iPhone 5s

Poll: has iOS 8.0.1 update broken Cellular + Touch ID for you?

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

If you have just updated your trusty iPhone to the just-released iOS 8.0.1, chances are you may have ended up with a device that can't connect to the cellular network (shows No Service in the status bar) or read fingerprint data through the Touch ID sensor on the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. As you could imagine, social media is awash with complaints from disgruntled users who are venting their frustration over the cellular and Touch ID issues.

At any rate, your best bet is to steer away from this update until Apple address the situation and releases a fix. Not everyone is affected, of course, but keep in mind we have no real indication as to how widespread those issues are because Apple, at the moment, isn't talking much.

That's why we're asking you, our readers, to tell us whether iOS 8.0.1 has broken cellular connectivity and Touch ID for you.

Photo comparisons show how the iPhone’s camera has evolved over the years

Cody Lee ∙ September 23, 2014

The folks over at Taptaptap, the creators of Camera+, have posted an interesting set of photo comparisons, showing how the iPhone's camera has evolved over the years. Included in the set are photos taken using Camera+ on the original iPhone, iPhone 3G, 3GS, 4, 4S, 5, 5s and the new iPhone 6, in various situations.

Video shows side by side speed comparison of all 10 iPhone models

Cody Lee ∙ September 22, 2014

YouTube channel EverythingApplePro posted an interesting video this weekend, showing multiple side by side speed comparison tests of all 10 iPhone models. This includes the iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6, iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5, iPhone 4s, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G and the original iPhone.

The clip, which is about 4 minutes long, shows a wide range of speed tests such as shutdown, startup, webpage loading, and even a GeekBench benchmark test. For the most part everything works out like you'd expect, with the newer devices outpacing their predecessors, but there are a few surprises.

These templates will help you decide which iPhone 6 size is right for you

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

On its website, Apple says that the iPhone 6 is 5.44 inches (138.1 mm) tall, 2.64 inches wide and 0.27 inches thick. The larger iPhone 6 Plus is 6.22" x 3.06" x 0.28". These numbers are great, but they don't really give you a good idea of how big these devices actually are, so we decided to try something else.

Some templates have been floating around the web for the past few days, showing skeleton models of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus using the above dimensions. The idea is for you to print these models out and compare them to other items, and we thought a good point of reference for scale would be the iPhone 5s.

Where to get the most money for your old iPhone

Lory Gil ∙ Updated January 30, 2018

As we prepare for Apple’s big media event on Sept. 9, many of us are wondering what to do with our old iPhone devices. You could give it to a family member, keep it as an emergency backup, or try to make a little money back off of your investment by selling it.

There are a number of ways you can sell your iPhone, whether it is on Ebay, Craiglist, or any number of gadget reseller websites. We’ve got a list of where you can get the most money for your much loved, but now outdated iPhone.

New video compares nearly-assembled 4.7″ iPhone 6 to iPhone 5s

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 2, 2014

Yesterday evening, a new video surfaced on the web providing yet another glimpse at Apple's upcoming iPhone 6, which will be officially announced at a media event next Tuesday.

The three and a half minute hands-on clip posted to the Russian YouTube channel Rozetked seemingly compares the current-generation four-inch iPhone 5s to an iPhone 6 assembled from leaked components.

Featuring some rather dramatic closeups, it gives a good look at a 4.7-inch edition of the iPhone 6 and its design aesthetics while depicting a Space Gray variant with both a black and white front plate.

Facebook Messenger update prevents scammers from racking up your phone bill

Jake Smith ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Facebook has begun rolling out an important update to its Facebook Messenger application on Monday, after it was found the app was susceptible to a security flaw forcing users’ iPhones to place expensive calls automatically - racking up a large bill.

Developer Andrei Neculaesei was first to identify the issue last week, saying scammers use the Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) scheme called ”tel” to trigger a call without a user knowing. Usually clicking on a link containing a phone number will take a user to Safari and then prompt them to confirm the call. However, apps like Facebook Messenger, Google+, Gmail, and FaceTime, make the call without asking the user.

