Apple iPhone 5 (Americas GSM)
Phone Scoop Review
Sep 23, 2012 by Eric M. Zeman
The Apple iPhone 5 is without a doubt the best hardware to reach the market this year in terms of design, engineering, and manufacture. It is an incredible smartphone that pleases from nearly every angle. Even still, it's not perfect. read review ›
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Tried many different phones, came back to the iPhone 5
Carrier: AT&T
After owning an iPhone 4,4S and 5, I decided to see what else was out there recently. I tried the Galaxy S4 for a couple weeks, wasn't happy the way it handled multiple email accounts, messaging and basic functions which required multiple key presses to accomplish. To add to this, the phone lagged between screens and apps and after reading forums online, I found I wasn't the only one experiencing this. I returned the phone and tried the Blackberry Z10. Their new "Hub" feature was nice, however the OS just didn't flow too well with BB's new gesture commands. Navigating through screens was not a pleasant experience. Perhaps with software updates, BB's new OS will come together someday, however, as of now, it's lacking quite a bit, especially in the app space.
Unfortunately, in my haste to sell my iPhone 5 immediately after purchasing the S4, I realized I had made a grave mistake. To correct this, I purchased another iPhone 5. After experimenting with the other OS's out there with the exception of the Windows phones, I found that no other phone had everything put together as well as the iOS iPhone 5. iOS flows very well and especially with email which I depend on heavily for corporate as well as personal use. The iPhone excels in many other areas in comparison to other phones such as messaging, web browsing, camera features, music and so much more. People criticize the iPhone so much for the lack of a removal battery, expandable storage, lack of customization options and so much more, however the battery life on the i5 is amazing with wifi, BT and apps running 24/7. As for storage, just opt for a larger capacity. I feel like the prodigal son who just had to see what was out there in the world but in the end, came back home to the iPhone 5. I am not an iSheep or iFanatic in any way, I just like being efficient and getting things done quickly on a dependable and reliable mobile device and the iPhone 5 comes out on top in this regard.
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Best iPhone to date!
I've been through all of the major smartphones from the Blackberry Tour, to the HTC Evo, and even the iPhone 4S. One thing I can say is that Apple has always maintained a solid foundation upon simplicity with intuitiveness. This phone is super amazing.
For previous iPhone users that have the 4 or earlier models, definitely go for it. For 4S users, not so much. For previous Android users, it will take some getting used to losing the extra customization (widgets, etc.) If you are in the market for a new phone that simply works, this is the go to phone.
PROS:
- Large beautiful 4" retina display
- Faster than the previous iPhone 4S
- Sleek design and lightweight
- Awesome speaker/speakerphone quality
- LTE speeds as long as you are in an LTE area
- 8 megapixel camera (best on the market imo)
- Improved Siri
CONS:
- Battery life is not as great if LTE is constantly on
- iOS6 is a step up but still lacks some of the extra customization that we may like without jail breaking
- Screen is the largest screen yet, but still could have been wider in comparison to other 4" phones
- New Pin adapter makes you have to buy extra accessories for it to work with previous docks, etc.
- Apple's version of Maps still needs some improvements but thats software more than the phone
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After a month kinda bummed
Obviously the iPhone 5 is a great device and an upgrade from the 4S.
But in the end the only meaningful upgrade IMHO is LTE, which by the end of the day has the battery in the red.
Through in the buggyness of iOS 6, and many apps haven't been rewritten for the bigger screen. After a month I'm thinking of going back to the 4S.
Yes, yes all the pros & cons are spot on. But I have to think many who rushed out to get the iPhone 5 are having buyers remorse.
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iPhone 5!!! THE BEST YET!!
This is my sixth iPhone to date. From 2007 to 2012. In the middle I've tried Blackberry - Windows Phone and the Android phones. Not bad, however I always return to the iPhone. iPhone 5 is a great phone. Lightweight and super fast. Battery life is the best I've seen on any smart-phone.
Pros: Great all the way
Negatives: I really have none.
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Subpar
There are no major diferences between the 4s and the Iphone 5. Apple made their latest and greatest longer and lighter and that's it. I've been a life long apple supporter, but I am so disappointed in this piece of crap. The are simply trailing behind. I am definitely switching to the galaxy s4.
Pros: looks pretty, recharges quickly
Cons: Nothing new, No NFC, they changed the charge port, no micro sd card, still no file or music sharing, good luck getting an mp3 ringtone, still no removable battery..........
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just terrible
This was a huge de grade from the iphone 4 and the 4s.it is messed up you could say. If you like to waste money this is a good phone
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Really?
Ouch, Apple. You continue to release phones behind the curve. Disappointing. No respect for your consumers. I should have based it off specs and not picked it up at launch. In person it's even worse. Trading it in for the One X tomorrow.
PROS
Resolution is great!
Fast processor.
CONS
Camera - Sub par, pixelated, esp with fast capture.
Weight - TOO light, feels really cheap, like a toy.
Aspect Ratio - Should be wider, kind of awkward.
No NFC - Really?
Really disappointed, too bad! Until next year..
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