iPhone 5S: Is it worth the upgrade?

	iPhone 5s	iPhone 5c	iPhone 5
Network	4G LTE compatible	4G LTE compatible	4G LTE compatible
Weight	112g	132g	112g
Thickness	7.6mm	9.0mm	7.60mm
Display	4.0inch (640x1136 @ 326ppi) LED backlit IPS LCD	4.0inch (640x1136 @ 326ppi) LED backlit IPS LCD	4.0inch (640x1136 @ 326ppi) LED backlit IPS LCD
Front Camera	1.2 Megapixel	1.2 Megapixel	1.2 Megapixel
Back Camera	8.0 Megapixel with 1.5 micron pixel size	8.0 Megapixel with 1.4 micron pixel size	8.0 Megapixel with 1.4 micron pixel size
CPU	A7 64bit Architecture, Dual core @ 1.7GHz with M7 motion coprocessor	A6 Dual core @ 1.3GHz	A6, Dual core @ 1.3GHz
RAM
OS	iOS7	iOS7	iOS6 (upgradeable to iOS7)
Sensor	Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass	Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass	Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Other	Fingerprint identity sensor, tru tone flash
Battery Life	1570mAh	1510mAh	1440mAh
Price	From 870AUD	Fom 740 AUD	~700AUD

So the main question in people's minds is if they should upgrade their one year old iPhone 5. 

The table above compares the newly announced iPhone 5s and 5c to the one year old iPhone 5.

The key selling points of the iPhone 5s over the iPhone 5 are the following:

• Improved back camera. (An increased pixel size to 1.50microns and also increased the sensor size.)

• First ever 64-bit architecture on a mobile phone. (More of a marketing thing since most applications available in the app store are developed for a chip with 32-bit architecture.)

• An increase in CPU clock speed (from 1.3GHz to 1.7GHz).

• iOS7 right out of the box.

• Fingerprint identity sensor for improved security.

• Introduction of 'tru-tone flash' for better lighting conditions.

There have definitely been some major improvements in terms of raw performance and security, but with all of these differences, is it worth the upgrade? Or is it better to just hold on to our iPhone 5 and wait for the iPhone 6?

In my opinion, an upgrade is not advisable if you are currently an iPhone 5 user.

Even with all the attracting features the iPhone 5s offers, it is the same old iPhone!

The only major difference between the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5 is the introduction of the A7 64-bit architecture. However, it's still in its infancy stage, so not many applications are optimized for it.

In terms of the camera upgrade, Apple emphasized on the importance of pixel size and quality rather than the amount of pixels. They have increased the pixel size to 1.5 microns from 1.4microns. They also increased the sensor size by 15%.

Another interesting feature is the inclusion of a fingerprint scanner in place of the home button. Several people are amazed by this newly introduced feature but others are concerned of its practicality and how secure one's finger print would be stored. 

However, Apple has assured everyone that the finger prints will be stored within the phone's A7 chip. And, even if the phone got hacked, the finger print data can not be extracted.

All three phones will be able to enjoy the next version of the iOS, the iOS7. 

Another new feature introduced by Apple is the new 'tru-tone flash' of the iPhone 5s. It can mimic the natural colour of the lighting conditions when taking a photo, unlike the conventional LED flash where only a single colour of light is available.

Apple has also added a new M7 coprocessor dedicated for health and fitness applications.

So in the end... 

It's up to you if you have the spare cash and would like to upgrade to the new iPhone 5s.

However, it is advisable to hold on to your cash and wait for the new design and (probably) larger screen and everything else that is available on the iPhone 6.

iPhone 6: What to Expect

iPhone 6: What to Expect (Post iPhone 5S Unveiling)

Release Date:

Based on previous release dates of past iPhone models, it is expected that the iPhone 6 will launch around the same time next year.

Factors that could affect the release date would be delay in shipments, shortage in some parts, etc. Nevertheless, we can't expect it to be released earlier than that.

