Now that the iPhone 5 has been released for a few days, I got to test out the new device first-hand (with thanks to my friend Matt who got his on release day). Let’s jump right in!
The iPhone 5 has a larger screen size but keeps its ergonomic feel that Apple strives for. Photo by Courtland Jeffrey.Impressions: My first thought when holding the iPhone 5 was that someone stretched the 4S; it felt weird (but I ignored this fact because new phones typically feel weird upon first impression).
I started to compare it to an iPhone 4S that I had available and my Droid RAZR. The weight of the 5 was impressive. Weighing at least 20 grams less than the 4S and the RAZR, it was extremely light. The feel of the 5 was also very ergonomic; my only complaint is that the screen may be too long, as I had to readjust to reach the notification bar. The Droid RAZR has been out since November and it packs many similar specifications to the iPhone 5 (refer to the chart from part one), which disappointed me; I wanted to be wowed by the iPhone 5’s specifications.
When I browsed the iPhone 5’s OS, iOS 6, it seemed to run smooth and very fast. I tried out the Maps app that has been receiving attention and it is apparent that it lags in comparison to the previous Google Maps app. It is not a bad map app; it just seems like it has quite a bit of room for development. In summation, the iPhone 5 is a great step forward for Apple, but I feel that they played it safe with this rendition to keep with something that they knew their consumers loved.
The iPhone 5 (bottom) has a different connector than its older sibling, the iPhone 45 (top). The iPhone 5’s headphone jack was also moved to the bottom of the phone. Physical changes have been made to the iPhone 5, like thickness and ports. Photo by Courtland Jeffrey.In the next year or two, if Apple wants to keep this edge among its competitors, then they are going to have to continue with their ground-breaking innovations by the iPhone 5S or iPhone 6. When the next unveiling comes around, I am expecting something big.
Maybe Apple is planning a phone that will be nothing but screen on the front; the next generation could have a built-in projector or a completely remodeled OS. I want them to unveil some new feature that people had not really thought about yet, that can revolutionize how we live today; they have done that before and I think that they can do it again. But if Apple does not do something big soon, they could lose their place in the limelight.The iPhone 5 gives Apple devotees what they have been hoping for: a bigger screen and faster, stronger OS. This phone is a good competitor in the smartphone community; if you were holding out with your iPhone 3GS to see if this phone stands up to the competition, it does (so go upgrade your device already!). Ranging from $200-$400 (depending on storage size), the iPhone 5 is definitely a smartphone to consider when perusing your phone company’s store.
If you have any questions or would like my opinion on different devices, message me on Twitter @Court_Jeffrey or email me at cejeffre@asu.edu. Enjoy!
