Apple iPhone 5s or just be patient...

[jrswizzle]

It happens to me all the time and has been moaned about on these boards constantly (by other folk). Reloads, reloads, reloads. Nothing to do with my installation, it's relatively fresh.

I'm just giving the folks here an example how my 5S works perfectly fine - not "crippled" at all.

All for additional RAM in future iPhones. But "crippled", "necessity".....you're overstating.

How about killing some apps in the multitasking tray? I periodically kill apps running so they don't continue to use up resources needlessly. It's not a difficult thing to do - do you leave dozens of apps open on your desktop or laptop constantly?

Would 2GB of RAM improve the iOS experience? Perhaps, though I would still argue a majority of people wouldn't notice - but for those of you who do and complain about it, it would. Is 2GB+ an absolute NECESSITY that would make the 5S USEFUL and not CRIPPLED? No....not by a long shot.

EDIT: Side-note, I notice more people complaining about this issue related to the iPad Air.....on which I have noticed reloads with no other apps running. I wonder if it's simply a bug in the iPad version of iOS - perhaps Safari on the iPad handles things differently.

 

[sunking101]

I'm just giving the folks here an example how my 5S works perfectly fine - not "crippled" at all.

All for additional RAM in future iPhones. But "crippled", "necessity".....you're overstating.

How about killing some apps in the multitasking tray? I periodically kill apps running so they don't continue to use up resources needlessly. It's not a difficult thing to do - do you leave dozens of apps open on your desktop or laptop constantly?

Would 2GB of RAM improve the iOS experience? Perhaps, though I would still argue a majority of people wouldn't notice - but for those of you who do and complain about it, it would. Is 2GB+ an absolute NECESSITY that would make the 5S USEFUL and not CRIPPLED? No....not by a long shot.

EDIT: Side-note, I notice more people complaining about this issue related to the iPad Air.....on which I have noticed reloads with no other apps running. I wonder if it's simply a bug in the iPad version of iOS - perhaps Safari on the iPad handles things differently.

To make the 5S a desirable longterm proposition, I would say that more RAM is an absolute requirement and it will be the achilles heel to longevity. Apple know this of course...

Even right now, today, the 1GB of RAM is an issue and it often rears its head. If only Apple would allow us to opt for more RAM at the time of purchase, like we can opt for larger memory. We can specify more RAM in Macbooks but not iPhones, which are not far off the price of a low-end Macbook when purchased outright.

 

[C DM]

I find the 1GB in my i5 pretty crippling, what with all the webpage reloads. I dread to think how taxing iOS8 will be on the 5S...
The 5S is a great phone but the tiny amount of RAM will severely limit its longevity.

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Not so. The RAM is limiting *now*, and was the day the 5S was released, so it doesn't bode well for longterm ownership IMO. If there is one thing worth getting the iPhone 6 for, it's the (hopefully and SURELY) increased RAM it will bring. Never mind screen size or anything else, 2GB of RAM is an absolute necessity.

Has been the same as it has been before iOS 7 and with other iOS devices for me. Tabs will reload sometimes if I use a number of apps before going back to Safari down the road--basically existing and expected functionality in iOS since early days. In your case, based on many different threads/posts, it seems like a whole lot of things happen that are fairly unique to your phone or some of your devices for some reason, as they definitely don't happen to the vast majority. So, yes, there's a RAM limitation, as is usually the case, but it's not anything like crippling or different from other iOS versions/devices for the majority.

 

[sunking101]

I'm just giving the folks here an example how my 5S works perfectly fine - not "crippled" at all.

All for additional RAM in future iPhones. But "crippled", "necessity".....you're overstating.

How about killing some apps in the multitasking tray? I periodically kill apps running so they don't continue to use up resources needlessly. It's not a difficult thing to do - do you leave dozens of apps open on your desktop or laptop constantly?

Would 2GB of RAM improve the iOS experience? Perhaps, though I would still argue a majority of people wouldn't notice - but for those of you who do and complain about it, it would. Is 2GB+ an absolute NECESSITY that would make the 5S USEFUL and not CRIPPLED? No....not by a long shot.

EDIT: Side-note, I notice more people complaining about this issue related to the iPad Air.....on which I have noticed reloads with no other apps running. I wonder if it's simply a bug in the iPad version of iOS - perhaps Safari on the iPad handles things differently.

The iPad's bigger screens use more RAM than the iPhone's smaller screens, so I would expect to see the problem more often on an iPad.
Regardless, I see it often enough on my iPhone for it to be a frustration.

 

[jrswizzle]

To make the 5S a desirable longterm proposition, I would say that more RAM is an absolute requirement and it will be the achilles heel to longevity. Apple know this of course...

