Today Apple has finally announced their new iPhones, called iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S. This ends wild rumors in almost every tech blogs for months. And with every release, of course there will be some people happy and excited about it. There will be some people feeling disappointed. And Apple haters are already unleashed their same-old argument of “no innovation” to start flame wars everywhere. It’s the same cycle, happens every year, so I’m not surprised anymore.
So, for you who actually wants to know about Apple’s new announcement, here’s a quick recap about it: iPhone 5C is basically iPhone 5, same spec, now with color options. iPhone 5S is the new flagship phone. It is the first mobile phone with 64 bit processor. It has a much improved camera. It has built-in fingerprint sensor called Touch ID. If you only want to read some material for a flame war, you can stop here. If you’re actually interested to read the details, continue on.
First, let’s talk about the fact that this year Apple launches not one but two iPhone models. This has never happened before. But if you look closely, they’re actually still consistent with their usual pattern: when new flagship model is coming out, the previous model gets $100 price cuts. Only, this time, when new iPhone 5S is released, the previous model (iPhone 5) is given a new body with color options. And the new “name” of 5C is likely stands for “Color”.
What are the differences between iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S?
iPhone 5C
For months, the rumors about this iPhone said things about “cheap” iPhone. I’m so glad that iPhone 5C is not cheap at all. As a long-time Apple user, I will be very disappointed if Apple actually make a cheap product, which always means some sacrifices and compromises. But since the price scheme is basically replacing iPhone 5’s position ($100 discount from the latest flagship model), then I would say this is still a good move from Apple to provide choices without betraying their own philosophy.
iPhone 5C is basically iPhone 5, packaged in a new finishing with color options. Other than slightly better battery, I think all the other specs of iPhone 5C is identical to iPhone 5. The new body is made from polycarbonate (Apple’s word), but naturally Apple haters will call it “plastic”. I personally have no problem with plastic finishing for smartphone as long they don’t feel cheap. Remember than iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS were also have “plastic” back and they feel ok on our hands, very different from my experience holding smartphones from other brands with plastic finishing. Galaxy S3’s back plastic feels so toy-like for me.
Anyway, I haven’t actually touched the new polycarbonate finish in 5C, but I don’t really care anyway since this is not the iPhone of my choice. I would rather buy iPhone 5S.
iPhone 5C is available in 5 colors: green, blue, yellow, pink, white. I personally think the blue version looks better, but that’s just my personal taste. I’m not getting a new iPhone 5C anyway.
The back part of iPhone 5C is made from a single piece of colored polycarbonate. It means no joints, no movable parts. A close up look of this new model shows a good build quality so far, at least judging from how it looks.
Apple also sells 1st party case for iPhone 5C. The case is made from silicone and has holes at the back. 6 colors are available: blue, green, yellow, pink, white and black. I think the idea is for users to mix and match color combination between the iPhone 5C back-side and its case to create 5×6=30 possible combinations of look.
iPhone 5S
The new flagship smartphone from Apple is iPhone 5S. It comes in three colors: silver, gold and space grey. Silver and gold back-finish has white front interface. Space grey has black front interface. Other than the new color choice (gold) the body of this iPhone is essentially the same with iPhone 5. I would suspect, most of iPhone 5 cases will also work with iPhone 5S.
For me, the most significant update from this model is Apple A7 processor, which has 64-bit architecture. iPhone 5S is the first (and currently the only) smartphone in the world with 64-bit processor. If you still have no idea how this matters, let me tell you something, having a 64-bit processor doubles most user experience. That’s a 40x bump in CPU speed and a 56x bump in graphics performance (compared to the original iPhone).
This matters more than some Android fans who thinks more processor cores are the ones to aim for a better phone. You can wait for quad core, octa core, or whatever core, most of the third party apps will not be optimized to take full benefit of those cores. But changing architecture to 64 bit will bring noticeable impact in the future of mobile computing. All the built-in apps will performs a lot faster, and other third party apps usually adjust to the new architecture within the next few months. Especially when we know Apple has better penetration of new OS, means iOS7 will be installed in more iOS devices in higher percentage compared to Jelly Beans (or the upcoming Kit Kat).
The next important update is the M7 motion co-processor. It’s a module that continuously monitors movement data. If you realized that lately there are LOTS of Bluetooth-based accessories capable to help us record our exercise for health monitoring, this M7 is capable to do the same, built-in. So there is no need for additional accessory. Just bring iPhone 5S when we go jogging or cycling. Some apps will record our activities the same way as those accessories do.
The next big improvement is camera. I love having a good camera everywhere I go. iPhone 5S offers significant camera upgrade compared to iPhone 5.
Before you start asking how many megapixels, let me tell you something: the camera is still 8 megapixels, just like iPhone 5’s camera. then how come it’s better? For goodness’ sake, for years I’ve been trying to tell novice (non tech-savvy) users that for a digital camera, bigger megapixel doesn’t always mean better quality. I was rendered speechless when for so many years, almost every company boasted about about their new camera product is having “more megapixels”, resulting in average consumers measure camera’s quality by megapixel numbers. Thank you Apple ! Finally there’s a major company release a better camera that is NOT about more megapixels.
