iPhone 5s "futureproof"

[Hal~9000]

I honestly envy people that don't have the gadget list that I do. My close friend finally (serendipitously) cracked the screen on his iPhone 4 last week. He was actually bummed that he needs to get a new phone. Meanwhile I'm up in the middle of the night furiously refreshing the apple website begging them to take my money, even though I have a pristine note 3 sitting right here.

More power to you if you like you 5s. Don't let us suck you in. You will have more money in your pocket, and feel more fulfilled in life if you just overcome the consumerist tendencies. I'm to far gone already lol.

I really like your post

It is well thought out and it wreaks of truth.

Wish we could all overcome our consumerist tendencies.

 

[cathyy]

I don't understand why so many people upgrading from the 5S.

The iPhone 5S was called future proof last year because of the 64bit architecture, but it looks like so many people jumping on the 6 bandwagon.

I understand (kind of) because the upgraded screen size. I honestly think the screens are getting too big and I'm waiting for the movement for small screens again. I feel like the whiners have won for now.

Anyone else feel their 5S is perfectly fine and feel no pressure to upgrade?

Yeah I see no reason to upgrade from the 5S either if the screen size isn't important to you.

On the other hand I've been using an iPhone 4 for the last 4 years, so I'll be upgrading next week.

 

[OneMike]

I don't understand why so many people upgrading from the 5S.

The iPhone 5S was called future proof last year because of the 64bit architecture, but it looks like so many people jumping on the 6 bandwagon.

I understand (kind of) because the upgraded screen size. I honestly think the screens are getting too big and I'm waiting for the movement for small screens again. I feel like the whiners have won for now.

Anyone else feel their 5S is perfectly fine and feel no pressure to upgrade?

Future proof should not be your concern. Feature proof is a different story.

You can continue to use last years tech but you'll always miss out on something.

 

[metsjetsfan]

Nothing is ever "future proof" in technology. Given Apple's track record, the only thing you can be reasonably sure is that a iDevice bought on launch day will be "current" for at least a year before it begins to play second fiddle to newer hardware. But even that is not too sure an assurance as the owners of the iPad 3 found out.

Is future proof to apple so they will make sure you buy a new phone -

 

[Dmaynard83]

NFC and ApplePay
Faster LTE and VoLTE support
LTE carrier aggregation
Bigger battery, longer battery life
Better/Faster CPU

Let me make a couple notes on your reasons.

Faster LTE and VoLTE support - I can guarantee you will probably not notice a difference in speed data usage.
Bigger battery, longer battery life - This actually may be a viable reason, but we will see how the new battery plays out in real life usage.
Better/Faster CPU - Was the iPhone 5s really too slow for you? I mean with a new phone it is expected that the CPU will be faster, but if I have last years 5S I don't think in my head now that's a reason to upgrade, since the 5S doesn't stutter and is not slow in any regard.

My thoughts on Apple Pay: Apple Pay is 95% reliant on stores/restaurants to implement Apple's payment system. People say Android had NFC a long time ago, which is true, but the key is to push stores and restaurants to implement the system so it is ubiquitous enough for us to use the technology.

Now with that said Apple jumping on board with NFC is a good sign because they will pressure stores/restaurants to implement the new tech, but we probably won't see most stores implementing it until a few years have passed.

Lastly when I said futureproof I obviously didn't mean we never need to upgrade again. I was just saying since the 64 bit architecture was there we wouldn't feel a need to upgrade for at least 2+ years. And none of the 6 features shouldn't really make anyone jump to get one unless you need a big screen and I understand.

Jumping from a 4s to a 5 was understandable because the 3g to LTE upgrade was like going from 56k internet to cable internet speeds. From 5S to 6 I really fail to see it guys.

 

[justin216]

I upgraded from a 5s to 6 Plus due to the larger screen for my personal use case. It being faster, having new UI possibilities, OIS, NFC, etc, is just gravy. 5s was never future proof for me due to it being such a small screen compared to what I really needed.

