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AHEAD OF THE release of the iPhone 5 in Ireland on Friday, Business Insider’s Kevin Smith takes us through a few things you might want to know if you’re planning on getting it.
First things first. The iPhone 5 is fast. And I’m not just talking about LTE. The phone is significantly faster than the iPhone 4S and even the new third-generation iPad.
I have push email set up on all three devices. The iPhone 5 consistently alerts me of new emails two times faster than the new iPad, and 3 times faster than the iPhone 4S.
LTE, the 4G cellular technology that provides data speeds about as fast as your cable DSL modem, is truly lightning fast (Note: this will not be available in Ireland for the foreseeable future). Much faster than my internet at home. The only issue I have with LTE is that I’m not sure my current data plan will be able to support the faster speeds. I’m gonna burn right through that 3 GB.
1. LOVE: It’s insanely light, yet still sturdy
The iPhone 5 weighs in at 3.95 ounces or 112 grams. While this may not seem like much was removed you can feel it once you pick up the phone.
There have been several times when I’ve slipped the iPhone 5 into my pocket and forgot it was there. Despite this weight loss, the phone still feels substantial in my hand.
Its easier to text with one hand, and when I go to text on my iPhone 4S it’s noticeably heavier.
2. LOVE: The design is striking
Everywhere that the 4S fell short (not too many places) the iPhone 5 steps in.
The iPhone 5′s shape isn’t too much different from the iPhone 4S, but the refinements are easily noticeable.
Initially, the aluminum backing feels more fragile than the 4S’s glass back. This could be because the phone is still new so that I am still treating it more delicately, but I’ve been extremely paranoid about scratching the precious metal.
Aside from the fragility the new glass touchscreen is far more responsive, the FaceTime HD camera is clearer, and rear camera is more polished.
The buttons feel sturdier, the speaker is louder, calls sound better. The 5 is an improvement in almost every area.
3. LOVE: The screen is actually the perfect size
Apple put some thought into the size of the phone.
Instead of just giving us a gargantuan screen (I wouldn’t have complained), it made the screen taller. I thought this was foolish until I actually held the iPhone 5 in my hand.
Holding the phone in one hand is still comfortable. I can reach the top of the screen with my thumb and the bottom of the screen too.
After I saw this ad explaining why they made the phone taller instead of wider it all made sense. While this is probably just excellent marketing on Apple’s part, it does make sense.
See for yourself:
4. LOVE: Battery life is drastically improved, for me anyway
I charged my iPhone 5 yesterday at around 6 p.m.; it was fully charged by 10 p.m. (could have been sooner but that’s just when I checked).
I pulled the 5 off the charger and used it lightly, only to check a few emails and scroll through Instagram.
I left the phone alone around 11 p.m. (it was still at 100%). When I woke up this morning, the it was still at 100%. I listened to 3 songs on my subway ride to work, have push notifications turned on for Twitter and Mail, and used it to test Nokia Maps.
My iPhone 5 battery is at 87% at 12:45 p.m. Wow.
As a reference point. I pulled my 4S off the charger at around 7 a.m. and used it very lightly and it is currently at 79%.
While this may seem like a hair brained reason for improved battery life, the proof is there. For me at least.
5. HATE: Apple Maps are a step backwards
This is really my biggest gripe with the phone. Maps stink, and there’s not clear fix in sight, at least in the short term. The release of Apple’s map seems very uncharacteristic. Apple is a perfectionist, and its weak maps offering shows its Achilles heel.
The maps are laughable. Many of the locations Google has indexed into its excellent service are no where to be found.
Apple’s Maps has left people lost, turning in the wrong direction, and just frustrated in general.
Despite this huge oversight, I’ve found a few temporary solutions for you:
6. HATE: The Lightening Port is making me get all new cords
If anyone wants to take advantage of their older speaker docks, car chargers, and other accessories, you’ll need to replace them with new ones or get that pesky adapter. Major negative.
The Lightning port is ridiculously small. The smaller size allowed Apple to cram more into the insides of the phone, but the lightning port is an overall fail because now I have to spend even more money.
7. HATE: All my apps weren’t ready
This is half Apple’s fault and half developers faults.
Because Apple is so secretive, it didn’t alert developers in advance of the iPhone 5′s release, so many apps could be optimized for the larger screen in time for launch.
The developers could have guessed that the screen increase was going to happen. There was evidence in the iOS 6 beta for developers. More preparation on the developers part could have provided a seamless transition from iPhone 4S to iPhone 5 for consumers.
