Is the iPhone 5s still worth buying today?

cheapoo on 09/05/2016 - 23:58

Hi all long time lurker

As of now with the price drops, is the iPhone 5s still worth buying today? I currently have a HTC one m7 which I have owned since 2013. Just on a quick note, I have never owned an iPhone nor iPod so this is completely new territory for me. However considering that, the two phones were released roughly within the same era(2013).

Would you consider this as a worthy upgrade or should I consider a more recent android phone for the same price.

Sorry if this question has been asked to death :|

Mobile Apple Mobile Phone

Comments

  • scrimshaw on 10/05/2016 - 00:09
    +1

    It doesn't have B28 700mhz LTE support. That would automatically disqualify it as 'worth buying' for me :(

    The biggest issue is the software updates — it's reached the end of it's product development cycle ages ago and according to GSM arena you can only upgrade it till iOS 9.3 (IOS 10 just announced few days ago).

    As opposed to an Android phone which might have an unlocked bootloader and open source OS which means you can tinker with it and upgrade it all the way to Lollipop or Marshmallow provided you know how to flash the ROM.

    I just gave my 2013-era LG G2 the Lollipop treatment and it runs butter-smooth.

    Anyway, I don't think it's worth buying — you're not getting an upgrade in the hardware department (except for perhaps the camera) but the battery, display and storage is a major downgrade.

    • Zivko on 10/05/2016 - 08:28
      +4

      I'd agree that an iPhone 5S isn't really worth buying (unless it's under $300) but there are a few things you've said that are incorrect.

      The latest iOS that the iPhone 5S can run is 9.3.1 (same goes for iPhone 5), which as of this reply, is the latest version of iOS available to the public on any iOS device, so Apple are still supporting it from a software perspective.

      iOS 10 has not been announced, although it certainly will be announced at WWDC in June. GSM Arena cannot say whether a device can be upgraded to iOS 10 simply because it's not officially a thing yet, I'd wait to see what Apple releases in terms of supported devices when it comes to iOS 10 first, and they usually support the last 3 - 4 years of phones with updates.

      I'd either stick with some cheap Android phone, or if you're looking at a cost effective iPhone, consider getting an iPhone SE.

  • altomic on 10/05/2016 - 07:28
    +1

    For the price you'd be paying then you could step up to an excellent China droid. Like that Lenovo posted last night. Or for a bit more $$ the xioami note 3 pro.

  • mskeggs on 10/05/2016 - 08:12

    I was looking at this last week, and the SE with a much better spec isn't that much more expensive. I expect it will get some discounts in a month or two after initial excitement drops.

    That said, $750 for an SE iOS device is $600 more than a budget Android with better specs. I've decided that premium isn't worth it, and there is almost no software I use on iOs that I can't live without. Is the $300 premium to get an iPhone 5s worth it over a modern Android?

  • dogboy on 10/05/2016 - 09:22
    -1

    If you are an Android user and move to Apple, you will be bitterly disappointed how limited the iOS functionality is. Think of an OS made for toddlers who aren't allowed to make their own decisions on what they can do.

    • Diji1 on 10/05/2016 - 10:52

      I know this will be a shock but more people than not do want to constantly change their operating system, they're happy that it works and then they spend their time using their phone and living their life rather than playing with themselves and their phone.

      Also most people reach a point where the OS is how they want it so there's no point in changing things to show off for people you don't know sitting on the bus that you think are watching you and your phone.

      It doesn't make you more grown up either way. Other than any consclusions you might draw about having the time to piss about with your phones operating system constantly changing things over the course of years - those people aren't usually adults with responsibilities like jobs and growing up.

  • Evoque10 on 10/05/2016 - 09:56
    +4

    I have an iPhone 5S (work phone) and I'm telling you, it's a great phone regardless of its age.
    The iOS is simple, user friendly and the apps are top quality.

    The only issue however, do you really want to pay that much for a phone which is around 3 years old and probably wont be supported anymore? If software update is not an issue and you always want to get into iOS environment, then it's not a bad choice. It is still an excellent phone anyway.

    For me myself, I'd prefer to spend a bit more to get SE instead.
    or just stay with android, get xiaomi/redmi phones and use the extra money to buy a return ticket to Gold Coast :D

  • ycon on 10/05/2016 - 10:07

    My iPhone 5S is quicker, snappier, and easier to handle than my iPhone 6 imo. I'd probably swap someone for it.

  • fruit on 10/05/2016 - 11:07

    No

  • pj228 on 10/05/2016 - 12:14
    +1

    I would consider it a downgrade from an m7, definitely not worth it

  • daver on 10/05/2016 - 21:35

    850 4G = Voda foneAU, may look after you sweet if unneeded to afford licensing Fee for 4g700#, http://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/
    Throw a couple of hundred at a 5s iP/ Pro-RN3P &not a couple of thousand yes ;)

  • spersephone on 11/05/2016 - 21:47

    I recently got a second hand one myself, so I hope so. I still have my 4S but decided to upgrade that, but couldn't justify the cost of the current version.

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