Why should I upgrade my iPhone 5s?

[BarracksSi]

Just wait for the eventual update of the iPhone SE and buy that instead

+1 for this. The bigger size of a 6/7/8/X is a difficult trade to make for a faster processor.

The SE is functionally equivalent to a 6S at the moment. I expect its update (probably next spring, if not sooner) will make it on par with a 7.

 

[smbu2000]

I am your UK twin! Could have written most of that post myself. I also have a 5S & replace my phone every 4 years - I bought the 3GS in 2009, the 5S in 2013. I've been telling myself since 2013 that I would buy the 2017 iPhone. As I replace my phone less frequently than most, it seems to make sense for me to skip 8, when X is coming later this year. Only hoping that my 5S can hold out till I can get hold of iPhone X, as with each day, it is getting more & more difficult to charge the 5S...really have to wiggle the cord to get the 5S to start charging. The same power cord works fine with my iPad, so I figure that the port on the 5S is getting to the end of its life....other than that, my 5S works fine & is happily running iOS 11.

Have you tried cleaning out the charging port with a toothpick or something?

It may or may not help, but it shouldn't hurt to try and might make writing for the X a little easier.

 

[robotica]

I am keeping my 5s 64gb for another year. It really still works great! Like someone else said the only real reason to update is if you want to use the new Apple Watch with 4g.

 

[frou]

Anyone who's held on to a 5S for this long owes it to themselves to leapfrog the entire 6/7/8 form-factor. Skate to where the puck is going, and all that

 

[rui no onna]

This is in my opinion the last iOS update the 5s will get. If that is true the 8 is obviously much more future proof. Also it is way faster and a much smoother experience on iOS 11.

Sure but whatever phone is released next year would likely last/be supported a year longer than the 8/8+/X.

 

[MagicTorch]

Have you tried cleaning out the charging port with a toothpick or something?

It may or may not help, but it shouldn't hurt to try and might make writing for the X a little easier.

Thank you - a great tip, I will give it a go

 

[Romanesq]

I am your UK twin! Could have written most of that post myself. I also have a 5S & replace my phone every 4 years - I bought the 3GS in 2009, the 5S in 2013. I've been telling myself since 2013 that I would buy the 2017 iPhone. As I replace my phone less frequently than most, it seems to make sense for me to skip 8, when X is coming later this year. Only hoping that my 5S can hold out till I can get hold of iPhone X, as with each day, it is getting more & more difficult to charge the 5S...really have to wiggle the cord to get the 5S to start charging. The same power cord works fine with my iPad, so I figure that the port on the 5S is getting to the end of its life....other than that, my 5S works fine & is happily running iOS 11.

Get out a nice soft toothbrush. Turn off your iPhone. Use the toothbrush to rub out underneath and catch it on a white piece of paper beneath.

If you feel froggy, take a plastic (not metal) paper clip and then go in and do the same.

Reconnect and marvel that your port is working so great again. Worked for me.

 

[Fabmac]

I got myself an se ok with the siZe but needed more space an power
I get myself an watch for the difference and lets see what next years x looks like

 

[Starfyre]

I've had an iPhone 5s for a while now. It works fine. I'm thinking that I would like to get an iPhone 8+. Outside of the superior camera, I can't think of any sufficiently solid reason to forfeit my 5s. I know that hardware wise the 8+ is a completely different machine from the 5s. I get that I'd be getting a faster more powerful device with a better screen. But, it's not exactly like I find myself often feeling limited by my 5s. The only compelling argument I can come up with thus far is the camera. When I get devices, it all comes out of pocket (and it's not an insignificant amount of money to me) -and carrier deals are not an option for me. If the Apple Watch 3 LTE could hope across borders, then that would be another reason to consider the 8+. But as it stands, I cannot get the AW3LTE because I do travel across borders often for prolonged periods of time; so that does matter to me -ergo if I get an apple watch 3, it'll be GPS non-LTE. So that's one non-argument against my 5s.

What benefit, am I not considering?

Augmented Reality. A slower processor is still a processor. Though Augmented Reality is flat out not accessible to any iPhone 6 and below.

