iPhone 5s review

You can unlock the new iPhone 5s with your nipple. The owners of the review model we tested will be glad to know we found that out from this video, and didn’t attempt it ourselves. It was too cold on the bus.

Good: An iPhone 5, but better

Bad: Expensive, same old battery

Given that the iPhone 5 was a very pretty phone, the 5s inherits this praise by virtue of borrowing its sister’s dress. A year on, the design is still sleek, tidy and reassuringly sturdy – though the new fingerprint scanning home button does have a hint of loose rattle to it.

Apple have managed to add a dash of sexiness to a piece of tech that's been largely ignored on laptops for many years: up to five fingers (or nipples) can be recognised by the 5s fingerprint scanner – fun, but annoying as soon as put on touch-compatible gloves or pass your mobile to your mate. While slick, it didn’t result in us feeling a new sensation of security.

The new iOS 7 and 64-bit chip are where the 5s starts showing off. The minimalist aesthetics slide along in beautifully smooth fashion. Apple hasn’t made the iOS look like an Android copy – they’ve made something prettier, instantly easy to use. The latest iSight camera is also predictably brilliant: the larger sensor captures noticeably sharper images, and the True Tone Flash now behaves in a more sophisticated manner than the blinding blip of old.

Much like the 5s body, the problems are disappointingly familiar. Battery life continues to be an embarrassment, draining after a day of standard use, and the price is wallet draining, no matter what deal you snag.

If you adore Apple, you’ll forge an instant love affair with the 5s. Otherwise, strong competition from the HTC One and Nokia 1020 might see your affections turn elsewhere.

The iPhone 5s is now available on EE Swap, allowing you to upgrade mid-contract