Apple’s iPhone 5s was announced on September 10th at a special event at Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, California. Apple will not offer pre-orders on this model, but have confirmed a Friday, September 20th release date. It offers a vastly improved camera, a new 64-bit desktop class A7 chip with an M7 motion chip and Touch ID, a fingerprint scanner that is built into the home button. It ships with Apple’s iOS 7, the biggest change to iOS since 2007. Our extensive iPhone 5s review offers a look at all of the new features, with extensive comparisons of speed, image quality and more.
New Colors
The iPhone 5s is available in three color combinations. Silver/White is a hold over from the previous generation. Two new color combinations will be offered: Gold/White and Space Grey/Black. Apple will no longer offer the black/slate color combination that was available on the iPhone 5.
Storage Options and Price
The storage options and pricing are the same as with the previous generation.
- 16GB: $199
- 32GB: $299
- 64GB: $399
These prices require a new 2-year contract agreement. In the U.S., the iPhone 5s will be available on AT&T, Verizon and Sprint.
Unlocked iPhone 5s Pricing
Apple will offer the iPhone 5s unlocked starting on September 20th and will allow you to use it on any GSM carrier. Prices are as follows:
- 16GB: $649
- 32GB: $749
- 64GB: $849
Unlocked iPhones can be used on T-Mobile. Their new programs are contract free, so they don’t offer a typical subsidized price, instead opting for a monthly installment plan. They have yet to provide details on pricing for the iPhone 5s. Apple currently lists T-Mobile as a carrier option under the unlocked iPhones. The retail price of the new model is consistent with the previous generation. We expect pricing from T-Mobile to remain the same. You can expect to pay a $145 up-front cost with a monthly fee of $21 for 24 months.
Demo Videos
Watch these videos direct from Apple that highlight and provide context regarding the new features.
iPhone 5s Hands-On
Several media outlets attending the event and provided hands-on videos with the iPhone 5s.
Free Premium Apple Apps
With purchase of a new iOS device, Apple will now offer Pages, Numbers, Keynote, iPhoto and iMovie for free.
New Accessories
Available as an option, Apple has designed a new leather case designed for this device. It comes in an assortment of colors, with a price of $39.
iPhone 5s FAQ
Will iPhone 5 cases work on the iPhone 5s?
Yes, provided the case does not cover the home button, which would be problematic for the Touch ID fingerprint scanner.
Is my fingerprint information stored in iCloud or on Apple’s servers?
No, Apple has confirmed that fingerprint data is stored on the device only.
Resources
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