iPhone 5S

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The new iPhone 5S is a solid upgrade of the but with a few key changes: the processor is more advanced than ever, the camera has been upgraded and, most importantly, there's a fingerprint sensor.

On top of that there's the added bonus of a faster GPU (to help power all those teeny tiny pixels rolling around and changing colour in the display) as well as an uprated power pack to keep things moving.

And, as expected, the iPhone 5S is the poster boy for iOS 7, with the new display offering the best look yet at the new flatter, sleeker operating system from Apple.

 

In our plays with the beta version of the OS, some elements were noticeably slow or jumpy (although this was very much because we weren't on final software) but with the iPhone 5S everything just flows around as smoothly as possible.

 

The design of the iPhone 5S isn't a great leap forward, with the chassis remaining largely the same as the iPhone 5 in keeping with Apple's tradition of using the core model as the base for the sequel, before releasing a 'true' evolution next year.

Even though we knew this was coming, we can't say that we aren't a little disappointed as the rumours around the iPhone 6 hint at a dramatic redesign of the device as well as a new material type to make it feel even better in the hand.

There are three colours to choose from, with silver, gold and 'space grey' coming in to give another option to consumers looking to mark themselves out in the iPhone game, especially at the sharp end. If you're after colour, then the iPhone 5C is your friend - that thing comes in five different options, with cases that you can stick on top, too.

 

The design of the iPhone 5S is, as we said, pretty similar to what we've seen before, so colour aside you'd struggle to see if someone is packing a new or old version of the phone with the larger screen.

 

But let's forget about all the stuff we expected and focus more on the fact that there's a fingerprint sensor in there now - we're talking about biometrics that actually work with a phone.

 

The premise is simple: You turn on the phone using the home or power button, hold your finger down on the round key and you're into the phone. It's incredibly fast, very slick and makes you feel like you don't have a passcode on there at all.

Apple hasn't just made this a one-trick pony though. When setting up the sensor you're asked to guide your finger on and off the button in a variety of ways - this means that no matter how you jab at the home key to unlock your device, the iPhone 5S will be able to react correctly.

 

In our tests this worked incredibly well - Apple really has cracked the first step in biometrics on a phone, and when you compare it to Android's Face Unlock, it's world's apart, and shows the power when a phone company doesn't have to rely on such a wide spread of hardware.

 

Granted, it's only on the iPhone 5S - so an update from Android should enable the tech in phones like the Galaxy S5 and HTC One Max.

The camera on the iPhone 5S isn't new in terms of megapixels, but Apple has performed the same trick as HTC (to a degree) by increasing the sensor size but making the pixels that much larger.

This leads to a more stable photo and a better low light performance... this approach should see a sharper image but probably won't have as strong low light performance.

 

On top of the camera, there's also the option for burst mode to capture 10 photos a second as well as a new slow motion mode, which allows you to shoot 120 frames per second at 720p HD. You can even edit the footage to run faster and slower using just your finger.

We saw it in action, and it really seemed to work pretty well.

The last camera element that seems impressive is the new flash on offer, which is a dual LED option. The clever thing is not only does the flash chuck out both white and amber colours to improve the tone of the flash, but the iPhone 5S will calculate the situation and alter the flash accordingly.

 

The other change here is the new M7 chip which sits alongside the new A7 chip - which is superbly powerful graphically. The M7 chip essentially takes the place of the Fuel Band from Nike, allowing the iPhone 5S to monitor the gyrocscope, accelerometer and compass without disturbing the main chip.

This is great for fitness apps, according to Apple, and won't drain the battery just because it's constantly monitoring motion.

But the big question in the mind of many reading this is 'Should I got for the iPhone 5S or get the cheaper iPhone 5?'. Well, if you're looking to get what will likely be one of the best handsets on the market as well as future-proofing yourself (although you'll probably upgrade your phone before Apple ceases support for iOS on the iPhone 5S) then the newer model will please you no end.

However, the iPhone 5 still comes with all the bells and whistles needed to make iOS 7 run smoothly, as well as packing a decent enough camera and screen to excite enough users, who will also get the benefit of a few dollarpounds off the monthly cost of their new device.

The iPhone 5S isn't a market-leading device in so many ways; but then again, that's never been Apple's strategy, and that's a good thing.

There are so many people out there desperate to hold onto a smaller display, finding the 5-inch behemoths too cumbersome for the pocket or the hand. That's not to say we're not fans of what LG, Samsung and HTC are doing with their devices, but there's clearly a demand for a smaller-screened handset.

And smaller definitely isn't less beautiful with the iPhone 5S, thanks to that improved camera and fingerprint scanner to really make everything pop and snap when you're doing the smartphone basics -such as opening the phone a million times a day.

The iPhone is a handset designed to give the best blend of power, sophistication and performance, and the iPhone 5S has taken that message and improved on it once more. The price will still be too high for some, but those locked into the iOS ecosystem, or just willing to take a punt and try something a bit different, will be massively pleased with the new iPhone.

