Apple's iPhone SE feels like a charming throwback to the olden days of smartphones, when everyone was pushing to make devices smaller and smaller. Before the days when mammoth 6in-plus screens were commonplace, when phones over 4.5in were designated as 'phablets', 4in devices like the iPhone SE ruled the roost.

Those days are past now, and instead, smaller phones have almost entirely disappeared in favour of models with 5in or 6in screens - sometimes more. For those that want a smaller device, there aren't that many options, leaving the iPhone SE as one of the few modern devices they can go for.

The iPhone SE might look adorably pint-sized compared to recent flagships, but can it still hold its own against the (figurative and literal) big boys?

Design

One of the principal advantages that the iPhone SE has is that it's one of the smallest premium smartphones still on the market. While most manufacturers (including Apple) have continued to release bigger and bigger devices, the iPhone SE is still a petite and highly pocketable 4in.

This may seem like a trivial matter, but for those who aren't so keen on carting around a mammoth 6in slab in their pockets, there are virtually no phones in the 4-5in range. The Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact is one of the only devices to come close to its size, but even that is a considerably larger device. If you've got small hands, the iPhone SE is still likely to be one of the most comfortable options to use.

The SE uses the same casing as 2012's iPhone 5, so it's not particularly flashy or eye-catching. With that being said, however, it's far from unattractive. The clean, precise lines of the chassis and the machined, industrial look of its aluminium frame give it a classic, almost retro aesthetic. The iPhone 5 was a good-looking phone when it came out 5 years ago, and it hasn't gotten any less so with age.

Another benefit to re-using the iPhone 5's chassis is that Apple has been able to pass on the savings in design and manufacturing costs, making the iPhone SE the cheapest iPhone by some considerable distance. In fact, it's not far off the pocket-friendly price of mid-range devices like the HTC U11.

Display

The screen, on the other hand, has not aged quite so well. While it makes for a pleasingly miniature footprint, the fact is that a 4in screen just doesn't give you all that much room to do things. Typing and swiping isn't much of a problem, provided you've got small hands, but watching videos or doing anything that requires precise, detailed interactions is going to be a challenge. Editing documents or composing long emails, for example, isn't going to be a particularly pleasant experience.

Its colour accuracy and brightness are still among the best around, so display quality is on form. Unfortunately, there's also the 1136 x 640 resolution. Even the cheapest budget phones are sporting 720p displays these days, and the iPhone SE looks noticeably less impressive than its 1080p rivals, despite the fact that it only has to cover a 4in panel.

Another fairly big difference between the iPhone SE and later generations is that the SE lacks 3D Touch. We missed the innovative pressure-sensitive screen of more recent iPhones a lot, but its absence from the SE isn't exactly surprising. It would have made the phone more expensive and potentially increased its bulk too.

Performance and battery life

You might expect, given that the iPhone SE is now more than a year and a half old, that its performance might be a little disappointing compared to more recent phones. After all, its A9 CPU and 2GB of RAM makes it underpowered by today's standards.

And true enough, it lagged substantially behind subsequent iPhone generations in our benchmarks. The iPhone 8 Plus's Geekbench score was roughly double that of the SE, for example.

However, you may be surprised to learn that the iPhone SE can absolutely still hold its own against cutting-edge Android flagships. It wasn't far behind the Pixel 2 in Geekbench 4's multi-core tests, and comfortably exceeded its single-core score. It achieved similar successes over the XZ1 Compact as well.

There's more good news when it comes to the battery life, as the iPhone SE's battery life is still remarkable. Although it doesn't hold the record, it's up there with the best, and it even managed to last longer than both the iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 Plus by more than two and a half hours in our tests.

Camera

If your principal interest in the iPhone range is for photography, you'll be pleased to learn that the iPhone SE's camera is still excellent despite being a couple of generations behind Apple's main line. The main 12-megapixel sensor still produces bright, sharp shots with plenty of detail and accurate colours - the only let down is that the front camera is still saddled with a paltry 1.2-megapixel snapper, so say goodbye to high-quality selfies.

Aside from that the camera is perfectly acceptable. Low light and HDR performance aren't nearly as good as subsequent iPhones, of course, and advanced features like portrait mode remain absent, but for general purpose shots, it's still a great camera.

Verdict

In all the excitement surrounding the latest and greatest Apple product, it's easy to forget about the lowly iPhone SE. This little device still has a lot going for it, though. It's the cheapest iPhone by far, for example, starting at around half the price of the iPhone 8.

It's also the only major phone that's available in a 4in form-factor, so if you're someone that prefers a smaller device, it's basically your only option. Thankfully, you don't have to compromise on power if small is what you're after, as the iPhone SE can still keep up with modern Android flagships. Battery life and camera performance is still excellent, too.

If you're after an iPhone without the footprint or the price tag of the newest models in Apple's line-up, the iPhone SE is still well worth your time. It may be pushing two years old, but don't count it out just yet.

Verdict

Despite its age, Apple's smaller iPhone is still a heavyweight when it comes to performance and value. It's also one of the only smaller phones you can get your hands on.

iPhones are among most popular smartphones on the planet and no-one can escape from the yearly hype surrounding an iPhone release. The iOS interface is considered to be simple and may have limited customisation capabilities but there are a number of useful features built into it.

It's easy to miss some of the best parts of iOS as Apple has hidden the good stuff in the menus. Here's how you can get the most out of the device with these top 10 tips.

1. Set up Touch ID

With all the excitement surrounding the iPhone X's FaceID, it's easy to forget that the iPhone 5s was the first smartphone to ship with a fingerprint scanner.

Touch ID allows you to log into your device with your finger. You simply place it on the home button and it unlocks. It's considered to be safer than the generic 4-digit pin since if someone looks over your shoulder and watches you unlock your device using Touch ID they won't be able to access your device without your finger.

Touch ID also has another use; you can authorise purchases from the App and iTunes store via this mechanism.

To set up a Touch ID, you will need to create a passcode first. Go to Settings and then hit Touch ID & Passcode, then enter your passcode. Tap Add a Fingerprint and then follow the instructions.

You will have to lift and rest your finger on the home button repeatedly, making small adjustments to the position of your finger each time. It shouldn't take long and it is definitely worth the effort.

2. Get flashing alerts

Most devices on the market have a specific LED indicator which blinks when you have a notification.

Although iPhones do have sound notifications and on screen banners there is no dedicated alert light. However, there is an option to get the camera flash to flicker when you receive an incoming call or text.

Go to Settings > General > Accessibility and turn on LED Flash for Alerts.

3. Change font size

The 4in display on the iPhone can make text small. It's possible to increase font size within apps which support Dynamic Type.

To activate this go to Settings > General > Accessibility. Then choose your preferred font size.

4. Optimise battery life

There are a couple of ways to make your battery last longer. Make sure you have updated to the latest software for the iPhone, iOS 11. Go to Settings > General > Software update to do so. If the update is available you will need to connect your device to a power source.

To optimise your settings for battery life, dim the screen by swiping up from the bottom and open the Control Centre. From there, drag the brightness slider to the left. You can also activate Auto Brightness to adjust the screen automatically. This is found in Settings > Display & Brightness where you can turn it on.

Also, using a wi-fi connection to access data uses less power than a mobile network so ensure that Wi-Fi is kept on if you know you can connect to a network.

Since iOS 9 Apple has produced a "Low Power Mode" which allows you to extend your iPhone's life once it gets low. You can allow it to kick in when your battery gets below 20% by going to Settings > Battery > Low Power Mode.

5. Switch calendar views

Make sure you're making full use of the calendar. You can view appointments by list, day or month. Landscape mode allows you to see appointments over a five-day period.

You can swipe between weeks in the calendar and use the search icon to get a list view of every event.

6. View message timestamps

iOS doesn't display message timestamps as standard but they are easily located. Go to Messages, select a conversation and drag from right to left. This will display the relevant timestamp for every message in the thread.

7. Find your iPhone

This is an important feature to turn on incase you phone is ever lost or stolen. You'll be able to track your device, lock it or remotely wipe it.

Go to Settings > iCloud and turn on the Find My iPhone feature.

8. Add web clips

iOS doesn't allow you to pin widgets to the homescreen as Apple deems them to be too power hungry, but it does allow you to pin shortcuts of your favourite websites for one touch access.

To create these "Web clips" go to a website, hit the Share button andthen select "Add to Home Screen".

9. App switching

True multitasking is rare thing on mobile devices, and is found in smartphones such as the Samsung Galaxy S5.

iOS allows you to switch between apps and pick up where you left off. Double-tap the home button and you'll get a visual preview of all open apps - a feature clearly borrowed from Android.

From there you can swipe through apps, close any you don't want and dive straight into one you do.

10. Make Siri smarter

It's possible to increase the usefulness of Siri by giving it more information about yourself.

You can tell Siri how people are related to you by saying "Mandy is my wife" or "Thomas is my dad". Then you can say "Text my wife" or "Call Dad".

When you tell Siri where you live and work, she can provide context sensitive reminders.

Finally, you can correct Siri's pronunciation by saying "That's not how you pronounce that." Siri will ask you for the correct pronunciation, then repeat the name in three different ways and you can pick one.

In an unusual move, Apple updated its iPhone line mid-cycle this year. It introduced the iPhone SE, a lower-cost and compact alternative to the iPhone 6s that directly replaces the iPhone 5s.