Even right now, today, the 1GB of RAM is an issue and it often rears its head. If only Apple would allow us to opt for more RAM at the time of purchase, like we can opt for larger memory. We can specify more RAM in Macbooks but not iPhones, which are not far off the price of a low-end Macbook when purchased outright.

That's an interesting notion.....would be cool to see throughout the smartphone industry. I think the problem is simply its too large an industry and requires too much advanced production.

Google is looking to go the way of fully customizable hardware. Maybe they'll be the catalyst for this.

But I still maintain the 5S will be a fine device for the next two years. People are "surviving" with iPhone 4's and 3GS's.....for you or I, that wouldn't work. But we want the latest and greatest. For many, a 5S is going to be a great phone for quite some time.

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The iPad's bigger screens use more RAM than the iPhone's smaller screens, so I would expect to see the problem more often on an iPad.
Regardless, I see it often enough on my iPhone for it to be a frustration.

Forgive the ignorance - but what about the display uses RAM?

 

[sunking101]

Has been the same as it has been before iOS 7 and with other iOS devices for me. Tabs will reload sometimes if I use a number of apps before going back to Safari down the road--basically existing and expected functionality in iOS since early days. In your case, based on many different threads/posts, it seems like a whole lot of things happen that are fairly unique to your phone or some of your devices for some reason, as they definitely don't happen to the vast majority. So, yes, there's a RAM limitation, as is usually the case, but it's not anything like crippling or different from other iOS versions/devices for the majority.

Yeah, it happened to me on my iPhone 4 running iOS6 (can't remember if it happened with iOS5, my memory isn't that good!) and also with my iPhone 5 running iOS6. Something is very wrong with the way Safari handles RAM and if Apple's software engineers haven't fathomed the solution in the best part of four years, it seems to me that they're skimping with RAM.

*Edited to add, the reloading problem seems way worse with iOS7 on my i5 than it ever was on previous handsets and versions of iOS.

 

[jrswizzle]

Has been the same as it has been before iOS 7 and with other iOS devices for me. Tabs will reload sometimes if I use a number of apps before going back to Safari down the road--basically existing and expected functionality in iOS since early days. In your case, based on many different threads/posts, it seems like a whole lot of things happen that are fairly unique to your phone or some of your devices for some reason, as they definitely don't happen to the vast majority. So, yes, there's a RAM limitation, as is usually the case, but it's not anything like crippling or different from other iOS versions/devices for the majority.

Obviously, 1 GB of RAM only goes so far. Using a bunch of apps then going back to tabs that had been opened prior will eat up that 1GB.

The issue sunking claims and I HAVE experienced on my Air is that, without any other apps open, and only two tabs open in Safari - switching back and forth between them will cause a reload. This sounds like a software problem and NOT a RAM limitation.

On the other hand, I haven't really seen this on my 5S and was able to do what I mentioned above on my 5S without any problem. In my experience, 1 GB of RAM has been plenty to bounce between a few apps and tabs with no problem. Like I said to sunking, closing out open apps periodically helps clear out cache and keep RAM free.

 

[RebornProphet]

With a paltry 1GB of RAM the 5S isn't even a 'powerhouse' now, let alone "for a few years" to come. Sure the processor is fine, but the handset is crippled by the RAM circa *now*.

Really? Mine is extremely fast and smooth.

 

[sunking101]

Obviously, 1 GB of RAM only goes so far. Using a bunch of apps then going back to tabs that had been opened prior will eat up that 1GB.

The issue sunking claims and I HAVE experienced on my Air is that, without any other apps open, and only two tabs open in Safari - switching back and forth between them will cause a reload. This sounds like a software problem and NOT a RAM limitation.

On the other hand, I haven't really seen this on my 5S and was able to do what I mentioned above on my 5S without any problem. In my experience, 1 GB of RAM has been plenty to bounce between a few apps and tabs with no problem. Like I said to sunking, closing out open apps periodically helps clear out cache and keep RAM free.

I do that daily, despite other folk saying it doesn't achieve anything positive.
With regard to the larger screens on iPads using more RAM, someone on these boards went into much greater detail than I could about why that is the case. I've just had a look but can't locate the thread :-/

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Really? Mine is extremely fast and smooth.

So is mine, it positively zips along.
Shame the webpages reload tho'

 

[priyamsingh]

Be patient. Iphone 6 will be a HUGE jump for Apple. Even a bigger jump than from 4S to 5. Redesigned everything with a bigger screen, better camera etc and 5 is honestly outdated compared to competition. You'll really regret not having waited when 6 comes out.

 

[aPple nErd]

5s. The non-s things are usually the first production line. When they get the feedback, they make changes, add a few blings, and then release the s.

If you can wait for 6s, do it.

lol do you realize it would be a 6 year old iPhone? iOS 9 would be coming out and he would be on iOS 6... thats like using iOS 4 now that 7.1.1 is out... 8 beta out in a few days...

