• Problems reported with iPhone 5S inbuilt builder's level and compass
  • Performed poorly compared to measurement tools on iPhone 5
  • Issues also identified with device's gyroscope, which is vital for gaming

By Becky Evans

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Sensor and measurement tools on Apple's iPhone 5S do not work properly, according to tests.

The phone's inbuilt gyroscope - vital for gaming - is skewed, Gizmodo.com reports.

Tests carried out by the website on the iPhone 5S running on iOS 7 also found that there are problems with the device's compass, and the built-in spirit level is degrees out.

Gizmodo said the apps worked well in the previous model, the iPhone 5.

The iPhone 5S spirit level failed in tests against a real one and other measuring tools have had problems

The iPhone 5S spirit level failed in tests against a real one and other measuring tools have had problems

APPLE'S IOS 7 CAUSES 'MOTION SICKNESS AND NAUSEA'

Apple's new software has been slammed for causing users to feel sick.

Features on software including zooming screens and app windows, full-screen slide transitions, a 'faux-3D parallax effect' on the home screen.

As the phone is tilted, the icons appear to move independently from the wallpaper.

Stuff magazine investigated the effects these motion-based features had on users and discovered claims of nausea, motion sickness and even vertigo. 

It comes after experiments last week by fans showed that older iPhone models outperformed many of the upgrades.

Gizmodo said their tests showed the sensor apps were 'embarrassing'.

It compared a real builder's spirit level to the in-built iPhone tool and found it was out by up to three degrees.

However, some users have complained that there is up to six degrees off, meaning it is almost useless.

Tests on the inclinometer showed that even when laying flat on a table, the phone said it was tilted by three degrees.

Website Gizmodo said their tests showed the sensor apps on the iPhone 5s (front) were 'embarrassing'

Website Gizmodo said their tests showed the sensor apps on the iPhone 5s (front) were 'embarrassing'

Any problems with this tool would cause headaches for gamers, who tilt the device to control racing games.

The iPhone 5S and the iPhone 5 also showed differing compass readings, according to the website.

It added that the app was also prone to freezing.

The website concluded that the issues could either be cause by software or hardware problems.

It said: 'The problem seems to be incredibly widespread, but it also affects different phones in different ways.

'It's a problem, whether you're a gamer, a home-improver, or someone who just wants their phone to work as advertised out of the box.'

The comments below have not been moderated.

The idea of using your phone as a spirit level is a brilliant idea .. IF YOUR TIM COOK. The only people who use spirit levels are people working with big tools and mobile phones and tools don't mix very well. They also don't like ladders and kitchen sinks and when they come into contact with these things they have a habit of breaking and when they break their owners show Tim Cook their credit card and he will give them a new phone to replace their spirit level. What are Samsung and HTC spirit levels like?

They are holding it incorrectly . . . .

The spirit level is a stupid idea on any phone,Im a plumber and had to laugh when I was called to a house to look at a bath where the water was running onto the floor from a shower the house owner installed it using an iphone, it was an inch out over two feet, stop the gimmicks

Mike Townsend, Buntingford, United Kingdom, 1 hour ago sorry what genuine problems with htc? They are losing money big time. Look it up.

Since ios7, the tilt detection on iPads is slow/nonexistent at times...

I just got 5s. This is a joke right?

The quality of Apple products is rubbish. Buy an android. They are far superior, can do everything an apple can do, and their technology works.

What a absolute load of tosh I tried the compass / spirit level and I have to say it looks very level to me? Why would I use a phone to check to see if something's level? Come on get a life stop picking fault with something so trival pathetic report

Thanks DM, now I will never know if I'm walking on a level surface.

You buy a phone to use as a phone and a sprit level to use as a sprit level! Simples!

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