It's a smaller, more affordable iPhone than the lead models. It may also entice buyers who wouldn't have considered buying the iPhone 5s because it was old'.

Like any iPhone, the iPhone SE is not a budget phone, though. But then neither is the Samsung Galaxy S7, the latest Android smartphone from Cupertino's arch rival. Oddly, Samsung hasn't offered a mini' version of its Galaxy flagship range since the S5 Mini leaving us to compare Apple's small, single-handed phone against Samsung's bigger, two-handed titan.

Pricing and availability

There's quite a disparity in price when buying SIM-free. The iPhone SE starts at 395 inc VAT, the Galaxy S7 569 inc VAT. It's not an entirely fair comparison, though, because at that price the Galaxy S7 has 32GB of storage while the iPhone SE has 16GB.

There's also a 64GB version of the SE available for 439, still cheaper than the 32GB Galaxy S7.

Casing and screen

These phones do not have entirely brand-new casings. Both use a predecessor's blueprint. The iPhone SE looks a lot like the iPhone 5s and the Samsung Galaxy S7 looks very similar to the Galaxy S6.

Even so, they are both expensive-feeling devices. The iPhone SE's casing uses mostly aluminium while the Galaxy S7 uses aluminium alloy for its sides and Gorilla Glass 4 for its front and back panels.

Even though the iPhone SE is based on a casing from 2012, with a relatively wide screen surround and chamfered edges, it is still much smaller than the Galaxy S7. The width and thickness of a phone largely determine how big it feels in the hand, and the iPhone SE is smaller in both respects.

It's 7.6mm thick and 58.6mm wide. The Galaxy S7 is 7.9mm thick and 69.5mm wide, more than a centimetre wider. The SE's smaller dimensions are no surprise as Apple was looking to update its smallest iPhone.

Like the iPhone 5s, the iPhone SE has a sharp 4in IPS LCD display with a 1,136 x 640 pixel resolution. It's a small-screened phone aimed at people with small hands.

The S7 has a much larger 5.1in screen using a Super AMOLED panel. This has a resolution of 2,560 x 1,440 pixels. While the difference in sharpness will be imperceptible to most, the S7 should have far better contrast.

Unlike the more expensive iPhones, the iPhone SE does not have a pressure-sensitive "3D Touch" screen. It's also not water resistant like the S7 which has full, flap-free IP68 waterproofing. Both phones have a fingerprint scanner as part of the Home button.

Both phones have 802.11ac Wi-Fi and NFC. However, while the Samsung Galaxy S7's NFC can be used to pair with compatible headphones and wireless speakers, the iPhone SE's NFC chip is currently only used for Apple Pay.

Apple has the advantage on this particular point: Apple Pay is accepted fairly widely in the UK while Samsung Pay and Android Pay are launching soon' in Britain.

Battery, storage and performance

The Galaxy S7 brings back the microSD slot missing from the Galaxy S6, letting you augment the 32GB/64GB internal storage cheaply. This is doubly beneficial now that 128GB microSD cards are cheap (from 40), while 128GB phones are certainly not.

As ever with iPhones, the SE's storage is non-expandable, with a still-fairly-weighty 80 difference between the two 16GB and 64GB models.

The Samsung Galaxy S7 in the UK has an octa-core Exynos 8890 CPU with four cores clocked at 2.3GHz and four lower-power cores at 1.6GHz. In other territories the phone uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820, which is a slightly less powerful quad-core processor.

The iPhone SE uses the same processor as the iPhone 6S, a dual-core Apple A9. The S7 has 4GB RAM, where the iPhone SE probably has 2GB. The A9 in the 6s is far more powerful than it looks on paper, keeping up with the Exynos for the most part. Even so, we'll have to wait and see how the SE's A9 compares in our benchmarks.

One of the key claims made of iPhone SE is that it lasts longer than the iPhone 5s between charges. Just as Apple doesn't talk about RAM much, it doesn't reference mAh figures. However, the SE is almost certainly in the 1600-1700mAh range. The Samsung Galaxy S7 has a much larger 3000mAh battery.

We'll have to wait for an iPhone SE review unit to run our benchmarks, but comparing the battery life scores of the S7 and 5s in our tests give us an idea of what to expect. The S7 lasted just under 18 hours in our video playback rundown test, while the 5s managed a shorter but still respectable 14 and a half hours.

The Samsung Galaxy S7 supports inductive Qi and PMA wireless charging standards. We don't think this is of much use, unless you have a physical impairment in your fingers that would make cable plugging and unplugging difficult, as you still need a cabled charging plate.

More useful is fast charging using the bundled Samsung Fast Charge plug. This charges the phone to 80 per cent very quickly, in well under an hour, by increasing voltage from 5V to 9V. Apple currently offers no similar tech for its phones, but the relatively small battery cells in the SE should keep charge times reasonably short.

Camera and sensors

2016 has seen several phone-makers actually reduce the sensor resolution of their rear cameras as part of efforts to improve low-light performance. 12 megapixel sensors are used in both the iPhone SE and Samsung Galaxy S7.

The Galaxy S7 has an on-paper advantage when it comes to camera sensors, even though the iPhone SE uses the same sensor as the more expensive iPhone 6s. First, its sensor is larger, at 1/2.6 inch to the iPhone's 1/3 inch. It sensor pixels are therefore larger too. The S7's are 1.4 microns across, the iPhone SE's 1.22 microns. With the iPhone 6s, Apple claimed a variety of techniques help compensate for the smaller sensor and the 6s camera does, for the most part, hold up against the S7's. It'll be interesting to see if this is also the case for the SE.

Samsung's lens has a wider aperture of f/1.7 to the iPhone's f/2.2 and optical image stabilisation. This will further increase the light that reaches the sensor. The iPhone SE has "Auto Image Stabilization", but it is software and accelerometer-based, not hardware that actually moves the lens/sensor to compensate for movement. Only the much larger iPhone 6 and 6s Plus phablets have true OIS.

While both phones have on-sensor phase detection autofocus, the S7's phase detection covers the whole sensor, the whole field of view, while the iPhone SE only offers PDAF at certain (unspecified) points.

The iPhone SE's selfie camera doesn't match the iPhone 6s forward facing camera. It uses a basic 1.2-megapixel sensor where the Galaxy S7 has a larger, higher-resolution 5-megapixel sensor with a fast f/1.7 lens.

Both phones have a display flash feature, which drives the screen's brightness to its limits in order to act like a near-field flash.

Preliminary Conclusions

The Samsung Galaxy S7 is better specified than the iPhone SE on paper in some areas, most notably when it comes to the camera.

However, the iPhone SE is a much more pocketable and easier to hold phone, which is its whole reason to exist beyond its sub-iPhone 6S price. Plus, for the most part, its specification's are mostly on par with those of the 6s.

The iPhone 6 lands in the UK on 19 September, bringing a number of hardware improvements. But are there enough to justify an upgrade from the previous generation?

If you're thinking about trading up from an older handset, it may still be worth investing in the iPhone 5s, which now starts at 459 and will be able to run iOS 8 from 17 September.

Here we take a look at the key differences between the iPhone 6 and 5s:

Display size

iPhone 5s - 4in (1136 x 640) Retina Display, 500cd/m2 brightness, 326ppi

iPhone 6 - 4.7in (1334 x 750) Retina Display HD, 500 cd/m2 brightness, 326ppi

The display on the iPhone 6 has a slightly higher resolution but pixel density and brightness remain the same. Apple claims to have increased the viewing angles on the latest device by using dual-domain pixels.

Having a larger screen size means the iPhone 6 has a couple of additional interface features. These come in the form of Display Zoom and Reachability.

Display Zoom increases the size of the icons or apps on screen and reachability moves apps toward the bottom of the display making it possible to use the device in one-handed mode.

Battery life

Apple is touting modest improvements in battery life between the iPhone 6 and 5s. Both quote 10 hours of 4G browsing, but the iPhone 6 offers four hours extra talk time (14 hours).

As with all iOS products, the batteries on the iPhone 6 and 5s are not user replaceable.

Performance

iPhone 5s - A7 64-bit processor + M7 co-processor and 1GB RAM

iPhone 6 - A8 - 64-bit processor + M8 processor and 1GB RAM

Using it's second generation 64-bit processor, Apple is claiming CPU performance has increased by up to 25 per cent and graphics performance by 50 per cent from the iPhone 5s.

Apple has added a barometer so the M8 co-processor in the iPhone 6 is capable of measuring distance and can also differentiate between elevation.

During the presentation, Phil Schiller, SVP of marketing at Apple, claimed the iPhone 6 will be able to sustain high-performance without generating as much heat as its predecessor.

Camera

iPhone 5s - 8-megapixel iSight with True Tone flash, BSI sensor

iPhone 6 - 8-megapixel iSight with True Tone flash, BSI sensor

There's little to differentiate the cameras in terms of megapixels but Apple has improved the sensor, enhanced face detection and increased the speed of auto-focus in the iPhone 6.

In terms of video recording, the iPhone 6 now offers continuous autofocus and video stabilisation as well as the option to record HD video at 60fps. The 5s only offers the ability to do so at 30fps.

Storage

iPhone 5s - 16GB or 32GB

iPhone 6 - 16GB, 64GB or 128GB

The iPhone 6 is available with up to 128GB, so users will be able to store plenty of content without having to worry about transferring it off. The 5s is limited to 16 and 32GB variants.