The good news is, I’m sure developers will be able to push out updates quickly in the coming weeks.
8. HATE: The aluminium is susceptible to scratches
In tests, some outlets have discovered that the aluminum back of the iPhone 5 is very prone to scuff marks. Be careful!
So much for that beautiful back standing the test of time.
9. OVERALL: Apple delivered on its promises
Apple promised better battery life, a bigger screen, and a faster phone.
I got all of that.
The phone is ridiculously light and a bit taller, both things I didn’t need but appreciate Apple adding.
If you’re on the fence about getting an iPhone 5, hop down, and walk to your nearest Apple Store. You’ll find that actually holding the phone is a great way to judge if you should upgrade. I believe the upgrade is well worth it, especially if you’re on an iPhone 4 and below. 4S users will also notice and appreciate the changes.
Overall, I am pleased with the iPhone 5 and enjoy the refinements. I’m sure that as time goes on I’ll find more things to love and less to complain about but for now, the iPhone is still the best phone on the market.
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Galaxy S3 for me, bigger screen, better apps and faster.
Bigger screen?! It looks like a bleedin ipad!
With you there.
I meant with you there Alan. S3 rocks
Yeah like a bag of rocks.
and it’s not faster
I was thinking about trading my old phone in to get this because of the few extra centimeters but then I thought what if my girlfriend is thinking the same about me?
Go wider she’d might prefer that….
Wow that’s inappropriate even for me.
Short arse!
I hope Apple paid Ye well for that ad
This love affair between thejournal and apple is getting embarrassing
It is manufactured using what amounts to be no less than slave labour.
Jesus christ here we go again. Your tv. Stereo etc And most of the electronics in your house are made by the same company
So that makes it alright then.
What did you use to comment on this article? Phone, computer, tablet…..where you think they are made?
Foxconn pays twice the minimum wage
Every stitch you wear and probably all your electronics are in the same boat. Its the way of the modern world and choices are limited.
you love the screen yet is made using a ratio previously unheard of IBM the smartphone industry. you hate the fact that apps aren’t optimised for the screen you love? cake and eating it anyone? Galaxy S3 is already technically superior and it’s been out for months already!
16:9? Are you for real? Apple were one of the last to have this.
Sony Xperia s for me!! crapple
apple
I’m feeling Ya,
I’m feeling Ya, Xperia s is sexy as HELL
Bring on the Galaxy Note 2. Cant wait till me 4S contract in over.
I don’t care if it’s faster, how have they still not updated the home screen? The only change to this since the original iPhone has been the ability to create folders, otherwise it has the same functionality as any old nokia. On any other platform I can set widgets to give me info at a glance, why can’t they manage that in iOS?
Wait it will have i-widgets “patented” for iphone6.
Meh. Widgets are a gimmick and a battery hog. Yeah some of them are handy but most aren’t. Rather have a better battery than widgets. Switched to the s3 last week and I miss the long lasting battery off my iPhone 4. I do like the s3 though :)
I have an s3 and love it, far superior than any iPhone,
but on an other note, does anyone know when LTE will be available in Ireland??
Auctioning of the spectrum begins next year, I’d give it at least 2014 before it’s rolled out nationwide. As usual we lag behind.
And a complete con as comreg are auctioning off 5ghz and instead of 20mhz which means basically 3g speeds
Don’t waste your money. I got one last week not impressed. The Samsung Galaxy 3 is alot better and faster.
The iPhone smokes Samsung in all benchmark tests. 9 times faster than lumia in JavaScript. All iOS devices including old ipad and 4s faster in all OpenGL tests than the best Android phone.
I didn’t think so, i have the iphone 4s, this to me was not much different. I got the Samsung G3 a couple of months back, i think it is alot better.
Mark. There are stats and anecdotes. I doubt if you saw the iPhone 5. Where is it available? But even if you did – that’s an anecdote.
Eoin: benchmarks aren’t the same as real world tests. It’s easy for a device to excel in a single task if it’s only able to run a single process at a time!
Eoin i don’t care about the stats, you doubt if i even saw the iphone5? Do i care about your doubts, No. im from London, in my opinion its just like all the other iphones. The Samsung Galaxy 3 is the better phone in my opinion…………..
Sony Xperia s for me!! crapple apple
Whats the xperia like Louise?
