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First iPhone 5s Reviews: Touch ID a 'Real Advance', Two-Tone Flash Produces 'Lovely Results'

Damn. Despite my distaste for iOS 7's color palette, the fingerprint sensor is badass and worth upgrading for. I knew it would be.

However, until Apple gives me a bigger screen I'll have to "suffer" with my 4s.

I don't understand the whole "one-handed" use thing. I have two hands. Unless I become an amputee, one-handed use will be secondary to being able to see what's on the screen. It's funny, 'cause most of the time the smallness of the screen causes me to have to zoom and pan a lot, which completely negates the one-handed operation "benefit".

All I need is to be able to reach the home button and tell Siri what to do.

Still. The fingerprint sensor alone is mighty tempting, while I wait for Apple to pull it's head out and give us just one more choice...
 
Pyrrhic Victory said:
Most people don't need more security than they already had, which is the option of using a password or not. I have no doubt that they will become standard, but most people don't regularly expose their phones to potential use by unauthorized people, so it won't make much of a difference. In the rare event of their phone being stolen, Apple can already disable the phone remotely. So in very rare circumstances it will be useful but it's not game-changing by any stretch.
Click to expand...

Then you agree, it's innovative. If you have no doubt it will become standard on all mid & high end smartphones then it will be because it works well compared to the older thumbprint sensors and there is a market demand for phone makers to include it.
 
Teste said:
I'm using an iPhone 3GS, and I was hoping for a reason to upgrade. But there is little that matters to me.

A. The 5S is faster: this is illusory. It will be faster than the iPhone 5 running iOS 7, but the iPhone 5 running iOS 7 will be slower than the iPhone 5 running iOS 6. Apple doesn't want to or doesn't know how to (or probably both) make a new iOS run well on older devices. Whatever speed the iPhone 5S has now, it will slow to a crawl with iOS 9. This may be irrelevant to people in the USA with 2 year contracts, but that's not how the entire world works.

B. The iPhone 5S has a bigger screen and different form factor: the increased height while keeping the same width makes the iPhone 5S show less of some webpages when compared to the iPhone 4S and older models. This is worse in landscape mode. Besides, as far as form factor goes, I prefer the curved back of the 3GS.

C. Better camera, which is actually the only real benefit; but IMO, I can take work pictures with my iPad, and for sporadic pictures the 3GS camera works.

D. Fingerprint sensor: useless to me. I take care to not lose my phone and I don't have anything sensitive in there, so it does not lock under a password. The fingerprint sensor has then no purpose, considering its limited utility. For the records, it's the same as Siri, which is rather useless in my country.

For me, Apple has failed. I want to buy a new phone (my 3GS is beginning to break), but Apple has not managed to release anything I would really like to buy. A better keyboard (on a new iOS, which would require a newer device) would be my main reason to update; a bigger screen would be nice, too. More customization options would be great, but that's something Apple would never allow.
Click to expand...

If you actually think a 5S isn't a substantial upgrade over the 3GS then...wow.
 
shaunp said:
No they won't be a 'must have'. For me any device that scans my fingerprints and stores them is a 'must not have'. If this becomes standard on all iPhones then I'll move to a different platform. If it becomes standard on all smart phones, then I'll just go back to an old Nokia. Having the security services getting hold of my personal data is one thing (and it will happen), but having hackers get it would be catastrophic.
Click to expand...

I think you best be dusting off your old Nokia then. I'll be stunned if the next round of Android phones doesn't have a sensor.

I'm not really sure what you mean having the security services getting hold of your personal data. They already have it and the fingerprint sensor doesn't make it easier on hackers. If hackers want in to your non-sensor iPhone they have found ways already to do that, but less-so and more difficult than on Android phones.
 
TallManNY said:
You really don't think this is an upgrade over 3GS? Or is this some very thoughtfully written troll?

Anyway, you should upgrade to get the iOS7 improvements which you can't get on your 3GS. Enjoy. You only live once and you use your smartphone a lot. Make it the best phone you can afford.
Click to expand...

He should read AnandTech's review, particularly the 6th page which shows how much the 5s is faster than his 3GS: http://anandtech.com/show/7335/the-iphone-5s-review/6
 
osaga said:
I doubt a lot of people will be upgrading their iphone 5 to the 5S.

1. 50% of people don't care much about securing their phone. (The rest are sexting enthusiasts.)

2. The impressive increase in processor speed will go largely unnoticed.

3. Aps that capitalize on the movement sensors will take a year or so to catch on.

4. The camera improvements are nice, but even the reviewers said the they are only slightly noticeable.

5. Everyone gets iOS7 anyhow.

What would motivate people to ditch their iphone 5? A larger screen and some hot new aluminum. Does it make sense to entirely refresh the flagship every year? Yep, if it's costing them market share losses, and impacting share value. They can skip the S every once in a while.

