If you’re considering buying a new iPhone, or want to get one for a loved one for Christmas, you’re probably wondering which version to get. Right now you can get a 4S, 5C, or 5S. Some stores or carriers may even still have iPhone 5 versions you can buy. The trick is to decide which is the better one for you considering your needs and budget.
Price
iPhone 5 and 4S
When you go online to the Apple Store, you’ll see that you can no longer buy an iPhone 5 and your options for a 4S are fairly limited. You can get an 8GB 4S for $0 with a service plan. They come in black or white.
iPhone 5C
Moving on to the iPhone 5C, your options are vastly improved. You can choose from white, pink, yellow, blue, and green. A 16GB model, bought on-plan, costs $99 while a 32GB model, on-plan, costs $199. Unlocked, a 16GB costs $549 and a 32GB model costs $649.
iPhone 5S
You can get an iPhone 5S in space gray, gold, or silver. Bought on-plan, a 16GB starts at $199, a 32GB starts at $299, and a 64GB starts at $399. Contract-free, you can get a 16GB for $649, a 32GB for $749, and a 64GB for $849.
So what do you actually get for those prices?
Features
iPhone 4S
I’m not going to go over the 4S features, other than to say that it’s smaller than the newer models and may or may not offer all the fun stuff you can use with the newer phones when it comes to iOS 7. Having said that, if you’re looking for a cheap (free) phone on-plan, this is your choice unless you come across a special with your carrier.
iPhone 5C
The iPhone 5C is exactly the same inside as the 5. The only difference is that it comes wrapped in a smooth and colorful polycarbonate shell. This makes the phone a little heavier and a little thicker than the 5 or 5S, but unless you’re holding one in each hand, you’ll never notice a difference. Price-wise, you’ll pay $100 less (either on- or off-plan) for equivalent models compared to the 5S.
As for the nuts and bolts of the 5C compared to the 5S, it’s got the same Retina display, runs iOS 7, supports 4G LTE, and has similar battery life.
iPhone 5S
Physically, aside from the color options, the 5S looks exactly like the iPhone 5. It’s wrapped in a sleek aluminum frame and has the same dimensions. The extras, though, is where you’ll be drawn in. First off, you have the Touch ID sensor. This learns your fingerprint so you don’t have to unlock your phone with a passcode anymore. Anyone else trying to gain access will have to know your passcode, although technically, since the phone will learn up to five fingerprints, you could enter the fingerprint data of other people who regularly use your phone instead of making them remember the passcode.
Another exclusive upgrade that the 5S has where others don’t is the improved camera functions and features. It has better light sensitivity, a larger aperture, and a larger sensor. You also get slo-mo video, an exclusive burst mode that will pick the best shot out of many, and a dual LED flash.
One final feature that the 5S offers is the silent motion tracking option. This allows you to keep track of your fitness activities and sends it to compatible accessories and apps. You won’t have to remember to open your fitness apps anymore to use the pedometer, for example. The best part is that this is all done automatically, without using any of your phone’s battery.
So Which Should You Pick?
It all depends on what you want out of your phone. If you don’t want any of the extra features and don’t feel the superior processing hardware will make much of a difference in your life, go with the 5C. They’re bright, colorful, and will last just as long as a 5S, for less money.
If, on the other hand, you plan to use apps that will take advantage of the boosted processor speed (eventually), prefer aluminum, or want the improved features and functions offered, go with the 5S. Really, don’t base your decision on the fact that they cost $100 more than the 5C.
As for choosing a 4S, the only reason you should do that is if it’s for a kid and you don’t want to spend any money. I don’t think there are any adults who should choose a 4S unless they can’t afford to spend anything on a phone up-front.
