Apple iPhone 5s Pro Reviews

The best iPhone yet, featuring a great camera and the TouchID fingerprint sensor. The high price will put many off, but you'll find a lot of joy in this phone whether you're an iPhone fan or if you've been sitting on the fence. It's more than just an iterative update.

If you're doing a lot on your phone, like really using a lot of features and consuming significant amounts of content on a day to day basis, then getting the iPhone 6 will certainly be worth it – it does make things easier to look at, and it adds some lovely new things such as built-in support for Apple Pay, 240 FPS slow-motion capture and Cinematic Video Stabilization. If you're just fine the way you are now with the 5s, and you don't feel like you could get so much more out of your mobile device (meaning you aren't that impressed by what the iPhone 6 brings to table), then in this particular case, upgrading should probably wait for another year, when the amount of new features, and the reasons for an upgrade will get more, and harder to resist.

Since the iPhone 5S came out, there's been some stiff competition from the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S5. Strictly-speaking it's not an apples-for-apples (sorry) comparison and mostly comes down to your preferences. If you want Android and a larger screen, clearly you need to go elsewhere and the Galaxy S5 should be your phone.For everyone else, there's a lot to love about this handset. Yes, it's smaller than the competition, but after using it extensively we have to say that we love its size. It's neat, easy to use one-handed and slips neatly into any pocket. There's no getting away from the power, either, with the A7 chip keeping up with the best that the Android competition has to offer, even though they use quad-core processors. This is largely down to iOS 7.1, which Apple has refined and improved. Android's good, but iOS is better: it's quicker, more responsive and you don't get any slow-downs. Now with the Today screen and Control Centre, iOS no longer has those annoying design foibles that forced you to delve through loads of menus to make simple changes.

The LG G3 and the iPhone 5s not only seem worlds apart when it comes to ergonomics and one-handed usage, but we found them to be quite different in terms of features, too. The steel-and-glass design of the iPhone 5s is more premium, and is way more comfortable to use with one hand than the wide and G3. LG, however, offers a more flexible design with replaceable battery and expandable storage. Not only that, but the big 5.5” display flaunts record pixel density, and is preferable for browsing and media before the 4” panel of the iPhone 5s. Step outdoors, however, and the iPhone's screen remains visible, while the G3 panel looks dim and harder to read. The LG G3 and the iPhone 5s not only seem worlds apart when it comes to ergonomics and one-handed usage, but we found them to be quite different in terms of features, too. The steel-and-glass design of the iPhone 5s is more premium, and is way more comfortable to use with one hand than the wide and G3. LG, however, offers a more flexible design with replaceable battery and expandable storage. Not only that, but the big 5.5” display flaunts record pixel density, and is preferable for browsing and media before the 4” panel of the iPhone 5s. Step outdoors, however, and the iPhone's screen remains visible, while the G3 panel looks dim and harder to read. When it comes to performance, the 64-bit A7 is optimized very well for powering the smooth iOS interface, while the G3 stutters at times, but offers way more features out of the box, including split-screen multitasking. We found the camera quality to be rather on par. Where LG's handset definitely has the upper hand, though, is in the video department, as it is capable of 4K footage, and the scene holds extremely steady, thanks to the OIS tech.

So there you have them – the relative strengths and weaknesses of the Sony Xperia Z2 and the Apple iPhone 5s. The iPhone 5s' aluminum design remains something of a benchmark, though it would be wrong to say that the Xperia Z2 isn't very close. The iPhone has the more accurate screen, but the one on the Xperia Z2 doesn't disappoint either, and is significantly larger at 5.2''. Of course, this comes at a price – Sony's flagship is less pocket-friendly and not as easy to use with a single hand. In terms of imaging, we have a pretty consistent stalemate, though there's a certain back-and-forth. For example, the iPhone 5s produces slightly more accurate, less-saturated snaps in daylight overall, but falters when it comes to low-light photography. That said, we do like the 5s' video samples more, though sound reproduction is not on par with the Z2. Lastly, the Xperia Z2 does offer much better battery longevity, and that's a big plus for anyone considering Sony's flagship, especially in this day and age. Overall, and we're again going back to this, picking either of this should prove a relatively simple affair as long as you know the type of form factor you're looking at. Looking for a large, captivating screen to watch movies, browse, and game on? Easy then, pick the Xperia Z2. Looking for a non size-crazed device that does everything just as flawlessly? Then go for the iPhone 5s.

