iPhone 5s

Inaccurate iPhone 5s sensor readings blamed on new accelerometer supplier Bosch

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Cody recently relayed a Gizmodo report describing how an unknown portion of iPhone 5s owners have been experiencing inaccurate compass and inclinometers readings, consistently off by a noticeable margin. A huge thread on Apple's support forums details the persistent problem.

One report Wednesday offered the most likely culprit: a change in supplier. It wasn't immediately clear whether the issue can be fixed by way of firmware update or if some sensors are off by design, in which case Apple might replace faulty iPhone 5s units at no cost...

Meet FingerLoc, AuthenTec’s bulky and unreliable Touch ID predecessor

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 16, 2013

After Apple had snapped up AuthenTec, an Israel-based NFC and smart sensor maker, for about $400 million in the summer of 2012, speculation abounded as puzzled pundits couldn't envision Touch ID coming. Shortly after, Apple told AuthenTec's clients such as Samsung to buy their sensors elsewhere.

It also shuttered the startup's Embedded Security Solutions division while tasking AuthenTec engineers with rethinking fingerprint scanning on mobile. The results were nothing short of amazing: Apple has managed to take competition by surprise by seamlessly integrating the sophisticated Touch ID sensor into the iconic Home button, a far cry from the unreliable solutions that require you to swipe the sensor.

One publication was lucky enough to have been invited to a private presentation of an early Touch ID prototype by the AuthenTec co-founder F. Scott Moody...

Why would Apple cut iPhone 5c production down?

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated April 13, 2018

That is twice in two weeks that we hear Apple has asked suppliers in China to cut down on production of the iPhone 5c. Although the first report from Chinese website C Technology came more as a rumor than an actual fact, today's WSJ report that echoes the same information definitely gives more credence to the claim.

This is the ideal news for Apple naysayers, downers, and other AAPL bears. Clearly, if Apple is cutting down orders on the iPhone 5c, then it must mean the device isn't selling as well as expected. But is that really the truth?

Consumer Reports praises new iPhones, but calls latest Droids a better buy

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 16, 2013

A lot (some?) of people partially base their purchasing decisions on reviews and comparisons of consumer products by Consumer Reports, an influential U.S. monthly published by Consumers Union since 1936. It also irked Apple fans over milking the iPhone 4 over Antennagate meme for all it was worth.

In turn, Consumer Reports lost some of its credibility and luster, especially after it changed its mind and backtracked on its original 'can't recommend the iPhone 4' stance.

Today, the publication is back at it again, having put Apple's new iPhones through their paces. Even though it loved the iPhone 5c and came away impressed with the iPhone 5s's improved camera and Touch ID fingerprint scanning, Consumer Reports still thinks Motorola's latest Droid handsets are a better buy versus the new iPhones...

How rapid adoption of iPhone 5s/5c is preventing Android-like fragmentation

Ed Sutherland ∙ October 16, 2013

We've all heard the Android propaganda: vast numbers of cheap smartphones based on Google's mobile software will overcome the quality of Apple handsets. Not so fast, say new web traffic numbers. In less than a month, 40.6 percent of iPhones online are the new iPhone 5s or iPhone 5c models.

Indeed, if this upward curve continues, the majority of iPhones will be using Apple's latest technology at most one year old. By comparison, Android continues suffering from fragmentation marked by apps developed for a time when Apple's iOS 3 was just launched...

OtterBox unveils Preserver series of iPhone 5/5s/5c waterproof cases with Touch ID support

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Accessory maker OtterBox makes a compelling range of protective case, sleeves and rugged cases for smartphones and just yesterday they announced a new Preserver series for the iPhone 5, as well as the new iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s, the latter featuring full Touch ID support. The two-piece highly protective cases with snap assembly is bound to add discernible bulk and weight to your device.

In exchange, you'll get full protection from dust and water. The company says the case can withstand drops from up to 2 meters, or about 6.6 feet, as well as protect your device when fully submerged up to 2 meters deep for as much as 30 minutes...

WSJ: Apple cutting iPhone 5c production, increasing 5s orders

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Apple has asked its iPhone suppliers in China to cut down on production of its iPhone 5c model, according to a new report by The Wall Street Journal. This is the second time we've heard this in as many weeks.

Last week, it was reported by Chinese web site C Technology that Apple had cut their iPhone 5c orders in half—from 300K units per day, to 150K—spawning speculation that the device isn't selling very well...

China Mobile iPhone launch should be imminent

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 14, 2013

Ahead of September's double iPhone launch, the Wall Street Journal reported Apple had finally inked a sought-after deal with China Mobile to distribute the iconic smartphone. Indeed, TENAA, the Chinese equivalent of the United States Federal Communications Commission, has made public documents pertaining to both new iPhones.

Specifically, the filings mention GSM-enabled TD-LTE radios inside the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c, proving Apple had in fact been given a network license for China Mobile's third and fourth-generation cellular services.

As Apple's existing carrier partners China Unicom and China Telecom use the more common CDMA variants (CDMA2000 or WCDMA), these TD-LTE network licenses are the strongest indication that China Mobile, the world's largest telco with 704+ million subscribers, may offer the iPhone 5s/5c real soon...

Cricket landing iPhone 5s/5c on October 25

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 14, 2013

The United States wireless carrier Cricket Wireless today announced that it will start selling Apple's new iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c on Friday, October 25. Would-be shoppers can pre-register their interest here or visit the MyCricket website for more information. Cricket, a prepaid Leap Wireless brand, offers a cool $50 a month off-contract nationwide talk/text/data plan and back in May 2012 had become the nation’s first wireless operator to offer unlocked iPhones with a pre-paid plan...

iPhone 5s outselling iPhone 5c more than two-to-one

Ed Sutherland ∙ October 14, 2013

More sales estimates released today indicate the iPhone 5s continues to outsell the iPhone 5c, Apple's other smartphone released in September. Indeed, the iPhone 5s - decked out in fingerprint sensor, new A7 processor and all - accounts for 64 percent of Apple handset sales, flying off shelves more than twice as fast as the more colorful iPhone 5c at 27 percent.

However, will that sales lead last beyond the early demand fueled by first-adopters and other Apple fanatics? Plus, can the two new iPhones perform as well as their iPhone 5 and iPhone 4s counterparts did?

Here’s another iPhone 5s stock-checking web app with live availability updates

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated September 26, 2016

Jeff recently told you about a nice little web app which lets you quickly check iPhone 5s stock and now word comes of another stock-tracking software. Found at www.stock5s.com, this one monitors the handset's availability from online vendors across the world, including the online Apple Store and a number of carrier stores. It's updated live and offers an insight into what iPhone 5s models people in specific markets are searching for the most...

Apple updates iPhone 5s shipping estimates to 2-3 weeks

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 11, 2013

Shortly after the new iPhone 5s/5c went on sale in the United States and an additional ten major international markets on September 20, Apple's online store in the United States started showing signs of severely constrained supply of the flagship iPhone 5s model.

The device immediately appeared sold out as shipping estimates dropped from 1-3 days for the first few hours of availability, further slipping to 7–10 days and again to an ambiguous 'October' estimate. And now, the iPhone 5s shipping dates have been revised again, now listed as 2-3 weeks..