I'd rather see market share gains and profit increases, rather than profit margin improvements.
Click to expand...
Wow a bigger screen and "hot new aluminum" is so innovative.
 
Teste said:
I'm using an iPhone 3GS, and I was hoping for a reason to upgrade. But there is little that matters to me.

A. The 5S is faster: this is illusory. It will be faster than the iPhone 5 running iOS 7, but the iPhone 5 running iOS 7 will be slower than the iPhone 5 running iOS 6. Apple doesn't want to or doesn't know how to (or probably both) make a new iOS run well on older devices. Whatever speed the iPhone 5S has now, it will slow to a crawl with iOS 9. This may be irrelevant to people in the USA with 2 year contracts, but that's not how the entire world works.

B. The iPhone 5S has a bigger screen and different form factor: the increased height while keeping the same width makes the iPhone 5S show less of some webpages when compared to the iPhone 4S and older models. This is worse in landscape mode. Besides, as far as form factor goes, I prefer the curved back of the 3GS.

C. Better camera, which is actually the only real benefit; but IMO, I can take work pictures with my iPad, and for sporadic pictures the 3GS camera works.

D. Fingerprint sensor: useless to me. I take care to not lose my phone and I don't have anything sensitive in there, so it does not lock under a password. The fingerprint sensor has then no purpose, considering its limited utility. For the records, it's the same as Siri, which is rather useless in my country.

For me, Apple has failed. I want to buy a new phone (my 3GS is beginning to break), but Apple has not managed to release anything I would really like to buy. A better keyboard (on a new iOS, which would require a newer device) would be my main reason to update; a bigger screen would be nice, too. More customization options would be great, but that's something Apple would never allow.
Click to expand...

Are you for real?
 
Having just had some unexpected car repairs I was on the fence about getting an 5s Friday, but now I'm 99% sure I'll be lining up to get one. Most likely a 64GB Space Grey, cause the name sounds cool! :cool:

FYI I have a 3Gs, almost 4 years old!
 
osaga said:
I doubt a lot of people will be upgrading their iphone 5 to the 5S.

1. 50% of people don't care much about securing their phone. (The rest are sexting enthusiasts.)

2. The impressive increase in processor speed will go largely unnoticed.

3. Aps that capitalize on the movement sensors will take a year or so to catch on.

4. The camera improvements are nice, but even the reviewers said the they are only slightly noticeable.

5. Everyone gets iOS7 anyhow.

What would motivate people to ditch their iphone 5? A larger screen and some hot new aluminum. Does it make sense to entirely refresh the flagship every year? Yep, if it's costing them market share losses, and impacting share value. They can skip the S every once in a while.

I'd rather see market share gains and profit increases, rather than profit margin improvements.
Click to expand...


You don't get it. Apple made the iPhone 5s for those upgrading from 3GS,4,4s. Those with an iPhone 5 are mainly in a 24 month contract.

----------
Lancer said:
Having just had some unexpected car repairs I was on the fence about getting an 5s Friday, but now I'm 99% sure I'll be lining up to get one. Most likely a 64GB Space Grey, cause the name sounds cool! :cool:

FYI I have a 3Gs, almost 4 years old!
Click to expand...

From 3GS to 5s.. You are going to love it
 
The biggest upgrade to the iPhone ever according to Anandtech.

And I believe him.

Amazing upgrade, I can't wait!
 
Crosslad said:
Actually the fingerprint sensor has one very useful function. What if you were in an accident or collapsed in the street. If you lock your phone with a password the emergency services cannot access your contacts to let them know. With the fingerprint scanner they can just place your thumb on the sensor, access your contacts and let someone know what has happened to you.
Click to expand...

Exactly.

And unlike now when you are sleeping, perhaps at a party and/or a little too much to drink. Now someone can access your phone simply by pressing your finger against it to unlock it, unlike now, they can't do this as only you know the code.

Trust me, we are going see see posting about people having this happen to them. finger print scanning is very insecure as everyone knows where the unlock key is. It's on the end of your finger.
 
shaunp said:
No they won't be a 'must have'. For me any device that scans my fingerprints and stores them is a 'must not have'. If this becomes standard on all iPhones then I'll move to a different platform. If it becomes standard on all smart phones, then I'll just go back to an old Nokia. Having the security services getting hold of my personal data is one thing (and it will happen), but having hackers get it would be catastrophic.
Click to expand...

You may as we'll go get that Nokia now; this IS happening, bro.
 
jabingla2810 said:
The biggest upgrade to the iPhone ever according to Anandtech.

And I believe him.

Amazing upgrade, I can't wait!
Click to expand...

