My iPhone 5s Review

Day Three Hundred And Fifteen

Nov 1, 2025

It has been a considerable amount of time since I last wrote an update and I am far wiser than... 315 days ago (in terms of old iPhones that is) so here are some updates:

• Storage
  • I haven't had any issues with storage since that last post, don't get me wrong, you have to be careful to not over-load it, but it's almost been a year and I'm managing just fine with it.

Day Ten

Dec 31, 2024

iPhone 5s update: Apple wants me dead.

Let me elaborate. The storage is killing both me and little Butterfly (that’s what I’ve called her). The system storage is taking up near enough 14GB of data of my 16GB total storage. I’ve reset the phone and tried everything possible. I’m an apple nerd, trust me, I know the ins and outs. But nothing. There is sometimes a brief glimpse of hope but is soon washed away by a sudden need to remove any ounce of available storage.

I found that yesterday I left it for a few hours untouched and it became usable again, but then here we are - again. No avalible storage, and no reliability.

It’s super frustrating because I don’t want to go back to my other phone. I’m using it at the moment because I can’t re-download tumblr on my other one.

I’m strongly debating trading in this model and buying another one with 64GB of storage. It’s still half of what I’m used to but hopefully Apple won’t screw me over with it.

Idk if it’s worth the risk though, it would be about £40 down the drain. Plus this current iPhone 5s because in that scenario I will be trading it in (£20 pounds off is better than nothing haha).

I wonder if I can find a way to install an older operating system onto it. I don’t know, sounds like research to do during the daylight hours haha. At least that way I can see my way out of the rabbit hole.

Day Three

Dec 23, 2024

Here are some notes about the phone that I’ve made on the phone since getting it.

• Apple Music app.
  • I’ve got the old version of Apple Music, which I prefer. It’s more similar to iTunes, very nostalgic also.
• Storage.
  • I don’t have as much as I used to 128gB to 16gB is rather drastic. A lot of the storage is used up by iOS and then there’s music. For some reason, my phone doesn’t like to stream music, so I have to download it first. And I have A LOT of songs haha.
  • Oct, 2025: It wouldn't stream music because it was turned off in the settings. Also, turns out that 64GB of 128GB on my old iphone was literally just music...
• No Apple Pay.
  • I think this one might take a bit of getting used to, but it just means I have to take more care to have my purse on me. Also, the Apple Watch I’m looking at might have it anyway, but I’m not sure. The main thing is not having all my loyalty cards digitally, that was super convenient and a lot of them, I don’t have physical copies. But hey, I’m not a massive shopper anyway, I’m not to worried haha.
• Reverting to doing things the “regular” way.
  • I have magic lights in my room! I normally control them on my phone but I don’t even think I can get the right version of the app I need on my phone. Oh no I will have to get up and use the light switch!!! Dun-dun-duuuunn!(/s). The other thing was not having Apple Pay so I’ll have to carry payment on me now. :)
• Nostalgia
  • The version of iOS on this thing (12) is similar to the OS my old iPad had back in the day. It’s a really good iOS in my opinion. I also know I’m not missing out on much. :))
• Siri has more personality!
  • I ask her to play music: Okay! For track one side one, let’s start off with ‘white dress’ by Lana del Rey. (Also, get it? she made a reference to vinyls!!! ). If you asked my iPad she’d just say: now playing your mix on Apple Music. :|

I’ll send more updates soon, I’m done typing for now :)))

Day Two

Dec 22, 2024

I have run into my first hurdle: this phone will not support my Apple Watch without the latest iOS installed. This is not something that I want to do (Install the latest iOS), because:

1. You lose the authenticity of an old device

2.I like iOS 12, it’s very nostalgic

3. Ultimately it will slow the phone down - likely beyond usablility.

I’m left with three options here:

1. Scrap the project and just go back to using my phone (no)

2. Just stop using my Apple Watch (ehhhhh :/// I could do that, but I’ve got an expensive modern watch haha)

3. Save up £80 and buy and Apple Watch series 4 of cex. ( :) )

I’m going to keep my watch connected to my old phone for now, but I am looking to give my iPhone 12 to someone. At the moment I’m going through the “free trial” of using the phone, to see if I can actually make this work. I love this so much!!!!

Oct, 2025: when I wrote this I hadn't realised that it was on the latest SUPPORTED version of ios already, so I wouldn't be able to upgrade, even if I wanted to.

Day One

Dec 21, 2024

Here are some things that I’ve learnt by using an iPhone 5s 1. There is no dark mode! My eyes are scorched. But hey, all the more reason not to be glued to my phone all the time. 2. Already I feel like I don’t care so much for “streaks” and data analytics as I used to (eg. Music stats and log in streaks). I love love love finch. For those who don’t know, it’s a reminders app with a bird that you can give energy by completing your goals. Love it: the 170 day streak really is saying something. However it doesn’t run well on my new/old phone. I feel like usually I’d be annoyed or distraught but I don’t really mind. I still have my reminders app that I can use. Is it sad? A little. But I can always visit Valentina (my bird) on my iPad if I feel so inclined. [UPDATE Oct, 2025, I have not used finch in months...] There are a few other points that I could make but I’m very tired and want to sleep, so stay tuned for another update tomorrow ♡

Dec 21, 2024

GUESS WHO GOT AN IPHONE 5S FOR CHRISTMAS! I am living my 2014 tumblr dream!