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Hands-on with Apple's high-end iPhone 5S (pictures)

CNET gets its hands on the newly unveiled iPhone 5S handset, which now features an upgraded processor, a new gold color model, and a fingerprint sensor.

Lynn La
Lynn La covers mobile reviews and news. She previously wrote for The Sacramento Bee, Macworld and The Global Post.
Lynn La
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1 of 14 Josh Lowensohn/CNET

Apple iPhone 5S finally arrives

Apple debuted the iPhone 5S today during a press conference held in Cupertino, Calif. In addition to more camera features and an updated processor, the handset can come encased in a new gold-colored construction that's sure to please Apple fans.

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2 of 14 Josh Lowensohn/CNET

Striking it gold

The iPhone 5S has the same three capacity models as before: 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB. However, Apple introduced a new gold color, which confirms long-held rumors that preceded the event.

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3 of 14 Josh Lowensohn/CNET

Touch ID for security

Another new feature is the Touch ID security function. Located on the home button, it's a capacity sensor that scans your fingerprint using a laser-cut sapphire crystal and a stainless steel detection ring.

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4 of 14 Josh Lowensohn/CNET

New camera features

Although the new iPhone still sports an 8-megapixel camera, the camera does come with a handful of new improvements such as an f/2.2 aperture, burst mode shooting, and image stabilization. True Tone, which adjusts the camera flash according to lighting environments, has also been included.

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5 of 14 Josh Lowensohn/CNET

Now records in slo-mo

The camera can now record in slow motion (at a rate of 120fps), has a 1.5-micron pixels on sensor, and features Dynamic tone mapping, which automatically analyzes photos and carries out local adjustments. Click here for more photos taken with the iPhone 5S.

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6 of 14 Josh Lowensohn/CNET

A7 and M7 processors

In addition to featuring a proprietary 64-bit A7 processor (which Apple claims to be 2x faster than the previous iteration), the 5S also sports an M7 motion co-processor that will help ring in a new crop of health and fitness apps.

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7 of 14 Josh Lowensohn/CNET

Same FaceTime camera

Meanwhile, the front-facing camera has remained largely the same. It's a 1.2-megapixel camera capable of shooting photos with a 1,280x960-pixel resolution, and it can record 720p HD video.

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8 of 14 Josh Lowensohn/CNET

The familiar ports

Physically, the 5S does not look much different from the now discontinued iPhone 5. Ports like the lightning connector and 3.5mm headphone jack are still located on the bottom edge, as well as the dual speakers.

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9 of 14 Josh Lowensohn/CNET

Not much physically changed

Measuring 4.87 inches tall, 2.31 inches wide, and 0.30 inch thick, the iPhone 5S keeps the same measurements as its last iteration. It also weighs the same at 3.95 ounces.

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10 of 14 Josh Lowensohn/CNET

Looking to the side

Another look at the device's profile reveals the same identical design as the previous iPhone.

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11 of 14 Josh Lowensohn/CNET

Boasting a better battery

Apple also boasts that the phone will have an improved battery life. Reported stats include 10 days of standby time, 10 hours of talk time on 3G, 10 hours of Web browsing on 4G LTE or Wi-Fi, or 10 hours of continuous video playback.

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12 of 14 Josh Lowensohn/CNET

Availability and price

The iPhone 5S will be available starting September 20. The 16GB model will be $199 on-contract, and the 32GB and 64GB models will be $299 and $399, respectively.

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13 of 14 Josh Lowensohn/CNET

Coming to the big four

In the US, the iPhone 5S will be sold on all four major carriers: AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint.

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14 of 14 Josh Lowensohn/CNET

iPhone, everywhere

In addition to launching in the US, the phone will launch in China, Australia, Canada, Germany, France, Japan, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. For more about today's Apple news, click on the links below.

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