Early iPhone 5S, 5C reviews arrive: Is plastic fantastic? - CNET

The first reviews of Apple's new pair of iPhones is out. Here's what they're saying. September 17, 2013 6:25 PM PDT (Credit: CNET) It's that time of year again. Days ahead of when Apple's set to launch the iPhone 5C and 5S, early reviews of the devices are here. Like with last year's iPhone 5, the consensus is predominantly positive for both devices, with critics lauding the speed and accuracy of the new Touch ID fingerprint sensor on the 5S. CNET's own senior editor Scott Stein rated both devices four out of five stars, calling the iPhone 5C "a great $99 phone that basically replicates the well-reviewed iPhone 5 in a more colorful case." Stein praised the 5S' speed and new features, but noted that buyers will "have to settle for the same design and screen size" as last year's model. You can read CNET's entire reviews of the iPhone 5S and the iPhone 5C right here. Some of the highlights from the other reviews around the Web tonight: David Pogue for The New York Times says: Apple still believes in superb design and tremendous polish. The iPhone is no longer the only smartphone that will keep you delighted for the length of your two-year contract -- but it's still among the few that will. Ed Baig for USA Today says: I can strongly recommend either new iPhone but especially the 5s. But with iOS 7 dressing up your current device, you may not have to upgrade right away. Walt Mossberg for AllThingsD (and The Wall Street Journal) says the iPhone 5S "is a delight," and "the best smartphone on the market," though he knocks the keyboard, which he complains cannot be augmented with third-party software keyboards. While Lauren Goode, also of AllThingsD says of the iPhone 5C: While the 5C looks and feels very familiar, it's still a good phone and an improvement over the 5. But its improvements are evolutionary, not revolutionary. Myriam Joire at Engadget says that withthe iPhone 5C: iPhone 5 owners are probably better off sticking with iOS 7 or picking up an iPhone 5s instead of getting an iPhone 5c. And, if all else fails, there are always next year's iPhones. Of the iPhone 5S: Is the 5s the best iPhone ever made? Yes, though that shouldn't come as a surprise ... its true worth is yet to be determined. If developers come up with clever ways of using the 64-bit support, iOS 7 and M7 coprocessor to their advantage, the 5s has the potential of being the best off-year flagship phone the company has made. If not, a lot of people might just wait it out another year. Jim Dalrymple at the Loop says simply: Apple has a one-two punch of iPhones like they've never had before. Apple's iPhone 5C in a case. (Credit: CNET) Darrell Etherington at TechCrunch says: On the 5C: "What Apple has delivered is far from a "cheap" device, in terms of both quality of experience and hardware, and in terms of price" And on the 5S: This phone, more than any iPhone before it, is likely to be the device that grows more appealing as the software ecosystem catches up, which is great news for buyers looking for something that isn't so easily replaced by the next big thing that comes along. Vincent Nguyen at Slashgear says: We've come to expect evolution not revolution from the "S" update to Apple's iPhone range, but the iPhone 5s could be enough to buck that trend ... The iPhone 5s is the best iPhone so far, by a long shot. Apple's iPhone 5S Touch ID system. (Credit: CNET) Nguyen adds he'd recommend the 5S over the iPhone 5C "in a heartbeat." Stuart Miles at Pocket Lint says the iPhone 5C is "a lovely phone," adding that "there is no denying that the 5C is merely a lick of paint on a year-old device, a non-upgrade to the iPhone 5." It's not all bad, however. On the 5S, Miles says: In many ways Apple has released a phone for tomorrow rather than today. That's a hard sell, in truth. The Touch ID scanner is yet to be fully realised, as are the A7 and M7 processors and the 64-bit support. It's all a bit "what if" at the moment. More to come... via Technology - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNFvz-BCYdhzpvAXNAZmUe0zFL9H1Q&url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57603397-37/early-iphone-5s-5c-reviews-arrive-is-plastic-fantastic/

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