⭐ Reason for Purchase

Needed a reliable secondary phone for work apps and quick social media checks

📌 Purchase Motivation

Loved the compact size and Touch ID, which felt nostalgic yet practical

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

Compared it with iPhone SE (1st gen) but chose the 5s for its classic design and lower price

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

Bought refurbished from Amazon Renewed for affordability and warranty

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

The gold color was so pretty! Setup was smooth, but restoring from iCloud took forever.

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

Fits perfectly in my small hands—miss phones this size! The aluminum back feels premium.

⭐ First Week Usage

Battery drained fast, but disabling background apps helped. Camera surprised me for its age!

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

Mostly for Slack, Instagram, and light photo edits. Struggles with heavy multitasking.

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

Touch ID for quick logins, compact one-handed use, and surprisingly decent daylight photos

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

iOS updates slowed it down. Had to replace the battery after 4 months—cost $49 at a local shop.

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

Way smaller than my iPhone 12 Pro, but easier to carry in my jeans pocket during client meetings.

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Great for quick design inspo on Pinterest but lags with Adobe apps. Personal texts? Flawless.

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

Friends teased me for using a 'dinosaur,' but it’s my gym/running phone now—no fear of dropping it!

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

Bought a slim Spigen case and a pop socket for better grip. Needed a Lightning-to-3.5mm dongle.

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

8/10 for nostalgia and basics. Would tell budget buyers to get an SE instead for longevity.

⭐ Reason for Purchase

Needed a "vintage aesthetic" phone for Instagram flat lays and TikTok thrift hauls

📌 Purchase Motivation

Saw #iPhone5sChallenge trending—people filming "old phone, new content" videos

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

Compared with iPhone 4s but chose 5s for better front camera and iOS 12 support

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

Etsy seller who "curates retro tech"—paid $120 for a "pristine" model with vintage stickers

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

Came wrapped in 90s newspaper! Seller included a ‘Hello Kitty’ case—ironic but cute.

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

Scratches look intentional. The chamfered edges catch light perfectly for product shots.

⭐ First Week Usage

TikTok crashed twice mid-haul video. Had to film in 720p—followers think it’s ‘nostalgic.’

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

Mainly for Depop listings and VSCO edits. Keep my iPhone 14 Pro Max in the back for DMs.

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

Natural color temperature for vintage filters, physical silent switch during filming, and #trendy

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

Can’t use newer ring lights with Bluetooth—stuck with a wired one from 2016.

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

Downgrade from my XR, but the engagement on ‘retro tech’ posts is 3x higher.

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Customers love the ‘authenticity.’ Almost dropped it filming a haul—heart stopped for 2 seconds.

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

Got featured in a ‘thrift tech’ blog. Other sellers are copying me with iPhone 6s now.

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

Vintage landline-style handset adapter, a gimbal for smoother videos, and a microfiber cloth

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

8/10 for content creators. Not for everyone—battery life is a joke after 2 PM.

⭐ Reason for Purchase

Needed a cheap, durable phone for Square payments and food photography

📌 Purchase Motivation

Saw a TikTok hack about using 5s as a "business-only" device to separate work/personal life

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

Almost bought a Samsung A03s but needed iOS for seamless Square card reader integration

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

eBay "Fair" condition—chose seller with 10,000+ ratings. Came with a greasy fingerprint (ew)

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

Wiped it down with Lysol. Was shocked the battery health was 82%—not bad for $45!

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

Dent on the side, but screen’s flawless. Weighs nothing in my apron pocket next to the spatula.

⭐ First Week Usage

Square app crashed once during rush hour. Had to reboot—lost a $12 order. Never again.

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

Strictly for transactions and snapping taco pics. Keep my personal iPhone X in the truck.

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

Touch ID for quick employee logins, and the 4G still works fine for processing payments

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

Grease clogged the home button after 2 months. Fixed it with rubbing alcohol and a toothbrush.

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

Upgrade from the Android burner I used—no more 'unsupported device' errors from Square.

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Customers compliment my crispy tortilla close-ups. Saves me from frying my main phone.

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

Staff thinks I’m fancy for having two iPhones. Joke’s on them—this one’s worth less than our salsa.

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

Square stand, a rubber case from Dollar Tree, and a waterproof bag for fryer steam

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

9/10 for biz use. Would tell vendors: buy two—they’re cheaper than a single Square terminal repair!

⭐ Reason for Purchase

Her iPhone 4 finally died—needed something "simple but still Apple"

📌 Purchase Motivation

Grandson told her the 5s was "the last iPhone with a headphone jack and a home button she could feel"

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

Asked the Verizon store to compare it with Jitterbug Smart3—chose 5s for familiar iOS

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

Best Buy—paid extra for Geek Squad setup because "technology scares me after 2010"

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

Had the boy at the store open it. He laughed when I asked if Siri could read recipes louder.

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

Slippery! Almost dropped it leaving the store. The white color hides my flour fingerprints.

