Apple iPhone 5s
Verdict
Key specs
Critic consensus
“The iPhone 5s is an amazing phone within its own niche. The funny thing is that niche is only getting bigger - regardless of the fact that Apple keeps on falling behind Android flagships in the specs race and iOS hasn't been able to match the feature set of the Google platform for a while now. As long as the cash keeps pouring in, Apple can go on and play its own game and make its own rules. Second year in a row and it looks like this may go on forever. The iPhone 5s will cruise through its term at the helm. The iPhone 6 is the next one we will be looking at to hopefully stir things up. In a good way or bad? In Apple's own way.”
“Long story short, if you currently own an iPhone that is not an iPhone 5, this is the one you should get, if only because the 5S will guarantee you the best software experience for the longest amount of time. If you do own an iPhone 5, stick with it until next year and you'll probably end up with all the 5S' improvements and more. The fact of the matter is that most people already know whether they want an iPhone at this point. It's a thoroughly known quantity. If you know you want an iPhone, this is the best iPhone that there is—at least until the next one comes out.”
“Apple calls the iPhone 5s the most forward-thinking iPhone ever. Tock to the iPhone 5 tick, like previous S-class updates, that promise of the future is counterbalanced by an incredible amount of performance, optics, and special new features delivered right here in the present. When the iPhone 3GS launched with VGA video, I enjoyed the clever implementation even as I wanted more. Now I have 1080p and 120fps slow-motion in the palm of my hand.”
“Like its predecessor, the iPhone 5s is one of the best handsets you can buy. But more importantly (and unlike much of its competition), the handset is laying the groundwork for the smartphones of tomorrow. The 64-bit A7 chip and M7 coprocessor together mark a profound jump in device performance and efficiency. This all but guarantees new and exciting software innovation. Touch ID, despite being hacked within a matter of days, streamlines your iOS experience and holds a lot of promise for future applications. The most disappointing thing about the iPhone 5s is that the features I’m most excited about aren’t available yet.”
Watch before you decide
What people say
Only a few ratings so far, not enough to show a trend yet.
2 ratings so far
The iPhone 5s is a great phone. Do we recommend it? Absolutely. It’s clearly the best iPhone Apple has ever built. But if you’re an iPhone fan we need to answer whether or not it’s worth an upgrade from an older device. That depends on the device you have currently. Yes, we think there’s enough h...
I've owned the iPhone for less than 6 months. The fingerprint technology isn't great. Often it doesn't recognize the fingerprint for so long that its faster logging in through pass ID. In recent days, the batter life drains to 30% within 3-4 hours of a full charge. This phone cost me over $900 an...
But that's about it. Apple's innovation has been lacking for years and it is basically reselling the same product over and over with little to no improvement. iOS 7 has mixed reviews as well with its childish appearance. Still a good phone, in the way that the iPhone 4 is still a good phone, just...
In Depth
The iPhone 5s is the latest flagship device to lead the iPhone dynasty. With a redesigned processor, fingerprint scanner, improved camera, a bounty of new camera features and iOS 7, the phone is receiving rave reviews from virtually every reviewer around. Whether you are looking for your first smartphone or simply upgrading your existing phone, there are few devices with which the 5s cannot compete. TechCrunch’s Darrel Etherington claims “With the iPhone 5s, Apple once again wins the right to claim the title of best smartphone available.”
One of most talked-about features of the 5s it the new 64-bit A7 chipset powering the device. This is the first example of a mobile device using 64-bit computing. This fact, combined with numerous other optimizations, place the 5s at the top of benchmark tests in virtually every category in Anandtech’s latest testings. Although many users will not notice a major performance gap between the 5s and other bleeding edge technologies, the ability for the phone to age gracefully is all but ensured by this upgrade.
Another major upgrade is the camera. The True Tone dual-LED flash shows markable difference from previous iPhone releases. The new camera software included with iOS 7 also adds a number of new features, including 10FPS burst mode and 720p slow-motion capture. Round this all off with the fingerprint scanner, support for 13 different bands of LTE coverage and the sleek aluminum case design and you have a premium phone that is deserving of the praise that is has received.
When searching for flaws in the iPhone 5s, most are minor issues instead of glaring. Lack of memory card support could pose a problem for media users, lack of NFC support limits sharing options and, while gorgeous, the 4-inch display on the device is a fair bit smaller than many of its competitors. However, most of this is compensated for by the build quality and performance of the device. Engadget’s Myriam Joire sums up the device well when she says “In what would otherwise be considered a mundane update to the iPhone 5, Apple somehow managed to appeal to both the geek (64-bit support, M7 coprocessor, Touch ID) and the average Joe (a fresh, colorful iOS 7), all while laying the groundwork for the company’s future.”
What people actually want to know
How much does the Apple iPhone 5s cost?
The Apple iPhone 5s launched at $649 USD. Street prices change, so see current deals.
When was the Apple iPhone 5s released?
The Apple iPhone 5s was released on September 20, 2013.
How long does the battery last on the Apple iPhone 5s?
The Apple iPhone 5s has a 1,570 mAh battery.
Does the Apple iPhone 5s support wireless charging?
No, the Apple iPhone 5s does not support wireless charging.
Does the Apple iPhone 5s have a headphone jack?
Yes, the Apple iPhone 5s has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Does the Apple iPhone 5s support 5G?
Yes, the Apple iPhone 5s supports 5G connectivity.
Does the Apple iPhone 5s have NFC?
No, the Apple iPhone 5s does not have NFC. Contactless payments and tap-to-pair will not be available.
Where can I download the Apple iPhone 5s manual?
You can view and download the Apple iPhone 5s manual on our dedicated manual page.
Questions & answers
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