Home > Articles > Hardware > Upgrading & Repairing

Discover How the New iPhone 5S Technologies Can Impact How You Use Your Smartphone

Once again, Apple has done an impressive job of taking an already powerful smartphone, the iPhone 5, and improving upon it with the iPhone 5S without compromising its ease of use, size, weight, battery life, or price. Jason R. Rich takes a look at what new technologies have been incorporated into the iPhone 5S and explores how the new features and functions can impact how you use your smartphone.
Like this article? We recommend

Once again, Apple has done an impressive job of taking an already powerful smartphone, the iPhone 5, and improving upon it with the iPhone 5S without compromising its ease of use, size, weight, battery life, or price.

The iPhone 5S is even more efficient due to a faster processor and other technology that work behind the scenes in conjunction with iOS 7. This latest smartphone model includes technological advances that improve how people interact with the device, including how it responds to a user's commands and actions.

Using the Touch ID Sensor Built into the iPhone 5S

The most obvious technological improvement made to the iPhone 5S is the Touch ID sensor that is built into the Home button. When activated, this sensor quickly and accurately scans the users' fingerprints before giving them access to the iPhone beyond its Lock Screen.

This same Touch ID sensor also uses a person's fingerprint to confirm an iTunes Store, App Store, iBookstore, or Newsstand purchase, so users no longer need to manually enter the password associated with their Apple ID in order to make a purchase.

As with most iPhone-related features, use of the Touch ID sensor is optional. Upon activating and setting up the device for the first time, users are prompted to set up the Touch ID by scanning their fingerprint and turning on the features associated with this sensor. However, at any time this feature can be activated, modified, or deactivated from within Settings.

To customize settings related to the Touch ID sensor, launch Settings, tap the General option, and then tap the Passcode & Fingerprint option. If the feature is already active, you'll be prompted to enter your four-digit passcode to confirm your identity.

Then, from the Passcode & Fingerprint menu within Settings, it's possible to turn the Passcode feature on or off, determine when the Passcode will be required, turn on or off the Simple Passcode option, and manage the fingerprints stored within the iPhone 5S.

From this menu, it's also possible to turn on or off the Voice Dial options and determine which features (Siri, Passbook, and/or Reply with Message) can be used when the iPhone 5S is locked. Plus, if turned on, the Erase Data option causes the iPhone 5S to automatically erase its contents if an unauthorized person attempts to gain access to the device more than ten files in a row with an incorrect passcode.

After tapping the Fingerprints option that's displayed about halfway down on the Passcode & Fingerprint menu, the Fingerprints menu is displayed. From here, you have three options. First, you can turn on or off the Passcode Unlock feature. When turned on, this feature allows you to unlock the iPhone 5S using your fingerprint scan, as opposed to manually entering your four digit Passcode when viewing the Lock Screen.

Second, you can turn on or off the virtual switch that's associated with the iTunes & App Store option. When turned on, the iPhone 5S allows you to use a fingerprint scan to confirm your iTunes Store, App Store, iBookstore, and Newsstand purchases, instead of manually entering your Apple ID password when making a purchase.

Third, under the Fingerprints heading, it's possible to tap the Add a Fingerprint option. This allows the iPhone to scan additional fingerprints that it will accept. You can use this option to allow additional users access to your iPhone 5S by scanning their fingerprints, or you can add an additional fingerprint of your own.

Depending on how you hold your iPhone 5S, at times you may find it convenient to use your thumbprint with the Touch ID sensor. However, at other times, you might opt to use your index finger.

For the Touch ID sensor to accept both your thumb and index finger fingerprints, each needs to be scanned into the device separately. To do this, tap the Add a Fingerprint option and then, as instructed, lift and rest your finger on the Home button repeatedly so that the iPhone can accurately scan and store each fingerprint.

The process of scanning a fingerprint needs to be done only once (per finger or user). If you opt to scan the fingerprint of other authorized users into your iPhone 5S, but later want to revoke access to your smartphone, return to the Fingerprints menu within Settings and swipe from right to left across the listing for a fingerprint scan that you want to delete. They're listed Finger 1, Finger 2, and so on. Next, tap the red and white Delete button to confirm your decision.

Once a fingerprint is deleted from the iPhone 5S, the Touch ID sensor built into the smartphone will no longer recognize that fingerprint. If you have revoked someone else's access to your iPhone, however, it may be necessary to also change the Passcode programmed into your iPhone if the other person knows this four-digit code.