⭐ First Week Usage

Couldn’t find the Photos app—turns out I’d hidden it in a folder. FaceTime with grandkids froze twice.

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

Mostly calls, Bible app, and checking email. Forgot my passcode twice—thank God for Touch ID.

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

Large text display settings, physical mute switch, and the "magnifying glass" zoom feature

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

iCloud kept asking for a password I didn’t remember. Had to reset it at the Apple Store—hassle!

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

Much faster than my iPhone 4, but why are the icons so small? Had to make them 'jumbo size.'

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Book club uses WhatsApp—had to ask neighbor to install it for me. Camera’s good for garden pics!

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

Bridge group thinks I’m 'tech-savvy' now. Still write checks, but deposit them with the phone.

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

OtterBox "for old-lady drops," a lanyard from QVC, and a plug-in hearing aid adapter

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

7/10 for basics. Tell other seniors: get the SE if you can afford it—this one’s already outdated.

⭐ Reason for Purchase

Work policy requires iOS for clock-in app—his ZTE Blade broke

📌 Purchase Motivation

Needed "anything under $100 that could run When I Work and survive drops"

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

Almost got an iPhone 6 but chose 5s for better drop tests in YouTube videos

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

Local pawn shop—haggled from $75 to $50 by pointing out a scratch near the charging port

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

Smelled like cigarettes. Took 3 tries to get the Apple ID right—forgot my 2014 password!

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

Tiny compared to my old Android. Home button sticks if I press too hard—probably soda spills.

⭐ First Week Usage

App store needed a $0.99 payment method just for free apps! Used a prepaid card from Family Dollar.

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

Clock-in/out, occasional YouTube during breaks. Keep it in a ziplock bag when mopping.

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

Find My iPhone after leaving it in the bleachers twice, and Siri for hands-free timers

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

Screen went black once—thought it was dead. Turns out the brightness was all the way down.

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

Miss my big Android keyboard, but at least this one fits in my janitor cart’s tool pouch.

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Boss stopped yelling about missed punches. Kids at school call it a 'baby phone'—whatever.

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

Wife’s happy I’m finally on iMessage. Still use my flip phone for actual calls though.

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

$1.99 silicone sleeve, screen protector from the gas station, and a lanyard for his keys

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

6/10—does the job. Tell coworkers: buy it, dunk it in bleach, and don’t expect miracles.

⭐ Reason for Purchase

Wanted a "digital detox" phone that could still play Spotify and track hikes

📌 Purchase Motivation

Minimalist influencers swore the 5s’s small screen discourages doomscrolling

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

Debated a Light Phone but needed Apple Health for heart rate tracking

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

Back Market—chose "Good" condition with a 1-year warranty for peace of mind

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

Came with a cute recycled box. Deleted all social media during setup—felt liberating!

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

So light in my leggings pocket! Rose gold is chipped but matches my mala beads.

⭐ First Week Usage

Missed Instagram for 2 days, then didn’t. Battery died mid-hike—had to buy a portable charger.

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

Mostly for Gaia GPS, Calm app, and texting students. No more comparing myself to influencers!

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

Health app step tracking, Bluetooth for wireless earbuds during classes, and Night Shift mode

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

Couldn’t AirDrop class playlists from my MacBook—too old. Had to use a cable like it’s 2012.

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

Downgrade from iPhone 13 Pro, but my neck pain disappeared from less screen time.

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Students think I’m ‘zen’ for not checking my phone. Secretly, I still sneak peeks at Reddit.

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

Dating’s harder—guys think I ghosted them when really my DMs just don’t load properly.

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

Popsocket for one-handed use, a shockproof case for canyon hikes, and a car vent mount

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

7.5/10 for intentional living. Only for those ready to quit TikTok cold turkey!

⭐ Reason for Purchase

First phone he bought with his own money—wanted something cheap but "still an iPhone"

📌 Purchase Motivation

Saw YouTube videos praising the 5s as the "last great small iPhone"

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

Almost got a used Android but feared "green text bubbles" stigma in his friend group

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

Facebook Marketplace for $60—met seller at a Starbucks to check for cracks

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

No box, just a charger and phone wrapped in napkins. Touch ID worked—score!

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

Dings on the corners, but screen was clean. Home button felt clickier than newer iPhones.

⭐ First Week Usage

Couldn’t play Genshin Impact, but Spotify and Snapchat ran fine. Group texts were chaotic.

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

Notes app for lectures, Spotify at the gym. Dies by 3 PM if I don’t use Low Power Mode.

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

iMessage, Wallet for student ID, and the headphone jack (!) for wired gym earbuds

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

No iOS 16 support—some apps like Bank of America won’t update. Had to borrow a friend’s iPad.

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

Upgrade from a cracked Samsung J3—everything feels faster except Instagram loading.

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Professors side-eye me when I scan QR codes slowly. Dating apps? Swipe left on my phone’s speed.

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

Got roasted in the group chat for my 'grandpa phone,' but it’s a conversation starter.

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

$5 Temu case, a portable charger, and a toothpick to clean the charging port lint

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

6/10—does the job. Would only recommend to broke students who NEED iOS clout.

