You don't need us to tell you that the Apple iPhone 5 has got an awful lot of people awfully excited. However, you might need us to tell you what the iPhone 5 is actually like, so here is our iPhone 5 review. See iPad 4 review
Instead of the ground-up redesign that some pundits were predicting, the iPhone 5 is just a rehash of the old iPhone 4. That's the easy verdict when viewing a picture of new iPhone 5. It presents itself as the familiar metal-banded slab. Only today, stretched and slimmed. Take a look at our Apple iPad mini review too.
Because so many innovations have steadily trickled into one pocketable slab of damned usefulness, we eagerly await the annual update, expecting more and more again each year. Easy then to dismiss the iPhone 5 as the taller iPhone 4S with 4G that doesn't curretly work here. And a new dock port that obsoletes any other hardware expecting the classic version. Visit Group test: what's the best smartphone?
So the LTE modem doesn't do anything in the UK until one mobile operator, Orange and T-Mobile joint venture EE, switches on its network on some unannounced day that may be before Christmas 2012. See also iPhone 5 vs iPhone 4S comparison review and Samsung Galaxy S3 vs Apple iPhone 5 comparison review.
iPhone 5 review: Features
The stand-out outward attribute of the iPhone 5 is its larger screen. Not a huge expanse of space in both directions as Google's hardware friends have uniformly decided is the way to sway tech-loving buyers – notably the Samsung Galaxy S3 with its extravagant 4.8in display. The iPhone 5 raises its screen estate by simply extending the screen's height by 14mm, keeping the width identical.
The new 640 x 1136-pixel display is still IPS, only even richer in colour saturation while still looking more natural than the slightly cloying OLED alternatives. And importantly the Apple iPhone 5's screen still has the pixel-hiding Retina resolution of 326ppi.
Operating the iPhone 5 with its longer screen is a doddle. Unlike the semi-tablet sized phones with 4.5in or larger screens, you really can reach the whole screen to operate it easily still with just one hand. Pick up an iPhone 5 though, and you'll notice a new featherweight quality. Down at 115g against the 4S' 141g, it feels wafer-like, almost too light in fact. Beautifully balanced, its mass is evenly distributed to offset any bias toward top or bottom.
The build quality has been described as jewel-like with reason. Swiss watch is another inescapable analogy, echoed from Apple's sound bite at the iPhone 5's launch.
The move to aluminium construction may be a step in the right direction though; and not just by helping to lose headline grams from the all-up weight. It provides a more handleable object for the fingertips. Hardened glass front and back didn't just lend the iPhone 4 chic obsidian bling – it could make the handset a slippery slab. The iPhone 5 is now built around an anodised aluminium backplate that allows a tad more purchase in the hand. Durability may suffer a little though. In the case of the black model especially, daily use is likely to create small nicks in the anodised coating, so to keep the iPhone 5 pristine a case is as useful as ever.
In white, the iPhone 5 looks less juvenile than the 4S blanc; diamond-polished bevelled edges and a satin aluminium back make it much more unisex now. In black, it's pure stealth bomber, mixing brushed metal slate-anodised back with mirror polished front bevels and gleaming black glass front.
This tech user is not so convinced by the drive for thin though. Given the still all-too short runtime of today's handsets – and that includes the iPhone, despite it out-lasting every average fizzling Android – we would rather keep with something like 9.5mm and 141g if it meant using the space and weight budget wisely, with a battery to comfortably last three rather than two days.
A phone as light as the iPhone 5 also seems to leave no sensation of its presence in the pocket. It's a a matter of taste whether you like this idea or prefer to have some subtle clue that the phone is still there... or not. The iPhone 5 carries the flag for the newly born iOS 6 operating system, and this gently tweaked system creates continuity from the user experience of previous iPhones. Alongside the metal-banded frame, the now-familar interface is a key point of reference for the mainstream audience, copied the world over with varying degrees of accuracy and resulting litigation.
iPhone 5 review: Video
Video: iPhone 5 review
iPhone 5 review: Cameras fore and aft
On the hardware side, the rear-facing camera is much the same as that in the iPhone 4S, able to shoot full-HD video at 30fps, with software image stabilisation. The change here is a new lens cover, now crafted from sapphire crystal for improved optical clarity and hopefully scratch resistance. The front-facing camera is now up to 1280 x 720-pixel resolution, which enables Apple's video chat service FaceTime in HD mode.