NFC

The iPhone 6 finally brings NFC connectivity to iOS devices. This will work in conjunction with the firm's Apple Pay system - so you can tap to pay for goods in participating stores. This feature will initially roll out to 220,000 stores across the US, with key territories such as the UK expected to get the system in 2015.

Is it worth the upgrade?

The feature set of the iPhone 5s is almost identical to the iPhone 6 - with the key differences being the screen size and the ability to use Apple Pay. Whilst there are also performance upgrades and improvements to the battery life and camera, these don't blow the 5s out of the water.

If you're coming to the end of a contract and you're using an iPhone 4/4S or simply thinking about getting an iOS device, the iPhone 5s represents good value.

Apple and Android have regained market share in a number of countries while Windows Phone growth has slowed, according to the latest market figures.

Apple was boosted by demand for its iPhone 5S in the first quarter, according to research released by Kantar Worldpanel ComTech. However, sales of Windows Phone handsets have struggled with increasing competition from mid-range Android devices.

Across Europe, Android remains the top OS with 70.7 per cent share (up 1.5 per cent on the year), while Apple holds second position at 19.2 per cent (up 0.1 per cent). Windows, at third, accounts for 8.1 per cent of smartphone sales.

The research found that smartphone penetration in the UK stands at 71 per cent in March, with 88 per cent of devices sold in the past three months being smartphones.

In the UK, Android had 56.2 per cent market share while Apple had 32.1 per cent and Windows Phone managed 9.1 per cent share.

In the US, Android and Apple managed 57.6 per cent and 35.9 per cent of smartphone sales. Windows Phone only managed 5.3 per cent.

The Cupertino company was particularly successful in Japan following NTT DoCoMo's decision to finally start selling iPhones. Apple secured 42 per cent of smartphone sales on NTT DoCoMo, 59 per cent on KDDI AU and 81 per cent on Softbank.

"Apple regained ground in the first quarter of 2014, primarily due to the strong performance of the iPhone 5S, growing its sales share in Europe, Japan and Australia," said Dominic Sunnebo, strategic insight director at Kantar Worldpanel ComTech.

"By contrast, Windows had a tough start to the year as a result of its entry-level Nokia models facing fierce competition from low-end Motorola, LG and Samsung Android smartphones."

Apple iPhone 5 users whose devices feature a faulty sleep/wake button will get the chance to have it replaced for free later this week.

The consumer electronics giant claims the button, which is used to turn the device off and on, has only stopped working for a "small percentage" of users, particularly those with iPhones manufactured through March 2013.

The company is offering to replace the mechanism for free on faulty iPhone 5 smartphones or ones that sport a qualifying serial number.

To help users work out if they are in line for a free repair, the company is inviting iPhone 5 users to input their serial numbers into a search box on its support site.

"If your iPhone 5 sleep/wake button does not show any signs of this issue and/or does not have a qualifying serial number, no action is required on your part at this time," the support site states.

The vendor's button replacement programme has already started in the US and Canada, but is set to be rolled out to other countries from this Friday (2 May).

The work to replace the buttons will take place at an Apple Repair Centre, the site confirms, and should take between four-to-six days to be fixed and returned to users.

"Before sending your iPhone to Apple for service, you will need to back up all your data and erase all your contents and settings," the support site advises.

It also states the devices must be in full working order before the repair can be carried out, and if people send in devices with any defect that prevents the button being replaced, a charge may be incurred.

The Galaxy S5 has landed, bringing a best-in-class screen, an amazing 16-megapixel camera, and a bundle of new software features to the table. But how does it stack up against the iPhone 5s?

IT Pro put the two devices head-to-head to find out. We have used the following categories to compare the device - Design/ports, display, battery life, fingerprint technology, performance/enterprise deployment, camera and unique features.

Feel free to jump to the relevant section and remember to visit our section on pricing and verdict.

Design & Ports

We kick off with the design of the handsets, as Apple and Samsung take a wildly different approach to materials.

Apple uses a metallic chassis. The iPhone 5s is wrapped in a two-tone aluminum body to give it a premium look. It's got a compact 4in display and at 112g is comfortable to hold.

Samsung prefers to use plastic, so it can build large, lightweight devices and allow users to access the internals by unclipping the back panel. The choice of material does irk some who think it looks cheap, but it fulfills a specific function. The S5 is heavier at 145g, but is bigger and also has an IP67 rating making it water and dustproof.

The Galaxy S5 uses micro USB, the same port as every other Android phone. This is a nice touch because it lets you mix and match cables and accessories.

Micro USB 3 is the best version of the protocol to have, as it allows for fast transfers of data between the PC and phone storage.

The iPhone 5s uses Apple's proprietary Lightning connector. This is reversible and also delivers more wattage than a micro USB.

However, getting hold of a Lightning cable can be a problem, as they're not as widely used as micro USB cables. They are also expensive.

Winner - Galaxy S5 - The iPhone looks better and is lighter, but the S5 is more durable with its waterproof/dustproof coating. Apple's Lightning connector might be better, but micro USB is a commonly used standard.

Screen

Samsung raises the bar when it comes to the display with every generation. The 5.1in screen has a 1920 x 1080 resolution (432ppi) and there's plenty to love about it.

Super AMOLED tech provides good brightness (361cd/m2), contrast, and colour reproduction. The ability to change the colour settings to suit your preference is something no other device offers. Cinema mode has been identified as the best for colour accuracy and we would recommend switching to this.

The display on the 5s is brighter at (531 cd/m2), but it is starting to show its age. Apple's 4in display has a 1136 x 640 resolution (326ppi). Although the iPhone has a pin-sharp display, the size is small and web browsing is better on the larger Galaxy device.

Winner - Galaxy S5 - It's bigger and has better colour replication.

Battery Life

The S5 packs a 2,800mAh battery pack, which is user replaceable. It also includes a number of power saving modes. It's possible to turn off the colours or switch to an Ultra Power Saving mode, which can add days to standby time.

Apple's iPhone 5s has a power pack almost half the size (1560mAh). iOS does have software optimisations, but doesn't have a power setting that users can manually activate when running low on juice.

We carried out three commonly used tests with the brightness level set to 75 per cent and the automatic brightness and power saving features turned off. We measured the amount of battery remaining after 1 hour of Wi-Fi web browsing, HD video playback and music playback. The S5 won 2-1, but it was close.

Winner - Galaxy S5 - The devices are evenly matched when it comes to power consumption, but the S5 has a heap of power saving modes so you can stretch the battery. Plus it's possible to swap out the battery at any time, something you can't do with the iPhone.

Fingerprint technology

Both devices have fingerprint scanners as standard. Apple introduced the concept last autumn with Touch ID on the 5s. This takes the form of a sapphire crystal coated ring on the home button. Place your thumb on the home button and it unlocks. You can also authorise this to make payments from the App and iTunes stores.

Samsung's effort resembles the clumsy and unreliable scanners you would find on a Windows laptop. You can unlock your phone by swiping down across the home button, and use it to authorise payments from your PayPal account. However, in practice the implementation falls short. It's also nearly impossible to get the placement of your finger right when you're holding the device in one hand.

Winner - iPhone 5s - Apple's fingerprint scanner is well executed, whereas Samsung's attempt is clunky and inconsistent.

Performance & Enterprise deployment

The two phones use ARM-based chips to deliver a similar level of performance. The iPhone sports Apple's in-house A7 chip. It's the first 64-bit CPU to go into a smartphone and has two 1.3GHz cores. It's supported by a modest 1GB of RAM, which could pose issues in the future when more 64-bit apps are released.

The iOS interface is simple and easy to navigate. There are also a wealth of high-quality apps in the App Store. The one downside is the lack of customisation.

The Galaxy S5 uses a quad-core 2.5GHz Snapdragon 801 chip with 2GB of RAM to provide smooth performance. There are a lot of options when it comes to customisation on the S5, but some of the menus can be overwhelming.

Both devices also have a enterprise credentials. iPhones have always been popular with the enterprise crowd as iOS is secure and there are various tools out that allow easy deployment and management.

However, Samsung is making a big play toward businesses with the Galaxy S5. The phone ships with Knox security, to counter the threat of malware by scanning applications from the Play Store.

Knox also supports two-factor authentication, VPN+, certification management, single sign-on and the fingerprint scanner.

If that isn't secure enough, the S5 offers a dedicated Knox store for business apps and allows Galaxy S5 devices to be managed by third-party tools from CA Technologies and Good Technology.

Winner - Draw - There is little to differentiate these device in both areas. Real-world performance is rapid. iOS is the more secure operating system, but the S5 ships with the Secure Android container and can be managed by third-party software.

Unique Features

Each phone has a unique set of features, which we will now tackle.

The iPhone has Siri, the most well-known personal assistant on the planet. Hold down the home button, and you can talk to your iPhone to look up information.

iOS integrates with Apple services such as iCloud and iTunes. You get Apple Maps as standard, and the AirDrop feature allows you to wirelessly transfer content between iDevices and Macs.

The Galaxy S5 comes with more exclusive features than any other device we've seen. It's got a bespoke heart rate monitor on the back of the device in case you feel the urge to check your pulse.

A Download Booster combines Wi-Fi and 4G signals to speed up download times for large files over 30MB in size. Meanwhile, a one handed-mode reduces the size of the screen and Private Mode keeps confidential documents in a secure area.