Benchmark Scores

The iPhone 5s may feel ancient by today's standards, but back in its prime, its A7 chip with 64-bit architecture was groundbreaking. In Geekbench, it scores around 1300 (single-core) and 2100 (multi-core), which is laughable compared to modern iPhones but was impressive in 2013. For basic tasks like

Build Quality & Materials

The iPhone 5s’ aluminum unibody design still feels premium today—thin, lightweight, and sturdy. The chamfered edges add a touch of class, though they’re prone to scratches over time. The home button (with Touch ID) is iconic, but its small size feels cramped compared to modern phones. It’s a reminde

Display Quality

The 4-inch Retina display (1136x640 resolution) is tiny by today’s standards, but pixel density (326 PPI) still makes text sharp. Colors are accurate, though brightness maxes out at 500 nits—struggles in direct sunlight. Watching videos feels cramped, but it’s nostalgic for those who miss one-handed

Camera System & Performance

The single 8MP rear camera lacks modern computational photography, but it takes decent daylight shots with natural colors. Low-light performance is poor (no Night Mode), and video tops out at 1080p/30fps. The 1.2MP front camera is barely usable for selfies—a relic of the pre-selfie era.

Software & User Experience

iOS 12 (the last supported OS) runs surprisingly well, but app support is dwindling. Many apps now require iOS 13+. The interface is snappy for basics, but don’t expect updates or new features. Touch ID works reliably, though it’s slower than Face ID.

Battery Life & Charging

The 1560mAh battery is tiny—barely lasts a day with light use. Heavy users will need a charger by afternoon. It supports only 5W charging (no fast charging), and battery health on used units is often degraded. A power bank is a must.

Gaming & Graphics Performance

The A7’s GPU (PowerVR G6430) struggles with modern games—even casual titles like Among Us stutter. Stick to classics like Temple Run or Angry Birds. Graphics-heavy games like Genshin Impact? Forget it.

Connectivity & Ports

Single-band Wi-Fi (802.11n), Bluetooth 4.0, and LTE Cat 4 feel archaic. No 5GHz Wi-Fi means slower speeds in crowded networks. The Lightning port is still usable, but no USB-C or wireless charging.

Durability & Protection

The aluminum back dents easily, and the screen is prone to cracks without a case. No IP rating means zero water resistance. A sturdy case is non-negotiable for daily use.

Price & Value Proposition

Used units sell for $50-$100 in the US—only worth it as a backup phone or for nostalgia. Newer budget phones (e.g., iPhone SE 2020) obliterate it in performance. But if you miss the headphone jack and compact size, it’s a fun throwback.

Benchmark Scores

The iPhone 5s’ A7 chip was revolutionary in 2013, but today, its benchmarks are dwarfed by even budget phones. AnTuTu scores hover around 60,000—modern phones hit 500,000+. Single-core performance is tolerable for calls and texts, but multi-core tasks (like Safari tabs) lag. A stark reminder of how

Build Quality & Materials

The aluminum body feels solid, but the space-gray model’s anodization wears off over time. The 5s’ slim profile (7.6mm) is still ergonomic, but the 4-inch screen feels minuscule now. The home button’s tactile feedback is satisfying, though prone to failure in older units.

Display Quality

The 4-inch LCD is crisp for its size (326 PPI), but colors look muted next to OLED screens. Brightness is mediocre—outdoor visibility is tough under sunlight. Watching videos feels like peering through a mail slot compared to today’s phablets.

Camera System & Performance

The 8MP shooter lacks HDR, Night Mode, or depth effects. Daylight photos are decent, but dynamic range is limited. Video lacks stabilization—footage is shaky. The front camera is practically a potato by today’s standards.

Software & User Experience

iOS 12 is functional but stuck in time. Apps like Instagram and YouTube still work, but newer features (e.g., Dark Mode) are absent. Touch ID is reliable but slow compared to second-gen sensors. A stark contrast to today’s iOS 17.

Battery Life & Charging

The 1560mAh battery is a joke by modern standards—4-5 hours of light use. Streaming video? Expect 3 hours max. Replacement batteries help, but 5W charging means hours to refill. Wireless charging? Not here.

Gaming & Graphics Performance

The PowerVR G6430 GPU chokes on anything beyond 2D games. Even Minecraft lags. Stick to classics like Flappy Bird—this isn’t a gaming phone in 2024.

Connectivity & Ports

No 5G, no Wi-Fi 6, and single-band Wi-Fi (802.11n) means sluggish downloads. Bluetooth 4.0 limits headphone range. The Lightning port is outdated but still widely supported.

Durability & Protection

The glass front scratches easily, and the aluminum back dents if dropped. No water resistance—a spilled coffee could kill it. A case and screen protector are mandatory.

Price & Value Proposition

At $50-$100 used, it’s only for collectors or as a kid’s first phone. A new iPhone SE (2022) is 10x faster for $429. Nostalgia aside, it’s hard to recommend.