Attention to the human-device interface is found in various new audio systems, starting with an intriguing triple-mic assembly. This promises better fidelity through some kind of beamforming, a variation from earlier two-mic noise cancelling. As well as a new audio co-processor tucked inside, we're told there's support for Wideband audio, using more advanced data comms technology. It should expand the frequency range of the spoken voice to make conversation more life-like. Orange seems to be the only UK operator currently offering Wideband audio, and caller and callee both need compatible handsets.
The Wideband audio tech is not an Apple first, but given the handset's impeding uquity it should really encourage more networks to look into enabling the service.
For comparitive tests of the iPhone 5, iPhone 4S and Samsung Galaxy S3's cameras, see our story: iPhone 5 vs Galaxy S3 vs iPhone 4S video and photo comparison.
We also have for examples of panoramic images shot using the new panorama mode on the iPhone 5.
iPhone 5 review: Lightning
Updating the standard 30-pin dock connector that's been so widely tapped into for nine years was always going to upset some people. Thankfully its replacement looks to be future-proofed to survive as long in this quick-changing tech world.
The supplied Lightning cable is USB 2.0 rather than USB 3.0, although since iCloud syncing came online there's less need to transfer files over cable now. It's possible that future iterations of the cable may introduce USB 3.0, to let the connection live up to its lightning name.
The Lightning plug itself is reversible, able to be inserted either way, and has pin contacts that can adapt to the needs of the device. In other words, it should adapt to the changing needs of users and their devices in the next few years to come.
iPhone 5 review: New SIM
As expected, the iPhone 5 is taking an even smaller SIM card than the already diminuitive micro-SIM.
The nano-SIM will be a minor inconvenient speed bump to quick'n'easy switching until you've traded in your current SIM. Cutting down a micro-SIM may just be possible but is not advised.
Apple has replaced the Google-supplied mapping data for the Maps app with its own new system. It now uses vector-based graphics and text, which all scale smoothly.
But popular features such as Street View are no longer available. More worrying is the misplacing of landscape features, or the complete absence of crucial details – like railway stations.
Satellite imagery is also of poorer quality than before, with some of the images we've seen of UK scenery looking quite dour.
iOS 6 review: Maps
We've written an entire iOS 6 review, which has all the details - but here are a few thoughts on iOS Maps.
The Flyover feature is an attractive way to see buildings in 3D relief, but this is only available in select larger cities. And not on the iPhone 4, for instance.
Flying around the Thames embankment is great eye candy though, using two fingers to circle around the London Eye, for example.
Apple has stated that its new Maps feature is a work in progress but that doesn’t help users who’ve upgraded and were expecting the same functionality they’ve become used to from the built-in mapping feature.
Until Apple fixes this crucial part of its mobile operating system, a stopgap can be found by making a Home screen shortcut for Google or Bing’s online maps.
That won't help in apps like Find My Friends, though, which are stuck with Apple's deficient mapping function. This app has now been updated for iOS 6, and can use geofencing to alert you when a friend arrives at or departs from a chosen location.
