iPhone 5s still viable?

[eyoungren]

Is the iPhone 5s still viable? For one year, no longer. As of spring, 2017. In many parts of the world, it is still sold brand new with Apple warranty at bargain prices. Consider that just a month or so before Apple still sold the iPad mini 2 on its site with the same processor, pushing much more pixels.

The main question is, is the 5s noticeably slower than the 6? According to Geekbench scores, the A8 chip is not that much faster than the A7 (the big jump in iPhone CPU performance is from A8 to A9), and the iPhone 6 has to push more pixels than the 5s.

Can't wait to hear your opinion about the viability of my iPhone 5 and my iPhone 4s!

 

[maxjohnson2]

It's a little slow, but still usable. For a 4 years old phone, it run a lot better than comparing 4 years old Android phones (like way better). It has a 64bit CPU, I think Apple will continue to update it till sometime in 2019.

 

[blackberrycubed]

i suggest an SE at the least and use for the next 3 - 5 year.

 

[fruitninja]

It's a little slow, but still usable. For a 4 years old phone, it run a lot better than comparing 4 years old Android phones (like way better). It has a 64bit CPU, I think Apple will continue to update it till sometime in 2019.

Thanks, this answers my question!

i suggest an SE at the least and use for the next 3 - 5 year.

While I respect your answer, it doesn't really address my question.

The main question is, is the 5s noticeably slower than the 6? According to Geekbench scores, the A8 chip is not that much faster than the A7 (the big jump in iPhone CPU performance is from A8 to A9), and the iPhone 6 has to push more pixels than the 5s.

I'm still curious how the speed of the 5s and 6 compares... if any of you have any insights, it's much appreciated!

 

[regkilla]

Thanks, this answers my question!


While I respect your answer, it doesn't really address my question.


I'm still curious how the speed of the 5s and 6 compares... if any of you have any insights, it's much appreciated!

I have both and their speeds are about the same.

 

[bufffilm]

Is the iPhone 5s still viable? For one year, no longer. As of spring, 2017. In many parts of the world, it is still sold brand new with Apple warranty at bargain prices. Consider that just a month or so before Apple still sold the iPad mini 2 on its site with the same processor, pushing much more pixels.

The main question is, is the 5s noticeably slower than the 6? According to Geekbench scores, the A8 chip is not that much faster than the A7 (the big jump in iPhone CPU performance is from A8 to A9), and the iPhone 6 has to push more pixels than the 5s.

Are you asking this because you want to know if the 5s still has some life or just to satisfy your curiosity?

For the former, get a SE instead. For the latter, the ip6 is a little faster, but the ip6 was a poor value.

 

[mtneer]

I wouldn't buy an iPhone 5S today. If you already have one, or are getting a free hand me down from someone else, then yes, you could keep it working as a phone for a little while longer. But battery life and app compatibility will soon become an issue if you look to use it as anything more than a phone.

 

[cyberlocke]

So I realize this is an old thread, but I just wanted to thank everyone for their advice. I did buy a used iPhone 5s three years ago for $100. I'm still using it. The battery life could certainly be better, and until a couple of days ago, it really was getting slow. iOS 12 has changed that for me. Shortened battery life and a few scratches (and one screen crack in the upper right corner) aside, my 5s now has new life breathed into it and feels (almost) new. It's a great piece of hardware, and kudos to Apple for creating a great update in iOS 12 and for continuing to support older phones. I don't know, I just love keeping these old pieces of kit going. It saves me money, for sure, and in some small way I feel like I'm doing my part to reduce over-consumption and waste.

OK, I'm out.

 

[nickchallis92]

I've got one as a work phone. Apps can take an age to open, the screen is woeful and the battery life is weak.

I still don't understand how a phone with such a small battery can take so long to charge.