MTN has announced it will be offering Apple’s iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c smartphones to local customers starting on 15 November. Clients can already pre-register for the devices by going to the operator’s website. No prepaid pricing info is available yet.  

The iPhone 5s packs the same design and size as the iPhone 5 (review). It is powered by Apple's new A7 SoC (system-on-a-chip), which is a 64-bit processor packing up to twice the processing performance compared to the A6 chip used in the iPhone 5 and around two times the graphics performance as well. This CPU is partnered with a M7 motion coprocessor, which is similar to the dedicated motion processor incorporated in Motorola’s Moto X smartphone.

The iOS 7-operating smartphone further sports Touch ID, which has the home button integrating a highly sensitive fingerprint scanner, allowing users to unlock their device with just the touch of a finger. Touch ID can also be used as a secure way to approve purchases from the iTunes Store, Apple App Store or iBooks Store, liberating the users from the need to enter their password in order to purchase an app or game.

Also onboard is enhanced optics in the form of a new 1.2 MP FaceTime HD selfie shooter and new 8 megapixel iSight camera that boasts a larger f/2.2 aperture plus a larger sensor for better sensitivity and low-light performance.

Cupertino’s iPhone 5c on the other hand is basically an iPhone 5 with a hard-coated polycarbonate back that comes in five colours, namely blue, green, pink, yellow and white.

It is powered by the same A6 processor doing duty in the iPhone 5 and packs a 4" (1136 x 640; 326 ppi) Retina display (as does the iPhone 5s for that matter) and 8 megapixel iSight camera. In addition, the smartphone features LTE (4G) connectivity, with Apple claiming that the device supports more LTE bands than any other smartphone in the world.

For more mobile news, check out our latest Phone Home smartphone news round-up here.