There are always a few teething problems, usually limited to a relatively small number of devices, when a product first launches. Past iPhone releases have been no exception, and for Apple’s latest iPhone launch it appears some users are experiencing issues related to the iPhone 5s’s sensors. We’ve been receiving several complaints from iPhone users about inaccurate readings from the gyroscope, accelerometer, compass, and other sensor-based features for the device, and today Gizmodo found similar issues with a 5s unit that it tested:
Gizmodo tested the iPhone’s level, gyroscope, compass, and accelerometer and found that the 5s is off compared to the same tests on an iPhone 5 and 4S. For example, it discovered its 5s unit’s level was reading 2-3 degrees off the 5 and 4S, which also proved to be troublesome for games that rely on the gyroscope, like driving games, for motion controls:
The same issue was the case with the compass, measuring around 8-10 degrees different than the iPhone 5, as well as the accelerometer, which Gizmodo says “is registering way more latent motion.”
Since all devices tested by Gizmodo and others were running iOS 7, all signs point to a hardware issue with the 5s, but it’s still possible software optimizations could fix how the 5s records data from its sensors. We’ll have to wait for official word from Apple to know for sure.
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