I've had my iPhone 5 for just over 4 days now. The experience is great and I'm loving it so far.
Unfortunately, as soon as the device was announced, we all saw the typical reactions of how disappointed people were with the device.
When Apple's designs don't instantly disrupt the market and we don't see a change like the iPhone 3GS to the iPhone 4, each year, tech nerds and savvy consumers are left underwhelmed.
Am I saying the iPhone 5 is a perfect device? Nope. No phone is.
Here's your proof.
Love: The iPhone 5 is insanely fast
Getty Images
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.
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.
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. 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.
modem, is truly lightning fast. 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.
Love: It's insanely light, yet still sturdy
Kim Bhasin / Business Insider
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.
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.
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.
Love: The design is striking
Justin Sullivan / Getty Images
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.
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.
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.
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.
almost every area.
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.
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.
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.
While this is probably just excellent marketing on Apple's part, it does make sense.
See for yourself:
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).
(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.
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.
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%.
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.
For me at least.
Now onto a few negatives...
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.
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.
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:
Hate: The Lightning Port is making me get all new cords
Apple
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.
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.
insides of the phone, but the lightning port is an overall fail because now I have to spend even
more money.
Just when I had an iPhone cord in every room of my apartment and my office, I have to go out and
buy a $29 adapter or a brand new $19 cord.
buy a $29 adapter or a brand new $19 cord.
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.
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.
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.
in the coming weeks.
Hate: Verizon and Sprint models still can't surf and talk.
Jessica Liebman, Business Insider
This isn't really a phone issue, but a carrier issue.
Sprint and Verizon iPhone 5 models can't use voice and data simultaneously. This was a
feature Verizon promised prior to the LTE iPhone, but it turns out that it's not the case.
feature Verizon promised prior to the LTE iPhone, but it turns out that it's not the case.
This is strange because some LTE Android smartphones on Verizon can do simultaneous
talk and surf.
talk and surf.
Hate: The aluminum 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!
scuff marks. Be careful!
So much for that beautiful back standing the test of time.
Overall: Apple delivered on its promises.
Kevin Smith, Business Insider
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.
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.
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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