Below are the release dates of the previous iPhone models:

iPhone 5S | September 2013

iPhone 5 | September2012

iPhone 4S |  October 2011

Display Size:

It is expected that Apple would introduce a completely new design for the iPhone 6. With that in mind, this would be a good time to increase the overall size of the display.

A prediction of a 4.5 inch display with the same IPS LED lit LCD display is expected.

It would also be expected that since other phone makers have made 1080p as their standard display resolution, we would expect the iPhone 6 to be equipped with a full HD display at probably even higher ppi (density). They might call it an ‘ultra retina’ display.

Processor:

As announced a few days ago, the first ever 64 bit chip on the iPhone 5S is expected to keep the 64 bit architecture, maintain the number of cores (dual cores) and probably increase the clock speed.

RAM:

To be able to harness the power of 64 bit architecture, Apple must increase the RAM to at least 2 - 3GB.

Storage:

Based on previous generations, it is expected that the iPhone 6 will come in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB versions. However, some phone makers such as Samsung have recently discontinued the 16GB on their high end devices such a the Galaxy Note 3, but we would not expect Apple to discontinue their 16GB models.

Battery Life:

Apple did not put much effort into further increasing the battery life of the iPhone 5S. They said it themselves that the battery life of the iPhone 5S is either equal to or slightly better than the iPhone 5.

However, it is expected that Apple will try to increase the battery life of the iPhone 6.

Camera:

During the release of the iPhone 5S, Apple has emphasized on making larger pixels rather than 'shoving in' more pixels.

I believe that based on previous generations, the iPhone 6 will be equipped with an 8.0 megapixel back camera with an even larger pixel size of 2.0 microns similar to that of the HTC one.

Apple will probably retain the dual LED flash introduced in the iPhone 5S.

Fingerprint sensor:

Depending on how users react to the recently added security feature, this will determine whether Apple will retain it in future generations of the iPhone.

NFC:

The gaining in popularity of the NFC technology would mean that Apple might finally include this feature in its next iteration of the iPhone.

WiFi:

With current mobile phones being able to support the latest WiFi generation, 802.11 AC, it is expected that Apple will include this feature in the next iteration of the iPhone.

Design:

As we  all have seen in the past, Apple has made minor changes in the design of the iPhone. Even with the increase in display from 3.5 inch to 4.0 inch, they have tried to maintain the same dimensions as close as possible.

If Apple decides to increase the display size to 4.5 inches for the iPhone 6, it is expected that they will try to not change the overall size as much as possible. A thinner bezel or a smaller home button key would then be expected.

iPhone 5s versus Galaxy Note 3

iPhone 5s versus Galaxy Note 3

Galaxy Note 3 (Pink, Black and White)

iPhone 5S (Black, Champagne and Silver)

A quick comparison between the latest flagship announced by Samsung and Apple to date.

We all know that the Galaxy Note 3 is not your average mobile phone because of its size and comparing to the iPhone 5s isn't completely fair.

However, it's good to show the raw specifications of both devices to quickly compare them:

Frequency Bands
As you can see from the table above, the iPhone 5S supports more LTE frequency bands compared to the Galaxy Note 3.

Weight
iPhone 5s, as expected, is much lighter than the Galaxy Note 3 by at least 50 grams.

Processors
It's difficult to compare the processor of the two devices since they will be running different OS. However, in terms of core count and clock speed, the Galaxy Note 3 easily takes the lead. In terms of RAM, the Galaxy Note 3 will have 3GB of it while the iPhone 5s is rumored to have 1.0 to 1.50GB.

Storage

Samsung got rid of the 16GB version and the lowest model will start with 32GB.

Wi-Fi

In terms of WIFI  connectivity, the Samsung has the edge, supporting the next generation 802.11 AC which can support up to 1.20G/bits of wireless transfer.

Camera Specifications

Apple has maintained the 8MP snapper but increased the size of its pixel to 1.5 microns.

