I wouldn't be surprised if sales of the 5C are fine for US-style subsidized contracts, mostly because the psychology is different. Carriers do not present the t

I wouldn't be surprised if sales of the 5C are fine for US-style subsidized contracts, mostly because the psychology is different. Carriers do not present the total costs of their contracts, and customers are presented with two numbers: the monthly service fee and the up-front cost of the device. The service fee is the same between iDevices, leaving the up-front cost as the only apparent price discriminator. It may be "stupid" for a customer to pick the slightly-cheaper 5C when considering total costs, but there is a market that places greater value on the extra $100 due at sign-up than on the superiority of the 5S over the 5C, and that is a market in which you and I do not take part.