Amidst much
speculation, rumours and gossip among the Apple lovers (including me!), the highly-anticipated
sixth-generation iPhone 5 has been finally launched in San Francisco yesterday (September
12, 2012. Wednesday).
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| Photo Courtesy : Zeenews
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My iPhone 4S, which was the latest model of iPhone available in the Apple world till yesterday is now reduced to an outdated model! Very soon, friends would flaunt the latest model and brush aside my poor iPhone 4S with just a casual "oh.. that's NOT iPhone 5!". The million dollar question haunting me now is, should I upgrade myself and go for the new iPhone 5? After all, like millions of Apple lovers worldwide, my loyalty for iPhone is unwavering and therefore, I cannot settle for anything less!
Let’s take a look at
the comparative specifications of the last three models:
It is understood that the new version of
the iPhone will support 4G unlike iPhone 4S (which supports only upto 3G) and
sport a bigger, refreshed 4-inch screen display, an improvement from the 3.5
inch display on iPhone 4S and iPhone 4. They
say that the device's new size allows it to display an extra row of app icons
on its home screen. Thus, we can visualize how much larger the screen size would
be as compared to the earlier versions of iPhone. The iPhone 5 will be
running on iOS 6. Apple also says that it is 18%
thinner and 20% lighter than the iPhone 4S. The handset also features a new
Apple-designed chip, called the A6 which makes it twice as powerful as the
earlier model.
Now, my personal take on the new features are as follows;
4G facility is good to hear. But in our country, the service available is only upto 3G, and that too in Thimphu and Phuentsholing only. So, the available facility will remain in the phone itself, largely unused.
What really matters to most iPhone users based on my practical experience is that the latest software versions should be supported by their phone so that the applicatons which are available for the latest iPhone can be run in their older models too. To this effect, Apple has assured that the latest iOS 6 which runs in iPhone 5 alongwith all the upgrades will be available to the older versions of iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 too through software updates since Apple has decided to phase out only iPhone 3GS and below as of now. Hence, till the time that Apple decides to phase out my iPhone 4S too, it means that I shall continue to derive the facility of using the same applications that are run in iPhone 5. So, no plus point there too.
4G facility is good to hear. But in our country, the service available is only upto 3G, and that too in Thimphu and Phuentsholing only. So, the available facility will remain in the phone itself, largely unused.
What really matters to most iPhone users based on my practical experience is that the latest software versions should be supported by their phone so that the applicatons which are available for the latest iPhone can be run in their older models too. To this effect, Apple has assured that the latest iOS 6 which runs in iPhone 5 alongwith all the upgrades will be available to the older versions of iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 too through software updates since Apple has decided to phase out only iPhone 3GS and below as of now. Hence, till the time that Apple decides to phase out my iPhone 4S too, it means that I shall continue to derive the facility of using the same applications that are run in iPhone 5. So, no plus point there too.
Speed is something that we all care about in our handset.
But in contrast to the so much hyped about speed of iPhone 4S being 7 times
faster than iPhone 4, I didn’t notice much difference as we went about doing reality
checks during the last one year that I owned my iPhone 4S. Therefore, the A6 chip making iPhone 5 twice as powerful as
iPhone 4S is yet to be tested with the quality of telecom network available in our country. I'm a bit sceptical here too!
The new iPhone being thinner and lighter is not really an
issue for me. After all, my iPhone 4S also don’t weigh a ton! The only plus point I would have if I decide to own the new iPhone 5 is that it would be a boost on my self esteem. But that's just about it!
However, I must admit that the only real feature that is truly attractive and
appealing in the new iPhone 5 as compared to my iPhone 4S is the new larger screen.
But sadly, the increase in the size of screen is not proportionate. Only the height has increased whereas the width has remained the same. We can imagine how disproportionate the images would appear in a movie clip or the cameraroll. In any case, does this single factor justify switching over after already having spent a fortune
on the 4S? Definitely No!
For an iPhone 4S owner, I must confess that a lot of wow factors are missing in the new iPhone 5. Maybe for people who have an iPhone 4 or older models, the new iPhone 5 will offer a number of new features (like Siri and 8MP cam, for eg.) that they have not experienced. As for me, no thanks…I will still stick to my good old (new till yesterday!) iPhone 4S. The stakes are still very high and the grapes are, after all, very sour!
UPDATE
This is how our future iPhones are going to look like based on the new modifications in iPhone 5 as per a Facebook Group "Damn! Funny". After all, the genuis behind all previous iPhone (upto iPhone 4S) is no more.
For an iPhone 4S owner, I must confess that a lot of wow factors are missing in the new iPhone 5. Maybe for people who have an iPhone 4 or older models, the new iPhone 5 will offer a number of new features (like Siri and 8MP cam, for eg.) that they have not experienced. As for me, no thanks…I will still stick to my good old (new till yesterday!) iPhone 4S. The stakes are still very high and the grapes are, after all, very sour!
