Apple iPhone 5S, 5C, 4S and 4

I don't spend much time these days covering smartphones and other devices until they are released in the Philippines. You will find better information on foreign websites, so do not expect to much information on the new Apple iPhone 5S and 5C in this post. The Apple iPhone 5S has a a faster processor and improve camera. More interesting is a dedicated low power processor which will take care of some sensors while the phone is asleep, a dual LED flash with an amber colored LED to help balance colors when using the flash and a fingerprint sensor to unlock the phone and verify iTunes payments. Available colors are white, grey and gold.

Suffice it to say that the Apple iPhone 5S is a solid upgrade for iPhone 4S owners whose contracts will be expiring when the new iPhone arrives in December 2013. Owners of the Apple iPhone 5, are best waiting for the iPhone 6.

Apple iPhone 5C

The Apple iPhone 5C is a iPhone 5 in a plastic case and available in several colors. It is not a "cheap" iPhone as many speculated. Normally, the iPhone 5 would have been offered for US$100 less with the launch of the Apple iPhone 5S. Instead, the iPhone 5 is being discontinued and replaced by a thicker and heavier iPhone 5C. Personally, I would rather Apple had kept producing the iPhone 5 rather than come out with the iPhone 5C. But the colors may be a hit with buyers, so lets see how this pans out.

An article at Time has a good explanation for the rationale behind the iPhone 5C which I summarized as follows:

1. While selling at the price the iPhone 5 would have sold for following Apple's previous product cycles, it is "new", and this may help it sell better.
2. Being cheaper to manufacture it could have increase Apple's profit from sales of the US$549~US$649 phone.
3. It promotes the iPhone 5S. With the iPhone 5 selling for US$100 below the iPhone 5, it might make the iPhone 5S a tougher sell.

The cheapest iPhone's will be the iPhone 4S and iPhone 4. Normally, the iPhone 4 would have been phased out with the release of this years model, but it looks like it will continue to be sold in some markets. 

All four models will run iOS 7.

So there you have it. If you want a new iPhone, you can get one before Christmas.