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Apple iPhone 5s Price in Kenya
The Apple iPhone 5s price in Kenya is Kes 13,499 for the 16 GB 1 GB RAM storage variant at Silkroom Electronics. Known for introducing Touch ID and 64‑bit processing to iPhones, the 5s remains a compact and lightweight option for users who want a simple, reliable device for calls, messages, and light app use in a premium metal build.
📱 Immersive Display & Performance
The iPhone 5s features a 4.0‑inch Retina IPS LCD display with a 640 × 1136 resolution, delivering sharp and vibrant visuals in a pocket‑friendly size. It runs on Apple’s A7 64‑bit processor with 1 GB RAM, paired with iOS 12.5.7 as its final supported version. While multitasking is limited by modern standards, it handles lightweight apps, web browsing, and media playback smoothly.
📷 Camera Experience
Its 8 MP iSight rear camera with f/2.2 aperture offers good daylight shots, HDR support, and 1080p@30fps video recording. The dual‑LED “True Tone” flash improves color accuracy in low light. A 1.2 MP front camera supports 720p video and FaceTime calls, suitable for casual selfies and basic video chats.
🔋 Battery, Charging & Build
A 1560 mAh battery powers the device for a day of light use, with charging handled via the Lightning port. The aluminum unibody design is durable and sleek, and the 5s introduced a front‑mounted Touch ID fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking. It also includes a 3.5 mm headphone jack and single bottom speaker.
💎 Why It’s Worth It
The iPhone 5s is a classic, compact iPhone perfect for minimalists or as a secondary phone. While it lacks 4G+ speeds and modern app compatibility, its premium build, Touch ID security, and reliable performance for basic tasks make it a timeless entry‑level iOS device.
Apple iPhone 5s Full Specifications
Also known as: iPhone 5s (model A1453/A1457/A1533/A1530 depending on region)
The iPhone 5s features a 4.0″ Retina IPS LCD display with the 64‑bit Apple A7 processor and M7 motion coprocessor combined with 1 GB RAM. It has an 8 MP rear camera with dual-tone True Tone Flash and slo‑mo 1080p video, a 1.2 MP front shooter, and a 1560 mAh battery, originally running iOS 7 and upgradable through iOS 12.5.6.
Display
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type | IPS LCD Retina Display |
| Size | 4.0 inches (~60.8 % screen‑to‑body ratio) |
| Resolution | 640 × 1136 px (~326 ppi), 16:9 aspect ratio |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Brightness | ~500 cd/m² (typical) |
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass, oleophobic coating |
| Aspect Ratio | ~16:9 |
| Screen-to-Body | ~60.8 % |
| Always-on Display | ❌ |
Performance
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A7 (28 nm, first 64‑bit smartphone SoC) |
| CPU | Dual‑core 1.3 GHz Cyclone (ARM v8) |
| GPU | PowerVR G6430 (quad‑core) |
| RAM | 1 GB LPDDR3 |
Storage
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Internal Options | 16 GB / 32 GB / 64 GB NAND |
| Expandable | ❌ No microSD |
Camera
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Rear Cameras | 8 MP wide (f/2.2, AF), 1/3″ sensor, dual LED True Tone flash |
| Features | HDR, Face detection, burst, slo‑mo video (720p@120fps), image stabilization |
| Video (Rear) | 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps |
| Front Camera | 1.2 MP wide (f/2.4), FaceTime HD |
| Video (Front) | 720p@30fps, HDR |
Battery & Charging
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1560 mAh Li‑Po (≈5.92 Wh) |
| Wired Charging | Lightning connector (USB 2.0 data only) |
| Wireless Charging | ❌ No |
| Reverse Charging | ❌ No |
Software & Updates
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| OS | iOS 7 originally, upgradable to iOS 12.5.6 |
| Software Support | Last official update: iOS 12.5.6 |
| AI Features | — |
Connectivity
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Network | GSM / CDMA / HSPA+ / LTE Cat3 (100/50 Mbps) |
| SIM | Nano‑SIM |
| Wi‑Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n dual‑band |
| Bluetooth | 4.0 with A2DP |
| GNSS | GPS with A‑GPS, GLONASS |
| NFC | ❌ No |
| USB | Lightning (USB 2.0) |
| Infrared | ❌ No |
| FM Radio | ❌ No |
Security & Sensors
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Fingerprint | Front-mounted Touch ID sensor |
| Face Unlock | ❌ No |
| Other Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Compass |
Build & Design
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 123.8 × 58.6 × 7.6 mm |
| Weight | ~112 g |
| Materials | Glass front, aluminum back and frame |
| Water/Dust Resistance | ❌ No |
| Colors | Space Gray, Silver, Gold |
Audio & Extras
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Speakers | Mono speaker with noise‑cancelling microphone |
| Headphone Jack | ✔️ 3.5 mm jack |
| Extras | Lightning port, Siri support |
Price in Kenya
| Variant | Price in Kenya (KSh) |
|---|---|
| Refurbished 16 GB | KSh 13,500 |
Apple iPhone 5s Compare & Alternatives
Why Choose Apple iPhone 5s?
