iPhone 5 announced

[haven]

Here are my notes about the new iPhone, announced today.

New phone is called iPhone 5

Same price as iPhone 4S with cell phone contract
16GB $199, 32GB $299, $64GB $399
in USA, versions for Sprint, AT&T and Verizon networks

pre-orders start 14 Sept, shipments begin 21 Sept.

The iPhone 4S with 16GB is now $99 on contract
iPhone 4 with 8 GB will be free with contract
no more 3GS phone


The iPhone 5 is significantly upgraded in many ways from previous models

new case with aluminum back (iPhone 4 and 4S have glass back)
New taller Retina Display
4 inch display, measured diagonally
326 pixels per inch
1136 x 640 pixels (taller, but same width as iPhone 4S)
natural 16x9 aspect ratio, the ratio used in HD movies
improved color saturation
touch sensors integrated into the LCD

if an app is not written to take advantage of the extra screen height, it will be displayed with small black bars

new CPU and graphics processor is called A6
brand new, 2x faster than A5 in iPhone 4S
22% smaller, means lower power consumption

Cellular Radio now works with LTE
support for LTE for the first time
works with Verizon, AT&T and Sprint in USA. No version for T-Mobile.

New WiFi, now supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz wavelengths

Battery life better than iPhone 4S
Battery provides ~8 hours of talk time with 3G connection

New cameras
similar to camera in iPhone 4S, but smaller
backside camera has new five element lens
f/2.4 aperture
backside illuminated 8 megapixel sensor
40% faster photo capture
improved low light mode
stablilized lens for movies
Panorama mode can produce very large photos

frontside camera is now 720p widescreen for Facetime

Improved sound
three microphones
earpiece with noise cancelation
new speakers

new connector, named Lightning
8 conductors
reversible (doesn't matter how you plug it in)
will need an adapter to work with older accessories

7.6 mm = 18% thinner
112 g = 20% lighter than iPhone 4S

 

[haven]

The iPhone 5 will ship with a new version of the operating system, iOS6. Because this software runs on iPad, iPod Touch and iPhone, I have posted a description of its new features in the general computing section of the forum. Find discussion of iOS6 here
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/79510-iOS-6-announced

 

[haven]

Here's a good comparison of the features of the iPhone 5 with current competitors from Android and Windows Mobile phones. There are a few blanks to fill in regarding the iPhone 5 hardware. The iPhone is definitely smaller and lighter, with smaller screen that has fewer pixels.
http://www.theverge.com/products/compare/6116/5807/6082/6024/5236/3604/

 

[rkj__]

I'm definitely getting the new iPod Touch. I use my 3rd gen all the time. The 5th gen will be a nice upgrade.

 

[Christian P.]

I need a new phone so I will most likely get the Iphone 5. I really like the larger display on the other models but I found the user experience still better with Apple.

I am curious about their new map system and why they went away from Google.

 

[haven]

The iPhone 5 will come in several models, based on the LTE frequency bands used by the carriers. (Worldwide, there are more than 40 bands for LTE. So far there is no chipset that can work with them all.) In USA, there will be one iPhone 5 for use on Sprint and Verizon networks, and a different, incompatible model for AT&T. So choose your carrier wisely.

Here are two articles that try to show the advantages of choosing AT&T vs Verizon vs Sprint for LTE. T-mobile won't start rolling out its LTE network in USA until 2013.

http://techland.time.com/2012/09/07/4g-lte-reality-check-where-a-4g-iphone-would-matter/

http://www.gottabemobile.com/2012/09/12/iphone-5-att-vs-verizon-vs-sprint-which-carrier-is-best/

And here's an article that helps explain which iPhone you should choose for compatibility with existing LTE service in different parts of the world

http://www.extremetech.com/electronics/136199-iphone-5-a-confusing-mess-of-network-support

 

[haven]

The decision to drop Google Maps is based, in part, on the bad feelings that arose when Google decided to develop Android for mobile phones. At the time, Google co-founder Eric Schmidt had a seat on Apple's board of directors. Steve Jobs felt that Schmidt fed inside information to Google to help them design Android. Schmidt denies the allegation.

Google's Maps and Youtube have been a part of every iPhone product since 2007. Officially, Apple says its license for Google Maps and YouTube has expired, and the company wants to employ its own substitutes developed in-house for use in iOS 6.

