Is it still worth buy an iPhone 5s?

[WeAllHaveWings]

ds covets an iPhone for his Xmas this year. The new iPhone 6 is beyond budget but could go to an iPhone 5s 16GB, 32GB at a push.

Is it still worth buying now the 6's are out, and how long will it be supported for? I would hope to get 3 years out of it. Is that realistic?

I've tried to convince him Android phones are better but his heart is set on an iPhone.

Sorry but it's not worth getting a 5S really. The 6 has gone down in price now the 6S has come out (the 16GB iPhone 6 is now £459 I think). If it's still beyond your budget could you keep saving and get it for his next birthday? When's that?

Have you considered getting a refurbished / reconditioned iPhone 6? That would be cheaper. The Apple Store sells them, check out the website.

Ah sorry Apple don't sell refurbished iPhones. But this MSE article has tips of other places to get them:
www.moneysavingexpert.com/phones/buying-refurbished-phones

I don't think the apple store does sell refurbished iPhone 6s

Why is it not worth getting a 5?

George do you mean the 5S? The 5 is even more out of date. Why is not worth getting the 5S? Because the technology is 2 years out of date. I also suspect that part of the reason he wants an iPhone (as opposed to an Android for example) is the "cool" factor. The iPhone 6 and 6S are newer and therefore seen as more "cool".

Not saying he's right, just saying he might not be too thrilled with a 5S. I also don't think it's good value of money and if budget is limited a refurbished iPhone 6 or an Android would be a much better option.

He would be very happy with a 5s as it is a BIG leap up from his current Samsung Galaxy Young 2.

The 5s is also attractive due to its size 4.872.31 which smaller than the 6 at 5.442.64, but that wont matter if its going to be redundant in a years time.

I cant find anywhere that says how long Apple will support the phone for (software updates)

Because the technology is 2 years out of date.

How essential is having the most up to date technology?

The ability to:
Make and receive calls and SMS/MMS
Browse the internet
Listen to music, possibly watch movies/TV
Use maps/GPS/satnav
Email
Messenger/Whatsapp/etc.
Games and apps

I suspect it's mostly the last item that would place a major emphasis on the tech, specifically hardware.

If you really broke it down, most use for most people could still be done with 4-5 year old tech. My previous PC was replaced at 4 years old, was low-mid range when I bought it, and it can still perform most of the tasks that I require. Same with a Galaxy S2, for a bit of browsing and a couple of simple games, it's more than up to the job (or would be after a replacement battery).

NASA first landed people on the moon nearly 50 years ago - it's not what you've got, it's what you do with it that counts.

Yes I completely agree. No need for the up to date software, no need to teach him that constantly buying the latest model is essential.

£450 !! Is that what I phone 6 costs? Christ on a bike. I had no idea how much stuff like that costs.
My phone came with my phone contract. It does calls, texts, Internet, games and pictures. I'd expect it to make me breakfast in bed and hang out the washing for 450 quid.
I'm sure the I phone 5 will be fine. Presumably ds is a child?

"My phone came with my phone contract."
How much are you paying each month and how long is your contract?
If you're paying £30/month for 24 months, that's about £480 you're paying for your "free" phone (compared to paying about £10/month for a sim-only contract).

I got my phone from here
www.smartfonestore.com/filter-mfr-Apple%20Iphone.aspx
An iPhone 6 at the beggining of this year. Essentially they're second hand but when I got mine it had only been bought 17 days previously snd you couldn't tell it wasn't new

I have a 5s and it's very good. Except I left it on the roof of the car and drove off fml

DS has an iPhone 4s and that's still taking the iOS updates so I don't see what's wrong with a 5s or 5c.

WMittens "How essential is having the most up to date technology?"

Pretty important as older versions become unsupported quite quickly. Older versions also become more unstable with time.

Pretty important as older versions become unsupported quite quickly. Older versions also become more unstable with time.

End of support is not the same as end of life, there is a multitude of resources available to continue use.

Quite quickly? XP was supported for 12 years.

The 5S was released in September 2013, so the first customers could theoretically only just have come out of a two year contract - if a system was out of support before the end of a first-customer contract, then I'd suggest not buying into such a shit system.

Looking at this www.theregister.co.uk/2013/05/01/iphone_one_support_ends/, Apple provided support for the original iPhone for 6 years. If they follow that structure, I'm guessing the 5S has another 4 years in it.