And if you're one of those that deserted the platform after poor battery problems or signal issues, you'll especially like the iPhone 5S, which feels like one of Apple's most stable devices to date while carrying on the tradition of a close eye on premium design.

We would like a touch more heft with the metallic chassis, as it almost feels too light the first time you hold it, but with more colours, more power and a spec list that feels like it's got the right mix of performance and precision, we can see the iPhone 5S being the top-selling device once more for the Cupertino firm.

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Where and When to Pre-Order Your iPhone 5C

Tonight, legions will descend upon Apple's website to pre-order the new iPhone 5C. But as the sales start stacking up, the ship date will be pushed back beyond the September 20th launch. Here's everywhere else you'll be able to pre-order the phone so that you get it on day one.

During Tuesday's keynote, Apple announced that the iPhone 5C would be available for pre-order from its online store starting tomorrow at 3:01 AM ET/12:01 AM PT. The iPhone 5S will be available only beginning on launch day, September 20th.

Walmart

The Big Daddy bigbox said it will be offering in store-only pre-orders. Line-up early for this one, because the Walmart's is offering a $20 price break on the 16 GB iPhone 5C.

Best Buy

The company's website still reads "coming soon," but a Best Buy representative confirmed that brick and mortar locations will offer in-store pre-orders for the 16 GB iPhone 5C tomorrow for its regular $100.

Radio Shack

Radio Shack offering in-store pre-orders for the 8GB iPhone 5C during regular hours beginning tomorrow for $100.

AT&T

Though the company's website still says "coming soon" an AT&T representative confirmed that you'll be able to pre-order online at 3:01 AM ET. If you're really interested in showing up and pre-ordering in your local store—go right ahead.

Verizon

Online orders start at 3:01 AM EST. Available in-store when they open tomorrow.

Sprint

Same drill, 3:01 AM ET on the Internet, in-store during your Friday lunch break.

T-Mobile

On keynote day, T-Mo said the iPhone 5C would be available for pre-order "on September 13th," but there's no mention of an exact time. Why not register for updates.

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DO I CHANGE TO WINDOWS OR ANDROID?

iPhone pre-orders start tonight, and for a lot of people, that means deciding if you want to spend two years (or more) with a phone you've never held. The irony is, if you're not sure you want to commit for the full two years, then the answer is cut and dry: Get an iPhone.

I've been trying to ditch my MacBook Air for an ultrabook for almost a year now. I just can't do it. Not because of Windows 8 or the laptops running it—those are great—but because I upgrade frequently. In order to do that without living out of a refrigerator box, I re-sell my old laptop to help pay for my new one. And that's kept me buying Apple stuff, even after it ceded ground in build quality and design, because reselling anything that isn't Apple is a losing proposition.

It's been this way for years, of course, and this is the same reason I need a new phone, hate iOS, but hesitate to buy anything but an iPhone. The thing is, right now, Apple's no longer the obvious choice. You don't just go out looking for a new laptop and say, Oh, obviously, MacBook for me, like you did in 2009. Same goes for the iPhone, and to a lesser extent, the iPad. There's real choice now, real competition, but it doesn't matter. No one wants to buy anything from you, gently used, unless it's made by Apple.

This isn't opinion. It's fact. We talked with executives from NextWorth and Gazelle, two of the largest sell-it-now, sell-it-easy operations out there, who were kind enough to share some data with us. They agreed: Just buy Apple if you're looking to get any cash back from your purchase.

By NextWorth's count, the iPhone 4S and Samsung Galaxy S 2—the two premiere phones you'd be replacing in this two-year contract cycle on Android or iOS—are separated by a wide margin. The 4S retains more than a third of its original MSRP ($197 as of 8/29), while the S2 is down at 13 percent, which is well ahead of all other Android handsets from that generation. Meanwhile, you could have sold your old iPhone 5 for a healthy 36 percent of its initial value, as opposed to just 26 percent for the Galaxy S3. These are expensive products, which means those are big gaps, and again, the Samsung phones are the clear leaders of the non-iPhone pack. Everyone else fares much worse. The HTC One, a basically brand new and awesome phone, only gets you $104 right now.

The individual prices here have shifted in the past few days, following the new iPhone announcement, obviously, but the fundamental calculus will remain in place for the next several product cycles.

Gazelle doesn't paint a much more flattering picture. In fact, looking across the past few years of data, it's Apple in a landslide. Check out this graph from earlier this year:

S

Broken Apple phones actually keep pace with LG's phones, and are only about $50 behind HTC. And Gazelle's current data mirrors what we saw earlier this year, and what Nextworth sees now:

S

"Not only do Apple products hold their value well, but the demand for them is extremely high," Anthony Scarsella, Gazelle's Chief Gadget Officer, told us.