To change the four-digit passcode, return to the Passcode & Fingerprint menu within Settings and tap the Change Passcode option. When prompted, enter a new four-digit passcode and then confirm the new passcode. However, if you want to use a more complex, alphanumeric password as opposed to a four-digit passcode, turn off the virtual switch that's associated with the Simple Passcode option that's also displayed within the Passcode & Fingerprint menu. Then you can create a longer password using a combination of numbers and letters.

New Camera Features and Functions

Thanks to the faster A7 chip built into the iPhone 5S, you'll quickly discover that the overall speed of this latest iPhone model is enhanced compared with the original iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, or the iPhone 5C.

In addition to the faster speed, the front- and rear-facing cameras built into this latest smartphone model have also been improved. Thus, when these cameras are used in conjunction with the Camera app, for example, you'll have access to new features. You can also shoot noticeably clearer, more vibrant, and more visually impressive photos and videos.

In fact, it's not possible to shoot video and take digital photos at the same time, thanks to the improved hardware built into the iPhone 5S and the functionality offered by iOS 7. In addition, the Camera app now features five different shooting modes, including:

  • Slow-Mo: While shooting 1080p HD video, it's possible to capture video footage in slow motion.
  • Video: Shoot 1080p HD video using the rear-facing camera built into the iPhone 5S.
  • Photo: Shoot 8-megapixel still images while taking advantage of the improved Autofocus, Face Detection, improved speed, and Auto Image Stabilization built into the Camera app.
  • Square: Shoot still images that are automatically cropped into a square shape to accommodate online social networking services, such as Instagram.
  • Pano: Capture visually stunning, high-resolution, panoramic photos of vast landscapes, city skylines, or large groups of people using this shooting mode.

In addition to these shooting modes, the iPhone 5S edition of the Camera app offers a new Burst Mode that allows users to hold down the shutter button in order to capture up to 10 photos per second. This is ideal when taking action photos because you can capture many images quickly and then select the one that best depicts the exact moment you want to showcase. To use it, activate the Camera app and hold down the Shutter button instead of tapping it to snap a single photo.

The Camera app's HDR shooting mode has also been improved. This is particularly useful when shooting in low-light situations. Instead of taking a single image, HDR mode automatically captures several images simultaneously, each utilizing the available light slightly differently, and then combines the images into one more vibrant and detailed image. To turn on this feature, tap the HDR On option that's displayed near the top-center of the Camera app's screen.

Another instance where improved technology has been incorporated into the iPhone 5S relates to the True Tone flash. Instead of showering your subject with a burst of bright white light that originates from the iPhone's flash, the new True Tone flash that's currently available only within the iPhone 5S analyzes the available light and then adjusts the flash's intensity and color temperature to fit the situation.

This new True Tone flash will automatically help reduce unwanted shadows, overexposed subjects, red eye, washed-out colors, and other problems that a flash often causes in photos. All these features, combined with a larger and more advanced photo sensor that's built into the iPhone 5S, virtually guarantee that you'll be able to shoot higher quality and more detailed photos with even less effort and photography know-how.

If you use either the front- or rear-facing camera built into the iPhone 5S for FaceTime video calls, the people you're communicating with will immediately notice that the video feed you're sending is clearer and more vibrant.

Other New iPhone 5S Technology

Especially if you're an experienced iPhone 4S or iPhone 5 user, when you upgrade to the iPhone 5S, you'll notice a wide range of other improvements as well, all of which are a result of improved technology and speed. For example, when surfing the web using a 4G LTE cellular data connection, the connection speed you experience will be even faster.

Siri will also respond faster and be more accurate. Yet another noticeable improvement will be obvious when you play graphic and animation-intensive games on the iPhone 5S. The A7 chip, combined with the other technologies built into the Smartphone, allow it to display more complex and detailed graphics, and improve reaction and response times within action-based games.

Despite all the improvements made to the iPhone 5S, users can expect a battery life that's comparable (or in some cases better) than the original iPhone 5.

Final Thoughts...

The Touch ID sensor built into the iPhone 5S is extremely cool and high-tech, yet it's also a powerful security feature that can be used to protect the data, documents, and files you store on your smartphone. Meanwhile, if you're like so many people who enjoy taking and sharing photos and video chips with your iPhone, you'll be impressed with the enhanced capabilities of the Camera app and the quality of images you're able to capture.

Or, if you're an avid gamer and want to replace your handheld Nintendo or Sony PlayStation gaming system with the iPhone 5S, this too is now viable because the gaming technology built into Apple's latest smartphone allows for superior game play experiences.

So, if you've been on the fence about whether to upgrade from an older iPhone model to the iPhone 5S and can see yourself utilizing any of the improvements you've just learned about, the decision to upgrade should be an obvious one.

InformIT Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from InformIT and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites, develop new products and services, conduct educational research and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by InformIT. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.informit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020