If you like multi-tasking, the Dual-Window feature allows you to run two apps at once.

Finally, Samsung offers users a number of free trials to premium services like Bloomberg, WSJ, Endomondo, Dropbox and EverNote.

Winner - Galaxy S5 - From the unique hardware and software features to the multitude of subscription offers, Samsung is in a league of its own.

Camera

The Galaxy S5 boasts the latest and greatest in a long line of high quality cameras, and harnesses 16 megapixels to produce detailed shots.

The S5's daylight performance is unparalleled. When it's sunny outside, the phone will pick up more detail than any other phone, bar the Lumia 1020.

The iPhone 5s (left) and Samsung Galaxy S5 (right)

Things get trickier once the sun sets, but it's close between the two. The S5 has a good flash and produces decent images that don't look incredibly washed out. Without the flash, it can't see anything. The iPhone is better in low-light conditions.

iPhone 5s (left) and Galaxy S5 (right)

Winner - Galaxy S5 - The iPhone 5s's camera performs better in the low light. It can get details in the dark that the S5 can't, and its two tone flash does well. However, it can't match the raw power, versatility, and multiple modes you see in the Galaxy S5.

Pricing

Apple devices always clock in at the higher end of the price scale. The iPhone 5s starts at 550 for 16GB of storage.

Then again, Samsung priced its phone right behind the iPhone. The Galaxy S5 will set you back 522 without a SIM card for the 16GB model. It's cheaper, but not by much.

If you want the devices on contract, the iPhone 5s is cheaper. It starts at 38 per month with no upfront cost, whereas the newer S5 costs 42 per month if you don't want to make a down payment.

Winner - Draw - The S5 is cheaper SIM-free, but the iPhone 5s costs less on a contract.

Overall

The S5 has blown away the iPhone 5s. It triumphed in the five key areas of design/ports, screen, battery life, unique features and the camera.

Performance/enterprise features and pricing ended in a draw and the iPhone won a single category - the Fingerprint scanner.

We'd recommend the Samsung device if you want to upgrade at this time.

Apple has expanded the iPhone 5c line-up in Europe with the release of an 8GB model.

SIM-free pricing for the 8GB 5c starts at 429, which is 40 cheaper than the 16GB version and more than 129 less than the 32GB edition.

At the time of writing, mobile operator O2 was the only UK carrier with the device in stock.

The iPhone 5c was announced alongside the more expensive iPhone 5s in September 2013.

The iPhone 5c was considered at the time to be Apple's attempt at making a budget smartphone, although the SIM-free and contract pricing of the device has been roundly criticised for being too high since its release.

IT Pro awarded the device four stars out of five in its review for this reason, while the high cost of the device is regularly cited as a reason why it has not sold as well as the iPhone 5s since launch.

Reports suggest that the iPhone 5c has not been as popular as Apple expected with the cheaper device being outsold by the more expensive iPhone 5s at a rate of 2-to-1 in the weeks after launch.

Apple CEO Tim Cook was tackled on this issue at the time of the firm's fourth quarter results in October 2013, where he insisted the 5c was not intended to be an entry-level phone.

"If you look at what we've done with our iPhone line, we're selling the iPhone 4s as our entry offer. We're selling the iPhone 5c as sort of a mid-tier offer and then, of course, the iPhone 5s," he said, on a conference call with analysts at the time.

"We'd like to grow in each one of those and we're really pleased that we did that, and so that how we partly measure success, because the most important thing for us is to make a great product, but we do need growth and we're happy that we've seen that."

Picking a smartphone is tough as the market is saturated and it's a long term commitment. Contracts with devices included range from 12 months to 24 months so you have to choose wisely. With the major mobile manufacturers gearing up to launch their 2014 ranges, it's a great time to invest in a handset from 2013 if you're on a budget.

IT Pro took the Samsung Galaxy S4, HTC One, Nokia Lumia 925, Moto X, and Apple iPhone 5c and put them head-to-head in the video below. These cover the three main mobile operating systems - Android, iOS 7 and Windows Phone.

Although the One (32/month+ 29 upfront) is HTC's current flagship it's not the most expensive device on the list. The struggling manufacturer put all its weight behind the One, hoping it would compete with Samsung and Apple. Sales haven't lived up to expectations, but is the One underrated?

The Lumia 925 (23/month + 29 upfront) is a mid-range Windows Phone from Nokia. Despite Microsoft throwing money at marketing the platform, Windows Phones don't quite have the ecosystem and features of its Android and iOS counterparts. But is the Lumia worth a punt anyway?

The Moto X (Free from 21/month) is Motorola's answer to the Nexus 5. It has innovative voice control features and gesture controls for things such as the camera. It's the cheapest device on the test, but can it be the best?

Samsung's Galaxy S4 (33/month + 29 upfront) is about to be replaced with the Galaxy S5, but there's still life in the old dog. Can decent internals and a good camera overcome its annoying TouchWiz skin?

And lastly, the iPhone 5C (34/month + 19 upfront) is is as budget as Apple gets in the smartphone space. Is it worth investing in the device which is just 50 less than the premium 5s?

iPhone 5 users will soon be able to safely send messages, listen to music and access Maps whilst behind the wheel, with the launch of Apple's CarPlay software.

The vendor has confirmed Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo have signed up to use the software, with BMW, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, and others expected to follow suit later down the line.

The functionality allows iPhone 5, 5s and 5c users to replicate the iOS experience on the touchscreen interface of their cars by connecting their devices inside their cars.

It will be rolled out to users in a forthcoming iOS 7 update, while Apple said it expects the first CarPlay compatible vehicles to ship later this year. Below is a video demo of the technology in action.

CarPlay is integrated with the software's Siri voice assistant, so drivers can send messages, make calls or listen to voicemails without taking their hands off the wheel or eyes off the road.

They can also use this to select songs they want to listen to while driving, and access Apple Maps' navigational features.

This voice-activated feature can be accessed when drivers hold down the voice control button on a compatible vehicle's steering wheel.

The offering was first debuted at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) last year, where it was initially billed as iOS in the Car.

Greg Joswiak, Apple's vice president of iPhone and iOS product marketing, said the system was designed to allow users to still reap the benefits of owning an iPhone while behind the wheel.

"iPhone users always want their content at their fingertips and CarPlay lets drivers use their iPhone in the car with minimised distraction," he said.

News of CarPlay's imminent arrival follows the announcement made by Google back in January about the creation of the Open Automotive Alliance (OAA), which aims increase the availability of Android within cars.

The initiative counts Audi, General Motors, Honda and Hyundai as members.

Apple's iPhone 5c is being outsold by the flagship 5s model by a margin of 2-to-1 in the US, as the cheaper device struggles to gain traction in the market.

The iPhone 5s costs 529 SIM-free and is 80 ($100) more than the 5c. However, this hasn't stopped users opting for the high-end model which includes the Touch ID fingerprint scanner and 64-bit processor.

Some 64 per cent of those purchasing an iPhone in the US have opted for the iPhone 5s, compared to 27 per cent iPhone 5c, according to Consumer Intelligence Research Partners.

The older iPhone 4s accounted for just under 10 per cent of sales in the US.

Apple has also been struggling in expanding markets such as China and India too. In China the smartphone is officially priced at 4448 Yuan ($726), but due to lack of demand devices have been sold by merchants for as little as 2600 Yuan ($425).

Daily production of the iPhone 5c handsets is said to have been halved to 150,000 units per day as a backlog of inventory starts to build.

Apple's refusal to sell the iPhone 5c at a heavily discounted price was seen as a missed opportunity by industry watchers. However, it was unsurprising as the firm has not wanted its products to be labelled as "budget".

The iPhone 5s brings the most significant upgrades to Apple's flagship smartphone since the introduction of the Retina Display in the iPhone 4.

Apple's Touch ID fingerprint scanner grabbed the headlines, but there are numerous internal upgrades too. The 5s introduces a 64-bit A7 processor, beefed up camera technology and ships with the redesigned iOS 7. But are these enough to make the iPhone 5s the best handset on the market?

Touch it, feel it

Located on the home button, Touch ID is the first fingerprint sensor to be included on a high-end smartphone as standard and aims to minimise the need for passwords. Fingerprint scanners are available on a variety of devices including laptops, but haven't been able to dethrone the password. Can Apple succeed where other vendors have failed and attract more enterprise deployments or is this just a gimmick?

Based on our testing, Touch ID has potential. It feels natural to place a finger on the home button, accuracy is close to 100 per cent and it's quick - logging in using a print takes a second. The best part is the convenience factor when compared to a traditional pin/password input. Everyone will agree touching a button to unlock the device or authorise a purchase from the iTunes/App Store is easier than having to enter a lengthy password.

Touch ID can be activated when setting up the device for the first time and it's a simple process. Tap your chosen finger on the home button until your fingerprint has been "scanned". The process takes 30 seconds. You're also required to set up a 4-digit pin, which will be needed to access the fingerprint settings. This is also needed to unlock the device as Touch ID is automatically disabled after 10 unsuccessful attempts. It's possible to add more fingerprints later on - but the more you add, the longer the device takes to authenticate a correct print.