And not by a little. By a lot. "It's a factor of two," says NextWorth's CMO Jeff Trachsel. "Apple products are generally worth about twice as much as other devices at the same period in their lifecycle."

Even more telling is what neither of the vendors is involved in: Windows PCs and laptops. "One issue around them is obviously they don’t hold as much value as a premium Apple product," Scarsella says. "There are a lot of different build configurations and models, and have a lower MSRP. And just the demand for those products, there’s a lot more availability overseas, as well as the US."

Translation: Good luck getting anyone to take that Dell off your hands.

The same goes for categories like Windows 8 tablets (though the Surface is attracting some attention), and until recently, Android tablets, which sell, but are being hindered by their low starting values, which cause a lot of potential buyers to just opt for a brand new device instead.

The divide happens for two, maybe two and a half, reasons. First, there are just too damn many of everything but Apple products, and Apple's done a good job of cultivating a "Buy Apple or Buy Something Else" mentality. That's the supply part. The other reason, not surprisingly, is demand. Both demand for the entire Apple "half" of that equation, and just as importantly, demand overseas, where Apple products often aren't as readily available.

If you've ever tried to sell your old PC or laptop, you know that first reason to be true. And that's not because of the quality of hardware anymore (though in the past, that sure didn't help). It's the configurations. "More choice is never a bad thing," you might see shouted on an all caps in an Android or Windows or Linux comments section. Except, that's extremely not true when it comes to resale.

"Personally, I’ve sold laptops online before. You definitely have a different kind of buyer," Scarsella says. "Maybe a more tech-savvy buyer who’s looking for something very specific. With all the models out there, you need to know what you have, and understand the value there." But those buyers are far rarer than the ones who want no part of matching up processor SKUs.

Thankfully, that's already changing. Android phones have seen a nominal amount of consolidation. There are still a ton of phones and tablets coming out, but most of the premium lines have whittled down to just one "hero" phone. Still, that means HTC competing with Samsung competing with Nokia competing LG for space in humanity's brain pans, while at the same time competing with lower-priced Android models. This is how a platform like Android wins the market share war, but it's not a recipe for strong resales.

PCs are in the same bind. All the OEMs like Lenovo and Acer and Samsung and Dell are focusing on premium lines with just a few products. And they're really damn nice, too. The Acer S7 11-inch is lust-worthy. Ditto the Samsung Series 9, Lenovo Yoga, and Dell XPS 13. The All-in-One lines are getting there too, running basically neck-and-neck with iMacs now. But they're all still just "Windows laptops" or "Windows desktops" to most folks.

It'll take years for this dynamic to change. The design and build from Windows and Android and even Windows Phone OEMs is right there. But public perception can trail five or ten years, and even then, without a clear winner (like, say, a Microsoft Surface Laptop) they'll still have to deal with Spam vs. Apple.

For now, I'm waiting on this next generation of computers. The second generation of ultrabooks was such a massive improvement over the first that it feels like this may well be the year that someone just falls out of bed and makes the perfect laptop. But it'll have to be pretty special to make up for the hundreds of dollars lost to upgrading out of a low-demand piece of hardware. That goes for the phone, too, if I continue to be an idiot and pay full price for a Verizon model to keep an unlimited data plan I don't even need.

Now, a lot of you might not feel the need to upgrade every year, or even every two years. That's fair. But just know that for the millions of people who do sell early, Apple's got a pretty inescapable hook in them.

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Apple remote-mobile device management patent raises red flags

An Apple patent for technology that could be used to remotely turn off an iPhone camera or switch the device into sleep mode has raised the question of whether any innovation can be introduced in the market without the risk of abuse.

Privacy concerns raised by recent revelations of Internet monitoring by the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) has heightened people's sensitivity to government intrusion. The Apple patent adds to the worries of civil libertarians by making it possible to prevent people from using their smartphone's camera during protests, for example.

U.S. Patent No. 8,254,902, first filed in 2008, describes in broad terms a technology that would broadcast a signal that could turn off a number of smartphone features, including the still and video camera, the ringer, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The signal could also place the device in sleep mode.

In the patent, Apple lists scenarios in which the technology would be useful, such as in concert halls, theaters and movie houses. The innovation could also be useful in offices, where privacy concerns could lead a company to block the use of cameras, or in colleges to prevent students from communicating during tests.

Despite the legitimate uses, civil libertarians argue that the technology still amounts to people being denied the full use of their property. Rather than block the device, people using phones during a movie or to cheat during a test can be told to leave.

Kurt Opsahl, civil liberties lawyer for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, said,Ã'Â "Having a technology-enforced policy, where it is just sending out the signal to take control of the user's device, that seems to be taking control out of the hands of the user and putting it in the third party's."