Google responded by creating a version of YouTube that can be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store. Most observers think Google will also release Google Maps as a separate app sometime soon. So even though Apple has stopped licensing the products from Google, you still will be able to load them onto your iPad or iPhone.

 

[haven]

In sum, what improvements does the iPhone 5 offer over the current 4S?

-- faster processor (Apple says twice as fast, but we'll have to wait for independent tests)
-- longer screen (144 pixels, 15% more)
-- new thinner screen means better color saturation, and wider color gamut
-- improved rear camera (4S camera has similar specs, iOS 6 may improve the 4S camera too)
-- improved front camera (widescreen 720p vs VGA in 4S)
-- new microphone array (three mics vs two in 4S)
-- improved dual band WiFi (reduces power used for WiFi, should help avoid interference, compared to 4S)
-- thinner and 20% lighter (also 3/10 of an inch longer than 4S)
-- access to faster LTE cell phone data service (where available)
-- a little more battery life

Not earth-shattering changes, but a decent evolution of an already good product.

 

[haven]

The hardware that provides WiFi in the iPhone 5 should enable peer to peer file sharing over WiFi. Apple calls this process AirDrop. The feature has been part of MacOS since the Lion release last year. But Apple didn't mention it in presentations about the new phone, or iOS 6. AirDrop between iPhone 5s, or between iPhone 5 and desktop would be very cool. If Apple doesn't enable this feature, I'm sure some hackers will explore the possibility.

Here's an article that talks about the AirDrop capability in the new iPhone, as well as the improved WiFi service
http://9to5mac.com/2012/06/02/new-i...ant-power-savings-and-wifi-directios-airdrop/

 

[haven]

Oops. Here's a reason not to select Verizon or Sprint for your new iPhone 5. These networks won't allow simultaneous voice and data connections over the cellular network, even when using LTE for data. A common scenario might be you're on a phone call and need to look up something (say, the address of a restaurant). With AT&T, you can. With Verizon and Sprint, the web lookup has to go over WiFi. Or you want to talk and text at the same time (maybe send that restaurant address to your caller). AT&T yes, the others no.

Here's more http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/13/iphone-5-calls-data/

 

[Christian P.]

Chip

I am going to Verizon tomorrow to order one. Unfortunately AT&T reception in my area is very poor so I am switching carrier.

We have also dropped AT&T for internet access and we are using Verizon with our current iphone 4s as a hotspot. So far it works better than I expected, so I am very excited about LTE.

 

[haven]

Online ordering has begun for the new iPhone 5. Visit the Apple wesite, or the web sites for Verizon, AT&T, or Sprint. Apple, Best Buy and WalMart stores also are accepting orders.

The only bargain pricing I've seen is $9 off your order through Walmart -- in store only. $189 with two year contract on Verizon, AT&T, Sprint. Your reservation requires a $25 deposit.

The cell phone carriers have become much more strict about early termination of your smartphone contract. The fee to upgrade to a new phone can amount to $400 or more. Check with your carrier to make sure what the cost will be if you want to upgrade in the middle of your current contract.

(Once the early termination fee is paid, the old phone belongs to you. You can recoup much of the fee by selling the phone through Craigslist or eBay. Several companies offer to purchase your old iPhone. Examples include Apple itself, Gazelle.com and NextWorth.com. The price won't be as good as selling the phone yourself, but it's more convenient.)

 

[McZippie]

Oops. Here's a reason not to select Verizon or Sprint for your new iPhone 5. These networks won't allow simultaneous voice and data connections over the cellular network, even when using LTE for data. A common scenario might be you're on a phone call and need to look up something (say, the address of a restaurant). With AT&T, you can. With Verizon and Sprint, the web lookup has to go over WiFi. Or you want to talk and text at the same time (maybe send that restaurant address to your caller). AT&T yes, the others no.

Here's more http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/13/iphone-5-calls-data/

Verizon's 4G network allows web and call simultaneously.

 

[C-Fish]

^^Please read the link you quoted^^

 

[Bigjerm]

So basically the phone can handle the voice/data but Verizon's network cannot with the configuration of the phone. Interesting. I guess apple didn't want to add the 3rd antenna because it would drive up production prices?

Either way, I like my 4, I liked the 3G but I am going to wait on real everyday user reviews of the 5. I like the Samsung S3 a lot so not sure which will get my money


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