iPhone 5S Hardware, Ports, and Buttons Explained

iPhone 5s with iOS 8
Apple, Inc.

While the iPhone 5S strongly resembles its predecessor, the iPhone 5, it's different in a number of major ways. While many of the changes are under the hood and thus can't be seen — these include a faster processor and improved camera, for example — there are plenty of changes you can see. If you've got the 5S and want to get the most out of it, this diagram will help you learn what each port and button on the phone does. 

The location of each of the buttons listed in the article.

The iPhone 5S has been discontinued. Learn about every iPhone model, including the latest models, here.

iPhone 5S Hardware

  1. Ringer/Mute Switch: This small switch on the side of the iPhone lets you put it into silent mode, so you can receive calls with the ringer muted.
  2. Antennas: There are a number of thin lines along the sides of the 5S, mostly near corners (only one is marked on the diagram). These are the externally visible parts of the antennas that the iPhone uses to connect to cellular networks. As with other recent models, the 5S has two antennas for greater call reliability.
  3. Front Camera: The small dot centered above the screen and just over the speaker is one of the phone's cameras. This one is primarily used for FaceTime video calls (and selfies!). It takes 1.2-megapixel images and captures video in 720p HD.
  4. Speaker: Just below the camera is a small opening where you listen to the audio from phone calls.
  5. Headphone Jack: Plug your headphones in here for phone calls or to listen to music. Some accessories like car stereo cassette adapters are also attached here.
  6. Hold Button: This button on the top of the 5S does a number of things. Clicking the button puts the iPhone to sleep or wakes it. Hold the button down for a few seconds and a slider appears onscreen that lets you turn the phone off (and — surprise! — turn it on again). If your iPhone freezes up, or you want to take a screenshot, you just need the right combination of the Hold button and Home button.
  7. Volume Buttons: These buttons, located below the Ringer/Mute Switch, are for raising and lowering the volume of any audio playing through the 5S's headphone jack or speakers.
  8. Home Button: This small button is central to a lot of things. On the iPhone 5S, its major new feature is Touch ID, a fingerprint scanner that unlocks the phone and authorizes secure transactions. Besides that, a single click brings you back to the home screen from any app. A double click reveals the multitasking options and lets you quit apps (or use AirPlay, on older versions of the iOS). It's also part of taking screenshots, using Siri, and restarting the iPhone.
  9. Lightning Connector: Sync your iPhone using this port on the bottom of the 5S. The Lightning port does a lot more than that, though. It's also the way you connect your iPhone to accessories like speaker docks. Older accessories that use the larger Dock Connector need an adapter.
  10. Speaker: There are two, mesh-covered openings at the bottom of the iPhone. One of them is the speaker that plays music, speakerphone calls, and alert sounds. If your speaker sounds quiet or distorted, try cleaning it.
  11. Microphone: The other opening at the bottom of the 5S is a microphone picks up your voice for phone calls.
  12. SIM Card: This thin slot on the iPhone's side is where the SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card goes. A SIM card is a chip that identifies your phone when it connects to cellular networks and stores some key information, such as your phone number. A functioning SIM card is key to being able to make calls and use cellular data. It can be removed with a "SIM Card remover," better known as a paper clip. Like the iPhone 5, the 5S uses a nanoSIM.
  13. Back Camera: The higher-quality of the two cameras, located on the back of the phone, takes 8-megapixel photos and video at 1080p HD.
  14. Back Microphone: Near the back camera and the camera flash there's a microphone designed to capture audio when you're recording video.
  15. Camera Flash: Pictures are made better, especially in low light, and colors are more natural thanks to the dual camera flash located on the back of the iPhone 5S and next to the back camera.

iPhone 5S Hardware (Not Pictured)

  1. Apple A7 Processor: This processor is the first 64-bit chip used in a smartphone and was faster than the A6 chip used in the iPhone 5.
  2. 4G LTE Chip: As with the iPhone 5, the iPhone 5S includes 4G LTE cellular networking for speedy wireless connections and high-quality calls.
  3. Sensors: A series of sensors inside the phone — including an accelerometer and compass — are used to have the phone respond to how you hold and move it, use your location to provide directions and suggestions, and more.
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