The new camera in iPhone 5S has pixels of 1.5 microns, 15% larger sensor. The aperture is f/2.2. 33% better light sensitivity. True Tone flash intelligently figures out how much light your shot needs. This True Tone flash has dual LED flash, with one cool blue LED and one warm amber LED so the flash matches the color balance of the light in the room, producing much better pictures without the user need to learn so much about photography.
Burst mode continuously captures 10 photos per second, letting you take hundreds of images so you don’t miss a moment. Intelligent software algorithms work behind the scenes to analyse all the shots in real time, comparing sharpness and clarity and even detecting when someone’s eyes are closed. Then iPhone suggests individual photos or a sequence of photos that you might like best.
Image stabilization and panorama shot receive some improvements. The HD video can now shoot 120 frames per second, allowing us to capture slow motion video. The pinch-and-zoom also works for video now. And finally, the Camera app offers built-in filters (similar to Instagram). This filter feature is not something big for me, but some people might like it.
Move on to the next big upgrade, there’s a fingerprint sensor in iPhone 5S home button. It means, we’re no longer need to enter PIN codes to secure our iPhones now. Our fingerprint serves as the best security measurement. Fingerprint is also used to make purchases in iTunes or AppStore. Apple has made it clear that our fingerprint data is NOT uploaded to iCloud server. It’s stored deep in the A7 chip itself and not available to third party apps.
Physically, there’s a new thin ring around the home button of iPhone 5S. Personally I think it makes the front-side looks better. This ring is not there just for design reason, it serves as a detector so the iPhone can “realize” when we put our finger there without the need to press the home button.
A lot of Apple haters already post about NSA and privacy issues. I guess they don’t even bother to read what Apple has written. And NSA doesn’t need Apple to provide them with fingerprint data by the way. If you live in USA or ever visited USA, chances are they already have your fingerprint long ago.
On software side, Apple just made iWorks for iPhone free with the purchase of new iPhone. Keynote, Pages and Numbers will cost us $10 each previously. So new users will save $30 and will be able to use iWorks straight away with a new iPhone 5S.
Just like with iPhone 5C, Apple also make 1st party case for iPhone 5S. They’re made from leather and the price range is around the high-end third party cases out there. You can simply grab it if you like, or opt for hundreds of other third party models out there.
Other noteworthy upgrade is both 5C and 5S support more LTE networks than any other phone in today’s market. This makes it very handy for people who travel a lot and have to deal with different network standards in different countries.
Availability
iPhone 5C will be available for online pre-order from 13 September 2013. The actual product will be available from 20 September 2013.
iPhone 5S will not be available for online pre-order. You can get it in stores from 20 September 2013 or do an online order from the same date.
iOS7 will be available for downloads (for older devices) starting from 18 September 2013.
Conclusions
While some people might be interested in the color options of iPhone 5C, this model is not for me. I’m still using iPhone 4S today. Been using it for almost 2 years, and I’m going to get an iPhone 5S for my next smartphone.
My prediction, Samsung Galaxy S5 (and other flagship models from other brands) will also have fingerprint sensor and 64-bit architecture processor. And they will start pointing out that iPhone 5S is not the first smartphone with a fingerprint scanner. The fact that iPhone 5S is the first smartphone that integrates fingerprint reader in a useful way (and the first to be widely accepted) won’t matter for Samsung lawyers and Apple haters.
The lack of “larger screen” and “new body” for iPhone 5S will also become the primary target for Apple haters for saying that Apple keep selling the same stuff with insignificant upgrade every year. Well, if “significant upgrade” in their mind is just about new body and larger screen, then let them comment whatever they like. If comparing the number of cores in processor is what they consider “significant” then let them enjoy their processor cores. Perhaps they can eat the processor cores or extra screen size as snack when they’re hungry (now that’s a very useful feature).
There’s a product for everyone. If they don’t like it, they don’t have to buy it. Apparently the idea of different choices for different needs does not exist in their mind. Some people actually knows what they want, what is offered by different brands, and make decisions after rational evaluation. Some people can afford the best smartphone, but brainwashed by mainstream media that compares smartphones using quantitative specs and lead to a wrong conclusion. Some others just want to bash people who buy a product they can’t afford so they feel good about what they have.
And that concludes my writing about the latest iPhones.
Many thanks for some other useful web-site. The place altogether different can I purchase that sort of information coded in this type of excellent approach? I own a concern that I’m at the moment running about, and i have recently been on the watch out for similarly info.
Just wanted to let you know that another difference between the 5C and the 5 is that the 5C (and of course the 5S) actually supports more LTE networks than any other phone in the current market! :D Which is brilliant news for people who travel between countries with differing 4G network bands.
Thanks for pointing out that not everyone is interested in joining in the big race for a phone with a bigger screen. There’s definitely still a market for phones with smaller screens, because some people (like me) still do want their phones to fit comfortably in their palms and pockets.
Thanks ! I have added it into the article :)