We've covered the security aspects of Touch ID in depth previously. Essentially Apple claims the chances of someone being able to bypass the fingerprint sensor is 1 in 50,000. This makes it five times safer than the default 4-digit pin. Touch ID has been hacked by a German hacking group, but the process isn't easy to replicate quickly - and we don't imagine criminals chopping off people's thumbs.

Fingerprints are stored on a part of the A7 processor and are not backed up to iCloud, according to Apple. The firm also claims the prints are stored as a mathematical representation. This means an image of your fingerprint cannot be reverse engineered or used on another database such as the NSA's, for example.

The unknown variable of Touch ID is durability. CMOS fingerprint sensors have a habit of degrading overtime, and it is unknown how long the sapphire crystal coating Apple has used to protect the sensor will last, especially as this feature is going to be used daily. The real test will be to see how Touch ID is performing in six to 12 months.

iOS 7 brings a needed redesign to Apple's mobile OS and adds features such as quick settings and automatic updates. iPhones are already prevalent in the business community and it's good to see enterprise features improved upon too.

The additions to the default mailbox are our favourite. It already had the option of the VIP inbox and now you can sort messages into "unread", "attachments", "flagged" items making them easier to keep track of on the move.

Apps can be set to automatically update and download across multiple iOS devices - useful if you've got an iPad too. We also love the AirDrop feature, which allows you to share files wirelessly with any other iOS/Mac devices using Wi-Fi.

The Notification centre and Quick Settings menus can be accessed by swiping from the top and bottom of screen - making it easier to see calls, text and emails or manage wireless connections and brightness. App switching is advanced with iOS now and shows a snapshot of the apps that are open rather than just the icons. These are long overdue features and an area where Android has led iOS for a year.

No significant changes have been made to the keyboard, which is unfortunate. It's not possible to install any third party apps either and this is an area we'd like to see Apple improve.

Design

Apple has retained the beautifully crafted but fragile 112g aluminium chassis from the iPhone 5. The only way to tell the 5s apart from its predecessor is the difference in the home button or through the differences in colour. The 5s is available in Space Grey, Gold and Silver.

Apple has persisted with the same 4in Retina Display (1136 x 640) and no-one can fault screen quality - maximum brightness is clocked at 515cd/m2. However, it does feel like Apple has missed an opportunity. The iPhone has always been one of the smallest smartphones on the market with screen sizes of 3.5in and 4in offered. We'd like the option of a larger 5in display as this would enhance the web browsing and video playback experience.

Apple previously bowed to market pressure by releasing a smaller model of its iPad so we may see different screen sizes for the iPhone in the future.

Interestingly, Apple continues to leave out NFC connectivity - something all its rival have included in their flagship handsets.

The A7 is the latest custom built processor and is the first smartphone chip to use a 64-bit architecture. It's got a clock speed of 1.29GHz and there's also a companion core known as the M7. The 5s blitzed through benchmarks - clocking the fastest time we've recorded of 417ms in Sunspider Javascript test. The overall 2556 score in Geekbench 3 is also higher than the Galaxy S4 which scored 2088. What do these number mean in terms of usage?

In practical terms the A7 processor allows real-world applications and heavy duty apps such as the camera and browser to run faster. The A7 chip also supports OpenGL ES version 3.0, which will allow the device to support "PC-like" graphics. The initial benefits will be seen in gaming apps, but businesses should be able to take advantage of the raw power to increase functionality of enterprise apps.

Whilst the A7 brings the power, the M7 companion is designed to handle and capture data from the accelerometer, gyroscope and compass.

8-megapixel camera

The latest iSight' 8-megapixel camera has a sensor that is 15 per cent larger than its predecessor allowing more light to be captured and better pictures.

The flash is upgraded to include dual-LEDs, helping to improve picture quality in gloomy environments. It's possible to apply filters before taking a photo, or change to a square picture frame.

Apple has built-in a continuous burst mode useful if you want to capture fast moving objects. You can also pinch-to-zoom up to 3x when recording video. But our favourite addition is the slow motion camera mode. You can shoot video in 720p and during play back select any section that you want to slow down. The speed is reduced to 25 per cent - giving you a Matrix-like effect.

Battery

Apple has sealed in a 1,560 mAh battery pack in the 5s. This is marginally larger than the power supply in the iPhone 5 (1,440mAh). With the increased demands of iOS 7 it means battery life averages out to be the same.

We made it through the day with push email turned on, Wi-Fi activated during office hours, an hour of web browsing, 60 min video and auto-brightness on. We still had 20 per cent remaining at 7pm.

Once you download apps, you'll definitely have to browse through settings to keep track of what apps are using your location and downloading data in the background otherwise the battery will lose power even faster. Remember to close applications you're not using as well.

The 529 price tag

SIM-free the iPhone 5s starts at 529 for the 16GB edition. Our device was running on Three, and the cheapest contract available was 37 per month plus a 99 upfront cost. This makes it the priciest handset, and in a competitive market doesn't represent the best value.

One of the best Android handsets, the Samsung Galaxy S4 can be picked up for 405 SIM-free and is available on contracts starting at 32 per month, at no upfront cost.

If you've got an iPhone 5, we wouldn't recommend upgrading to the 5s. If you've got a 4S or below and you're a die hard Apple fan, then trading up makes more sense. If you're not, then it's worth waiting for Nexus 5/Android Kit Kat 4.4 announcement in the coming weeks before making a purchasing decision.

Verdict

Apple introduces Touch ID and beefs up the internal specs of the iPhone, but the fundamental design of its predecessor is retained. The 5s is one of the best performing handsets on the market, but is not the best value.

OS: Apple iOS 7

Processor: 1.29GHz dual-core A7 with M7 companion core

Memory/Storage: 1GB RAM; 16/32/64GB internal

Screen: 4in (1136 x 640-pixel) 326 ppi

Connectivity: 802.11 b/g/n, Lightning connector 3.5mm headphone jack

Other: Touch ID fingerprint scanner, Three-axis gyro, Accelerometer, Proximity sensor, Ambient light sensor

Bands: HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - A1457, A1530, All 4G Camera: 8MP rear with dual-LED flash and autofocus, 720p HD front-facing

Battery: Built-in 1,560 mAh

Size: 124 x 59 x 7.6mm

Weight: 112g

One of the few hardware upgrades Apple introduced in the iPhone 5s was Touch ID, a fingerprint scanner built into the home button.

This allows users to log into the device without having to type a password and enables purchases from theiTunes Store, App Store, and iBooks Store to be authorised.

There's no doubting Touch ID is more convenient than tapping in a traditional pin number or passcode, but just how secure is it?

Is Touch ID safer than a 4-digit password?

Yes. The chances of a stranger guessing a 4-digit pin are 1 in 10,000. These odds reduce dramatically if you know the person. Friends or relatives know important dates such as anniversaries/birthdays, which could be used as a password. Of course it's also easy to look over someone's shoulder and memorise the short 4-digit sequence.

Because fingerprints are unique to individuals and tangible there's no chance they can be bypassed with guess work you either have the corresponding print or you don't. No two fingerprints are identical, and Apple claims the probability of strangers having fingerprints close enough to bypass its sensor are 1 in 50,000. You only have a maximum of ten attempts to use the fingerprint scanner before it asks you for a password - so the chances of this are slim.

However, Touch ID is not impenetrable. German hacking group, Computer Chaos Club showed how to hack the system by replicating a fingerprint. The method is a laborious process - requiring a hacker to lift a fingerprint from a surface, clean it up using graphite power, take a high-res photo with a 2400dpi camera, and print it off at a resolution of 1200dpi onto a plastic or latex material.

A second way of hacking Touch ID is far easier, but depends on opportunity. Simply wait for the person whose fingerprint you require to fall asleep before gently prodding their finger on the home button. It's crafty and most probably restricted to nosy family members and friends. But it's far more likely to happen than the fake fingerprint method.

The 6-digit combo

On the balance of probabilities Touch ID is five times more secure than the 4-digit pin. But what if you up this to a unique 6-digit combination?

The chances of someone guessing a random 6-digit pin are one in a million in theory - making it 20 times more secure than Touch ID. If you use a 6-character alphanumeric password, the number of possible combinations increases to two billion.

So what's the takeaway? Touch ID isn't perfect, but it is safer than the 4-digit pin. We see it gaining mass adoption amongst Apple users due to the ease of use. But a combination of 6+ characters is still safe, and Apple hasn't killed off the password completely.

The iPhone 5s requires users to enter their password every time they reboot, when over48 hourshave elapsedbetween unlocks and when you want to enter the Passcode and Fingerprint setting.

This week on IT Pro we seem to have had an influx of conspiracy theorists checking out the site, based on some of the comments they've left on the week's biggest stories.

Readers have been speculating on the "real" reasons behind the delayed release of BBM for Android and iPhone, and suggesting workarounds for the iPhone 5s Touch ID fingerprint scanner.

BBM for Android and iPhone delayed

BlackBerry's decision to call a halt to the worldwide rollout of its BBM messaging system for iOS and Android users left a few IT Pro readers disappointed.

The firm was forced to postpone the product's release after an older, unauthorised and buggy version of it was leaked on various file-sharing sites.

At the moment, there's no word from BlackBerry on when the product will now be released, but some sceptical types have suggested the delay is simply a ruse to drum up interest in the software.

The fantastically named Barbooza even went as far as suggesting BlackBerry may have intentionally leaked the app just to gauge how much demand there was for it.

