It’s the same old dance: another year, another iPhone. For better or for worse, Apple’s model for success is built upon introducing incremental upgrades to its famous mobile device, making it confusing for those deciding whether the company’s next iteration is worth the scratch. This time it’s different, with discounted models promising not to break the bank. But is it worth it? We took some time out of camping in line to give you the lowdown on what the differences are between the iPhone 5c and 5s (both out this Friday) and that ancient iPhone 5 taking up room in your pocket.

Feature | iPhone 5c | iPhone 5s |
iPhone 5
(2012)
|
Price |
$549 16GB
$649 32GB
|
$649 16GB
$749 32GB
$849 64GB
|
$649 16GB
$749 32GB
$849 64GB
|
Colours |
White, green,
blue, pink, yellow
|
Gold, silver, gray | White, black |
Talking
battery life
|
10 hours | 10 hours | 9.2 hours |
Standby
battery life
|
250 hours | 250 hours | 225 hours |
Weight | 132 grams | 112 grams | 112 grams |
Camera | 8MP iSight | 8MP iSight | 8MP iSight |
Facetime
camera
|
1.2MP | 1.2MP | 1.2MP |
Burst photos | No | 10 FPS | No |
Image
stabilization
|
Yes | Improved | No |
Video | 1080p HD |
30 FPS at 1080p
120 FPS slow-mo
at 720p
|
1080p HD |
Processor | A6 | A7 64-bit | A6 |
Fingerprint
scanner
|
No | Yes | No |
Display | 4-inch retina | 4-inch retina | 4-inch retina |
Our verdict
Grab an extra shift or two—the 5s may seem like only a slight improvement over the 5c model for an extra hundred bucks, but it definitely represents the better buy. It boasts features that have become standard on Android and even BlackBerry, including burst photo capabilities, image stabilization and a 64-bit processor for a smoother ride. If you’re keen on saving, you may as well find an original 5 or 4s on eBay for a discount (and only a slight hit on the technical specs over the 5c).
LEAVE A RESPONSE