While raising concerns about the technology, the EFF does not advocate a ban. Instead, people should refuse to buy a smartphone that others can easily control. Users with the know-how should root the device to gain access to the operating system and disconnect the control capabilities.

[Also see: Mobile device management shifts to the cloud]

Adam Thierer, senior research fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, has written extensively about how to deal with hypothetical problems that could arise from the use of new technology. He argues that if society focuses too much on the "endless parade of horribles" that could happen, then the result could be less innovation, which would lead to lower quality goods, slower economic growth and a decline in the overall standard of living.

"If you try to plan for every harm and every worst case, then you don't get the benefits from the best case," Thierer told CSOonline.

Instead, companies building the technology should educate consumers, whether people or businesses, about proper use and corporate and personal responsibility, Thierer said. When abuse takes place, then regulations may become necessary or the use of litigation to punish misbehavior.

"This is the way we've done it in one industry after another and for one technology after another for many, many years now," Thierer said. "There's no reason information technology should be any different."

Litigation is not new to the EFF, which has a lawsuit pending against the NSA for conducting massive data collection on Americans through the Internet. While the operation is aimed at detecting terrorist plots between people in and outside the U.S., the EFF claims the NSA has violated the privacy rights of Americans.

If Apple decides to introduce the patented technology into products and the government uses it, then the EFF would consider litigation against the latter. "If the government were to use this, then it raises serious legal issues," Opsahl said.Ã'Â

Read more about wireless/mobile security in CSOonline's Wireless/Mobile Security section.

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iPhone 5C release date, price and specs rumours (update)

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AppId is over the quota

Budget iPhone 5C looking more likely - all the details here (update)

Update - 4 September 2013: The iPhone 5C is set to be unveiled to the world at a dedicated press event, taking place at Town Hall in Apple HQ, Cupertino at 10am local time (6pm UK time). Apple usually sets its UK iPhone release dates for a week after its smartphone’s press event.

Apple has given its biggest hint yet that it will be launching an iPhone 5C after all, thanks for to the colourful nature of the invite it sent out to members of the press last night.

From 3 September 2013:

Always wanted an iPhone but never been able to afford one? Well the iPhone 5C might be the answer. We've rounded up all the rumours on the iPhone 5C release date, price and specifications. Updated on 03/09/13.

It's widely anticipated that Apple will launch not one, but two iPhones this year. The iPhone 5S will be a replacement for the iPhone 5 while the iPhone 5C will break Apple tradition and offer a cheaper alternative. See also: Budget iPhone could be named iPhone 5C.

By no means is any of this information concrete so have a pinch of salt at hand. Here's everything you need to know about the iPhone 5C prior to Apple unveiling the smartphone.

See also: iPhone 5S launch 10 September: 5 things we expect to see.

Apple hasn't sent out invitations for the next iPhone launch event yet but we have a good idea of when this will take place. Multiple sources have told a number of different tech sites that the unveiling will happen on 10 September.

See also: iPad 5 release date, price and specs rumours.

Apple is expected to be announcing the iPhone 5C alongside the flagship iPhone 5S. As usual you can expect the release date to be shortly after the event – a week or two normally.

The Telegraph is reporting that, based on "sources close to people involved in the courier industry", that the new iPhone models will go on sale on 20- and 27 September although it's unclear which way round these are or whether the first might be a delivery of a smaller number of units to start with.

Although we're expecting two new iPhones the sources claim that the "stands for shops include three slots for products" which throws up a few question marks.

There are various prices being bandied around for the iPhone 5C. The latest is from KGI analyst, Ming-chi Kuo. He expects it to sell for between $400 and $500 which is £230-320 but - as ever - don't forget to add tax, which will add 20 percent for UK buyers. Similar amounts have been touted by case maker, Tactus.

This has surprised many who thought the iPhone 5C would be a budget offering rather than mid-ranged. We don't expect a 'cheap' iPhone to go anywhere near sub-£200 (although it would be nice) and wouldn't be surprised if the device was priced starting at £349 or even £399.

Read: iPad mini 2 release date, price and specs in the UK.

Plenty of leaked photos show the iPhone 5C rear casing made from polycarbonate plastic. It's expected to come in five different colour options: white, blue, red, green, yellow and red. These could well tie in with the new colour scheme used in iOS 7.

See below for a raft of iPhone 5C case photo and video leaks.

Screen size has been debated for a while with 4.5in and 4in the most likely possibilities. Going by the leaked casing, we're putting our money on the latter as is looks roughly the same size as the current iPhone 5.

Other specifications are sparse for one with only a hint at an A5 processor and a 5Mp rear facing camera. 

Follow Chris Martin and @PCAdvisor on Twitter.

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Apple acquisition spree continues with data compression firm AlgoTrim

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AppId is over the quota

If there were some sort of rewards program for acquiring small tech companies, Apple would surely have racked up a ton of points by now. Cupertino's latest purchase is a Malmö, Sweden-based company called AlgoTrim; its acquisition was first reported by Swedish news service Rapidus, and later confirmed by TechCrunch.