5s really isn't a bad phone, but if you want more screen real estate, it just won't work well.

 

[sunking101]

Will it get Apple Pay since it has a finger print scanner? If not, I would upgrade for that alone. I'm more excited about Apple Pay than anything else.

Meh. It will take ages to be mass-adopted, if it ever is, and cashiers will be taking debit & credit cards for years to come. This is a nothing feature IMO and certainly not one worth upgrading for.

 

[justin216]

Meh. It will take ages to be mass-adopted, if it ever is, and cashiers will be taking debit & credit cards for years to come. This is a nothing feature IMO and certainly not one worth upgrading for.

ApplePay is already mass adopted, being in 220k locations, and the new Credit Card laws in the US coming into effect is having all retail establishments upgrade to newer card readers anyway, many of which will have NFC. I expect we'll see significant rollout over the next year.

 

[nox5]

If anyone wants to upgrade apple store pays $310 for att 16gb iPhone 5s

http://store.apple.com/us/iphone/reuse-and-recycling

 

[itjw]

Absolutely no "need" to do most everything we do in life. I have the $$$, I enjoy having the "latest and greatest" and it's my choice.

I think people are underestimating the upgrade saying its "only a bigger screen". It's not. It's all new. New chassis, new CPU/GPU, NFC, new battery, VoLTE, new camera (MP is the same, that's about it...), thinner, more ppi (plus), OIS (plus), higher contrast ratio, new backlight design, beveled edged "ion strengthened" glass, etc...

So no, no "need" to upgrade, but plenty of reasons to

 

[sunking101]

ApplePay is already mass adopted, being in 220k locations, and the new Credit Card laws in the US coming into effect is having all retail establishments upgrade to newer card readers anyway, many of which will have NFC. I expect we'll see significant rollout over the next year.

Maybe it's different in the states but whilst I can still pay with cards and cash it's a non-essential feature.

 

[Dmaynard83]

ApplePay is already mass adopted, being in 220k locations, and the new Credit Card laws in the US coming into effect is having all retail establishments upgrade to newer card readers anyway, many of which will have NFC. I expect we'll see significant rollout over the next year.

Good luck seeing it every store you go to. In real life usage you will probably only see it at 2/15 places.

 

[blcfla]

I'm sticking with 5S for now at least. I'm waiting to hold one in my hands etc to make the decision, don't really need the bigger screen and honestly don't know if I want it, I like having my phone in my pocket and not really noticing it being there. My brother has the S5 and I don't find it comfortable or "pocketable". I'm up and down a bunch throughout the day so it's most important "feature" to me.

I'd like about a 4.3" to be honest, but that's nitpicking. Should be interesting to see if they ever release a new model smaller than 4.7"..

 

[Dmaynard83]

I'm sticking with 5S for now at least. I'm waiting to hold one in my hands etc to make the decision, don't really need the bigger screen and honestly don't know if I want it, I like having my phone in my pocket and not really noticing it being there. My brother has the S5 and I don't find it comfortable or "pocketable". I'm up and down a bunch throughout the day so it's most important "feature" to me.



I'd like about a 4.3" to be honest, but that's nitpicking. Should be interesting to see if they ever release a new model smaller than 4.7"..

I'm pretty sure for the next 2 years they will be doing the 4.7 inch. For the 7 model we can hope for a smaller screen option.

 

[lsutigerfan1976]

Yeah i am guilty in saying i have a 5s i am selling. Just to get a 6, because of the size of the screen. Nothing else. Otherwise, i would have stuck with my 5s.

 

[QCassidy352]

I'm still on a 5, and I'm really happy with it, except that I want the touchID since 3rd party apps will have access to it now. So I'm considering picking up a cheap 5s to save money over the 6 and because I like the 4" screen size better.

 

[AdonisSMU]

Will it get Apple Pay since it has a finger print scanner? If not, I would upgrade for that alone. I'm more excited about Apple Pay than anything else.

Yeah Im excited about the wallet feature also. If I could have my id with it, I would be all set.

