Apple iPhone 5s Pro Reviews

The iPhone 5s is a worthy successor to last year's device, though it is by no means perfect. Apple was a bit lazy in recycling the iPhone 5's design, but at least the company changed up the colors and added the Touch ID sensor to set it apart. The quality of the hardware is top notch, and the Retina display, though small, still looks fantastic. iOS 7 runs particularly well on the iPhone 5s, even if it is slightly buggy. The 5s outpaces the iPhone 5 when it comes to browsing speeds, photo/video manipulation, Siri, and mapping tasks. The A7 processor inside is an excellent engine. The fully revised operating system is a breath of fresh air, but not confined to the iPhone 5s (it's also available to the iPhone 5, 4S, and 4.) Despite these performance improvements, the iPhone 5s is only average when it comes to some essential tasks. Specifically, call quality was just OK, and battery life barely made it through a full day. Battery life is one area in particular where Apple needs to make major advances. Further, the camera produces very good results that are on par with - but do not necessarily surpass - the competition. Would I recommend the Apple iPhone 5s? Anyone with an iPhone 4 or 4S should upgrade right away. If you're using an iPhone 5, there's less reason to run to the Apple store since many of the features are baked into iOS 7. The Apple iPhone 5s is an excellent device, as long as you're OK with the limitations of Apple's hardware and software.

As long as the cash keeps pouring in, Apple can go on and play its own game and make its own rules. Second year in a row and it looks like this may go on forever. The iPhone 5s will cruise through its term at the helm. The iPhone 6 is the next one we will be looking at to hopefully stir things up. In a good way or bad? In Apple's own way.

The Note 3 is targeting to a specific demographic – those who heavily prize organization and hardcore productivity above everything else. Knowing that, the amount of features attached to it can make some people feel overwhelmed. Well, either that or they simply would never use any of those features to begin with.In contrast, the iPhone 5s is the smartphone that’s going to be able to catch a wider audience, mainly because it’s simple and just works in the things we need it to do. Throw in the updated iOS 7 experience, it’s something that we certainly haven’t encountered before. Looking at the TouchWiz experience on the Note 3, it packs some new and updated features, but as a whole, it borrows from its siblings and very much acts like other Galaxy smartphones – save for its S Pen functionality of course. Beyond the software experience, we’ll vouch that the iPhone 5s’ design continues to be the more favorable one – and that’s despite the obvious fact that it’s a recycled one too. We still appreciate the subtle level of sophistication attached to the Note 3’s updated design, but it lacks the premium construction of its rival to make it an equally compelling offering. At the end of the day, we can talk how one is better than the other in this or that category, but it’s all about what you need and want as an individual. If features and productivity are your thing, choose the Note 3. However, if you favor simplicity and ease, choose the iPhone 5s. That’s all folks!

For iPhone owners looking to upgrade, the choice is a simple one – buy the 5s, not the 5c

A staggeringly fast processor, excellent build quality and a great operating system, what's not to like?

The pricing structure is somewhat interesting with these two iPhones, and in turn, people will gravitate to whatever suits their needs. Obviously, savings is at hand with the iPhone 5c’s lower starting cost of $100 on-contract – whereas it’s $200 for the iPhone 5s. Taking into account the $100 price difference between the two iPhones, it kind of makes sense considering that the iPhone 5s is stuffed with cutting edge gear and some added goodies that aren’t available with the iPhone 5c – like its better camera and neat/novel Touch ID biometric fingerprint sensor. In addition, the inclusion of a 64-bit processor means that the iPhone 5s isn’t messing around, but its true worth isn’t seen right now. Diving into the platform experience, the iPhone 5c doesn’t see any compromise in this department, as it matches its sibling to the teeth in every aspect. Heck, even its overall performance rivals the iPhone 5s too – and that’s despite not having that snazzy 64-bit processor! And in all honesty, the color variety of the iPhone 5c is a tantalizing element that sprinkles a dash of flavor and style to this new iPhone line. At the end of the day, though, you can’t go wrong siding with either device. Certainly you’re going to get a better overall performance with the iPhone 5s, not to mention a premium looking device too, but the iPhone 5c can’t be forgotten because of its peculiar looks and equally charming performance.

Two high-end smartphone, two completely different takes in what makes them qualify as being high-end. At the very least, you’re going to spend $200 with your signature on a 2-year contract to pick either one, but it’s a matter of what’s most important to you that dictates the winner in this particular comparison. Being the new kid on the block, the iPhone 5s is a fantastic device that’s very well rounded in being a high performer in the categories that matter the most to people – such as taking photos/video, call quality, and having a snappy performance. Additionally, it’s packing along a cool Touch ID fingerprint sensor and a 64-bit based Apple A7 processor, which are two distinct things that we don’t find on other competing flagships. Sure, the Galaxy S4 continues to enthrall us with its imposing larger than life stature, as it’s packed to the roof with some splendid hardware, but it even makes the grade with the software experience too. Whereas the iOS 7 experience is refreshing and adheres to that notion of being simple, Samsung goes the complete opposite route by offering us a ton of neat/gimmicky (depending on who you talk to, of course) software features. As the dust settles, there’s no arguing that these two are wonderful smartphones that capture the essence of being high-end, so there’s no wrong decision here. If premium and simplicity is more of your forte, then it’s the iPhone 5s. And if hardware specs and diverse software features are more akin to your needs, it’s going to be the Galaxy S4 for you then.

The iPhone 5s may look a lot like its predecessor. But with a faster new processor, a fingerprint sensor, and an improved camera flash, it's a serious upgrade.

