News & Reviews:   Apple iPhone 5S

Tech industry analysts just love making predictions, especially about the next smartphone or tablet, so naturally there are a whole bunch of such predictions for the Apple iPhone 6 which is due next year in 2014. These predictions include tech specs and features such as a 5-inch display with 1080 x 1920 pixel resolution for a 440 ppi pixel density. According to some analysts this screen will be made by LG and the iPhone 6 will be announced in September 2014. Other features include an ultra narrow bezel for a nearly edge-to-edge screen and easier one-handed operation for such a large display. Analysts also expect the Touch ID fingerprint sensor to remain although it remains unclear if Apple will maintain the 64-bit A7 processor.

Maxis is also announcing their Apple iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C plans under their iValue plans which also include the iValue Simple plan. Unlike the other telcos, Maxis aren't offering that much in terms of monthly rebates but are instead offering the more standard free calls, sms and data quota. All subscribers get 10GB worth of Cloud Storage on Locker though. For more details, check out the table and links in this article.

Maxis is also announcing their Apple iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C plans under their iValue plans which also include the iValue Simple plan. Unlike the other telcos, Maxis aren't offering that much in terms of monthly rebates but are instead offering the more standard free calls, sms and data quota. All subscribers get 10GB worth of Cloud Storage on Locker though. For more details, check out the table and links in this article.

DiGi are also offering the Apple iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C but this time aren't really reducing the price of the smartphone but giving more monthly rebates throughout the contract period. Unlike some other telcos, DiGi are offering the two Apple iPhone models under a single 24-month contract but this one has a bit more value where the monthly rebates are concerned. After subtracting the monthly rebates you can see some pretty good prices for both the Apple iPhone 5S and the Apple iPhone 5C. For more details check out the table and links in this article.

DiGi are also offering the Apple iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C but this time aren't really reducing the price of the smartphone but giving more monthly rebates throughout the contract period. Unlike some other telcos, DiGi are offering the two Apple iPhone models under a single 24-month contract but this one has a bit more value where the monthly rebates are concerned. After subtracting the monthly rebates you can see some pretty good prices for both the Apple iPhone 5S and the Apple iPhone 5C. For more details check out the table and links in this article.

Celcom are now offering the Apple iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C after their midnight launch under their Celcom First postpaid plans + mobile internet packages. Subscribers do get the choice to go for either a 12 month or 24 month contract but also have monthly rebates throughout the period of the contract. While the Apple Malaysia store already has the prices for the two Apple iPhones, the Celcom plans are offering the Apple iPhone 5S models at an estimated retail price RM50 lower than those on the Apple Malaysia store. The Celcom Apple iPhone 5C prices are only different for the 32GB iPhone 5C model with an RM40 reduction from the usual price. For more details, check out the table and links in this article.

Celcom are now offering the Apple iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C after their midnight launch under their Celcom First postpaid plans + mobile internet packages. Subscribers do get the choice to go for either a 12 month or 24 month contract but also have monthly rebates throughout the period of the contract. While the Apple Malaysia store already has the prices for the two Apple iPhones, the Celcom plans are offering the Apple iPhone 5S models at an estimated retail price RM50 lower than those on the Apple Malaysia store. The Celcom Apple iPhone 5C prices are only different for the 32GB iPhone 5C model with an RM40 reduction from the usual price. For more details, check out the table and links in this article.

Celcom looks to be having a midnight Apple iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C launch like usual as they just put out the invite for tonight to be held at the Blue Cube at Sunway Pyramid. As an incentive for those wanting to pick up the latest Apple iPhone under a Celcom subscription, Celcom are offering a number of freebies for the first 100 customers which includes an Apple iPhone case, a Self-repairing screen protector worth RM150 and either an RM500 voucher or Mystery Gift. While the Phone case and screen protector seems obvious the choice of either an RM500 voucher or a Mystery gift indicates that there could be some sort of lucky draw amongst the 100 early-bird subscribers. The event is set to start at 8pm today, so there should be time enough to pick up some supplies and wait for midnight.

Machines has recently confirmed the availability of the Apple iPhone 5S in Malaysia as 31 October 2013, at least for all the Machines stores. To help illustrate this for all the possible buyers, they've created a chart which they will update regularly and which you can see from the Source. The chart on the page has been updated but do let the folks at Machines know if you spot any errors. The most coveted (and likely most expensive) 64GB Gold version is only available at the KLCC and JBTC shops so if you're within that area or are heading there for that purpose on 31 October 2013, be warned about a possible shortage if you get late in line.

The HTC One Max phablet is currently one of the few smartphones with a fingerprint scanner. However, unlike the Touch ID fingerprint scanner from Apple, the fingerprint scanner on the backside of the HTC One Max phablet requires you to swipe your finger, which is both inaccurate as well as difficult to do from the back. Granted, HTC looks to have offered some extra functionality by calling up apps based on differently swiped fingers but the feature is rather difficult to use for both of the reasons mentioned above. In addition to the hardware issues, there is very little software integration that may actually require or use the HTC One Max phablet's fingerprint scanner as you still have to enter passcodes to buy apps (or anything else for that matter). For smartphones that already have the swipe type fingerprint scanner, this may be too late to change, but it shouldn't be too difficult to offer a bit more integration with the software. As it is, fingerprint scanners are pretty much unused features for now, even in the Apple iPhone 5S, but this may change soon as software integration picks up.