 

[andreyush]

SE is your answer

 

[GoGamecocks]

I am your UK twin! Could have written most of that post myself. I also have a 5S & replace my phone every 4 years - I bought the 3GS in 2009, the 5S in 2013. I've been telling myself since 2013 that I would buy the 2017 iPhone. As I replace my phone less frequently than most, it seems to make sense for me to skip 8, when X is coming later this year. Only hoping that my 5S can hold out till I can get hold of iPhone X, as with each day, it is getting more & more difficult to charge the 5S...really have to wiggle the cord to get the 5S to start charging. The same power cord works fine with my iPad, so I figure that the port on the 5S is getting to the end of its life....other than that, my 5S works fine & is happily running iOS 11.

Hey twin! Do you also have red hair? haha. I have found that using a toothbrush to clean out the charging port helps a little bit. Supposedly a toothpick helps out a lot, but I haven't tried that. Good luck in waiting until the iPhone X! Hopefully we can get one before our 5S's hang it up.

 

[Reno Raines]

Sure but whatever phone is released next year would likely last/be supported a year longer than the 8/8+/X.

I agree. That is always how it goes. I was just surmising this is the last iOS update for the 5s most likely.

 

[Dekema2]

I've had an iPhone 5s for a while now. It works fine. I'm thinking that I would like to get an iPhone 8+. Outside of the superior camera, I can't think of any sufficiently solid reason to forfeit my 5s. I know that hardware wise the 8+ is a completely different machine from the 5s. I get that I'd be getting a faster more powerful device with a better screen. But, it's not exactly like I find myself often feeling limited by my 5s. The only compelling argument I can come up with thus far is the camera. When I get devices, it all comes out of pocket (and it's not an insignificant amount of money to me) -and carrier deals are not an option for me. If the Apple Watch 3 LTE could hope across borders, then that would be another reason to consider the 8+. But as it stands, I cannot get the AW3LTE because I do travel across borders often for prolonged periods of time; so that does matter to me -ergo if I get an apple watch 3, it'll be GPS non-LTE. So that's one non-argument against my 5s.

What benefit, am I not considering?

I am in a similar position, a year left in college, living with parents, and working a part-time job that doesn't give me a pot to pee in or a window to throw it out of.

The camera isn't a potato, but it's not a Leica either. App initialization and switching can be as slow as molasses at times, with Spotify opening at a blazing 12.2s!!! That sucks when I'm in the car or at a light and want to throw some tunes on (side note: sound quality using a Lightning cable or 3.5mm with Spotify beats Bluetooth by a mile and a half).

I also like that it's built like a tank, and I leave the phone naked most of the time. There have been countless "incidents" where my phone flew out of my pocket onto concrete or asphalt from waist height and escaped with little to no damage. No cracks in the glass after 4 years, and I've seen people running around with 6/s/+'s that have massive screen injuries, putting themselves at risk for some pretty gnarly finger gashes.

I will probably suffer with the 5s on iOS 11 for another year or so, and then empty my pockets for Tim Cook & Co. But only on an older model. I refuse to pay $999.99 for a new phone, ESPECIALLY when I'm not ready for a CC.

 

[JM]

I've had an iPhone 5s for a while now. It works fine. I'm thinking that I would like to get an iPhone 8+. Outside of the superior camera, I can't think of any sufficiently solid reason to forfeit my 5s. I know that hardware wise the 8+ is a completely different machine from the 5s. I get that I'd be getting a faster more powerful device with a better screen. But, it's not exactly like I find myself often feeling limited by my 5s. The only compelling argument I can come up with thus far is the camera. When I get devices, it all comes out of pocket (and it's not an insignificant amount of money to me) -and carrier deals are not an option for me. If the Apple Watch 3 LTE could hope across borders, then that would be another reason to consider the 8+. But as it stands, I cannot get the AW3LTE because I do travel across borders often for prolonged periods of time; so that does matter to me -ergo if I get an apple watch 3, it'll be GPS non-LTE. So that's one non-argument against my 5s.

What benefit, am I not considering?

Don't know if you figured it out yet, but definitely get a 7 or 8. I came from a 5s and I'm completely in love. Opening apps is faster, 3D Touch is fantastic, and the screen is a lot better.