Here are the results from my appointment at the Apple Store.  The Genius quickly decided that the phone was broken and looked up the warranty status.  Since this was a replacement for a previously damaged phone, it was out of warranty even though it was under a year old.

 

The Genius immediately attempted to upgrade me to another iPhone.  I said no thanks and today bought a Samsung Galaxy S4 Active.  Hopefully it will be more robust than the iPhone 3GS phones I had.

In for the 5S! A very Apple solution on the fingerprint scanner. Utterly obvious, now. The button you push to wake the device transparently determines if you're an authorized user. What better way to do it?*

 

(* Assuming it actually works.)

Considering who it is coming from, odds are it does work. Had it been from "M" (who for some unknown reason bought "N" to get back into the phone business), I wouldn't give it as good of odds...

 

And Ken, you should send the Genius a thank you note for upgrading you to a competitor

Edited September 10, 201312 yr by Pars

There's no way it will work.  But I'm buying it anyway.  Although, I'll get hosed by Verizon won't I?

I kinda like hearing "arch, loop & whorl."

 Am I the only one utterly underwhelmed by the 4S, 5 and now 5S?

 

I've been wanting to stick with Apple for its software mainly, but I can't wait for another iteration to upgrade. I may have to go droid which I really don't want to do. The screen is eye torture small for me. And have we reached the saturation point where everything just gets a bit faster and more megapixels for each iteration? 

Edited September 10, 201312 yr by robm321

Just a quick reminder to the upgrade nuts here - I'm still looking for a Verizon 4S/5 for the wife.

She can have my 4S, Nate. Will be a month or so probably before I can sneak an unlocked 5S in from the UK -- let me know if that's too long to wait.

 Am I the only one utterly underwhelmed by the 4S, 5 and now 5S?

 

I've been wanting to stick with Apple for its software mainly, but I can't wait for another iteration to upgrade. I may have to go droid which I really don't want to do. The screen is eye torture small for me. And have we reached the saturation point where everything just gets a bit faster and more megapixels for each iteration? 

 

Not at all.  I still have a 4S (non-Verizon and still in use, Nate) and I don't really see what the 5S gives anyone other than fingerprint detection, which seems pointless.

Replacing my mom's 4 with 5S next month, but not sure if I'd get 5S or Note 3 for myself.

 

Heard complains of lag on S3, S4 and Note 2. Hope Note 3 is better.

Actually, the fingerprint detection, to me, is a big deal.  I would use that shit all the time.  I am constantly buying music, movies, games, etc. on my device AND LOCKING it for and from a certain Little Monkey.  Not having to enter in my password all the time would be real nice.

 

Until some mugger steals it and cuts off my thumb.

just 1 more year until a bigger screen comes. it has to. hang in there

...I don't really see what the 5S gives anyone other than fingerprint detection, which seems pointless.

Also:  A7 processor, which is 64-bit.

just 1 more year until a bigger screen comes. it has to. hang in there

please god no

^This!

Yeah, have to admit as much as I liked the iPhone 5 feel (especially when outside a case), every stretch of the thumb or wrap around of my pinky, to push some corner button opposite my palm makes me miss the 3.5" screens. Go big with two hands or stay with one. I have long fingers and 4" screen feels in between. 

 

EDIT: Or I guess the coders could place the interactive components within a reach range and the full-screen would be there for the eyez. 

Edited September 10, 201312 yr by blessingx

please god no

^^^ This! The 4s is just fine as a, you know, phone. It is my primary device for phoning, texting and receiving alarms and notifications. Most other things are done on the IPad retina.

Even I agree.  If you want a bigger screen, just get an iPad mini.

 

I did hear that Apple is testing screens as large as 6 inches, but if they're going to do that, they should bifurcate and sell smaller regular-sized ones and phone-blet-sized ones.  The larger ones aren't for everyone, I'll be the first to tell you that.

Actually, the fingerprint detection, to me, is a big deal.  I would use that shit all the time.  I am constantly buying music, movies, games, etc. on my device AND LOCKING it for and from a certain Little Monkey.  Not having to enter in my password all the time would be real nice.

 

Until some mugger steals it and cuts off my thumb.

This.

 

I just can't justify upgrading when my phone is still working.

Even I agree.  If you want a bigger screen, just get an iPad mini.

 

I did hear that Apple is testing screens as large as 6 inches, but if they're going to do that, they should bifurcate and sell smaller regular-sized ones and phone-blet-sized ones.  The larger ones aren't for everyone, I'll be the first to tell you that.

 

I think you got it right. Keeping the screen small clearly has something to do with not wanting to satisfying enough to cut into iPad and mini sales. 

 

Almost all other phones are giving the real estate desired by the masses.

 

I think you got it right. Keeping the screen small clearly has something to do with not wanting to satisfying enough to cut into iPad and mini sales. 

 

Almost all other phones are giving the real estate the masses are told they need.

FTFY

I have no issue using the iPhone 5 with one hand, and I love the thing to death.  

Yeah, and your point?  You're not exactly just anyone...

Plus One on the iPhone 5 being a perfectly sized phone.

 

But, I really get a kick out of "the masses" holding a tablet sized phone to their head. What a hoot!

 

MagPul iPhone case for me...