Galaxy S5 takes Ice Bucket Challenge, nominates iPhone 5s, HTC One M8 and Nokia Lumia 930

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 27, 2016

Samsung's marketing department has cleverly piggy-backed on the popularity of Ice Bucket Challenge, a phenomenon which has taken the world by storm.

For those who've been sleeping under the rock lately, the initiative saw such celebrities and Silicon Valley execs as Mark Zuckerberg, Apple CEO Tim Cook and marketing honcho Phil Schiller, along with former Microsoft CEO Bill Gates and many others, getting ice baths in the name of helping fund ALS research and benefitting the Motor Disease Association.

The official YouTube channel for Samsung Mobile UK this morning posted a video depicting its Galaxy S5 flagship smartphone taking the challenge.

Needless to say, the waterproof handset (IP67-certified) passes the test.

The best part is when Samsung nominates three handsets from its rivals: Apple's iPhone 5s, HTC's One M8 and Nokia's Lumia 930.

Walmart discounts 16GB iPhone 5c to $0.97, 5s to $79 for limited time

Cody Lee ∙ August 21, 2014

Folks looking to score a new iPhone, who aren't interested in waiting for the new one to be unveiled next month, may want to head to their local Walmart. It seems the retailer is offering some staggering discounts on current models of the handset.

According to a new report from Engadget, Walmart is hosting a fire sale over the next three months on select iPhone 5c and 5s models. With the promotion, you'll be able to pick up a 16GB iPhone 5c for as little as $0.97 (with a two-year agreement)...

iPhone 5s holiday ad, ‘Misunderstood,’ wins Emmy Award for 2014’s Outstanding Commercial

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 17, 2014

Apple's marketing boss Phil Schiller is going to have a field day over this.

After a mishmash of some memorable and mostly forgettable advertisements that ensued following Steve Jobs's October 2011 passing, Apple - not Samsung - has now won the coveted title of this year's most Outstanding Commercial for the iPhone 5s ad dubbed 'Misunderstood', which was airing on television during the 2013 holiday season.

The award is granted by the Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards just a week before the live Primetime Emmys telecast...

Apple rolling out on-site iPhone 5s screen replacements to U.S. retail stores

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 5, 2014

Well, it had to happen someday. Call it a stroke of bad luck or inattention on my part, but it only took a fraction of a second for my shiny new iPhone 5s to slip out of my hand and fall on the concrete face down, just a few short weeks after purchasing the device! For the record, I am the type of person who handles my devices with utmost care so you could imagine my sorrow and feel my heartache.

Now I'm left with a pricey device that has a damaged screen with nasty cracks appearing all the way down to the steel Touch ID ring. A quote my nearest Apple Store gave me for an out of warranty screen replacement was just unbearable. And, it would take them at least a week to, or even more, to service the device, which was unacceptable to me.

Worse, iFixit at the time didn't yet sell an iPhone 5s screen replacement kit. In addition, history has taught me all to well to avoid inexpensive screens sold on eBay. More often than not, these third-party components don't hold a candle to Apple's Retina screen in terms of color accuracy, overall image quality and touch sensing.

Luckily for our U.S. readers, after introducing in-store iPhone 5c screen repairs back in January, Apple Stores in the United States can now replace your damaged iPhone 5s screen in a matter of an hour...

Apple posts new ‘Dreams’ iPhone 5s ad

Cody Lee ∙ August 2, 2014

Apple tonight posted a new iPhone 5s commercial to its YouTube channel. The ad is entitled 'Dreams,' and it depicts the popular handset being used to aid professionals and hobbyists in a variety of different fields.

Set to the tune of “When I Grow Up," by Jennifer O’Connor, the spot aims to show that the iPhone can be used for a lot more than just texting and playing games. It features firefighters, healthcare workers, and more...