Xperia s is a beast it’s easily the best looking handset out there right now, have tried the s2 and 4s iphone but have yet to get my greedy paws on an s3
What about all its newer found faults?
http://bigginsblog.wordpress.com/2012/09/26/iphone-5-the-problems-have-started/
How is the 5 as a phone? I have the 4 (not 4s) version and it has been a disaster!!! Does the 5 function perfectly as a phone?
there is one thing u need to know not few. there are better phones out there.
In your opinion…
Apple fanboys in da house….
Fanboy? Fan of the iPhone? Yes. Have a Samsung washing machine, am I forgiven?
Sorry I don’t have that authority…..
I doubt you have any authority in anything Damien. Nice family pic, maybe you should grow up and stop calling people you don’t know fanboys because they prefer one product over another. You look older than the type that would post childish comments like that. Ah well…
@Gordon, When you take something said in jest seriously and react in that way it only makes you look silly.
Apologies if I got under your skin.
You didn’t get anywhere close to being under my skin Damien! I just find it a bit sad to see a grown man, father of two trolling “fanboys in da house”..! I’m silly..? Have a nice day.
@ gordon
yep, that was my opinion. I belive that’s the idea of posting comment.
I can say more, for me any iphone is not a smartphone, its a gadget. my phone is over a year old, but I find it way more usefull than any of the iphones. and it is my opinion, based on my needs.
Michael your statement came across as such, as a statement of fact, not an opinion. Just saying, I disagree.
One of us is ribbing the other for perceived unhealthy love of apple.
The other is bringing a persons wife & kids into the argument.
Who’s the troll again?
Don’t start crying like a little girl Damien and take my comment (made in jest) so seriously, it makes you look silly…!
Thanks.
damian for the win
Galaxy S3 vs. iPhone 5. No there is another winner there Samsung Galaxy Note 2.
1st October UK launch. More powerful than S3, jelly bean on board and killer 5.5 screen + stylus pen. Simply best android phone in the world. Some may only complain about size even bit bigger than s3. But watching movie ir browsin web on it is pure joy :-)
the screen is 1136 x 640 pixels. ergo non standard.
Ah apologies for my earlier comment so Mark, I thought you meant the screen size and aspect ratio, forgot about the resolution.
Nokia lumia for me.
Damn you auto correct!
Who cares . It’s a phone whoop dee doo
can’t imagine you can pop in and buy one. I’d say they’re all preordered. I read about concerns over supply issues but it didn’t say where so I don’t know if it’s affected Europe
As far as I can tell only 3 have been taking pre-orders. Other networks have only been taking expressions of interest..
the note does look pretty savage but I have reservations about how portable it is. the S3 is pretty massive on its own adding another inch to the screen brings us almost into tablet territory. In saying that it would be pretty decent as a media player but probably not so much a phones
I have note 1 which is same size as new note 2. Its actually very light not sure now but maybe just tiny bit heavier than iphone 4 or same. Size is not an issue at all fits no problem in standard shirt pocket and in slacks / jeans. It has a feature to reduce keyboard and move to each side so allows one hand typing too (with full size keyboard setting not really possible unless you have huge hands). Stylus pen allows you take quick notes and pen is very accurate and responsive – no way you can achieve that with iphone and finger. Finally phone that i can use for taking shopping list of my second half :) Screen is a beauty and youtube or movies or web looks just stunning. This is complete phone I dont use tablet much anymore. Having said that note 2 is all note 1 is and even much better its a proper beast. Definitely on my Christmas wish list.
The note will be phone that brings dungarees back in to fashion
my apologies I ment physical screen size. by making it taller and not wider they’ve created a non standard screen.
But it is a standard screen size 4″ diagonal and a 16:9 aspect ratio. Only thing different is the in cell technology so the glass is slightly thinner
Hoseph – he means it’s not a standard mobile phone screen size, yes it’s a standard tv and film broadcast format, but not a mobile phone format
I think the journal should hold one of their lovely vote things on ‘Samsung v iPhone’ and lets really get this fire going :) would be extremely entertaining lol
Recently had the chance to compare iPhone with Samsung. Samsung looked and felt brilliant but operating system was confusing. iPhone far more intuitive. With that said, I recently synced ios5 and it almost wiped everything. Love the iPhone, hate iTunes.
How much will it cost?
Your soul…
In reality will the new iphone be available in the likes of Vodafone, 02 etc. stores this Friday??
Very much doubt it. As far as I recall any apple launch it hardly ever and anywhere had enough items just to walk in and buy. When new iPad launched you could get it just for couple hours if survived long queue. Then they didnt have stock for like 2 weeks. Then particular models and colours did not stick like for another 2-3 months, only after that situation settled.
have your say