iPhone 5S review | Pocketnow

Last year we sang the praises of the iPhone 5. Its hardware, speed, camera, and fantastic one-handed usability lead us to highly recommend the phone. This year, Apples keeping a lot the same, while improving upon several key areas where the iPhone 5S has now fallen behind in the face of competition. There are three areas where the 5S is different from the 5: the A7 64 bit chip, a camera with improved low light performance and some new shooting modes, and a fingerprint security scanner. But in actuality, there are other areas in which the 5S is better than the 5, and we'll cover those in the test notes section of this review.

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Pocketnow has been a key source of mobile technology news and reviews since its establishment in 2000. With offices on three continents, Pocketnow offers round-the-clock coverage of the mobile technology landscape, from smartphones to tablets to wearables. We aim to be your number-one source for mobile tech news, reviews, comparisons, and commentary. If you love mobile as much as we do, be sure to subscribe!

iPhone 5S review | Pocketnow

PocketNow

[Pocketnow]

Thanks for your feedback Ricardo. Sadly, as opposed to other companies where we usually get review units, Apple doesn't provide any. We buy them. We don't provide favorable reviews to anyone, even those who give out review units, so please don't judge us that way.

The iPhone is inconsistent when compared to other phones, but to call inconsistencies flaws is sadly a very different thing. What flaws do you find on the device? Michael Fisher gave the 5C an 8.7, Brandon gives the 5S a 9. ^JR

[JCMSPX]

Wow it is truly amazing I bought both the iphone 5c for my wife and iphone 5s for me and we are really comfortable with these 2 new iphone
#thkx apple XD

[MiguelRPD]

Loved the old PocketNow theme. Getting this phone on a sweet deal from Boost Mobile, it'll be my first iOS device.

[abajarde]

This is the most honest review I've seen you've done (covering apple). Very well done!

[Pocketnow]

Right on brother! Still, we'd love to know what you think. ^JR

[Pocketnow]

Are you calling the HTC One's camera even more outdated? ;-) ^JR

[mattjofre]

Great video guys, you are practically the only ones to cover durability, speaker output, etc on your review. Very detailed explanation. Keep it up!

[JSantana]

I had the Note 2 and enjoyed it a whole lot, but the size was a bit uncomfortable at times, so I switched to the iPhone and I like it better. You can do a whole lot more with the Note, but the portability and comfort of the iPhone is unmatched. The Note was laggy, especially the gallery app.

[Pocketnow]

Yes, that's one of the very few apps optimized so far. ^JR

[wirgiukass]

Thank you... That's exactly right. :)

[briancalifornia]

Why would they put colors in  the back when they know if you don't put a case on it it's going to eventually  scratch. When the case is on it you can't tell the difference since it's covered. They should put the colors on the front not back.

[Pocketnow]

Both devices have the same rating. Our full review with the details on the rating will be published on our website Monday and we'll link back to it here. Stay tuned. ^JR

[Maayan]

Excellent review! Really liked the new graphics in your review videos, keep it up! :D

[imtiaz]

Really good review, good to see Miniman doing something for a change ;-)

Can't disagree with many of the points in the video except for the cases. They're nice but you can get very similar quality for half the price on eBay. But even that is up for debate. Not much to disagree on in general otherwise, it's a very good phone for people who don't want any fuss and want a phone to just work.

[eddierourk]

So glad there's someone doing honest reviews for Apple products like this. The segments on the processor not being that much faster and the 64 bit format not even in use on apps yet along with the comparison of the dual flash is a breath of fresh air from the nut swingers on other sites. Thanks. S4 user.

[mcwindowma]

cool video! this was uploaded on my birthday yesterday! it helped me decide to get one so i just ordered, thanks!

[blackscorp]

love my iphone 5s and now waiting for my ipad air on back order with lte / wifi cant wait !

[thair]

among all iphone5s reviews i saw on the internet, this is by far the best .. brief and informative :)
Thanks

[wirgiukass]

at last a very good review :) how was i not subscribed to you guys....

[Pocketnow]

I think you're mincing words, Ioja. I'm an Apple fan just as I'm an HTC fan just as I'm a chocolate chip cookie fan.

Regarding iOS 7, it does work great on the iPhone 5S (meaning, it's stable/works as intended/doesn't have lag, etc). ^BM