Unlike Apple's last several investments, this firm isn't location- or mapping-related. AlgoTrim actually specializes in data-compression algorithms--specifically, codecs that deal with images and video on mobile platforms. While the company originally provided its software to feature phones, AlgoTrim has more recently been used in Gallery app on the Ice Cream Sandwich version of Google's Android operating system. Other clients have included Japanese mobile carrier KDDI, which uses AlgoTrim's software in its Photo Album App, and other original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), which use the compression algorithms to deliver firmware updates to devices.

So what's Apple's interest in AlgoTrim? When it comes to mobile platforms, data compression is a big deal--and, using AlgoTrim's software, Apple might be able to make it into a somewhat smaller deal. Much of what we do on our phones requires downloading lots of data, whether it be listening to music, watching video, or even just browsing the Web. Anybody who has ever exceeded their monthly cellular data limit has probably wished for a more efficient use of bandwidth.

Optimized algorithms could also speed up the ways we interact with images, improving performance and yielding a better experience for users. Obviously, taking and viewing photos are a significant part of what we do with our mobile devices, and anything that helps make that snappier is a tangible benefit for end users. AlgoTrim's technology could even lead to some additional image or video features that we haven't yet seen, such as slow-motion video--better compression algorithms could let users record high-resolution video at a high framerate without requiring equally high levels of processor usage and battery power.

There are more low-level uses, too. One of AlgoTrim's products is a lossless compression algorithm, which my more-technical colleague Marco Tabini points out can be used to let iOS use RAM more efficiently, storing more data in the same amount of space.

And of course, you can't overlook the strategic reason, as Marco also reminded me: If Apple acquires these codecs, its competitors--such as Android--won't get to reap their advantages. That's not insignificant, nor is the fact that Apple's hiring a bunch of smart people whose brain power can be brought to bear on other improvements to the company's technology.

This marks Apple's seventh public acquisition in 2013, though CEO Tim Cook said at the D11 conference in May that it had already acquired nine other companies in the current fiscal year, not all of which had been publicly announced. So far, the company has bought several mapping- and location-based firms, including WiFiSlam, Locationary, HopStop, and Embark, as well as TV-recommendation service Matcha.tv and wireless-chip-maker Passif Semiconductor.

It's unknown exactly what Apple paid for AlgoTrim, but I'm pretty sure that after you've bought six companies, your seventh is free.

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Apple to hold rare event in Beijing, suggesting imminent iPhone launch in China

Apple is holding perhaps its first ever media event in China on Sept. 11, signaling that the U.S. company is paying greater attention to the nation's thriving tech market.

News of the event circulated across Chinese media sites on Wednesday, with the invitation sent to select domestic news organizations. One journalist at Chinese Internet media firm Sohu.com confirmed to IDG News Service that he had also received an invite from Apple.

Apple did not respond to requests for comment.

The event takes place half a day after Apple holds its Sept. 10 gathering for the U.S. media, at which the company is expected to unveil its next-generation iPhone. Both invitations have a similar tagline, with the Chinese one stating, "This day is destined to be a sparkling day."

Rumors have long persisted that Apple is also working on a budget version of its smartphone, called the iPhone 5C, that will come in a variety of different case colors. Analysts have said a budget iPhone could be targeted at the Chinese market, where low-end handsets are in demand.

China has already become the world's largest market for smartphones, but Apple is increasingly facing fierce competition there from Samsung Electronics and domestic manufacturers. In this year's second quarter, Apple ranked as China's seventh-largest smartphone vendor, with a share of only 5 percent, according to research firm Canalys.

Apple CEO Tim Cook has said several times that China is a very important market for the company, said Kitty Fok, an analyst with research firm IDC. She added that this was probably the first time Apple will hold a media event in the country.

"There has been some concern in the past that Apple has not treated the Chinese market the same as it does mature markets," Fok added. This became an issue earlier this year, when Chinese state media accused Apple of offering sub-par warranty policies to customers in the country. Apple's CEO later apologized to consumers over the incident.

A product launch event in China could help Apple change that perception, Fok said. In addition, the timing of Apple's event in Beijing could mean that its upcoming iPhone will arrive in the country the same day it goes on sale in the U.S., she added.

Often, Apple products have launched in mainland China weeks or months after they've became available in the U.S. due to regulatory checks. But in an interview in January, Apple's CEO told the Chinese media he wants to change this and make China among the first countries to receive its newest products.

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New iPhone 5S release date UK : When will the new iPhone arrive? (update)

New iPhone 5S release date

Update - 4 September 2013: Apple has finally sent out its invites to a press event-taking place on 10 September at the Town Hall in Apple HQ, Cupertina for 10am local time (6pm UK time). It is here where Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 5S and its subsequent release date, specs and UK price. Previous iPhone have usually had a release dates set for roughly a week after the press events, so expect to be able to get an iPhone 5S around Wednesday 11 September. See iPhone 5S preview.