Galaxy S5 and the iPhone 5s might not seem in the same category, when it comes to one-handed usage, but the traditional Apple-Samsung rivalry has always set the duo apart, and this year won't be an exception. The phones are priced quite similar, as usual, but offer a completely different approach to your mobile needs. Both have very good displays and cameras, fast processors, and offer lag-free interface and app experience for their respective mobile platforms. The steel-and-glass design of the iPhone 5s, however, looks better, and is way more comfortable to use with one hand than the largish plastic Galaxy S5. Samsung, however, offers a more versatile design with the water-resistant chassis, swappable battery and expandable storage of the S5. Granted, its Fingerprint Scanner is much more finicky to use than the elegant Touch ID solution of Apple, but the S5 throws in some extra features that the iPhone doesn't have, like a heartrate sensor, and an IR blaster that could prove more useful. Samsung offers a more functional interface, too, and one-ups the iPhone in the video capturing department, offering 4K video. In case your preferences usually gravitate towards much more compact and leaner chassis than what the S5 offers, or you are firmly invested in the iOS ecosystem, the iPhone 5s will come to the rescue with a premium design and fine performance where it counts. If Samsung's extra hardware and software features mentioned above, however, seem more important for you, or you can't live without a large display, the Galaxy S5 is the one that will justify your interest.

A breath of fresh air for HTC, their newest star is able to give Apple’s darling a good run for its money. As we all know by now, the two handsets sport very similar prices – $200 for most carriers selling it with a 2-year contract, or $650 for unlocked models. Pricing and specs can dictate a phone’s overall value, but the true telling is really found in their performances. All the money in the world can get anyone a beefy spec’d, good-looking smartphone, but if it fails to perform in the areas that matter most to us, it’s merely an utter failure. Dissecting their performances, it’s arguable to say that one can sometimes be dramatically better than the other in a specific category. For the iPhone 5s, it shows its worth when it comes to taking photos/videos, more quality third party applications, and donning a straightforward & uncomplicated software experience. In contrast, the HTC One M8 impresses us with its stunning premium design, diversified software features, extended battery life, and superb phone call quality. Ultimately though, it’s going to come down to personal preference. Size is also something to factor in, as well as how their software experiences cater to our needs. Whatever you end up picking, you can sleep knowing that you’re choosing a smartphone that’s going to be relevant throughout this year – so expect them to continue vying for supremacy in the space!

Now that we’ve pitted these prized devices in several categories, you’re probably wondering about our verdict. Before diving into that, we have to talk about pricing, since it’s a vital determining factor for a lot of things. Looking at their on-contract pricing, there isn’t anything separating them, as they both wield $200 on-contract prices. Technically though, you’re getting the 16GB version of the iPhone 5s for that price – versus 32GB with the Lumia Icon. Furthermore, if we’re to look at their outright pricing, we save a considerable amount of savings by going with the $550 Nokia Lumia Icon, which looks a lot more forgiving than the $750 figure attached to the 32GB iPhone 5s. It’s really tough to say which exact one to go with in the end, but you should know that the platform experience should have a lot of weight into the decision. Windows Phone is on that developmental path where it’s gaining a lot of momentum, though functionally, it still pales in comparison to what iOS 7 brings forth on the iPhone 5s. It might not be visually pretty as Windows Phone 8, but iOS 7 sticks it firmly by keeping the experience simple and straightforward – the hallmark characteristics in any successful mobile platform. Value is something you’ll get by picking up the Nokia Lumia Icon, since it’s packing some wonderful hardware under the hood – plus, it’s the winner too when it comes to taking photos. On the flip side, there’s a premium to pick up the iPhone 5s, which is the likely case we’ve come to expect nowadays. The off-contract price is undoubtedly stiffer, but iOS 7’s maturity shows in its polished apps and diversified ecosystem.

And here we are, looking at what's probably the only two compact high-end smartphones on the market today. Which one to choose? Well, while we can't really say that it's an easy choice, at least both options are quite safe ones, as neither will disappoint you with their advanced features and characteristics. That's the cool thing when you're dealing with cutting-edge products – there are no compromises or drawbacks that you have to take into account before making the move. The only thing that you need to decide is what type of device you want: a curated and mature phone that's slightly limited in its functionality, or a more open and flexible one that's just slightly less perfected.