The iPhone 5s, released in September 2013, marked Apple’s shift to 64-bit mobile computing with its Apple A7 chip, significantly boosting CPU and graphics performance compared to the iPhone 5 and enabling burst mode, slow-motion video, and responsive multitasking. It was the first iPhone to include Touch ID fingerprint recognition, streamlining authentication and App Store purchases. The camera—still 8 MP but with a wider aperture and dual-tone flash—delivered true low-light gains and high-speed burst shooting. Design-wise, it retained the compact 4.0″ Retina display in a 112 g aluminum frame, with excellent build quality and color options including gold, space gray, and white/silver. It launched on iOS 7 and received support through iOS 12.5.6, making it the last 4‑inch model with six major iOS upgrades.
Performance & Battery
Equipped with a 1.3 GHz dual-core A7 (28 nm) and PowerVR G6430 GPU, the 5s achieved benchmark performance on par with some quad-core Snapdragon phones of its time. The accompanying M7 motion co-processor improved activity tracking efficiency and extended battery life. A 1,560 mAh battery offered talk time up to 10 h (3G), Wi‑Fi web use around 10 h, and video playback near 11 h in testing—lasting a full day under moderate use. GSMArena rated its endurance around 54 h, slightly higher than the iPhone 5, thanks to software and hardware optimizations.
Alternatives to Apple iPhone 5s
Apple iPhone 5c – colorful polycarbonate shell, same 4″ display
Compared to the 5s, it matches hardware like the A6 chip and 8 MP camera, but lacks Touch ID, 64-bit architecture, and burst mode—even though battery life is marginally better.
Apple iPhone SE (1st generation) – A9 processor, 2 GB RAM, Apple Pay with NFC
Compared to the 5s, it delivers roughly double the CPU and triple the GPU performance, longer iOS support, and a modern camera including 4K video—while retaining the same compact design.
Apple iPhone 6s (used) – 4.7″ display, 3D Touch, improved battery
Compared to the 5s, it moves users to a larger screen, faster A9 chip, and modern features, though it's bulkier and not a true 4‑inch experience.
🧭 Which One’s Right for You?
- Choose iPhone 5s if you want a compact, premium‑built Apple phone with early Touch ID, strong legacy support up to iOS 12, and a smooth interface in an ultra‑portable package.
- Pick iPhone 5c if you prefer a bright, colorful design and basic usability, and don’t need fingerprint security or advanced photo features.
- Go for iPhone SE (1st gen) if you need modern performance, better camera/video, NFC/Apple Pay support, and more future-proof software updates—all in a small form.
- Opt for a used iPhone 6s if you're open to a larger screen and long-term OS support, with better performance and battery life.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the iPhone 5s released and when did it arrive in stores?
Apple unveiled the iPhone 5s on September 10, 2013, alongside the colorful 5c, with sales starting on September 20, 2013. It was discontinued in March 2016 upon the release of later iPhones.
What are the main specs of the iPhone 5s display and design?
The iPhone 5s features a 4.0‑inch Retina IPS LCD display at 640×1136 px (~326 ppi), front-protected by Corning Gorilla Glass with oleophobic coating, and framed within an anodized aluminum unibody chassis, weighing approximately 112 g and measuring 7.6 mm thick.
What chipset, memory, and storage configurations does it offer?
Inside is the A7 chip, Apple’s first 64-bit dual-core 1.3 GHz processor, paired with the M7 motion coprocessor and 1 GB RAM. Storage options include 16 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB with no microSD slot.
How is battery life and charging from everyday use?
It comes with a 1,560 mAh battery (~5.92 Wh), offering up to 10 hours of 3G talk or LTE/Wi‑Fi browsing and about 250 hours standby—roughly comparable to the original iPhone 5.
What camera features does the iPhone 5s have?
The rear camera has an 8 MP sensor (f/2.2) with a dual-tone True Tone flash, burst mode, and 1080p video (30 fps) + 120 fps slow-motion in 720p. The front camera is a 1.2 MP FaceTime shooter (f/2.4) with HDR and 720p video support.
What biometric or security unlocking options are available?
The iPhone 5s introduced Touch ID fingerprint unlock embedded in the metal-ringed home button. Face unlock is not supported; only passcode/PIN unlocking is available.
Does it support LTE, Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, and other connectivity?
Yes. It supports GSM/CDMA, 3G, LTE (various global bands), dual-band Wi‑Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS/GLONASS, and uses the Lightning connector. No NFC or ultra-wideband.
What are the most common issues reported with the iPhone 5s?
Sensor calibration issues affecting compass, accelerometer, or gyroscope were reported in early units. Network and Wi-Fi instability affected some users, and many experienced battery drain following iOS 8 updates or later. Battery aging also led to heat buildup in refurbished or original devices. Hardware repairs are tricky too—some report logic-board level failures like motherboard chip faults, especially after multiple replacements.
Can modern apps and software still run on the iPhone 5s?
It originally shipped with iOS 7 and supports up to iOS 12.4.x, but is incompatible with iOS 13 and later due to its 32-bit architecture. Many current apps now require iOS 11 or higher, so App Store access or updates may be unavailable.
Are there network limitations like VoLTE or band support issues?
Yes—for example, VoLTE is unsupported, and some carriers (e.g., T-Mobile in the US) restrict the iPhone 5s for voice calls. This may lead to inconsistent service or outright incompatibility even if the phone powers on.
While the iPhone 5s was revolutionary in its time—introducing Touch ID and 64-bit mobile chips—it is now fully legacy hardware. With no security updates past iOS 12, diminished app compatibility, and aging batteries, its use today is best suited for collectors or secondary backup phones rather than everyday performance.