iPhone 5S: Literally, the Gold Standard

A chip with 64-bit architecture, a fingerprint identity sensor, a better camera. These are the unique features that the recently launched iPhone 5S brings to the table. So what else is special about the new flagship smartphone from Apple? Let's find out.

The iPhone 5S comes with an aluminum body that is very much the same as the one used on iPhone 5. This time around, it will come in not just 2, but 3 colors: white, space gray, and gold (champagne). The iPhone 5S looks very classy and high-end especially the gold variant. It measures 123.8 mm x 58.6 mm x 7.6 mm and weighs only 112 grams, which make it one of the lightest and most svelte smartphones to date.

It packs Apple's A7 processor, which gives the CPU and graphics performance up to 2x faster than the A6 chip of the iPhone 5. It is also the first 64-bit smartphone in the world. The A7 chip also supports OpenGL ES version 3.0 to deliver the kind of detailed graphics and complex visual effects once possible only on Mac computers, PCs, and gaming consoles, which feel much more realistic. The A7 is also designed to be energy efficient. Along with the new A7 chip, the iPhone 5S also packs the new M7 coprocessor. It is designed specifically to measure motion data from the accelerometer, gyroscope, and compass... and the M7 is much more efficient at it. The iPhone 5S also comes with a smorgasbord of sensors: 3-axis gyro, accelerometer, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, and fingerprint identity sensor.

The iPhone is not an iPhone without a Retina display. Sporting the same 4-inch multi-touch display on the iPhone 5 can be found on Apple's newest flagship phone. It has a 1,136 x 640 display resolution and a pixel density of 326 ppi. Contrast ratio is 800:1 while brightness is rated at 500 cd/m2 max brightness. The display is protected by a fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating. There is also support for display of multiple languages and characters simultaneously. The new iPhone flagship will run on iOS 7 and will contain apps such as Passbook, Newsstand, and Game Center. iPhoto, iMovie, and the iWork Suite (Keynote, Pages, Numbers) can also be downloaded for free with the new iPhone 5S.

The iPhone 5S packs an 8-MP iSight primary camera with 1.5µ pixels, ƒ/2.2 aperture, Sapphire crystal lens cover, backside illumination sensor, five-element lens, hybrid IR filter, and the True Tone dual-LED flash for more accurate color rendering. Camera features such as autofocus, tap to focus, face detection, panorama, burst mode, and photo geotagging are all on-board. The camera is also capable of 1080p Full HD video recording at 30 fps and 720p HD video recording at 120 fps. There is also slo-mo video and improved video stabilization. You can still take photos while recording video. A front-facing Facetime camera can also be found capable of shooting 1.2-MP photos and 720p HD video recording. There is also backside illumination sensor on the front cam. Facetime can be done via Wi-Fi and cellular network.

Arguably, the fingerprint sensor on the iPhone 5S' home button is the most notable addition to the smartphone. Apple calls it the Touch ID. Just put your finger on the Home button and your iPhone unlocks. It’s a convenient and highly secure way to access your phone. Your fingerprint can also approve purchases from iTunes Store, the App Store, and the iBooks Store. And because the Touch ID lets you enroll multiple fingerprints, it knows the people you trust, too.

In terms of connectivity, the iPhone 5S is compatible with all LTE networks (GSM & CDMA) worldwide. It also has 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology. Noticeably lacking are the IR blaster and NFC support. The iPhone 5S also has Assisted GPS and GLONASS and digital compass. Virtual assistant Siri is still present, which you can use to search, send messages, make a call, set reminders, and more.

The iPhone 5S has a built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which can be charged through USB or a power adapter. Talk time is rated at up to 10 hours on 3G with a standby time of up to 250 hours. Internet use is rated at up to 8 hours on 3G and up to 10 hours of LTE or Wi-Fi. The new iPhone 5S will come with Apple EarPods with remote and mic, with storage and travel case. It will only accept nano-SIM to operate and will have to rely on a Lightning connector for charging, unless you buy a separate dock. Pricing starts at $199 for the 16GB model on contract up to $399 for the 64GB model. Without carrier subsidies, you can snag a 16GB model for $649. The 64GB model costs as much as $849.

The iPhone 5S may not have quad-cores of the Android flagships nor NFC technology. It may not have Full HD display and stereo speakers. It may not even have the 13-MP to 41-MP camera sensors of the competition. But the iPhone 5S will remain as one of the most capable smartphones on the market. It is also one of the most stylish and classiest looking devices available. Indeed, the value and prestige of the iPhone 5S is greater than the sum of its parts. Whether you like it or not, the iPhone 5S is here to ~~slay~~ stay.