Finalizing things up, let’s quickly talk about pricing for a moment. Since the Xperia Z1S is exclusive to T-Mobile in the US, we’re going to look at their pricing with the carrier. Looking at their full retail price, the Xperia Z1S and iPhone 5s are priced respectively at $528 and $600. Essentially, they both are $0 down, but the iPhone 5s requires customers to pay $25/month for the next 24 months – while it’s $22/month for the Xperia Z1S. With the savings on its side, we can’t help to point out the obvious value you’ll be getting with Sony’s flagship smartphone. Throw in the fact that it’s armed with a very serious 20.7-megapixel camera and an IP58 rating to make it waterproof, it surely packs in enough quality elements to make its lower $528 price tag seem more valuable than it is. Conversely though, there’s always a premium to stick with Apple’s pride and joy. Indeed, there’s a cool Touch ID fingerprint sensor on board it and it has a very consistent performance throughout each and every category we put it through – making it a well versed all-around smartphone. If savings and having a waterproof nature is something you prize, then stick with the Sony Xperia Z1S. If not, there’s no wrong in picking up the iPhone 5s either, since it’s always an admirable offering in the space.

There's no doubt that the Nexus 5 is the much better deal, considering the performance-price ratio. If you're on a tight budget, but would love to have a powerful smartphone, then your best option will be to order the Nexus 5 from the Google Play Store, in case it's available in your country. If not, the Nexus 5 will still be a bit cheaper than the iPhone 5s, but the difference will no longer be that huge. However, if you value the feeling of having and working with a really sophisticated and gorgeous product, then it's worth considering getting the iPhone 5s, as it's one of the very few smartphones out there that can offer you what the Nexus 5 can't.

The total packages of the iPhone 5S and LG G2 can only be separated by priority: does someone want a phone with a clearly defined purpose that does a good job in most cases, or would that person like the option of having a supercharged set of tools that are not as polished, but are more plentiful? That sums up the G2 in a nutshell. It's so full of options that you can even use a built-in IR blaster to control a television and cable box. The G2 is the clear choice for the power user, who wants his or her phone to be everything in a box. The Apple iPhone 5S is the choice for the quote-unquote average consumer who cares more about being able to navigate a phone without roadblocks, an ugly interface, or extra work to make things usable. The simplicity of the iPhone 5S, and the expansion possible thanks to its world-class App Store, makes this a device that outshines LG in some software areas. LG's Android UI is more troublesome and not as good by default, but it has more upside for improvement and adapting to someone's needs. With a beautiful screen and a longer battery, the G2 is a more capable device than the iPhone 5S.

The Apple iPhone 5s is a successful refresh of the iPhone 5. In terms of design, it has remained largely unaltered, with the exception of the Touch ID fingerprint sensor which isn't obligatory but can be a useful and reliable addition to the overall smartphone experience. The redesigned camera modules and the new dual LED flash have helped lead to a notable improvement in terms of image quality. The fast Apple A7 SoC with the Imagination PowerVR G6430 leads to great application performance, not the least thanks to the meaningfully employed 64-bit architecture. The new iOS 7 is intuitive and feels like fun during actual usage. Speech quality is as good as it always was, as is the external speaker (despite being mono only). The GPS module is surprisingly good, even beating some dedicated navigation systems. Last but not least, the Wi-Fi module also gets its job done. But although the sharp, bright and well pre-calibrated Retina display is still a sight to behold, an update in terms of size and resolution is desperately needed by now. In addition, both the black levels and the contrast ratio should be better for such a pricy device. NFC is still missing, but at least more LTE bands than ever are supported (including all of those used in Germany). To summarize, Apple's iPhone 5s remains an eyecatching device, and in more ways than before, as the premium gold variant shows. It also remains premium in terms of price, starting at 699 euros for the 16 GB version which we have tested - quite a considerable amount of money. Still, it is a high-end device. As usual, it is one of the fastest smartphones out there (with the Sony Xperia Z1 being the only competitor right now, although more Snapdragon 800 devices will follow), but it is more and more sorely lacking in terms of its screen size. For the next iteration of iPhones, we are - as we almost always do - hoping for more true innovation, more highlights and more courage from Apple.

iPhone 5s is an excellent phone, but whether it’s the right choice for you will depend on what you are looking for in a device. If a smallish screen and an ecosystem that’s still locked down substantially compared to Android isn’t a problem, the 5s is a great choice. If you desire a phone that pushes the bounds of tablet territory like a Galaxy Note 3 and you want more freedom over the OS, keep looking.

In certain key areas, like the camera and speed, the iPhone 5S comes out on top. The two phones can be closely compared in many regards, yet the iPhone tends to edge ahead in many categories. Despite that, one could easily argue that the Moto X is the better phone depending on his or her needs. Even with the many improvements to iOS 7, currently under construction and more prone to crash, I'd still rather have Android 4.2 on the Moto X because of the flexibility of preferences, ability to communicate freely between apps, and initiate hands-free commands. The feel and daily performance in most areas other than screen and camera are better. People who value choice should gravitate to the Moto X. Others who just want the basics to be done well should opt for the iPhone 5S.

