If You Already Have An iPhone 5, Do Not Buy One Of Apple's New iPhones This Year

The 5S is a faster version of the iPhone 5, which is being discontinued in favor of the colorful iPhone 5C.

If you already have an iPhone 5, you're probably not considering an upgrade to the 5C. The 5C is essentially the same phone as the iPhone 5, but wrapped in a plastic shell.

I've had every iPhone that's been released since the iPhone 3G, so my first instinct is to automatically want the 5S.

But is it worth it for most people to upgrade every year like I did?

In short, the answer is no.

Physically, the 5S looks exactly like the iPhone 5. The 5S has the same display, nearly identical design, and same screen size as the iPhone 5.

The 5S only separates itself from the 5 with a new gold color, a fingerprint sensor, a faster processor, and a better camera.

The best thing going for the 5S is its new fingerprint sensor, or "Touch ID" as Apple calls it. This new technology lets you use your fingerprint instead of a passcode to unlock your device.

Megapixel-wise the iPhone 5S's camera is the same as the iPhone 5: 8MP. The difference is that the 5S's has a better sensor that lets in more light. The flash also has two tones so it will give you more accurate image colors.

Sure, the new camera's slow-motion feature sounds cool, but there are a ton of apps -Slowpro, for example- that will give you this same ability.

If you have an iPhone 5, you can still update your software to iOS 7, which will give your phone the same look as the 5S along with a ton of the new software features.

For most people, all those new features in the iPhone 5S won't be enough to justify shelling out the cash for the upgrade. Plus, most carriers only let you upgrade your smartphone at the subsidized price every two years. That means if you have an iPhone 5 but still really want the iPhone 5S, you won't be able to get it for $199. You'll likely have to buy it unlocked for at least $650.

Basically, if you are an iPhone 5 owner, it really doesn't make sense to upgrade unless you are the type of person that always has to have the latest and greatest. You should only upgrade if you have an iPhone 4S or earlier iPhone model.

Plus, there's a lot to look forward to next year. If Apple follows its pattern, it will introduce a new iPhone with a new design in 2014. And there's already chatter that next year's iPhone could have a larger screen.