Apple iPhone 5s

The Revolutionary Apple iPhone 5s: A Look Back at Its Launch and Features

The world was abuzz with excitement on September 10, 2013, as tech giant Apple announced the launch of its highly anticipated iPhone 5s. The new flagship phone instantly captured the attention of consumers, thanks to its sleek design and state-of-the-art features. Just 10 days later, on September 20, 2013, the iPhone 5s was released to the public, and it quickly became one of the most sought-after devices on the market.

Fast forward to present day, the iPhone 5s may have been discontinued, but it remains a beloved device among Apple enthusiasts. Let's take a trip down memory lane and revisit the features that made the iPhone 5s a revolutionary device at the time of its launch.

Powerful platform

The iPhone 5s came equipped with Apple's cutting-edge operating system, iOS 7. The first iteration of the minimalist and user-friendly interface was a significant update from its predecessor, iOS 6. But what truly set the iPhone 5s apart was its powerful platform, which included an innovative chipset - the Apple A7. This 28nm chip was the first 64-bit processor used in a smartphone, making the iPhone 5s far more powerful than its competitors.

The A7 was paired with a Dual-core 1.3 GHz Cyclone ARM v8-based processor, providing lightning-fast performance for the time. The PowerVR G6430 GPU, a quad-core graphics chip, ensured smoother graphics and better gaming capabilities.

Impressive memory

The iPhone 5s was available in three storage options - 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB - which may not seem like much by today's standards, but it was a significant upgrade from the previous iPhone 5. The 5s also had 1GB of RAM, providing ample space for all your apps, photos, and files.

Unfortunately, the iPhone 5s did not have a card slot for expandable storage, which was a common feature at the time. However, the 64-bit processor and updated iOS 7 optimized the device's memory usage, making 1GB of RAM more than sufficient for everyday use.

Stunning display

The iPhone 5s boasted a 4-inch IPS LCD screen with a resolution of 640 x 1136 pixels and a 16:9 aspect ratio. Though it may seem small compared to today's phones, the display was praised for its color accuracy, brightness, and sharpness. The screen-to-body ratio was approximately 60.8%, making the device compact and easy to handle.

The display was also protected by Corning Gorilla Glass and an oleophobic coating, making it resistant to scratches and fingerprint smudges. It was a significant improvement from the previous generation's iPhone 5 and set the standard for future iPhone displays.

Sleek and durable design

At the time of its launch, the iPhone 5s was considered the sleekest and most durable iPhone yet. The device had dimensions of 123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6 mm and weighed just 112g, making it easy to carry and handle with one hand. The front of the phone was clad in a piece of Corning-made glass, while the back and frame were crafted from aluminum, giving it a premium look and feel.

One of the most talked-about design features of the iPhone 5s was its new home button. The traditional square-shaped button was replaced with a fingerprint sensor, a revolutionary feature that set the stage for modern biometric technology.

Superior cameras

The iPhone 5s introduced significant upgrades to its camera capabilities, making it a top choice for photography enthusiasts. The device had an 8MP rear camera with a f/2.2 aperture and 29mm standard lens. It also boasted a dual-LED flash and HDR mode, allowing for clearer and brighter photos even in low light conditions.

But what truly impressed users was the video capabilities of the iPhone 5s. It could record 1080p videos at 30 frames per second and 720p videos at 120 frames per second, making it perfect for capturing fast-paced action and slow-motion footage.

The front camera saw improvements as well, with a 1.2MP sensor and a f/2.4 aperture. It also had face detection and HDR capabilities, along with the option for FaceTime calls over Wi-Fi or Cellular.

Long-lasting battery

The iPhone 5s came equipped with a 1560 mAh Li-Po non-removable battery, with a standby time of up to 250 hours and a talk time of up to 10 hours on 3G. While these may not seem like impressive numbers today, it was a significant improvement from its predecessor, thanks to the efficiency of iOS 7 and the A7 chip.

The iPhone 5s also introduced new battery-saving features, such as a low-power mode, which extended battery life even further. Though it may not have been the best in terms of battery life at the time, it was still considered a reliable and long-lasting device.