From 29 August 2013

(Credit: Sonny Dickson)

iPhone 5S release date fever is now in full swing, and the result is people who are are due a smartphone upgrade are all looking online for the latest iPhone 5S release date information. Well folks, you've come to the right place, we're all over the iPhone 5S release date here. See also: Google Nexus 5 release date: When will the new Nexus smartphone arrive?

iPhone 1st gen: June 29, 2007iPhone 3G: July 11, 2008iPhone 3GS: June 19, 2009iPhone 4: June 24, 2010iPhone 4S: October 14, 2011iPhone 5: September 21, 2012

Now, before we start, you need to know that Apple threw everyone a curve ball when it released the iPad 4 less than eight months after releasing the iPad 3 (which it subsequently dropped like a bad habit, yet kept selling the iPad 2). Visit: What happened to iPad 3?

So, while Apple's previous formbook shows that Apple releases a new iPhone roughly every 12.5 months – suggesting that the new iPhone 5s or iPhone 6 will have a September/October 2013 release date. This just so happens to be what IDG Tech Media's (PC Advisor, Macworld and TechAdvisor) general consensus seems to be too, with an expected announcement being made at a dedicated event. Admittedly we're basing this solely on Apple's previous tendency to launch iPhone at the time and in this sort of fashion in the past.

International Business Times seems to back up our thoughts with a very convincing and precise theory we came across. IBT pointed out that last year saw the 19th Sept iOS 6 release come exactly 100 days after said operating system was initially announced (back on 11th June), the iPhone 5 was release two days later in 21st Sept. See also: iPhone 5S price: PCA predictions.

Applying that logic again, IBT came up with an iPhone 5S release date of Saturday 20th September 2013, given that they expect iOS 7 to again launch 100-days after the initial announcement of Apple's next mobile operating system, making it an 18th September release for iOS 7, as the first unveiling took place on 10th June. 

This is a bit of an impossible question to answer as Apple will neither confirm nor deny even the existence of another iPhone being in the pipeline. However, we're pretty experienced in tracking Apple's new smartphone leaks and developments and the fact that there has been very little noise coming out of the Apple barracks suggests that the next iPhone's specs won't be a million miles away from the current iPhone 5's. So if you were to force us to guess whether it will be an semi-updated iPhone 5S or a completely new iPhone 6, we'd have to put out money on the former. See also: iPhone 6 concept image shows curved flexible screen.

History sides with us too, as ever since 2008, Apple has released a new generation of smartphone followed by a "S" launch of the phone roughly a year later. Take a look at the previous iPhone release dates below to see the obvious pattern. Take a look at: Budget plastic iPhone shown in concept image.

It's also worth mentioning that there is talk that Apple might launch a budget version of the iPhone this year too. However, we need to stress that there has been very little to suggest this other than mere internet rumours so far...that said, the iPad mini was just an internet rumour so far. Below is the concept image that is currently doing the rounds. What do you think? Let us know in the comments section below.

Follow @davidcourt86 and on Twitter and add David Court to your Google+

Go to next page to see Chris Martin's original iPhone 5S release date round-up from 22/3/13

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Apple rolling out in-store trade-in program for iPhones

Staying on the cutting edge of smartphones just got a bit easier: Apple on Friday launched a nationwide program for customers who want to trade in their current iPhone for credit towards a new one. The move has been widely rumored since June, but news of the launch was first reported by CNBC.

It's unclear at present exactly what the program entails, but reports from CNBC suggest that users who want to trade in for a new iPhone must leave the store with a new contract. Apple already offers an online service, its Reuse and Recycle Program, that offers Apple Store gift cards to those who turn in their used iPhones (as well as iPads and Macs or PCs); for example, a used 32GB iPhone 5 in good condition can fetch $366--well on the way to helping someone afford a new iPhone, not to mention in many cases providing a device that Apple can refurbish and resell.

Of course, Apple's offering is not the only player on the block. Services like Gazelle, NextWorth, and YouRenew have long offered cash for used phones. Likewise, carriers AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon have all recently launched new programs to keep users on the cutting-edge by bundling upgrade costs into monthly service fees; in those cases, though, the benefit may be less to the consumer and more to the carrier itself.

As to why Apple would expand its trade-in program to the Apple Stores, one major reason comes from a report earlier this year that only around 20 percent of iPhones are sold through Apple's retail store--a number that CEO Tim Cook would allegedly like to see raised to around 50 percent. Aggressively offering credit for traded in phones could boost that bottom line by making the Apple Store a more attractive place for consumers to go when they're looking to upgrade.

And, of course, this launch comes just a few short weeks from what is thought to be the announcement of a new iPhone. That primes the consumer market by putting the newest, shiniest iPhone in the reach of more consumers.

