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iPhone 5S: Apple’s new gold standard

iPhone5S 5
© Apple

Right behind the reveal of the iPhone 5C, comes the brand new iPhone 5S. Apple has split their iPhone brand into two distinctive markets now, aiming for a mid-range market with their iPhone 5C and pushing the iPhone 5S as their flagship device.  Well, here it is and boy did Apple have a lot to show off with the iPhone 5S.

iPhone5S 5
Fingerprint instead of a PIN: the iPhone 5S recognizes its user by touch via the home button. / © Apple

First and foremost, the iPhone 5S will retain a similar design to its predecessor, the iPhone 5 and be made with high-grade aluminum with cut chamfered edges. There will be three “colors” available for the iPhone 5S: gold, silver, and grey.

iPhone5S 3
The iPhone 5S will be available in gold, grey, and silver. / © Apple

New Processors

Apple boasted a bit in the beginning of the presentation of the iPhone 5S as it will be sporting a brand new A7 chip, which will be a 64-bit chip and the “first of its kind” in mobile devices. The A7 chip will boast the roughly the same size as Apple’s A6 chip, but will have twice as many transistors within. As well, iOS 7 will be receiving an update to allow it to run in a 64-bit system and have 32-bit backwards compatibility. With the new processor, the iPhone 5S will boast a CPU that is twice as fast as the iPhone 5 (….and 56 times faster than the original iPhone according to Apple).

A new piece of hardware that will debut in the iPhone 5S is a “motion co-processor” called M7. With this piece, the iPhone 5S will continually monitor data such as the accelerometer, gyroscope, and compass support and opens the door for a new generation of health and fitness apps.

iPhone5S 2
© Apple

Battery and Camera

In terms of batter life on their new phone, you’re looking at about 10 hours of 3G talk-time, 10 hours of LTE browsing, 40 hours of music playback, and 250 hours of standby. Obviously, nothing ridiculously impressive and doesn’t break away from the norm of Apple devices. The camera for the iPhone 5S will contain a 5-element Apple design lens with a f/2.2 aperture and larger sensor area and will also have a new flash, called True Tone, that will help reduce clashing color temperatures. Slow-motion capture of video will also be possible, coming in at a quality of 720p HD at 120 frames pre second.

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The iSight camera is supported by a double LED flash. / © Apple

Touch ID: Fingerprints instead of passwords

Another new feature that is making its debut on the iPhone 5S is Touch ID. The home button has now been transformed into a fingerprint sensor that is 170 microns thing, has 500 ppi resolution and scan the sub-epidermal skin layers. This will add an extra layer of protection to your phone, using your unique fingerprint as your new access code. Touch ID will even be used to make purchases in the App Store / iTunes using your finger to authenticate.

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The three 5S models from the front - the new iOS7 design and the home button with fingerprint sensor. / © Apple

As for pricing, you’re looking at $199 US dollars for the 16 GB version, $299 for 32 GB, and $399 for the 64 GB. As always, these prices are with a two year contract. As with the iPhone 5C, the iPhone 5S will be available for sale in the United States, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Singapore, and the UK starting September 20th.

Technical Specs

  iPhone 5S
System iOS7
Display 4-inches, 1136 x 640 Pixel, 326 ppi
Processor A7
Camera iSight Camera, 8 MP, f/2.2, Slow-motion Video (120 fps), Dual LED
Front Camera 1.2 MP 
Battery 10 hours talk time, <8-10 browsing, 250 Std. Standby
Sensor Fingerprint sensor, gryoscope, accelerometer, promixity sensor, ambient light sensor
Dimensions 123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6 mm
Weight 112 g
Pricing $199 for 16GB / $299 for 32GB / $399 for 64GB on two year contract. 

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Sterling Keys

Sterling Keys
Freelance Editor

From all the way over on Vancouver Island, Sterling Keys started off his smartphone adventure with an HTC S710 equipped with Windows Mobile and knew there had to be something better. Over the next few years, and countless different operating systems, he has finally found his home on Android.

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  • Anna F. 12
    Anna F. Sep 11, 2013 Link to comment

    The new iPhone is pretty interesting. I had heard the rumors about the fingerprint scanner but, to be honest, I never believed it. It's so over the top. It's a nice touch though and I can see how it can make your life easier (not to mention cooler).


  • Alexandr Boriskin 4
    Alexandr Boriskin Sep 11, 2013 Link to comment

    wow fingerprints scanner 1year of development nicely done Apple. 2%drop seems like just the beginning. Lets hope gold color will attract iSheep crowd once again.


  • 19
    Glostermeteor Sep 11, 2013 Link to comment

    At these prices I doubt they will make much of a dint in Androids dominance, especially when you can pick up an S4 or HTC One for a lot cheaper

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