So what are you gaining in reality from the 5? A fingerprint sensor won't affect me since I don't use a pin, better camera is ok but expected and the existing one is fine too, speed won't be noticeable on most apps as the 5 never feels slow. I don't see what people can get that excited about, sure it's an upgrade but the more I think about how I use my phone the less I think I'd notice much.
 
melendezest said:
I don't understand the whole "one-handed" use thing. I have two hands. Unless I become an amputee, one-handed use will be secondary to being able to see what's on the screen. It's funny, 'cause most of the time the smallness of the screen causes me to have to zoom and pan a lot, which completely negates the one-handed operation "benefit".
Click to expand...
If you watch most people's use of their phone, it is one handed. If you are walking through the mall with a Starbucks in your hand, dragging a suitcase through the airport, pushing s shopping cart, driving (I know, we shouldn't, but lets get real) . . . . I only use a second hand if needed, even if my second hand is free.
 
Teste said:
I'm using an iPhone 3GS, and I was hoping for a reason to upgrade. But there is little that matters to me.

A. The 5S is faster: this is illusory. It will be faster than the iPhone 5 running iOS 7, but the iPhone 5 running iOS 7 will be slower than the iPhone 5 running iOS 6. Apple doesn't want to or doesn't know how to (or probably both) make a new iOS run well on older devices. Whatever speed the iPhone 5S has now, it will slow to a crawl with iOS 9. This may be irrelevant to people in the USA with 2 year contracts, but that's not how the entire world works.

B. The iPhone 5S has a bigger screen and different form factor: the increased height while keeping the same width makes the iPhone 5S show less of some webpages when compared to the iPhone 4S and older models. This is worse in landscape mode. Besides, as far as form factor goes, I prefer the curved back of the 3GS.

C. Better camera, which is actually the only real benefit; but IMO, I can take work pictures with my iPad, and for sporadic pictures the 3GS camera works.

D. Fingerprint sensor: useless to me. I take care to not lose my phone and I don't have anything sensitive in there, so it does not lock under a password. The fingerprint sensor has then no purpose, considering its limited utility. For the records, it's the same as Siri, which is rather useless in my country.

For me, Apple has failed. I want to buy a new phone (my 3GS is beginning to break), but Apple has not managed to release anything I would really like to buy. A better keyboard (on a new iOS, which would require a newer device) would be my main reason to update; a bigger screen would be nice, too. More customization options would be great, but that's something Apple would never allow.
Click to expand...

Your post is so far off base it's not even funny. The 3GS sucks at this point. There is no other way to put it. And it's only going to get worse with every month that passes. You say you want to upgrade, and that your phone is "breaking", but then you say you can't find a reason. I don't know what you expect, but the 5S is leaps and bounds ahead of the 3GS. To the point where making a comparison between the 2 is just plain stupid.
 
Jimrod said:
So what are you gaining in reality from the 5? A fingerprint sensor won't affect me since I don't use a pin, better camera is ok but expected and the existing one is fine too, speed won't be noticeable on most apps as the 5 never feels slow. I don't see what people can get that excited about, sure it's an upgrade but the more I think about how I use my phone the less I think I'd notice much.
Click to expand...

That’s ok, you don't have to upgrade.

But why the need to try and extinguish my excitement, why can't you be happy for others?

The fingerprint sensor is a home run to me, I never use a pass code even though I would really want to, but it's too much effort every time I unlock my phone.

I take a lot of photo's with my phone so any improvements are welcome. Of course the iPhone 5 camera is still a great choice, but the new one if even better.

Anandtech say the performance difference between the 5 and 5S is currently huge, and will only get bigger as we go forward and apps get updated. The 5S is more powerful than the top end 2008 15" Macbook Pro, this opens up some insane possibilities for developers.

The iPhone 5 is still a great phone, it's just that the 5S is better, and its improvements make it a worthwhile upgrade, and to me it's the most substantial upgrade the iPhone has seen. To me and a lot of these reviewers anyway.
 
Piggie said:
Exactly.

And unlike now when you are sleeping, perhaps at a party and/or a little too much to drink. Now someone can access your phone simply by pressing your finger against it to unlock it, unlike now, they can't do this as only you know the code.

Trust me, we are going see see posting about people having this happen to them. finger print scanning is very insecure as everyone knows where the unlock key is. It's on the end of your finger.
Click to expand...

Yes, so many of us fear being blacked out at a party and having someone access our phone by manipulating our lifeless hand onto the sensor. There are a lot more pressing issues you should be concerned about if this is what you are truly worried about.

(And what do you do to secure your walled, IDs and credit cards in the same scenario)

Plus, for those that expect to be found passed out near a urinal, Apple let's you select traditional pass code assess instead of the finger print ID. Just add the change to your pre-party checklist. Then you will only need to worry about having your eyebrows shaved off.
 
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