If you're looking to upgrade your iPhone, it's the first time you have to decide between two brand new models: the iPhone 5S or the lower-priced iPhone 5C.
We don't have the right answer to which you should choose — it's all about picking what's best for your preferences, whether you're an app power user and crave more security features (iPhone 5S specialties) or want a cheaper option (the iPhone 5C would win here). The good news is both options are pretty solid.
SEE ALSO: iPhone 5S vs. the Competition
Still, major differences exist between the two. The iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C are similar in size, but the casing on the budget 5C is soft silicon rubber rather than anodized aluminum. Plus, the 5C comes in brighter colors — blue, green, yellow, pink and white — while the 5S is more subtle in gray, silver and gold.
But perhaps the biggest difference is the 64-bit mobile processor on the 5S, which has twice the performance of the iPhone 5C. If you're an avid gamer or app user, the 5S is your go-to. But then again, apps that take advantage of the full power likely won't hit the App Store for a while.
The iPhone 5S also has a lot of incentive for mobile photographers. The camera upgrades are significant, including a five-element lens, a larger sensor and more sophisticated image processing.
Another neat feature is the fingerprint sensor on the iPhone 5S called Touch ID, which can replace the lock screen code. With the touch of a finger, you can bypass the log-in screen and even purchase items in iTunes. The sensor lives at the top of the touch home button. The iPhone 5S also touts a new CoreMotion API, which could lead to smarter health and fitness apps. If you live by those, the 5S sounds like a better option.
However, the iPhone 5C is nothing to scoff at — in fact, it's basically an iPhone 5 disguised in a fluorescent body. Sure, it comes with only a few upgrades — including improved FaceTime and support for more LTE networks — but it features virtually everything its predecessor had at a lower price.
For a full look at how the devices compare, check out the chart below. Which do you think is the better iPhone for you? Let us know in the comments.
iPhone 5S
iPhone 5C
Screen Size
4 inches
4 inches
Resolution
1,136 x 640
1,136 x 640
Screen Type/ppi (pixels per inch)
LCD, 326 ppi
LCD, 326 ppi
Weight
3.9 oz
4.6 oz
Chipset
A7 64-bit chip, M7 motion co-processor
A6 32-bit chip
Storage
16GB, 32GB or 64GB
16GB or 32GB
Connectors
Apple Lightning
Apple Lightning
Operating System
iOS 7
iOS 7
Battery (in milliamperes/hour)
1,434 mAh, LTE browsing time 10 hours
capacity unknown, LTE browsing time 10 hours
Camera
8MP, True Tone dual-LED flash, burst mode 10fps, auto image stabilization, 720p HD video at 120fps slow-mo, f/2.2 aperture
8MP, LED flash, 1.2MP photos, 720 HD video recording, backside illumination sensor, f/2.4 aperture
Networking
Wi-Fi 802.11n (2.4GHz and 5GHz), 2G, 3G, 4G LTE
Wi-Fi 802.11n (2.4GHz and 5GHz), 2G, 3G, 4G LTE
Colors
Champagne gold, silver, black
White, pink, yellow, blue, green
Siri
Yes
Yes
Touch ID
Yes
No
U.S. Price (with 2-year contract)
$199 for 16GB, $299 for 32GB, $399 for 64GB
$99 for 16GB, $199 for 32GB
Apple CEO Tim Cook opens the event.
Craig Federighi, senior vice president of software engineering, demonstrates iOS 7, Apple's forthcoming mobile operating system. Federighi announced it will be available for free Sept. 18.
The new device comes in five colors.
Philip W. Schiller, senior vice president of worldwide marketing at Apple, reveals the pricing for the iPhone 5C.
The new device comes in three colors.
Philip W. Schiller, senior vice president of worldwide marketing at Apple, reveals the iPhone 5S.
Schiller speaks about the iPhone 5S.
The iPhone 5S can scan your fingerprint.
The musician played his new song "Tripwire."
People arrive for the product announcement.
Members of the press await Apple's product announcement outside the company's Cupertino, Calif., headquarters
Image: Mashable