"Since they realised that there is a high demand for it, they are going to release a paid version of their app so that they can milk as much money as they can from their failing business," he speculated.

Aside from that, most other readers were simply put out at having to wait for it, with one telling a very sad tale about deleting WhatsApp to make room for BBM on his Android device, only to find out it wasn't there when he looked in the Google Play store.

"A simple messenger app launch has caused them untold misery when WhatsApp can handle 300m users...It shows that BlackBerry lacks the resources to expand their infrastructure or support it," said MC Wong.

"It would be great if they can launch it, but I won't lose sleep waiting for it. After all, it took two years to launch its make or break' BB10 devices."

Meanwhile, Nasser who we're assuming is a BlackBerry user made this heartfelt declaration. "Can you stop this, please? BBM is for BlackBerry. Not for Android or the iPhone," he wailed.

Touching base with the iPhone 5s

It was only a matter of time until some hardy hacking group managed to crack the iPhone 5s fingerprint scanning technology, and this week it emerged that one had. So, well done them.

As a result, several readers decided to suggest other ways of outfoxing Apple's biometric security system. Other commentators simply trashed the feature.

Brianm101 seemed unsurprised by the news, before condemning the use of fingerprint scanners on mobile devices as a really, really bad idea.

"The security is weakened in that the required fingerprint is virtually guaranteed to be on the phone or other items that might have been stolen/acquired with the phone," he mused.

"Yes it will give a low level of security, perhaps equivalent to a simple swipe pattern, but not much more."

Yeah, well, IT Pro superbrain TTwonker has already thought of a way round that, by harnessing the power of an iPhone user's little finger.

"Why not use a finger that you don't use for typing as your entry ID, so that when you use the phone, it obliterates that print (like the left pinky)?

"Alternatively, Apple could redesign to store two prints, and then we have a tougher to duplicate code based on 2 of 10 fingers. Still not perfect, but better," he added.

Educating users

A Taxpayers' Alliance (TPA) report about the use of tablet PCs in schools from June 2013, caught the eye of Fuc Face Jr (an IT Pro reader whose username is erring dangerously on the side of being Not Safe For Work).

The document claimed giving kids access to new fangled technologies, like tablets and interactive whiteboards, was a waste of time and does little to enhance their learning experience.

This point was contested by several people IT Pro spoke to at the time, while Mr. Face sided with the TPA.

"So these IT geeks want schools to waste even more money on training and network infrastructure while the REAL infrastructure in crumbling," he said.

"By the time they train teachers and upgrade their networks it'll be time to get new tablets that need a better network."

iOS 7 has landed on iPhones and iPads across the globe, and demand for the software update has been unprecedented.

Here we go through the pros and cons of the mobile operating system to see what Apple has improved, upcoming features and areas of iOS that still need work. Don't forget to check out our top tips for optimising iOS 7 and also the lowdown on the core business features Apple has built. Features we love

Upcoming features

• iCloud keychain - Apple is making a strong play to try and eliminate the need for traditional passwords. The firm has included a fingerprint scanner on the iPhone 5s and plans to release its iCloud Keychain software to supplement this.The iCloud keychain will work in conjunction with Safari to remember account names, passwords and credit card details. The web browser will enter credentials automatically when required and Apple claims these details will be protected by 256-bit AES encryption. We're sure hackers will put this system to the test just to see how secure it really is when it is launched.
• OS in the Car - This feature will allow users to connect their iPhones to the built-in display within cars and control features using the on-board controls or Siri Eyes Free. Features include the ability to make phone calls, play music, send/ receive messages and get directions. So far 19 manufacturers, including BMW, Mercedes, Ford and Toyota, have shown interest in deploying this across their fleet, but there is no time frame for release.

Areas in need of improvement

Verdict

The refreshed design brings with it a number of core features. But with Google set to unveil Android Kit Kat 4.4 in October, Apple may quickly find itself behind its chief rival once again.

Compatible with iPhone 4 + later, iPad 2 + later, iPod Touch 5th Gen and iPad mini

Apple's iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S devices have gone on sale in 11 countries today including China, US and the UK.

SIM-free prices start at 469 for the iPhone 5C (16GB) and 549 for the iPhone 5S (32GB). EE, O2, Vodafone and Three are all offering various deals on contracts.

The launch of the latest iPhones follows the release of iO7, which was made available to download on the 18 September and is compatible with the iPhone 4 and above. Apple is expected to sell several million devices in the opening three days.

The iPhone 5c is the cheaper of the two devices, and comes in a choice of colours including light green, orange, yellow, blue and white and shares a lot of the same features with Apple's current flagship device, the iPhone 5.

For example, it boasts a 4in retina display, and is powered by the same A6 processor, although it reportedly has a larger battery capacity.

The outer casing has a plastic-type effect, although Apple was quick to assure those with any qualms about the build quality that it's made from a hard-coated polycarbonate that is steel-reinforced inside.

Speaking at the event, which took place at Apple's Cupertino HQ, the firm's SVP of design Jony Ive said the 5c is "beautifully, unapologetically plastic," but insisted it would still feel as good to hold as the firm's more upmarket devices.

The firm described its product as the "most forward thinking phone" Apple has ever created.

This was a point backed by Ive, who said the device is the "most refined iPhone to date" because it is "meticiously designed, engineered and crafted".

"It's the remarkable innovation inside the iPhone 5s that sets a new precedent. It's not just rampant technology's sake - every single component, every process has been considered and measured to make sure that it's truly useful and that it actually enhances the user's experience," he added.

The device will be powered by a 64-bit A7 processor, which Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing, hailed as world first for the smartphone market.

He also confirmed the device will continue to run 32-bit apps, and that iOS 7 will support 64-bit ones, too.

Schiller said the device can clock up 250 hours without charge on standby, and that the battery can sustain eight hours web browsing time over 3G networks, and 10 hours on LTE and Wi-Fi.

As for talk time, Apple quoted a battery life of 10 hours over 3G. "It's better than the iPhone 5," added Schiller.

Based on the keynote's content, the 5s seems the more business-friendly of the two devices, given that it includes a fingerprint scanner, as many industry watchers had predicted, to help make it easier for users to lockdown their devices.

The feature, dubbed Touch ID, relies on users pressing on the device's reworked home button, which features a detector around the perimeter of the button, that unlocks the device when the user's fingerprint comes into contact with it.

Apple claims the feature works with any finger orientation, and will encourage more users to secure their devices, after it was claimed onstage that less than half of smartphone users bother to lockdown their devices with passcodes.

Danny Riccio, Apple's senior vice president of

hardware

design, assured users that all their fingerprint information would be encrypted. "[It will be] stored inside the secure enclave in our new A7 chip. Here, it is locked away from everything else, accessible only by the Touch ID sensor.

"It's never available to other software, and never stored on Apple servers or backed up to iCloud," he added.

Other enhancements include a reworked 8MP camera, which features a newly designed lens and sensor that reportedly provides a 15 per cent larger active area, because as Schiller explained "bigger pixels make a better picture."

The camera will take pictures for as long as iPhone 5s users hold down the camera button, and then the device will pick the best one. It also has the ability to capture 10 frames a second in burst mode.

From launch, users will have a choice of 16GB, 32GB and 64GB iPhone 5S versions to choose from, retailing at $199, $299 and $399, respectively, on a two-year contract. They will be available in Silver, Gold and Slate Grey.

For users that want to buy the device outright, Apple has confirmed the iPhone 5s will have a recommended retail price of 549, 629 and 709 for the 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB models, respectively.

The launch of the devices marks the end of the road for the iPhone 5, Apple confirmed, despite Apple CEO Tim Cook declaring that it had the most successful first year of any smartphone the firm has put out.

The iPhone 4S, however, will remain on sale for the time being.

In the run up to today's launch event, we took a guess at some of the features we thought might make an appearance on the new iPhone, so read on to see whether or not our predictions came true...

Apple has a habit of debuting the latest version of its operating system when releasing a new flagship device, so the inclusion of iOS 7 in the iPhone 6 is pretty much guaranteed from launch.

Apple has already revealed the core features which will be included in iOS 7. The firm has refreshed the interface using a new palette of colours and changing typography. A new Control Centre allows users toadjust features such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, screen orientation and brightness with a swipe instead of having to trawl through the settings menu.

Multitasking takes a more prominent roll, with the next iteration Apple finally bring the ability to see previews of open application after double tapping the home button. Core iOS apps including Camera, Safari and Siri are all set to have a significant boost in functionality too.

Likelihood: We'd happily bet the farm on the fact that iOS 7 will be included in whatever phone Apple trots out.

More storage

Most iPhone users treat their smartphones as a replacement for their camera and MP3 player. When you add to this other multimedia content that is stored on the device such as apps, movies and TV shows, there are serious ramifications for the amount of storage left to play with.

One of the most common complaints about the iPhone 5 was how fast users could exhaust its 16, 32 or even 64GB of internal storage. This has been attributed on many Apple user forums to the 8-megapixel camera the device packed, which allowed users to take higher resolution photos.

To avoid this, we'd like to see Apple follow the lead of the iPad 4 by rolling out a 128GB version of its smartphone. Alternatively, Apple could also be a bit more generous with its free iCloud storage limit. It currently offers 5GB of cloud storage without charging.

Likelihood: There has not been many reports on this happening. So, best to keep your fingers crossed on this one.

