Apple unveils the iPhone 5S and 5C

The iPhone 5S offers upgraded components and exclusive software features in a form factor otherwise near identical to last year's model. The new features include an improved camera, 64-bit A7 processor, and fingerprint scanner — the latter of which is perhaps the most drastic departure. The home button has been redesigned to incorporate an integrated fingerprint sensor, which apple is calling Touch ID. The sensor is capable of learning and detecting your unique fingerprint in order to instantaneously unlock your phone, as well as authorize iTunes purchases, which would otherwise require entering your Apple ID password.

In terms of camera, the device stands out. While the device hasn't received a raw megapixel count increase, the wider aperture and 1.5μ pixels sensor produce more vivid, color-accurate images and video. Most importantly, Apple has added some new camera software that is exclusive to the iPhone 5S, most notably continuous burst mode and slow-motion video. The new sensor paired with the device's A7 processor allows the iPhone 5S to capture 120 frame-per-second slow motion video and 10 frame-per-second still photographs. As a result, images are noticeably crisper and more detailed, alleviating a lot of the motion blur associated with smartphone cameras.

Two new colours have also been added to the existing range, space gray and gold. Space gray features a lighter shade of aluminum and black casing while the gold variation is somewhat gaudy but may appeal to those who prefer glitzy material. Apple also has introduced a new motion processor, the M7, the "True Tone" dual-LED flash, as well the finer points of iOS 7. The question that pops up here is how the new processor, LED flash and most importantly, the finger print scanner impact battery life.

While, everyone was eagerly awaiting the iPhone 5S, iPhone 5C was perhaps the one people were clamouring for, it was one of the worst kept secrets by Apple, though the point where everyone was excited turned out to be false, the new Apple iPhone 5C is not the ‘cheap iPhone’ as everyone had expected but rather it is similar to the iPhone 5. Bearing a polycarbonate plastic body and being available in a wide range of attractive and eye popping colours are the catch point of the model. The features are almost similar to that of the iPhone 5, a 8-megapixel camera, A6 processor, LTE connectivity and a 4-inch retina display.

The bright and vibrant array of colours look fantastic and complement iOS 7's new, more colorful look. The design is slightly thicker than the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5S — 8.97mm vs. 7.6mm — but that, paired with its steel-reinforced frame, makes the iPhone 5C feel substantial in your hand.

The iPhone 5C's casing has a high-gloss finish, which accumulates dust and smudges very easily The choice in plastic material and finish also recalls memories of the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS, which were prone to scuffs and scratching.