Apple has also changed the Flash to a dual LED which support up to 1000 colours temperature. It can thus be set that it will blend with the lighting conditions.

Other Features

Apple has also added Slow motion mode for video capturing at 720p with 120fps. Unlike the Galaxy Note 3, it will not support 4k video recording.

Even though Apple did not conform to the phone market trend of more CPU cores, larger display and higher pixel count for the camera, the iPhone 5S will surely make an impact in the market once it is released.

Apple's iPhone 5s

Apple | iPhone 5s

iPhone 5s

Apple has finally announced its mobile device flagship for 2013, the iPhone 5s!

But it's hard to distinguish it from its predecessor because they haven’t changed much of its exterior design. They have the same thickness (7.60mm) and weight of the old iPhone 5.

Colours

It comes in three different colours: Silver, Champagne and Black (Space Grey).

Power

The iPhone 5s will come with the first ever 64-bit Apple custom A7 chip. This is said to boost CPU performance by two times from its predecessor, the iPhone 5. In terms of graphic performance, it will support Open GL/ES 3.0. So this will be good news for developers who want to make applications that are graphic intensive.

With all that power in the hood, Apple has managed to maintain or slightly improve the battery life of the iPhone 5s.

Security

In terms of security, Apple has added a fingerprint sensor in the home button and calls it ‘touch ID sensor’. Instead of swiping or entering your passcode,  Apple is giving you the option to unlock your iPhone using the touch ID sensor.

Apple also says that it doesn't matter how you orient your finger because the sensor scans in 360 degrees. It can also learn multiple fingers.

Camera

Apple has increased the camera sensor by 15% and the size of each pixel by 1.5microns to capture more light. Apple has also introduced a new type of flash called ‘TruTone Flash’.

Apple claims that the flash will automatically adjust in colour depending on the colour of the room. The flash is a dual element, cool and amber, and it provides 1000 possible colour temperatures.

From the iPhone 5s, it can be seen that Apple are taking a different path in terms of improving their mobile devices in order to differentiate them from their competitors such as Samsung, HTC, Sony, etc.

Improvements
They have managed to increase the CPU performance by two folds from the iPhone 5 by maintaining the same amount of core. Unlike other mobile companies where they don't have control on the design of the software (Android OS), the only way to improve performance is to improve on the hardware.

Assessment

With the newly built A7 chip on a 64 bit architecture for the iPhone 5s, Apple should have increased the display size so that users will be able to enjoy more of that power.

There is no question that the mobile phone market is getting more competitive every year, and Apple has surely caught people's attention with this new device.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 IFA Highlights 2013

Samsung | Galaxy Note 3 - IFA Highlights 2013

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 has finally arrived and it promises users a better screen and better input capabilities thanks to the improved S Pen. It will also include a slightly larger screen at 5.7 inches, the latest and fastest processor and a longer battery life, all encased in a slimmer and lighter body.

There were several key features introduced to the Galaxy Note 3 during this event. These are highlighted below:

Security KNOX

Samsung promises security, privacy, and safety with the introduction of KNOX security. Now, users won't have to purchase third party anti-virus applications such as Norton. 

With KNOX,  users are given advanced data protection from hacking, malware, and lost and theft. 

It also provides privacy and data leakage protection. With all these features in mind, this makes the Note 3 the optimum bring-your-own-device (BYOD) for enterprise use. (IFA event)

Improve S Pen Functionality

The S Pen has been optimised to work perfectly on the bigger screen of the Galaxy Note 3. Samsung has enhanced its multi tasking capabilities which is accessible through the S Pen.

As mention during the IFA event, it is as simple as a dot, circle and a box.

This new function called 'Air command' gives you access to five quick actions such as Action memo, Scrapbook, S finder, S Note and Pen window.

Air command can be accessed anywhere in the display as long as you see the DOT. 

Action Memo

Action Memo is a simple note taking application. This is useful for whenever you need to quickly write down phone numbers, names and addresses. Samsung has also added hand written recognition for identifying hand written phone numbers, names and addresses.