Verizon customers surely have a pickle on their hands when looking at these two prized smartphones. Honestly, it’s tough to say with enough certainty which of the two is the supreme winner in this scenario, seeing that they boast their own unique strengths that make them so valuable – well, depending on the person of course. Donning the same price points of $200 with a 2-year contract, we wouldn’t say that one is offering more value for the buck, so in the end, your hard money is going to be forked over to the device that caters to your needs more. You see, the iPhone 5s is a solid device no matter how we dissect it! From its premium construction to its well-rounded performance, there’s no arguing the kind of balance it offers to a broad range of users. In addition, Apple spared no expense in giving this latest generation model a brand spanking new renovation with its software experience – something that gives it a more modern look and feel. However, the more we think about it, we feel that the software experience with the DROID Ultra is still superior. Certainly, the stock Android experience might not be uplifting with its visuals when compared to its rival, but nevertheless, things like Active Display and Touchless Control offer greater depth in how we use the device on an everyday basis.

The 5s is a solid effort from Apple, but its true worth is yet to be determined. If developers come up with clever ways to take advantage of the M7 coprocessor and the 64-bit support in iOS 7, the 5s will truly shine. If not, many people might just wait it out another year.

The iPhone 5s marks an interesting waypoint for Apple. The company is using last year's mechanical design (by and large, anyway), but this year's iOS. It's quite clear from iOS 7's colorful motif that the operating system was designed with the also-colorful iPhone 5c line in mind. Nevertheless, iOS 7 runs beautifully on Apple's top-tier hardware, and the incremental hardware tweaks are impressive. The improved camera sensor is nothing to scoff at, and those who place a huge amount of value on their cameraphone will no doubt be tempted to upgrade -- even if they're presently using an iPhone 5. The Touch ID fingerprint sensor is similarly brilliant. It's not so much the actual technology; it's the implementation. Fingerprint sensors have been around on phones and laptops alike, but Apple's tight integration with the software leads to no lag when using it to login or approve iTunes purchases. It just works. Though, we do wish that this could somehow integrate with all third-party apps; imagine how great it would be to use the Touch ID sensor to login to Evernote, Google Wallet, Instagram, and every other app on your phone that requires a password. Apple is likely walking before they run here, however. The inherent security concerns are also good cause for a slower roll-out.

Most of the other recent flagship Android smartphones try to overpower the iPhone with their mighty specs sheet and insane amount of software features. With that in mind, we’re naturally taken by surprise with the Moto X’s decision of offering us a simpler Android experience – one that doesn’t try to throw numerous features that might be perceived as redundant. Instead, it’s an Android phone that we feel closely mimics the total experience we normally find with the iPhone. Plus, it helps that we find its unique set of software features to be more practical than anything that iOS 7 has to throw at us. Without question, the iPhone 5s is going to be the smartphone that all other smartphones will try to overcome for the next one year. Some will falter at the process, while others will succeed with great progress. Honestly though, the iPhone 5s is the benchmark device that the competition looks at – mainly because it has that trifecta of what makes a smartphone great. Specifically, that entails a superb premium construction, strong performance in all categories, and a software experience that’s purely simple. Taking a gander at their pricing, which is that usual golden on-contract price point of $200, it seems as though that the iPhone 5s delivers the vital goods to make it the superior all around performer. It’s not to say that the Moto X is by default inferior, but it just can’t compete against Apple’s pride and joy on the same level. Still, there are certain qualities of the phone that make it more appealing than the iPhone 5s. For starters, we love the customizable aspect of its design – enabling it to stand out profoundly over its rival. And then there’s the practical software features, like Touchless Control, that shows its worth over the iPhone 5s. Ultimately, what we have here are two very simple smartphones that just work. So we’ll leave it at that.

Even though Apple doesn't do many things different with the S-model phones, the iPhone 5S feels like a noteworthy change. The 5S is physically identical to its predecessor, yet the incremental changes stick out if you're looking for them. Apple also set itself up to make the difference between phones mean a lot more in 6 to 12 months. Once the 64-bit and M7 changes start to actually affect iOS app choices on a wide scale, having the iPhone 5S will make more sense. Having a noticeably better camera and faster processor may be enough to make someone jump the gun and purchase a new phone now. Unless you obsess over iPhoneography and feel like the iPhone 5 runs iOS 7 slower than it should, that's unnecessary. The iPhone 5S makes sense most for the people who obsess over detail and are never truly satisfied if they know something shiny and new is available. The iPhone 5S is a worthy upgrade to anyone entrenched in the world of Apple, and once Apple addresses its annoying limitations, it might convince a few more people to enter that world.