 

[DeezelP]

I have 5 tabs open in Safari: Google Search, Apple.com, UTD Blackboard eLearning, Engadget and MacRumors.

I've switched back and forth, scrolling on all 5 of them - no reloads.

I just backed out of Safari, open ESPN Scorecenter - took a look around there, then through the multitasking tray went back to Safari and bounced back and forth between the websites - again, no reloading.

"Crippling"? Please.....

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Just checked the 10-day forecast on the Yahoo Weather app - went into Scorecenter to look up tennis match results. Back into Safari to bounce between tabs.....

Say it with me - "no reloads".

Thx for all the replies guys lots yo think about. I'll probably wait now

However how big is this new 6 screen? Please say it's not as big as some of those Samsungs I see

Regarding reloads I get exactly the same on my iPhone 3GS , doesn't sound great the 5s is doing it. Bug I reckon it's the software as my 3GS never used to do it until I updated the software

Perhaps the os is moving too fast...?

 

[C DM]

Thx for all the replies guys lots yo think about. I'll probably wait now

However how big is this new 6 screen? Please say it's not as big as some of those Samsungs I see

Regarding reloads I get exactly the same on my iPhone 3GS , doesn't sound great the 5s is doing it. Bug I reckon it's the software as my 3GS never used to do it until I updated the software

Perhaps the os is moving too fast...?

No one really knows until Apple announces it at some point.

 

[AppleRobert]

Buy the 5S and try it. Return it within the alloted time period if you are not satisfied with it. If you like it, do not concern yourself about the 6. The S series is always better.

While you are trying it, go to any retailer and play with android phones to see if you like the size better. If so, return the 5S and wait for the 6.

Easy peasy.

 

[617aircav]

He states he has a 3Gs not a 5S.

OP, if you the phone is working just becoming obsolete then I'd gut it out and wait for the 6. You're at the end of the life cycle of the 5S, I'd not spend any money on it or worse lock yourself into a 2 year contract.

"If you have gone this long with a 3GS, you can wait. If not, you will be sorry when the 6 is introduced."

I know. I was responding to the post above stating he would regret getting the 5s now.

 

[briannaharbor]

Just go buy something, and if you dont like it, return it. that's about all.

 

[rockitdog]

If the OP likes the 5S why wait for something that he may or may not like. They iPhone 6 is going to be larger without a doubt but that larger size might not be everyone's cup of tea. I think a fair amount of people will still prefer the size and portability of the iPhone 5s. besides, coming from the 3GS, the OP will have more than enough to love on the 5s.

OP where are you from and what carrier do you have?

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With a paltry 1GB of RAM the 5S isn't even a 'powerhouse' now, let alone "for a few years" to come. Sure the processor is fine, but the handset is crippled by the RAM circa *now*.

Wow, this couldn't be further from truth. This guy has to be and Android user with ridiculous statements like these.

 

[AaronM5670]

Be patient - there will undoubtedly be a new, much improved iPhone in the autumn, as there has been for a few years running.

 

[DeezelP]

Be patient - there will undoubtedly be a new, much improved iPhone in the autumn, as there has been for a few years running.

We'll I just watched about half of WWDC , am I right that the 6 won't be out until nearly Christmas ?

 

[Madhawk]

Be patient. Iphone 6 will be a HUGE jump for Apple. Even a bigger jump than from 4S to 5. Redesigned everything with a bigger screen, better camera etc and 5 is honestly outdated compared to competition. You'll really regret not having waited when 6 comes out.

Agreed, just be patient and wait.

 

[briannaharbor]

Agreed, just be patient and wait.

I did my waiting. 12 years of it. In Azkaban..

 

[paleriderc2d]

I just picked a 32 gig gold 5S. With trade in and sale price, I paid $1.99 for it. I'll go to apple next week to get AppleCare+.

I'm confident this phone will be moving along just fine by the time the 6S arrives.

 

[Imaginator]

Get the 5S. The 6 will be littered with production issues, low quality control, etc. 5S is the clear choice.

What a foolish statement.

You seem awfully sure about that for a product that hasn't been introduced. I've had every iPhone since the original launch and never had any issues with any of them.

 

[speed4tu]

Be patient. Iphone 6 will be a HUGE jump for Apple. Even a bigger jump than from 4S to 5. Redesigned everything with a bigger screen, better camera etc and 5 is honestly outdated compared to competition. You'll really regret not having waited when 6 comes out.

I've never known apple to really be cutting edge with anything to this point. Think a lot of folks will be disappointed when the 6 comes out.

 

[briannaharbor]

I've never known apple to really be cutting edge with anything to this point. Think a lot of folks will be disappointed when the 6 comes out.

It's not really that apple's stuff isn't "cutting edge" but rather that amazon and google and android are just doing SO MUCH MORE than apple is.

I'm sure you've heard of the tortoise and the hare?