Scrapbook

Scrapbook is a cool feature where users can save any page by simply drawing a circle on the display. 

What's great about this software is that whenever you save a webpage, it will also save the source link. So, whenever you want to go back to the actual webpage, it is accessible through Scrapbook.

S Finder

This feature allows you to search any type of file such as memos, videos, music and chats anywhere in your device by simply typing in keywords. 

What's great is that it recognises hand written symbols. So for example, you draw a star in a note/memo in order to recall it later. You simply go to S Finder and you're able to search for that note by simply drawing a star symbol.

S Note

S Note has also been improved with a fresher user interface (UI). Now, Samsung has made file sharing easier between devices such as your computer or other mobile devices. Simply sync your Galaxy Note 3 to a Cloud client such as Evernote.

Multi Window/Pen Window (Box)

As mentioned earlier, Samsung has improved the multi tasking capabilities of the Galaxy Note 3 by improving the multi window function. 

But Samsung has also introduced a new feature called pen window. It's very useful whenever you need to quickly access another application whilst using another one. 

Simply access the pen window function via air command. Draw a box shape to the size of the application you want to open. Et voila! Two simultaneous applications running at the same time. 

Samsung has done well in taking advantage of the large 5.7 inch display of the Galaxy Note 3. This also marks a new way of multitasking not seen in other mobile devices.

My magazine

My magazine is a new feature introduced in the Galaxy Note 3.

It collects all the stuff that you want to follow such as social feeds, news, updates, etc. It is also integrated with a location based service called 'Here and Now', so you can get information around your area (this will be launched in the US first and later available worldwide).

Multi Vision

Multi vision is another new feature introduce in the Galaxy Note 3 where you can put two or more Galaxy Note 3 devices together to create a bigger screen. It's a very cool new feature but the practicality is questionable.

Improved Camera

The Galaxy Note 3 will include a 13 megapixel back camera and a 1.9 megapixel front facing camera. The Note 3 will now be able to record 4k  videos @ 30 fps. However, this feature will only be available in the LTE model. Now, 1080p videos can be recorded @ 60fps. 

Other features such as high CRI LED flash and smart stabilizer will also come in the Note 3. This will enhance taking photos in low light conditions.

Enhance Audio Quality 

Samsung has improved the audio quality of the Note 3 giving it the ability to play music at 192Hz and 24bit.

Increased Memory

Samsung has increased the RAM of the Galaxy Note 3 from 2Gb (Note 2) to 3Gb. This is a little bit of an overkill but with those cool new multi tasking features, the RAM certainly won't be a bottleneck.

Improved Battery Life

Samsung has also improved the Note 3's battery life by giving users 40% more video playback. This was achieved by increasing the battery capacity to 3200 mAh and optimising software.

Advance Network Capabilities

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Supports the latest Wi-Fi 802.11 AC generation and other previous 802.11 generations (802.11 a/b/g/n). It supports both 2.40 GHz and 5.0 GHz frequencies.

Improved Display Quality

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 now features a full HD Super AMOLED display technology with a pixel per inch (ppi) of 386. This is an improvement over its predecessor which featured a HD (720p) Super AMOLED display with 267 ppi.

Introduction of USB 3.0

The micro USB port has been upgraded to USB 3.0 which means that users can enjoy up to 3x faster file transfers compared to the traditional USB 2.0, as well as (probably) faster charging times. This will be tested further once the Note 3 is available.

Faster Processor

The Note 3 will come with latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor clocked at 2.30GHz for the LTE variant and for the 3G version.

It will use the Exynos 5 octa core running at 1.9GHz and 1.6GHz (power saving cores).

Availability

US and Japan:

October 2013

Rest of the World:

Late September 2013 

Samsung has made a video showcasing all the features that are found in the upcoming Galaxy Note 3. 

Just click on the link below to watch it :)

Introducing Samsung GALAXY Note 3