iPhone 5S Release Date – What Features To Expect
Along with the new OS from Apple, iOS 7 which is expected this fall, we also expect to see a new iPhone model to be released on the market. As you probably imagine, the long expected device is the iPhone 5S, thus continuing the iPhone 5 series. However, Apple didn’t announce by now the official release date of their new device, therefore we have plunged into a sea of suppositions. But we can tell you for sure what not to expect from Apple this fall.
So, a week ago, during the Worldwide Developers Conference organized by Apple at the Moscone Center from San Francisco, the giant company showcased their newly revamped operating system, the iOS 7. The new software comes with a completely new design, different from all the previous iOS versions, even from the iOS 6. Apple also promised some new features and functions included in the software package.
Top of the list we have the AirDrop, available for the iPad touch and for the iPhone 5, a refreshed Photo application and new camera filters, revamped Lock Screen and Calendar, and countless other awesome changes in the user interface. Certainly, the details haven’t been carved in stone, so Apple can still make notable changes to the design and functions of the new operating system considering that there still is plenty of time before the official release.
All we know for sure is the release date of the new iOS and the devices it will operate on. So, you will be able to play with it if you own an iPhone 4 or one of its successors, the fifth generation of iPod touch, or an iPad 2 to four. Sometimes this fall, more precisely during November, the mentioned devices will be running on iOS 7.
And when it will arrive, Apple fans expect from the company to come with a new iPhone device as well. Rumors have been pegging the next device to be the iPhone 5S, and they also claim that the successor of the iPhone 5 will be having a huge revamp and new hardware components. In supposition, it will feature a new 13 MP camera and a new and faster chip so that it could render a better performance in activities such as gaming.
Rumors claim that the device is most likely to arrive during the fall along with the new iOS 7, as Apple typically releases new iPhone models along with the new iOS variants. We did a little digging here and there and now we can tell what not to expect from the iPhone 5S launch from this year.
Should you expect the release date of the iPhone 5S Outside the Fall?
As mentioned above, Apple didn’t declare anything related to the release of a new iPhone version, therefore you cannot expect to see the launch of the device any sooner than the fall of the current year.
We can say that it is Apple tradition, to launch a new iPhone model along with a new version of iOS. So far, there have been no clues pointing otherwise. Every related rumor, regardless to what it claims, points out the fact that Apple is cooking something. So, all the signs point toward an iPhone 5S release to go with this fall’s iOS launch. Most rumors claim that the new iPhone 5S will be released in the September timeframe, so this is when we will allegedly see the new iOS.
Even though the iOS 7 is still in tests and in a ongoing improvement process, we don’t believe that the new Apple OS release getting delayed too much. So, you should not expect for the iPhone 5S to be released any earlier or later than the fall. So far, September is the most rumored month, but we don’t know anything for sure.
Apple Issuing a Free Release?
Costumers that hope for the iPhone 5S to be an issue free device might find their hopes shattered. Even though Apple and the network carriers are doing their best in order to ensure a lean process for the customers looking to purchase the iPhone 5S right after the launch, there might appear some issues, considering that so far Apple found itself dealing with some at every device release.
First of all, we would have the supply issues which some say are intentionally created so that they could increase the demand. Regardless to the cause of this issue, we know from previous experience that the device is sold out way before its release date, and those who didn’t pre-order it, will have to turn to Apple’s retail stores or even third party retailers. However, do not expect the iPhone 5S to be available everywhere since the release date.
New Carriers
Those of you who plan to buy Apple’s iPhone 5S must know that we don’t expect the new device to follow the same timetable as its predecessor, when it comes to the release date established by the carriers. Carriers won’t set the same release dates that have been set for the iPhone 5.
It is pretty clear that the iPhone 5S launch is going to be spread among the US biggest network carriers, considering that at the time T-Mobile is selling the iPhone 5 and the U.S Cellular announced the iPhone for the last quarters of 2013.
We expect to see some new carriers to get involved in the distribution process, but keep in mind that T-Mobile and U.S Cellular might encounter the above mentioned issues in the pre-order.
Is it Worth it to Pre-Order in Stores?
Those of you which are interested in acquiring the iPhone 5S at its launch date, keep in mind that you must avoid buying it from third party retailers. Just as in the case of the iPhone 5, you cannot expect a good experience outside of the carriers stores and Apple’s.
Past year, we placed a pre-order for the iPhone 5 through Best Buy. The order was processed successfully but we received the notification that our iPhone is waiting to be picked up a few months after its launch date. Retail chains such as Best Buy often accept pre-orders even if they don’t have the device in the release day, so if you want to be quick about it, avoid these systems as much as possible.
Another thing you shouldn’t expect is the experience of the pre-order to be worth your while.
Changing Price?
Don’t expect the iPhone 5S to be released with a different price this fall, as it won’t happen. It is most likely for Apple to stick to the usual prices, meaning you will be dealing with prices from $199.99 and up, for carrier contracts, except for T-Mobile who is setting off-contract prices.
Despite Apple’s competition being more fierce than ever, considering that the HTC One and the Galaxy S4 came out with $199.99 prices, we hardly see Apple going below that price.
If you’re interested in buying the iPhone 5S, then you’d better start saving up, because the price won’t get any lower than this.
Price discounts for the iPhone 5S on Release Day
Even if the Android smartphones usually have discounts in the release date, don’t expect Apple to apply this strategy, as you will be sorely disappointed when the launch date arrives.
Apple’s smartphones have never seen discounts in the release date, unlike the competition’s flagships which offer great deals in that day. However, the iPhone 5 saw a lot of discounts past year, unlike its predecessor the iPhone 4, but don’t wait for that to happen to the iPhone 5S as well.
Even months after the release date some of you might still be pressed to find a deal in the iPhone 5S price.
