File of Apple iPhone 5C phones are pictured at the Apple retail store on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, New York

Several reports came out over the weekend of the poor sales of Apple's iPhone 5C, placing more doubts on the accuracy of the Cupertino-based tech giant's claim that it sold 9 million units of the 5S and 5C combined.

Besides the dubious sales of the device, there are also reports of Apple slashing the production of the 5C and prices in the grey market dropping to almost half of recommended retail price.

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To worsen the situation, there are also complaints about the gadget's colours and plastic case, prompting a tech Web site to describe it crayon vomit.

Techradar commented that as soon as it saw the coloured cases, "the scrawl was on the wall." It added that using the 5C is like viewing X Factor while with a hangover, quipping, "It makes you want to put your foot through your television.

The Web site cited two reasons why the 5C deserves to fail.

  • Only a rehash - It noted that the 5C was 2012's model "whacked with the ugly stick" to make it look like a more affordable, fun version." However, the phone doesn't feel like an Apple product, while costing so much. So why get a 5C when a 5S just cost a little bit more? Techradar, however, pointed out that this is not the first time that Apple pulled a fast one on consumers by using the same components in a new case and passing it off as a new product. Another is the iPad Mini which is just the iPad 2 in a small size.
  • Half-hearted roll out - Techradar pointed out that 5C was not given killer features, yet it selling the device at a price not worth its content that there is no incentive to own one. It added that by releasing the 5C, Apple was eyeing a larger slice of the affordable market, forgetting that Apple customers are unlikely the types who quibble over the price tag.
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