Advanced connectivity

The iPhone 5s was one of the first devices to support both GSM and CDMA networks, making it a popular choice for travelers. It also had impressive data speeds, with HSPA speeds of 42.2/5.76 Mbps and LTE speeds of up to 100/50 Mbps.

In terms of connectivity, the 5s supported Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, and GPS and GLONASS positioning. However, it did not have NFC capabilities, which was a downside for users who were looking forward to contactless payments.

Innovative features

The iPhone 5s was packed with innovative features that set the bar high for smartphones. It introduced the Touch ID fingerprint sensor, which not only made unlocking the device more secure but also allowed for faster and more seamless transactions. The fingerprint sensor could also be used to access third-party apps, providing an additional layer of security.

The iPhone 5s also came in three color options - Space Gray, White/Silver, and Gold. It was one of the first iPhones to feature a gold variant, which became a popular choice among users seeking a more luxurious look.

Final thoughts

Though it has been discontinued, the iPhone 5s remains a beloved device among Apple enthusiasts. With its advanced technology, sleek design, and innovative features, the 5s set the foundation for future iPhones and revolutionized the smartphone industry. It was a blast from the past that is still admired and remembered by many.

Latest Apple iPhone 5s Specs and Prices

LAUNCH

• Announced:  2013, September 10. Released 2013, September 20
• Status:  Discontinued

PLATFORM

• Operating System:  iOS 7, upgradable to iOS 12.5.6
• Chipset:  Apple A7 (28 nm)
• CPU:  Dual-core 1.3 GHz Cyclone (ARM v8-based)
• GPU:  PowerVR G6430 (quad-core graphics)

MEMORY

• Card slot:  No
• Internal:  16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 1GB RAM, 64GB 1GB RAM

DISPLAY

• Type:  IPS LCD
• Size:  4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~60.8% screen-to-body ratio)
• Resolution:  640 x 1136 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~326 ppi density)
• Protection:  Corning Gorilla Glass, oleophobic coating

BODY

• Dimensions:  123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6 mm (4.87 x 2.31 x 0.30 in)
• Weight:  112 g (3.95 oz)
• Build:  Glass front (Corning-made glass), aluminum back, aluminum frame
• SIM:  Nano-SIM

MAIN CAMERA

• Single:  8 MP, f/2.2, 29mm (standard), 1/3", 1.5µm, AF
• Features:  Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR
• Video:  1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps

SELFIE CAMERA

• Single:  1.2 MP, f/2.4, 31mm (standard)
• Features:  face detection, HDR, FaceTime over Wi-Fi or Cellular
• Video:  720p@30fps

BATTERY

• Type:  Li-Po 1560 mAh, non-removable (5.92 Wh)
• Stand by:  Up to 250 h (3G)
• Talk time:  Up to 10 h (3G)

CELLPHONE NETWORK

• Technology:  GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
• 2G bands:  GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - - all models - CDMA 800 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - - A1533 (CDMA), A1453
• 3G bands:  HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - - A1533 (GSM), A1453 - CDMA2000 1xEV-DO - - A1533 (CDMA), A1453 - HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - - A1457, A1530
• 4G bands:  1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25 - - A1533 GSM, A1533 CDMA - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26 - - A1453 - 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - - A1457 - 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 39, 40 - - A1530
• Speed:  HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps

SOUND

• Loudspeaker :  Yes
• 3.5mm jack :  Yes - 16-bit/44.1kHz audio

COMMUNICATIONS

• WLAN:  Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, hotspot
• Bluetooth:  4.0, A2DP
• Positioning:  GPS, GLONASS
• NFC:  No
• Radio:  No
• USB:  Lightning, USB 2.0

FEATURES

• Sensors:  Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass

MISCELLANEOUS

• Colors:  Space Gray, White/Silver, Gold
• Models:  A1453, A1457, A1518, A1528, A1530, A1533, iPhone6,1, iPhone6,2
• SAR:  1.12 W/kg (head) & & 1.18 W/kg (body) & &
• SAR EU:  1.00 W/kg (head) & & 0.80 W/kg (body) & &
• Price:  About 330 EUR

Disclaimer: Specifications shown may be different from the actual product. We cannot guarantee that the information provided on this page is 100% correct. This content is provided for information purposes only. All information included herein is subject to change without notice.