The iPhone 5S is a viable option for those seeking to upgrade older phones, but whether not it holds up for its age is another question. After all, the iPhone 5S is over three years old, making the device considerably ancient when you factor in the release dates of smartphones.
However, if you're on the search for a ridiculously cheap, speedy phone, then you should definitely consider the iPhone 5S, especially since it continues to be supported - thanks to sporting 64-bit architecture - by Apple.
If you do plan on purchasing a refurbished iPhone 5S, it will likely be unlocked, meaning that you'll be able to tether your iPhone 5S to carriers that will support the phone, as long as you have the necessary SIM card.
For more information on available plans that will complement your used iPhone 5S, you should refer to our cell phone plan comparison tool. Furthermore, if you're seeking more information on unlocking your smartphone, then please refer to our guide, "How to Unlock Your Phone & Use it With a New Carrier."
So let's first talk about the iPhone 5S's design. The device sports a 4.7-inch screen, which may prove a tad difficult for viewing video and photos. However, its size may be perfectly suitable for those who prefer to store phones in their pockets.
When factoring in processing speed, you should be relieved to know that the iPhone 5S is considerably fast and reliable with its A7 dual-core processor, even when compared to the more modern phones such as the iPhone 7 and iPhone 8. However, while you'll be able to run the latest iOS 11 update with the iPhone 5S, you may experience slow down. Despite that, you'll still be able to use your phone without any major issues.
The iPhone 5S's camera isn't astounding, but you'll still be able to shoot detailed photos. However, the camera will be able to work under low-light conditions. And better yet, in terms of hardware design, the iPhone 5S comes with a headphone jack, so if you aren't able to part with the jack, you cannot go wrong with a used, unlocked iPhone 5S.
What can be disgruntling, however, is that the iPhone 5S doesn't feature expandable storage, meaning you won't be able to equip the phone with an SD card. You'll be able to purchase one of three refurbished phone storage types: 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB. Nowadays, you should consider the 32GB storage option at the minimum.
As for the battery, the iPhone 5S can last a couple of days on a single charge with minimal interaction, but you will certainly need to charge the phone overnight if you use the phone intensively.
At its current price, you won't regret iPhone 5S if you're not heavy into modern mobile gaming. While it has grown obscure in today's smartphone market, Apple still supports this small phone with its updates. For the best price of the iPhone 5S, it's best to check for prices online.
You'll find iPhone 5S's that will likely be for sale at a cheaper price online compared to physical retail. However, it's important to compare prices of refurbished and unlocked iPhone 5S models from the top resellers to ensure you'll receive the best price.
However, if you're not interested in buying a used iPhone 5S and instead are looking to sell your iPhone, then you may want to turn your attention to our article, "Where Can You Sell Your Old Phone?"
