Laura Daronatsy/THE CHIMES

Amid much fanfare and anticipation, Apple debuted two new iPhones on Sept. 20, each boasting different consumer benefits.

FIRST TIME APPLE RELEASES TWO PHONES IN SAME YEAR

This is the first time Apple has released two iPhones in the same year. Sales reached a record-breaking 9 million phones over the opening weekend. Both run on the iOS 7 operating system and have the 4-inch diagonal Retina display, which is a 1136-by-640 resolution.

The 5s comes in silver, space gray and a brand new hue, champagne gold. The 5c has a different, more varied set of options, with blue, green, pink, yellow or white seamless polycarbonate. Many of the 5c’s specs are practically identical to those of the iPhone 5, while most of the innovations are on the 5s, according to online technology review site CNET. The 5s introduces a fingerprint identity sensor, sharper graphics, enhanced photo capability, expanded storage, 64-bit A7 processor, M7 motion processor and a 64 GB storage option.

Until software developers reveal new games and apps to take advantage of the new processing power, the average user’s experience will remain fairly similar between the two models, according to CNET.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF APPLE

The iPhone 5c has the definite advantage when it comes to cost. With a two-year contract, a 5c costs $99, but to get it unlocked, it will cost at least $549, according to Apple’s website. In comparison, the 16 GB 5s starts at $199, with a steep $649 price tag for the contract-free option.

Some see Apple’s production of the colorful, relatively low-cost 5c as a departure from past designs.
“The iPhone 5c is kind of the antithesis of the whole Apple persona, which is, if you can pay for it, you can get the best,” said Jackson DeVight, a freshman nursing major.

But for others, a cheaper option is definitely appealing.

“I’d definitely go for the plastic [5c]. I don’t care about sophistication at this point of my life. It still has the brand of iPhones, so it’s not like it’s any less professional,” said Hannah Caprara, a senior journalism major.

Dave Bourgeois, director of the biola.digital conference, noted both aspects but expressed concern that Apple may be hurting their brand by producing a phone many are terming “cheaper” than other iPhones. He also cautioned students about spending too much money on a phone.

“My suggestion would be to look into prepaid or ‘pay as you go’ plans that have much lower overall payments, such as those offered by Ting or Boost,” Bourgeois wrote in an email. “When you get that discounted or free phone from Verizon or AT&T, what you are really doing is putting yourself in debt, making monthly payments to the service provider so you can have a phone that let's (sic) you check Facebook.”

Noah Schrader, a sophomore graphic design major and iPhone 5 owner, expressed excitement about the 5s improvements but has no interest in purchasing a slightly different model than his current phone.

“I’ll probably wait till next year and get the 6 or whatever is next,” he said.