The 5s is full of contradictions. It's iterative, boring, gimmicky, while at the same time taking the first, unsure steps into making the kind of smartphones and software Apple isn't already dominant in. Which is all-important for the company, but less so for what's in your pocket. To you and me, the iPhone 5S is a great phone. It's not perfect, though. If you're a photo nerd or a customization buff, edge toward a Lumia or the Moto X. But most people know, generally, what an iPhone is like. And if that's something you want, then yes, buy this. It's the best and most convenient version of the iPhone yet.

The iPhone 5S is the most innovative iPhone we’ve seen since the invention of the App Store. It’s packed full of exciting hardware features like a fingerprint sensor, M7 motion processor, and 64-bit A7 central processor. On top of that, Apple has completely revamped its operating system with iOS 7, adding a ton of necessary features. We have some small gripes on almost every front, but anyone who thinks Apple is on a slide downhill should think again. With its Galaxy phones, Samsung always loads on a ton of new apps and features, but we end up using almost none of them. The new features of the 5S show exactly why Apple still owns the most popular phone out there. There aren’t 50 new features buried in the settings. There are only a few new features, but almost everyone will find them useful. Apple’s hardware upgrades show considerable forethought. The iPhone 5S of 2013 is awesome, but the iPhone 5S of 2014 may blow away the competition thanks to new uses that haven’t even been imagined yet. We can’t wait to see how developers exploit some of the new features. It was rolling along on cruise control for a while, but Apple is back in the fast lane.

Obviously, it’s not the most mouthwatering inducing iPhone we’ve seen to date, but considering that it hits the mark in the categories that matter the most, the iPhone 5s proves itself as being a feared competitor in the space. Like we said, there’s nothing in the specs or hardware department that would terrify its rivals, but the updated iOS 7 experience is enough to make this iPhone look and feel different from past ones. That brand new 64-bit A7 processor is unique; however, its true potential isn’t seen or felt that much right now. Rather, we’ll more than likely experience it in the very near future, when third-party app developers begin to take advantage of it. For the money, starting at $200 on-contract, the iPhone 5s is definitely a worthy option fit for your hard earned money.

The iPhone 5s may be small, but it's packed with more power than any other smartphone on the market today. It's the best bet for anyone who wants a future-proof, forward-looking phone that runs an unbeatable array of apps.

The iPhone 5S fulfils the pre-determined destiny of all Apple "S" devices - it's the one that's normally met by the baying crowd as "meh". At the start of this review someone asked what we though of the iPhone 5S in two words and we replied "same as". But the more we've played with it, the more we've used it, and the more it's clear that Apple has made vast improvements here, even if we are yet to see the full realisation of those improvements. In many ways Apple has released a phone for tomorrow rather than today. That's a hard sell, but it's also the exciting part. The Touch ID scanner is yet to be fully realised, as are the A7 and M7 processors and the 64-bit support. But the potential for that power is huge - it's got more grunt than its near competitors and that makes it extra exciting.

The iPhone 5s is the best iPhone so far, by a long shot. Apple is notorious for describing its products as “magical”. The magic of the iPhone 5s is in how usable its improvements are. The updated camera is both fast and capable, with the True Tone flash proving itself to be no gimmick, while the Touch ID system feels like the first biometrics system that actually stands a chance of succeeding in the mass market.Best of all is the performance. iOS 7 may take some getting used to for those familiar with earlier versions of iOS, but the combination of its improvements like iTunes Radio, more refined access to multitasking, controls, and notifications, and the new Apple A7 chip means the iPhone 5s simply flies. Exactly how much of that refinement is down to the transition to 64-bit is, perhaps, immaterial to the user, though it sets iOS 7 up well for the future.Would we pick the iPhone 5s over the iPhone 5c? In a heartbeat. The camera, convenience, and performance increases make that a no-brainer decision for smartphone power users. That trifecta of talents also makes a strong case against the top-tier Android devices, too: Apple still dominates the market for hand-friendly phones with flagship performance. The iPhone 5s may be Apple’s evolutionary stage, but the combination of usable technological advances and the benefits of iOS 7 add up to a supremely compelling device.

Whether you believe in the future potential of the iPhone 5S’ embedded offerings amounts to a leap of faith. Will Touch ID spread out to work with all sorts of apps and services? Will the M7 processor reinvent health apps on phones and context-aware mobility? Will 64-bit computing turn out to be a huge step forward in iOS history? All you can really count on for sure with the iPhone 5S is that it has a noticeably better camera, is faster, and has better graphics punch. The rest is "future stuff." Odds are that Apple will make good on many of these claims, but it’s never a guarantee. For the immediate now, the impact is incomplete. As the iPhone 5S and its apps evolve, so will this review. The iPhone 5S feels like a “pro” phone more than ever, the iPhone equivalent of the MacBook Pro. Its features don’t feel as immediately consumer-understandable. For many, the iPhone 5C will do just fine. The biggest wished-for features -- a MacBook Air-level battery life improvement and an even larger screen -- aren’t on either new iPhone yet. If you’re deep in the Apple ecosystem, the 5S could be the first step toward some new directions. Its improved speed, graphics, and elements of battery efficiency make it a better phone than the iPhone 5, in case you've waited to upgrade. But if you already have an iPhone 5, I’d say it’s not a bad year to just wait.

With the iPhone 5S only bringing a handful of updates compared to the iPhone 5, it's a tough call between it and the Samsung Galaxy S4. We'll give you a decisive verdict once we've fully tested the iPhone 5S.

In terms of specs is a split decision as to which smartphone is better. We will be able to give a more definitive verdict as to which smartphone is the best once we do a full review of the iPhone 5s.