UPDATE
This is how our future iPhones are going to look like based on the new modifications in iPhone 5 as per a Facebook Group "Damn! Funny". After all, the genuis behind all previous iPhone (upto iPhone 4S) is no more.
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| Photo courtesy : Damn! Funny ((Facebook) |
I agree with u la..even for the increased size of display it comes with the increase in size of the iPhone..height.. Also the apple log on the back of the iPhone 5 looks quite dull unlike 4s
ReplyDeleteFor 4G it works only for those carriers that apple made collaboration with..so it will be kind of useless even for other countries..such as India and Brazil..
Only thing that I like abt the new release is the low light photography and smart pannaroma..unlike a third party application it automatically reduces noise in the pic and also refines the Long pic at 28mp..
Well over all I also prefer my iPhone 4s
Well Anonymous, I always said, iPhone 4S is the last legacy that Steve Jobs left for us Apple lovers. There'll be nothing like 4S forever. It is only at times like this, when our expectations are not met that we start missing him. May his soul RIP! I will still treasure my iPhone 4S!
ReplyDeleteGood analysis to review . However, given the chance and the availability of capital, will love to have it. Thanks for the effort to have all the review.
ReplyDeleteGoing through your critical analysis, I am made to believe that having an iPhone 5 is of no better worth than having an iPhone 4s. However I have neither of the phones. My iPhone 3G that once boosted my self esteem as one of the very few iPhone users is now totally obsolete and antiquated.
ReplyDeleteI have waited enough to upgrade my iPhone and I shall not miss the chance this time. Nothing can stop me from owing an iPhone 5 except the one who has promised to gift me one
hahaha..But seriously, Mr outlander, why were u holding onto that iPhone 3G? Dont let even the person gifting you stop you from owning iPhone 5 now. High time that u upgraded. The world has changed manifolds since the age of iPhone 3G. Didn't you know that?
DeleteDear Anil and Outlander, When the heart of an iPhone 4S owner is full, words are few. Therefore, I must have failed to convey my thoughts vividly. I reviewed the new model in the capacity of a 4S owner in view of the telecom facility available in Bhutan exclusively. In many ways, the new model has failed to satisfy the expectations of a 4S owner. Noting is new as compared to 4S except that they have distorted the shape by elongating the size without inceasing the width proportionately. But for iPhone 4 and below owners, by all means, please go for it. only thing is, wish u happy viewing of movies and pictures in horizontally oversized images. :-)
ReplyDeleteGood review indeed!!! However, Author seem to have missed the main feature of the iPhone 5 i.e., wireless recharge...it looks exciting to hear those features unlike the older versions. As for me I have places an order with my comrade who is at Australia right now and expected to own it after few months time from now.
ReplyDeleteCorrigendum please..Kindly read second sentence "As for me I have places" as "as for me I have placed", sorry for the inconvenience caused. More so, I would like to hear more from i Phone lovers about the feature "wireless recharge facility", is true that it is available in iPhone 5?
ReplyDeleteThanks Bkt for reminding. I thought wireless charging was a non-issue. But since u are excited abt it, I’ll not discourage u. Just that u need to know, if you want to charge your phone's battery using "wireless" charging, you have to buy a separate charging case and charging mat for your device. Doubtful if Apple would include it in the packet. Even if they do and u happen to lose it, expect to pay a cool Nu. 2500 to 3000 for getting another genuine dock connector because other than genuine apple products, nothing will work. Pl note : The charger still needs to be plugged into the socket, so it's unclear how much convenience have been added. But my opinion is, creating another device to plug into the wall is actually more complicated. Oh, btw, you cannot borrow a charger from other iPhone users other than from iPhone 5 user if u forget to carry yours!
ReplyDeleteThe bottomline is: I still think that for iPhone 4 and below owners, it will be an exciting upgrade. Alas, that’s not true for iPhone 4S owners. Since u are a iPhone 3GS user, GO FOR IT! And happy iPhoning all the way!
Thanks for the clarification Sir (Taxman)..anyway mine is grown old and cannot think of going with other products/brands available in the markets. Still thinking when I will be able to exactly own iPhone 5..
ReplyDeleteBkt.. Ur phone has not grown old but Apple is going to phase it out which means the current software version iOS 5.1.1 is the last update that u've received. So, it's time to change in order to keep abrest with technology. Moreover, as an iPhone user, I know u'll not settle for any other brands.. because that's what distinguishes Apple users from others, absolute loyalty to Apple! If u ask me, I would have my head cut off rather than go for other brands (just a metaphor mey la. Dont take it seriously.. hehe). So,get the iPhone 5 as soon as they start selling from the end of this month. And give ur 3GS to ur wife. After all, what u can use today in ur 3GS will be still available for all times to come. All the best.
DeleteThank you sir (Taxman) for your piece of advice. Certainly I will go for only iPhone. Over the years I have also grown so loyal to iPhone, I cannot think of any other brands. As you have mentioned I will hand over my iPhone 3GS to my wife once I get my set.
ReplyDelete