Why the iPhone 5s matters
From outside appearances, Apple's iPhone 5s may not be the biggest leap forward in design. It sports the same dimensions, screen size and external appearance of its predecessor, the iPhone 5. However, underneath that exterior is an amazing device that far exceeds the offerings from competitors.
Traditionally, Apple's 'S' upgrades have not generated external updates. The devices stay the same on the outside but are improved in some capacity on the inside. This works for a couple reasons. First, Apple does not have to reinvest in retooling the components for the iPhone every time they release an update, which come nearly every year like clockwork. Compared to Android phone manufacturers who must consistently updated their offerings yearly, if not every few months. That constant churn is expensive. But for Apple, they are able to use premium components for their iPhones but still keep costs down by not 'reinventing the wheel' every single year.
Additionally, if you are an iPhone consumer, your iPhone does not appear outdated every year. You can hold on to the same iPhone for two years or longer and expect that it will not look dated and, perhaps more importantly, the software or operating system, will continue to be maintained by Apple and updated. Even with the release of iOS 7, even iPhones from several years prior were eligible for the update. Contrast that with Android phones and, unless you purchase one of Google's flagship devices, good luck receiving even one OS update.
So, back to the iPhone 5s and what makes it important. The A7 processing chip inside the iPhone 5s is Apple's most up-to-date chip yet, and the same chip that powers the iPad Air and iPad mini Retina. It is a dual-core chip and is claimed to be more than twice as fast as the iPhone 5 processor. This is a major leap forward and should allow the iPhone 5s to be relevant for several years. In addition, the Touch ID fingerprint reader built-in to the home button is a huge advance in phone technology. This paves the way for more secure devices, more secure browsing and, perhaps most importantly, a step toward card-less purchasing, if payment technologies can adapt to accept fingerprints for payments.
All told, Apple's iPhone 5s is a giant leap forward packaged in a familiar form. It is deceptive in how much has changed while remaining the same.
Traditionally, Apple's 'S' upgrades have not generated external updates. The devices stay the same on the outside but are improved in some capacity on the inside. This works for a couple reasons. First, Apple does not have to reinvest in retooling the components for the iPhone every time they release an update, which come nearly every year like clockwork. Compared to Android phone manufacturers who must consistently updated their offerings yearly, if not every few months. That constant churn is expensive. But for Apple, they are able to use premium components for their iPhones but still keep costs down by not 'reinventing the wheel' every single year.
Additionally, if you are an iPhone consumer, your iPhone does not appear outdated every year. You can hold on to the same iPhone for two years or longer and expect that it will not look dated and, perhaps more importantly, the software or operating system, will continue to be maintained by Apple and updated. Even with the release of iOS 7, even iPhones from several years prior were eligible for the update. Contrast that with Android phones and, unless you purchase one of Google's flagship devices, good luck receiving even one OS update.
So, back to the iPhone 5s and what makes it important. The A7 processing chip inside the iPhone 5s is Apple's most up-to-date chip yet, and the same chip that powers the iPad Air and iPad mini Retina. It is a dual-core chip and is claimed to be more than twice as fast as the iPhone 5 processor. This is a major leap forward and should allow the iPhone 5s to be relevant for several years. In addition, the Touch ID fingerprint reader built-in to the home button is a huge advance in phone technology. This paves the way for more secure devices, more secure browsing and, perhaps most importantly, a step toward card-less purchasing, if payment technologies can adapt to accept fingerprints for payments.
All told, Apple's iPhone 5s is a giant leap forward packaged in a familiar form. It is deceptive in how much has changed while remaining the same.