In being high-end flagship smartphones, these two behemoths in the space bear base price point of $200 – something that’s all too predictable of course. Apple’s newest pride and joy might not be seem as feature rich as the G2, but as a general smartphone, it has enough of a well-balanced performance in various key areas to continue making it an outstanding option. Best of all, it’s a phone that’s simple to use and operate, thanks to its refreshing iOS 7 experience adhering to Apple’s strict foundation of providing users with an intuitive experience.On the flip side of the spectrum, the LG G2 is bigger and more feature rich than the iPhone 5s – especially in the software side, as its experience is diverse with its functions. Additionally, it’s just one specs beast of a phone that can put the iPhone 5s into its place. Indeed, its design might not be a luxurious or elegant than the iPhone 5s, but some will still appreciate its looks.

The most remarkable thing Apple did with the iPhone 5S was to change everything while appearing to change almost nothing. The processor’s faster, the camera’s brighter, and the software’s a little smarter. But rather than club you to death with features to prove just how many things this phone can do, the iPhone 5S simply does everything it did before, better. Even the new things feel integrated, and obvious — Touch ID has quickly come to feel completely natural, and slow-motion video now feels notably absent from the iPhone 5. There aren’t two dozen different multitasking systems or countless camera modes; the 5S is just more capable and more intuitive than ever before. It’s easily the best iPhone ever made, and maybe the best smartphone ever made. But there’s a downside to forward thinking. Apple’s made a phone that’s going to last, that appears to be ready for whatever technical innovation the industry develops or crazy games we decide to play. But until those things come along, that preparedness can feel very much like Apple’s simply made minor changes. Today, the 5S is but a minor improvement over the 5, with only the camera and perhaps Touch ID truly counting as purchase-worthy upgrades. But as Apple learns to make use of its motion processor, its 64-bit operating system, and its fingerprint sensor, and teaches its developers to do the same, the 5S will get far better. That's the best thing about the iPhone 5S: at the end of your two-year contract, it's still going to be a great phone — maybe even better. That’s the best reason to fight the spec wars.

The iPhone 5S looks and feels a bit dated compared to other flagship devices on the market: we now have 1080p displays as standard, generous screen sizes that make viewing video and gaming more immersive, and even device with pen-input that take productivity to a whole new level. But with these tradeoffs, the iPhone 5S gives you a highly pocketable device that offers terrific one-handed usability. The iPhone is for a different type of user, and “that” user is going to love the 5S. Those of you with an iPhone 5 shouldn’t feel compelled to upgrade to the 5S unless you value better low-light camera performance, or if you want to skip your PIN lock and use your thumb print instead. Otherwise, there’s not much that’s new here. Alas, the iPhone 5S will endure as a top-three smartphone for many months to come because everything it does it does well. And for many, that’s a really good thing.

Having been on the scene for a long time now, you’re more than likely to pick up the HTC One for far less than its typical $200 on-contract price point – probably around the sub $100 area if you look hard enough. And just to think, the base version of the HTC One carries along 32GB of storage. With that in mind, there’s no arguing that it packs a whole lot of value, as the HTC One has a balanced set of features to continue making it a noteworthy option. Rather amazing to say the least, it continues to be one of the best designed smartphones around, which says a lot about the handset. In addition, HTC Sense 5 has a very different look compared to other Android smartphones. Being Apple’s latest flagship, the base $200 price point of the iPhone 5s is going to stick around for the next year – with maybe a few sales every now and then. Regardless of that, it shows its superiority in key categories like taking photos/videos and processor performance. Physically, the look and design of the phone hasn’t changed whatsoever (color options aside), but we’re greeted with a refreshing new experience with iOS 7. Indeed, the platform’s functionality might not be as diverse as the Android driven HTC One, but it continues to deliver us with a simple, intuitive, and straightforward experience. So which one should you pick up? Well, if you’re looking to save some money, the HTC One is undoubtedly the device you should look at, since it has that perfect blend of value, performance, and good looks. It might not rival the iPhone 5s’ camera performance, but it’s still pretty good to accept. On the flip side, the iPhone 5s continues the legacy – it’s a solidly constructed smartphone, packs a snappy performance, and shoots some stunning looking photos and videos.

An outstanding smartphone, but with a 4in screen and wallet-damaging price, it’s no longer the best of the lot