CUPERTINO (California) — I have to say I was skeptical of the iPhone 5c when images of it first leaked — I don’t quite fancy the perceived idea of a cheapened user experience. Who wants to be — or look like — a second-class citizen when you can afford the technology? Then again, I might not be the atypical consumer Apple is aiming at with the colourful lower-cost device.

The iPhone 5c’s plastic aesthetic is deceiving because, when you have it in hand, it is sturdy and doesn’t creak (and feel cheap). It feels more like a solid bulk of metal coated with a thick, glossy layer of paint. Performance was pretty zippy, despite the phone having the same specifications as the older iPhone 5.

FAST AND SECURE

The new fingerprint sensor on the iPhone 5s is fast and easy to set up in almost a minute. I’ve tried and tested plenty of biometric sensors on laptops, which have been around for a few years but have yet to encounter something as elegant and simple to use — I want this everywhere.

Yes, it’s not very sexy technology but imagine this: No more wrestling with your dozen or so passwords, or fumbling with security token devices for banking and online payments. Apple should open up this feature to third-party developers pronto.

Another impressive feature was the the ability to capture slow-motion video on the iPhone 5s. Results were very cinematic, thanks to the smooth 720p resolution videos.

I find the choice of colours on the new iPhone 5s and 5c debatable — but I will bet the new pink and gold iPhones will fly off the shelves in Asia. To quote a certain mrbrown: “I just want it because got Gold (sic). Huat ah!”

You can bet we will have more to say on these devices when we get them in for a full review.