A7 chip

With resource hungry features such as multitasking and beefed up Safari making an appearance, the next iPhone is no doubt going to need a quick processor at its heart.

A MacRumours report claimed that an iPhone 6 prototype spotted on the assembly line sported a new A7 chip.

Likelihood: We've got a good feeling about this one, given the number of industry watchers reporting on the technical details of what this improved chip has to offer and who is likely to be manufacturing it, with Intel's name regularly cropping up.

Better camera

Nokia is seen as the market leader when it comes to camera technology within smartphones. The Finnish firm has announced its forthcoming Lumia 1020, which is set to boast a mammoth 41-megapixel camera with patented PureView technology.

Although Apple is unlikely to match Nokia in terms of megapixels, an improvement in the quality of photos is expected on the iPhone 6.

One area it could get an edge over its rivals is if the company manages to include the camera technology, which it reportedly patented back in May 2013, on the new device.

This will allow the iPhone to remotely control devices with illuminating qualities, such as an extra flash, giving users a few more options to play with when taking pictures.

Likelihood: The industry consensus seems to be that a 12-megapixel camera could be in the offing on the next generation iPhone, which would be a marked improvement on the 8-megapixel rear camera sported by the iPhone 5 and iPhone 4S.

Larger screen

Apple opted for a longer, leaner 4in screen with the Apple iPhone 5. However, it's still seen as small when compared to rivals, including Samsung and Sony, which have brought mammoth 5in+ HD screens to market.

We'd like to see Apple give users a bit more real-estate to play with, but thelikelihood of this happening for now is slim. Apple CEO Tim Cook used the firm's second quarter earnings call to seemingly swear off building a smartphone with a bigger screen for now.

"Some customers value large screen size, others value other factors such as resolution, colour quality, white balance, brightness, reflectivity, screen longevity, power consumption, portability, compatibility with apps and many things," he said.

"Our competitors had made some significant trade-offs in many of these areas in order to ship a larger display. We would not ship a larger display iPhone while these trade-offs exist."

Likelihood: Despite Tim Cook's protestations, industry reports seem to consistently suggest if Apple does unveil two devices on launch day, at least one of them could boast a six-inch display. Although, we think it's more likely Apple will maintain the status quo and rollout a device with a 4.7-inch to five-inch screen.

Wireless charging

Anything that minimises the number of wires needed on a day-to-day basis is always welcome.

Last December, Apple reportedly filed a wireless charging technology patent that relies on near-field magnetic resonance.

It is claimed this approach would allow users to charge a number of devices at the same time, as long as they are in close enough proximity to the near-field.

Likelihood: The firm reportedly has the technology it needs, and with firms like Nokia already offering this functionality to customers, it would be good to see Apple do the same.

Better battery

Longer battery life is a common request of any smartphone user, regardless of whether their device of choice runs iOS, Android, Windows or BB10.

And, if Apple is planning to include a faster processor, better camera, and a larger screen with its new release, a beefier battery is going to be a must have.

Likelihood: With every release, the iPhone seemingly gets thinner, lighter, and enjoys a raft of performance improvements, so we see no reason why whatever it releases tomorrow won't be sporting a better battery.

O2 has confirmed that iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c buyers will be unable to use its 4G network at launch.

The mobile operator said the situation, which it has blamed on a settings issue, will be rectified "within the coming weeks".

Both devices will be available to pre-order from 13 September, and will be released in the UK on 20 September, Apple has confirmed.

In the meantime, customers who purchase either model on an O2 4G tariff will receive a 5 discount off their bill for that month.

"Until the update, customers can still use all the data that comes with the 4G tariff," a company statement read.

The announcement goes some way to explaining why O2 was left off Apple's list of network operators that will support 4G LTE on the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c, while Vodafone and EE were both included.

O2 switched on its 4G network on 29 August, which was the same day as arch-rival Vodafone.

The next-generation iPhones were unleashed on the world earlier this week, with the Cupertino tech giant making a play for the budget end of the smartphone market with the iPhone 5c.

However, with a SIM-free starting price of 469, many industry watchers have declared the devices too expensive, including IT Pro technical editor, Khidr Suleman.

O2 has confirmed its contract pricing for both devices. Both will be offered to customers on its Refresh tariff, which leaves users free to upgrade to a newer device without incurring fees to break the remainder of their contract.

It also means existing O2 Refresh customers can upgrade to the iPhone 5s or iPhone 5c, without having to wait for their existing contract to run out.

The 16GB iPhone 5s will set users back 119.99 upfront, and 37 a month for unlimited texts and minutes, as well as 1 GB of data.

Customers that plump for the 4G option will have to fork out the same upfront cost, and will get unlimited texts, minutes, and 5GB of 4G data for 47 a month.

For a 49.99 upfront cost, O2 is offering users a 16GB iPhone 5c for 32 a month with unlimited texts, 600 minutes and 750 GB of 3G data.

Alternatively, they can get the same device for 99, with a 42 a month cost for unlimited texts, minutes and 5GB 4G data.

The new iPhone 5s is tipped to popularise the use of biometrics within the smartphone market, but the jury's still out on whether its fingerprint scanning technology will be enough to win over enterprise users.

After much hype and speculation, the Apple iPhone 5s was finally unleashed on the world yesterday, alongside a new budget device called the iPhone 5c.

A full breakdown of the features and technical specifications of both devices and how they differ can be found here, but one of the standout features of the iPhone 5s was the Touch ID fingerprint scanner.

iPhone 5s users that enable the setting simply have to press on the device's home screen button, which now features a fingerprint detector around its perimeter, for it to unlock.

The system can also be used to authorise App Store and iTunes purchases, but for the time being at least can't be used to gain access to people's iCloud stores or Apple KeyChain Passwords.

During last night's launch event at Apple's Cupertino HQ, the consumer electronics giant assured users their fingerprint data would be encrypted and stored on the iPhone 5s A7 processor, and would not be backed up to its servers or iCloud.

Privacy protection

Apple's public declaration that Touch ID fingerprints will be encrypted has prompted several IT security experts to suggest to IT Pro the company is aware that users might take against the technology on privacy grounds.

Especially as people have much greater awareness of privacy issues these days, in the wake of the recent revelations about the NSA and GCHQ surveillance programmes.

Speaking to IT Pro, Alexander Hanff, an independent privacy expert, said even with Apple's assurances users should still tread carefully before handing over their fingerprints.

"They are a US company...so one should assume, if issued with an order under FISA or the Patriot [act] to provide access to the stored fingerprints, they will comply," he said.

"There is no way we can be certain that this fingerprint data will remain secure and, of course, any order to prevent access to it...would likely come with a gagging order to prevent Apple going public with the information," he added.

IT Pro contacted Apple for clarification on the point above, but had received no response at the time of publication.

Biometric boost

Biometric technology has been included on laptops for some time now, but few attempts have been made to incorporate it into smartphones.

Granted, Motorola had a go in 2011 with its Atrix smartphone, but could Apple's decision to include the functionality boost the adoption of iPhones within the enterprise?

Bob Tarzey, service director at analyst firm Quocirca, is not convinced, but said biometrics would help tighten up the overall security of the devices.

This is a point Apple made last night, with its claim that less than half of smartphone users bother to activate passcode protection on their smartphones.

"[That being said] fingerprint scanners are not infallible, but it would take a lot of effort for a would-be hacker to spoof a given user's fingerprint," he told IT Pro.

"Any access protection is better than none, providing it is convenient for the user, and at least we always have our fingers with us."

Anecdotally, iPhones are often flagged as a major carrier of the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) trend into enterprise environments, but many CIOs are still wary of encouraging their use because of security concerns.

Alexandre Mesguich, vice president of enterprise research at market watcher Context, said this has the potential to change with the arrival of the iPhone 5s.

However, enterprise acceptance will hinge on whether users favour the convenience of biometrics over having to input a pin code every time they want to use their phone.

"If the iPhone 5s Touch ID feature actually works and is not too gimmicky, like for example Siri, this could be a very interesting feature for the enterprise because the constant need to put in a pin to operate a phone can be very irritating," he told IT Pro.

That may well be the case, but as Tarzey hinted above anyone who thinks a fingerprint-based approach to security will render smartphones impenetrable to hackers could be in for a nasty shock.

Graham Cluley, an independent IT security expert, told IT Pro: "As soon as the new iPhone 5s falls into the hands of hackers (both whitehat and blackhat), they will begin to look for ways to subvert the technology.

"Of course, finding a weakness in the system is very different from finding a practical exploit that could be used by criminals in real-life, but any chinks in the armour will be sure to gain the hacker who manages it notoriety," he added.

All the leaks leading up to the this year's iPhone launch proved to be accurate as Apple launched two smartphones at its annual event in the US the iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s.

As usual, the launch generated buzz around the world as Apple fans eagerly waited to find out what CEO Tim Cook and his team had been working on.

Not so cheap

The iPhone 5c was expected to be a "cheap" handset, but the pricing unveiled wasn't budget. Apple revealed that the 16GB device would be available for an upfront fee of $99 (16GB) or $199 (32GB) if you take out a two-year contract. UK-specific contract pricing is yet to be announced but it can be expected to be similar to this.

Those hoping they would be able to snag a SIM-free iPhone 5c for a reasonable amount were left scratching their heads at the 469 starting price.

This high price shouldn't be too much of a surprise to those familiar with Apple. The firm has adopted a strategy to provide a premium experience across its product line, and it distances itself from the "budget" label at all costs.

