID |
| Operating System | Launched with iOS 7 | Maximum Supported OS: iOS 10.3.3/10.3.4 |
| Does NOT support iOS 11 through 19 (2025) | UTTERLY OBSOLETE SOFTWARE: Cannot run 64-bit apps, extreme insecurity | |
| Connectivity | 4G LTE (Improved band support vs iPhone 5) | Basic 4G, potential incompatibility |
| Wi-Fi 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4) | Very old Wi-Fi | |
| Bluetooth 4.0 | Old Bluetooth | |
| No NFC | Lacks NFC chip entirely | |
| SIM Card | Nano-SIM | Uses the standard Nano-SIM size |
| Dimensions | 124.4 x 59.2 x 9 mm | Relatively thick plastic build |
| Weight | 132g | Lightweight due to plastic |
| Colors | White, Pink, Yellow, Blue, Green | Signature colorful plastic shells |
The iPhone 5c uses the exact same 4.0-inch IPS LCD panel as the iPhone 5. It feels incredibly small by 2025 standards, with low resolution and outdated brightness/color performance. Its defining feature was the colorful polycarbonate (plastic) unibody shell, which replaced the aluminum of the iPhone 5. While visually distinct, the plastic is prone to scratches and can feel less premium. It retains the physical Home button (without Touch ID), the Lightning port, and the headphone jack. It has no water resistance.
Internally, the iPhone 5c is identical to the iPhone 5, using the Apple A6 chip (32-bit) and 1GB of RAM. This hardware combination is completely inadequate for any task in 2025. Performance is painfully slow, even for basic navigation within the obsolete iOS 10 system. Crucially, the 32-bit processor cannot run any modern 64-bit applications, making the vast majority of the App Store inaccessible. This phone is functionally incapable of performing as a modern smartphone.
1GB of RAM is cripplingly insufficient. Combined with the slow A6 chip, it makes any attempt at multitasking impossible and causes even basic, compatible apps to run poorly or crash. The storage options were limited even at launch: 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB. All are utterly unusable in 2025. The 8GB model barely holds the operating system itself. Even 32GB is far too small for anything beyond a handful of very old apps.
The iPhone 5c inherited the camera system from the iPhone 5, which was already basic in 2013 and is terrible by 2025 standards.
The ~1510 mAh battery is slightly larger than the iPhone 5’s but still tiny. After 12 years, any original battery is guaranteed to be completely degraded, offering virtually no usable charge. Replacement is essential for any functionality, but finding reliable replacements for such an old, lower-volume model might be difficult and likely not cost-effective. The phone uses the Lightning port and supports only extremely slow 5W charging (no fast or wireless charging).
This is the fundamental reason the iPhone 5c is unusable as a connected device. It launched with iOS 7 and cannot be updated beyond iOS 10.3.3/10.3.4, software that is now around eight years old and received its last minor update many years ago. It cannot run iOS 11 or any subsequent version up to the current iOS 19. This extreme software obsolescence has critical consequences:
Supports 4G LTE (with slightly better band coverage than the original iPhone 5, but still potentially incompatible with modern networks), ancient Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), and Bluetooth 4.0. It has no NFC chip and no biometric security (no Touch ID or Face ID). It uses a Nano-SIM card.
The polycarbonate shell, while colorful, is less durable than aluminum and more prone to scratches and cracks. The internal steel frame adds some rigidity. It has no water resistance.
Available in White, Pink, Yellow, Blue, and Green.
In 2025, the “features” are essentially just its historical design elements and low cost.
Potentially the absolute cheapest iPhone model available, often priced near e-waste value.
Offered a range of bright plastic colors, unique at the time.
Small 4-inch display and overall dimensions.
Includes the 3.5mm port.
Might still function for basic calls/SMS if network compatibility allows.
The cons are overwhelming and make the iPhone 5c completely impractical.
Finding an iPhone 5c is difficult, and buying one “safely” is impossible given its age, condition, and value. “Affordably” means paying almost nothing.
Scams usually involve selling locked or non-functional devices.
Testing focuses on basic survival and lock status.
As of October 2025, a used iPhone 5c typically costs between ₦7,000 and ₦30,000, heavily dependent on whether it’s functional at all. Many are sold for parts at the lowest end of this spectrum. Prices are often negligible.
NO. Under no circumstances. It is completely obsolete and unusable as a modern smartphone. Its ancient, insecure iOS 10 software cannot run 64-bit apps, making almost the entire App Store incompatible. Performance is terrible, battery life non-existent, cameras useless, and it lacks basic security features.
For a 12-year-old plastic phone, this distinction is meaningless. Both will be extremely old, heavily used, and likely in poor, unreliable condition. Focus on the specific unit’s state, not its origin label.
NO. Absolutely not. Software support ended definitively with iOS 10.3.3/10.3.4 many years ago. It cannot run iOS 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, or the current iOS 19. It is critically outdated, missing years of features, and dangerously insecure due to lack of security patches.
In the technological landscape of October 2025, the iPhone 5c is less a phone and more a colorful paperweight or a historical curiosity. Its presence at the absolute bottom of Nigeria’s used market reflects its near-total lack of value or utility. Even its minuscule price tag cannot justify purchasing it for any practical purpose.
There is absolutely no valid reason to buy an iPhone 5c in 2025:
Even if you need the absolute cheapest device imaginable:
Final Verdict: Do not buy the iPhone 5c in Nigeria in 2025. It is functionally extinct, dangerously insecure, and incapable of performing even the most basic tasks expected of a smartphone today. It represents negative value – spending any money on it is wasteful. Any funds allocated for an iPhone 5c would be far more productively used on literally any other communication device, including the cheapest new feature phone, or simply saved. The iPhone 5c belongs in a museum, not in your pocket.