 

[dragon671556]

I just changed carriers and purchased a 5S at the end of August. I knew the 6 was coming out but I didn't really care. In my mind the S series of the Iphones are better anyway so I'll just wait my 2 years and get the 6S at about the time the 7 comes out. I don't have to have the greatest phone. I like my 5S a lot better than my 4S.

Apple Pay sounds cool but it's not enough to make me want a 6 yet. It'll take a few years for Apple Pay to get started especially in rural areas where I live and shop. So no big deal for me. Everyone knows there will be issues with the 6 just like there was with the 5. I'm already beta testing the Xbox One (which I love btw) so beta testing one thing at a time is enough for me.

 

[bigpoppamac31]

I love the 5S but wish it was smaller. The only reason why I'm upgrading is because the carrier plan is not future-proof and will be more expensive for me to not upgrade.

Why would you want a phone smaller then the 5/5S? I have the 4S and I find it too small now after playing with the 5/5S. A 4'' is small enough.

 

[Dmaynard83]

I just changed carriers and purchased a 5S at the end of August. I knew the 6 was coming out but I didn't really care. In my mind the S series of the Iphones are better anyway so I'll just wait my 2 years and get the 6S at about the time the 7 comes out. I don't have to have the greatest phone. I like my 5S a lot better than my 4S.

Apple Pay sounds cool but it's not enough to make me want a 6 yet. It'll take a few years for Apple Pay to get started especially in rural areas where I live and shop. So no big deal for me. Everyone knows there will be issues with the 6 just like there was with the 5. I'm already beta testing the Xbox One (which I love btw) so beta testing one thing at a time is enough for me.

Yep. And if you find 4"+ phones too big then the 5S is your best bet. Hopefully by the time the 7 comes around there will be a movement for smaller (4 inchish) displays.

 

[bushman4]

The 5S maybe Future resistant but not Future Proof in any way Functionality and hardware will also get better.

 

[nox5]

Pay won't be available everywhere so you still would need to take plastic with you.

 

[Ih8reno]

I have had a 5 for 2 years and financially for me it makes more sense to keep it for at least another year. For those able to afford upgrading I say why not, enjoy your purchase!

 

[d123]

VoLTE is one of the reasons I'm upgrading, I was annoyed that the 5s isn't capable, and it is going to make a big difference in areas of poor coverage (especially when 800MHz LTE is rolled out and power levels increased).

 

[scaredpoet]

Let me make a couple notes on your reasons.

Faster LTE and VoLTE support - I can guarantee you will probably not notice a difference in speed data usage.

You don't know my usage patterns or what network I'm on (or plan to be on), but your vote of confidence is noted.

Bigger battery, longer battery life - This actually may be a viable reason, but we will see how the new battery plays out in real life usage.

Indeed we will.

Better/Faster CPU - Was the iPhone 5s really too slow for you?

You clearly haven't been paying much attention to these forums. Before long, there are complaints about how older model iPhones run slow under the current version of iOS. I prefer my phone to be quick and without any stuttering.

Look, sticking around with the iPhone 5s is a perfectly valid use case. If that's what you want to do, great. Go for it. But clearly that's not for everyone.

My thoughts on Apple Pay: Apple Pay is 95% reliant on stores/restaurants to implement Apple's payment system.

Actually, the payment system is not an Apple proprietary technology, but an already recognized NFC standard that exists on a number of credit and debit cards already. My Chase debit card has been working fine this way for years now. If a business already accepts NFC based payments (like PayWave, Amex expressPay, Citi Blink), then this will work there, too.

What HAS changed in Apple's case is the back end, and who's doing that processing. In this case, it's Apple negotiating agreements with a number of large banks, which they've already done.

Jumping from a 4s to a 5 was understandable because the 3g to LTE upgrade was like going from 56k internet to cable internet speeds. From 5S to 6 I really fail to see it guys.

Then don't do it. Enjoy your 5s, I'll enjoy my 6 Plus.