Comments
canoeingcamel9 said: That is 199 on a 2 year contract You can can similar deals here in the UK
Steve C101t2 said: Yes thats the rip off Britain for u
Yotap said: LOL youre actually for real arent you
Andreas Schroeter said: My wife also calls a Galaxy S3 her own and sorry but I couldnt disagree more It had to be replaced 2 times within 9 weeks Microphone error and non responding power button While a lot of Android software copes up with iOS programs there is still a lot of unintuitive and sloppy stuff around On Android U also better install an antiviral software if you intend to avoid mad surprises Competition is good and healthy and not everything Apple is automatically superior But the iPhone 5 has at least momentarily no competitor in sight If I was a student on a tight budget the story would likely be different
Matt Egan said: The day we are pressurised into changing our opinions you wont find me here to answer comments Not because we are great guys although we are - but because our entire business model is based on providing objective and unbiased buying advice We turn over six figures a month - so no-one can afford to buy our objectivity
Bobbybiscuit10 said: I should add and I think it needs to be said that PCAdvisor and its employees are just as entitled to their opinion as anyone else and I would hate to see a situation where their objectivity is being stifled due to outside pressure Whether that pressure be from advertisers the readership or even the general zeitgeist is irrelevant they must always be allowed the freedom of their own objectivity And on that basis whilst I dont agree with the above review necessarily that does not mean that it is wrong or biased its just not what I think It certainly doesnt mean either that I will not continue to look to PCAdvisor for technological advice in the future because whilst I might not always agree with them I do know that they will always provide an honest opinion
Matt Egan said: Its interesting Three years ago the iPhone was indisputably the best high-end smartphone as was the BlackBerry six or seven years ago Now it does come down to personal choice Which is best out of the iPhone 5 Lumia 920 and Galaxy S3 It depends as you say on how into technology you are But also frankly it depends on which you prefer for purely subjective reasons The bottom line is the choice for consumers has never been better Theyre all great
Matt Egan said: Its interesting Three years ago the iPhone was indisputably the best high-end smartphone as was the BlackBerry six or seven years ago Now it does come down to personal choice Which is best out of the iPhone 5 Lumia 920 and Galaxy S3 It depends as you say on how into technology you are But also frankly it depends on which you prefer for purely subjective reasons The bottom line is the choice for consumers has never been better Theyre all great
Bobbybiscuit10 said: Thanks for acknowledging what I said about maps I figured it was probably an oversight as you have mentioned it elsewhere on the site in fairness Of course flying in the face of some other technological publications views does not suggest that your opinion is wrong that is very true It could even be argued that it is they that are wrong moreoverIn my opinion however I do feel that the above review is a tad generous For me there is far too much weight attached to how easy the iPhone is to use Yes this may be a boone to those slightly older or less technologically minded than the average but to be honest I dont think those people buy or read PCAdvisor I certainly cant see many people not in the know as it were even realising that PCAdvisor reviews smartphones at all Therefore recommending a product at least in part to people whom at least have an interest in these things on the basis that it is easy to use seems a bit odd A synonym for simple after all is basic and to my mind that is exactly what iOS is these days And therefore I personally could never recommend the iPhone to anyone really interested in technology
Matt Egan said: Good point about Maps Well address that Genuine oversight simply because we have so much coverage elsewhere As for smartphones being our blind spot I happen to think we offer about the best coverage in the UK today I would say that obviously We dont base our judgements on other sites - and that doesnt mean we are wrong
Bobbybiscuit10 said: I have to say that while the accusations of bias are a little harsh I can understand the sentiment underpinning that feeling Ive been quite amazed to see PCAdvisor place the iPhone 4s ahead of the Samsung Galaxy III in its smartphone top five recently despite the fact that the majority of tge rest of the technological press completely disagree My feeling is then that PCAdvisor is maybe just out of touch wheb it comes to smartphones maybe its their blind spot we all have them Clearly though in my opinion at least something does seem to be amiss because the above review doesnt seem to be very well considered overall The writer doesnt even mention the ios maps debacle something I think is important to mention even if it certainly isnt a deal breakerIts little mistakes like that that lead people to believe some PCAdvisor reviews are bit biased in my opinion
Vincentrmk said: In the US that seemingly bargain price includes a 2 year contract In the UK youre paying for an unlocked phone with no contractual obligations whatsoever
nosmada54 said: I have just been on the apple websites and seen the iphone 5 for 199 approximately 125yet in the UK it is 529 Apple wouldnt rip off its customers would it