Macworld has reached out to Apple for more details on the trade-in program.

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Half of all tech users want budget iPhone 5C - but only if it costs less than £200

Would you buy a budget iPhone? If so, how cheap does cheap have to be?

More than two thirds of all technology users are interested in a budget iPhone 5C, according to a survey, but around 50 percent of survey respondents say they would consider a 'cheap' iPhone only if it cost less than £200.

When asked: 'IF APPLE UNVEILS A BUDGET IPHONE, HOW CHEAP WOULD IT HAVE TO BE TO TEMPT YOU TO BUY?' 69 percent of the more than 12,000 respondents expressed an interest in buying an iPhone with a top price of £400. But only 2 percent said they would be interested if the budget iPhone cost more than £300, and 29 percent said they would not be interested regardless of price. That is counterbalanced by the 7 percent of respondents to our poll who said they are were interested in a budget iPhone, whatever it costs.

This is interesting because Apple is widely believed to be about to launch its next high-end flagship iPhone, the iPhone 5S. We're expecting a live event next Tuesday September 10 to coincide with the launch of Intel's BayTrail processors and the Mac Pro. More pertinant to this story, there are strong rumours that at the same event Apple may also launch a first budget iPhone, the putative iPhone 5C. (See also: New iPhone 5S release date UK: When will the new iPhone arrive?)

This would be a first step into the world of inexpensive tech for Apple, or at least Apple after Steve Jobs returned from hiatus. But inexpensive is a relative term and we don't expect a 'cheap' iPhone to go anywhere near sub-£200. Expect the budget iPhone 5C to be priced starting at £349 or even £399. KGI analyst, Ming-chi Kuo recently stated the he expects the cheap iPhone to sell for between $400 and $500 which is £230-320 - but would probably be around £400 in the UK, after tax and the usual inflationary effect Sterling has on foreign goods. Similar amounts have been touted by case maker, Tactus.

As such our survey results suggest at best a lukewarm reception for a 'cheap' iPhone that is priced in the middle ranking of all smartphones. Would users of a mid-range Android be tempted to change? It's difficult to say without knowing more about the iPhone 5C

Leaked photos show the iPhone 5C rear casing made from polycarbonate plastic. It's expected to come in five different colour options: white, blue, red, green, yellow and red.

We expect a 4.5in or 4in display, with an A5 processor and a 5Mp rear facing camera. Find out more in our iPhone 5C rumour round-up.

The survey ran over three weeks from Monday 12 August on PCAdvisor.co.uk. To date there have been 12,067 votes. The PC Advisor budget iPhone poll remains open here if you want to have your say.

In response the question 'IF APPLE UNVEILS A BUDGET IPHONE, HOW CHEAP WOULD IT HAVE TO BE TO TEMPT YOU TO BUY?', 25 percent of respondents selected 'under £100'. This was virtually matched by the 24 percent who selected £100-£200. Just 11 percent were prepared to pay up to £300 and chose the answer '£200-£300', and only 2 percent chose '£300-£400'.

Other responses were 'I'm not interested in the budget iPhone regardless of price' (29 percent), 'I am interested in the next iPhone, and cost doesn't matter' (7 percent) and 'I don't know' (1 percent).

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HTC One vs iPhone 5 comparison review

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

The HTC One and iPhone 5 are two of the most impressive smartphones available to buy in the UK right now. Here’s where we put the two up against each other in this HTC One vs iPhone 5 comparison review. See also: HTC One review: a fantastic high-end Android smartphone.

In this HTC One vs iPhone 5 comparison review we will be comparing the two smartphone’s overall design, screens, processors, storage options, cameras, connectivity and software/operating systems. See also: Samsung Galaxy S4 vs Apple iPhone 5 comparison review.

Under each section we’ll way up the pros and cons of what the HTC One and iPhone 5 offer and draw conclusions where possible as to which smartphone comes out on top. See also: Group test: What's the best smartphone?

Take a look at the following two articles for more details on each smartphone: iPhone 5 review and HTC One review.

These two smartphones have a similar look with the HTC One sharing the straight sides and rounded corners of the iPhone 5. It looks rather like the back of the iPhone 5 but with a screen in between the top and bottom strips.

The HTC is a larger and heavier smartphone at 68 x 137 x 9.3mm and 143g. Apple's iPhone 5 remains one of the smallest flagship devices at 59 x 124 x 7.6mm and 112g. This is mostly due to the fact it has a smaller screen.

In terms of build quality, these are two of the best smartphones around. Both are put together beautifully with a combination of aluminium and glass. If we're going to nit-pick then the iPhone wins narrowly since the HTC One does use a small plastic band and got a bit too hot during our benchmarks. See also: Samsung Galaxy S4 vs Galaxy S3 comparison review.