With a 4in Retina Display, 8-megapixel camera, iOS 7 and 1080p recording capabilities, the iPhone 5c should have enough features to make it an attractive purchase for those who can't quite justify splashing out on the iPhone 5s.

Fingerprint magnet

The most interesting feature of the high-end iPhone 5s is the inclusion of a fingerprint scanner on the home button, which was predicted prior to the announcement.

Dubbed "Touch ID" this shows Apple is seriously trying to eliminate the need for traditional passwords. It's a brave move as fingerprint readers have been around for years and haven't yet been able to replace passwords on machines such as laptops.

However, Apple has previously had success in phasing out what it feels to be legacy technology. Cupertino was the first mainstream manufacturer to ditch optical drives from its MacBook and desktop products something other manufacturers only did when it was clear the world was ready for digital content.

For Touch ID to succeed the most important factor will be reliability. The system will be dependent on the durability of the sensor on the home button. If Apple can avoid teething problems, then it could be onto a winner, especially when it comes to attracting enterprise users.

Although the iPhone 5s is the more exciting of the two devices, ultimately the lower cost of the 5c could make it a more popular device. Whichever handset Apple fans opt for, come 20 September, there will no doubt be lengthy queues at Apple stores around the world.

Twitter reactions the iPhone 5c/5s

Our resident News Editor, Caroline Donnelly wasn't too impressed with the iPhone 5c, but analysts were generally positive about the launch.

• Ive concludes: "Touch ID defines the next step of how you use your iPhone. Making something as important as security so effortless, so simple. We believe that technology is at it's very best, at its most empowering, when it simply disappears."
• Danny Riccio, SVP of hardware design, adds: "All fingerprint information is encrypted and stored inside the secure enclave in our new A7 chip. Here, it is locked away from everything else, accessible only by the Touch ID sensor. It's never available to other software, and never stored on Apple servers or backed up to iCloud."All about the new iPhones Want more detail about the new iPhone 5c and 5s? Check out our information here.
• "This care, this consideration, extends to how we protect all of the important information you carry with you on your iPhone. It's what led us to create Touch ID."
• iPhone 5s video now up on Apple site: "iPhone 5s is our most refined iPhone to date," Ive states. "It is meticulously designed, engineered and crafted. But it's the remarkable innovation inside the iPhone 5s that sets a new precedent. It's not just rampant technology's sake - every single component, every process has been considered and measured to make sure that it's truly useful and that it actually enhances the user's experience."
• "We believe the iPhone is an experience. An experience is defined by hardware and software working harmoniously together. We continue to refine that experience, dramatically blurring the boundaries between the two, making it more powerful, more intuitive and, ultimately, more useful. iPhone 5c is beautifully, unapologetically, plastic...I think it's quite remarkable when something feels familiar and yet it's new at the same time. That's the iPhone 5c. It's the vivid realisation of hardware and software together in one device." Apple has posted an iPhone 5c video on its website, just this minute. "The iPhone 5c is in many ways the distillation of what many people love about the iPhone 5. It's simpler, more essential, yet it's more capable and certainly more colourful," says Jony Ive.
• And we're done. No iPhone 6. Just yet anyway. But some good stuff coming nonetheless.

• Looks like the iPhone 5 has been discontinued (the slide showed the 4S 8GB next to the iPhone 5c and 5s but no sign of the orginal iPhone 5). RIP.
• Pre-orders of the iPhone 5c open up next Friday (the 13th, eek!) and the devices will go on sales in the UK and US on 20th September. Austrailia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan and Singapore users will also benefit from that availability date. And, by the end of the year, the iPhone 5c will be available in 100 countries, supported by more than 270 network carriers.
• There are a range of cases too, in different colours, that will set you back $39.
• All about the money... The new iPhone 5s will cost you $199 for the 16GB, $299 for the 32GB and $399 for the 64GB (all on a two-year US contract).
• And... the sensor will be located in the new home button, which is constructed of four layers (a tactile switch sits behind the Touch ID sensor, with the stainless steel detection ring and then a laser-cut sapphire crystal on the outside). Time for a quick demo.
• It'll have a capacitive sensor; 170 microns thin; 500 ppi resolution; will scan sub-epidermal skin layers and has 360-degree readability.
• Moving onto security. Whoop - Touch ID.
• Now details about the flash. It's adjustable with different colour modes ranging from 'candle flame' to 'outdoor sky' (Wonder if they have a not-summer-in-the-UK-grey?). There will be more than 1,000 unique flash variations. HD capture is pretty nifty (720p at 120 fps).
• There's a host of goodies on offer here: Better aperture (f 2.2) and pixels are now 1.5 microns. Apple says "Bigger pixels = better picture."
• Now the camera. Let's get snap-happy.
• 3G talk time (10 hours); 3G browsing (8 hours); LTE browsing (10 hours); Wi-Fi browsing (10 hours); video playback (10 hours); music playback (40 hours); standby (250 hours).

• Now for some battery talk...
• Now Schiller is talking about the M7 Motion co-processor. It continuously measures motion data; has an accelerometer, gyroscope and compass built-in, which will (according to Apple) enable a new-generation of fitness apps.
• Donald Mustard, co-founder of Chair Entertainment, is now on stage to show the iPhone 5s some love. He reckons it's five times faster than the iPhone 5.
• iPhone 5s also runs OpenGL ES (the standard for embedded, accelerated graphics).
• Chart behind Schiller now shows a CPU performance curve, plotting how the different iPhone generations fare. iPhone 5s is king of the chart, boasting a CPU performance that's 40 times faster. It also boasts a graphics chip that's 56 times faster. (We're not entirely sure from the chart at stage whether that's over the original iPhone or iPhone 5)
• 64-bit apps will be launched for iOS.
• Now let's talk tech! The architecture is desktop-class; with a modern instruction set; 2x general purpose registers; 2x floating-point registers; more than one billion transistors; 102mm (squared) die size.
• It'll have a 64-bit chip (the Apple A7 to be precise). Making it a smartphone world-first, Apple claims.
• Looks like a metal casing and three colours: black/grey, gold and silver. Less funky than the iPhone 5c's colouring, but perhaps better-suited to corporate types.

• Now onto iPhone 5s *in best Ferrero Rocher ad voice: "Apple you are spoiling us!"*
• Not content with that, Apple is also releasing a range of iPhone 5c cases with cut-outs so you can still see the original colour. They'll be $29 a piece.
• It'll be available in a range of hues: Blue, white, pink, yellow and green and the shell will be hard-coated polycarbonate with a steel reinforced interior which will double up as an antenna.
• Specs now. Four inch Retina display; Apple-designed A6 chip; high-capacity battery (phew); 8MP iSight camera; new FaceTime HD camera on the front; More LTE bands than any other smartphone in the world with up to 100 Mbps download; supports 802.11 a/b/g/n; 2.4GHz and 5GHz and Bluetooth 4.0.
• But all good stars must retire from the limelight. Take the stage iPhone 5c. And, instead of lowering the price of the iPhone 5 (as Apple has done before for the previous generation when launching a new one), it's just making the iPhone 5c uber cheap. $99 for the 16GB version and $199 for 32GB on a two-year contract.
• Now it's onto the iPhone. iPhone 5 did really well in its first year. Better than any iPhone before it.
• These apps feed customers' appetite for productivity (iWork) and creativity (iMovie and iPhoto) says Cook who is now standing in front of a giant screen that says 'Free.' If only he started talking about the new iPhone now - maybe they'd be a chance we could claim he was suggesting it was free. A tech title can dream can't it?!

• Then he jumps on to creative apps such as iMovie and iPhoto. Not really business fodder, unless that's your job or you need to kill time. We like these apps nonetheless.
• The big screen presentation behind him states 'Best-selling mobile productivity apps' as Cook talks up the good stuff inside iWork.
• Cook's back on stage now so he can turn our attention to the wonders of iWork.
• iOS 7 will run on the iPhone 4 and later devices, the iPad 2 and later, the iPad mini and the 5th generation iPod Touch.
• Lots of details about iOS 7 and the multitude (200-plus) of new features it will bring. Developers have already got their hands on it and are incredibly excited.
• We knew it. It's out on September 18th. IT Pro's source verified this a while back, following some unconfirmed reports.
• Now time to talk iOS 7. Craig Federighi, who leads Apple's engineering unit, is on stage. He says the OS "is alive." Not too alive, we hope.
• Apple will ship its 700 millionth iOS device next month. That makes it the most popular OS in the world, according to Cook.
• He's - in typical Apple style - going to keep us waiting for what we're all here for (details of the new iPhone) but providing an update on some other things first. First up, the iTunes festival, in London. Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake and Elton John are on the line up. Some 20 million people tried to get tickets.
• Tim Cook, Apple's CEO has taken to the stage. Here we go...
• It's started!
• Apple's event is widely expected to reveal the new iPhone. But will it be an iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s or iPhone 6?Last week, the company sent out invitations to a gathering at its headquarters in Cupertino on Tuesday 10 September, starting at 6pm GMT. That's today and just 40 minutes away. IT Pro will be bringing you all the news as it happens. So stay tuned to this live blog for updates. This article was originally published on 4/9/13 at 11.37 and updated and turned into a live blog article on 10/9/13 to reflect the Apple announcements as they happened.