Screen size is an important thing to consider when buying a smartphone. The iPhone 5 has a small 4in display compared to top-end rivals. Although the HTC One has a 4.7in screen, the handset doesn't feel too large in the hand.

We're comparing two of the best smartphones on the market here so it's no surprise they offer great displays. However, the bragging rights go to the HTC One thanks to its Full HD (1080 x 1920) resolution outpacing the iPhone 5's Retina (640 x 1136) display.

HTC's device has the highest pixel density of a smartphone we've ever seen at 469pp. The iPhone 5 offers 326ppi.

Read: The best new and upcoming smartphones of 2013.

HTC's One smartphone continues to impress with its benchmark results. Thanks to its Qualcomm Snapdragon 600, 1.7GHz quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM, it aced our GeekBench 2 test with a record clinching score of 2721 points. The iPhone 5 scored 1650 here with its 1.2GHz dual-core A6 chip with 1GB of RAM.

Both phones managed outstanding results in GLBenchmark. The HTC One got 34fps which couldn't match the iPhone 5's 38fps. Again, both did well in SunSpider with times of 1213ms and 903ms respectively.

So the benchmark score is 2-1 in favour of the iPhone 5 but we're splitting hairs here. These are two of the top performing smartphones available and you should decide between them in other areas.

Neither of these smartphones has a microSD slot for expanding the storage so you'll have to pick your model carefully.

There's more choice with the iPhone 5 which has 16GB, 32GB and 64GB models. The HTC One has just 32GB and 64GB on offer.

However, with both of the lowest capacities costing just over £500 you get twice the amount of storage with the HTC One.

Both the cameras on the HTC One and iPhone 5 are good quality but here are some points to help you decide which is the right one for you.

Looking at the plain specs, the iPhone 5 seems the superior with an 8Mp main camera. The HTC One's is just 4Mp but this Ultrapixel camera lets in more light.

In general we find the iPhone 5's camera a better all-rounder, but the HTC One's camera is more responsive meaning you can take pictures faster. It is also more capable in low-light situations. The HTC One has a slightly higher resolution front camera at 2.1Mp compared to the iPhone 5's 1.2Mp camera. They can record video at 1080p and 720p respectively, so a small win for HTC here.

As you would expect from two flagship smartphones, the iPhone 5 and HTC One both offer dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, DLNA, GPS and support for 4G LTE networks. It's worth pointing out that the HTC One uses mircoUSB and the iPhone 5 uses Apple's proprietary Lightning connector.

It's not a game changer but the HTC One offers NFC and infrared technology which the iPhone 5 does not.

As usual a comparison with the iPhone 5 means a big difference in software. It's the classic iOS vs Android here – iOS 6 and Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean with HTC's Sense 5 overlay to be precise.

Both are great operating systems in their own right so there's no easy way of saying one is better than the other. Each has a great app and content store behind it. Most new apps will be developed for iOS and Android, although apps are more likely to be free on Android, but appear first on iOS.

Each offers a slick user experience with similar features. The main difference is that iOS is simplistic – essentially an app menu - while Android is highly customisable with its homescreens and widgets. Opinions vary from person to person so we suggest you try out both in order to discover which you prefer.

On paper the HTC One has a better battery at 8.5Wh (2300mAh) compared to the iPhone 5's 5.3Wh (1440mAh). Both are non-removable. See also: How to improve smartphone battery life: 10 tips and tricks.

Despite the fairly big difference in capacity, there's not much difference in batter life. We've found that most users will get a day of use from each smartphone. Some users may get a couple of days if they have lighter usage habits.

Follow Chris Martin and @PCAdvisor on Twitter.

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iPhone 5S and 5C launch event confirmed for 10 September

 

Get ready for not one, but two, new iPhones from Apple

Apple has finally sent out invitations to its next launch event which will take place on 10 September for the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C.

The almost inevitable has been confirmed after Apple sent out invited to a press event next week. The iPhone unveiling was rumoured for the date a while ago so it's been a case of waiting for the green light from Apple. See also: iPhone 5S launch 10 September: 5 things we expect to see.

Apple's iPhone launch event will take place at its campus in California on 10 September at 6pm BST UK time.

The simple and minimalistic invitation says "This should brighten up everyone's day" with iOS 7 coloured circles. It suggests that, as per leaked information, a new iPhone will come in different colour options.

The cheaper, and plastic, iPhone 5C is thought to be coming in white, blue, red, green and yellow. Pink is another rumoured variant. See also: iPhone 5S price: PCA predictions

The iPhone 5S will likely be the replacement for the existing iPhone 5 with new features including a fingerprint scanner and a better camera. It too will supposedly come in more colours than the usual black and white, including champagne gold.

Apple new iPhone models are rumoured to be released on 20- and 27 September.

All will be revealed next week so join us for all the news and coverage as it happens.

Follow Chris Martin and @PCAdvisor on Twitter.

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