Iphone 5 shows Apple still master
THE iPhone 5 went on sale a week ago and 5-million handsets were sold in three days, despite the furore over its inaccurate Maps app. With competition looming from Nokia, BlackBerry and Android phones, how has Apple’s annual update added enough allure to the iPhone to ensure it stays ahead of the pack?
Its maps are wayward, the aluminium rim scuffs easily, it has no near-field communication (NFC) chip, the screen is still too small, or maybe it’s too big — these are just a few of the criticisms of the iPhone 5 since its launch.
And as an owner of the previous iPhone 4S, I am not tempted to upgrade just yet. The camera is very similar, the screen not that much bigger and I can install the latest iOS 6 software free on my existing phone. So why, despite the carping, have 5-million handsets already been sold — and why do I give it a five-star rating?
The iPhone has set the standard for smartphones since 2007 and each new version has offered improvements — always faster, latterly thinner and now much lighter. Holding and playing with the latest one, you appreciate the new design refinements and the ease of use of the new software.
The changes start with the screen. The iPhone finally busts out of its 3.5-inch straitjacket to boast a four-inch display, while still being noticeably lighter and thinner than the iPhone 4S.
The screen is smaller than rivals’, such as the Samsung Galaxy S III’s 4.8-inch display but, against that, the iPhone 5’s dimensions mean it feels more natural to hold. It also has a solid, luxury heft to it, with the all-glass front and an aluminium back plate. Aluminium helps reduce the weight: the speakers now take up less space but are just as powerful; the camera lens is smaller and the screen now comprises the touch layer, which slims the display thickness.
It is true that there is no NFC chip for fast wireless exchanges of data, And the new, faster 4G LTE wireless connectivity is just catching up with many Android smartphones. But other improvements include a faster processor, more microphones for better call quality; an improved front-facing camera for video-conferencing; and faster dual-band Wi-Fi.
I could not detect any noticeable differences between pictures taken with my 4S and the 5, despite claims that the 5 performs better in low light. And the camera improvements do not have the same “wow” factor as the low-light features and augmented-reality applications promised by Nokia for its forthcoming Lumia 920. But creating panoramic photos is a fast, easy and impressive addition made possible by the new operating system.
The highlights of iOS 6 are a new, cleaner-looking interface for core apps and expanded capabilities for Siri to answer queries on movies, sports and restaurants. There may have been a well-deserved furore over some baffling mistakes on the new Maps app, which replaces Google Maps as an iPhone fixture, but I found the new, full-voiced directions and 3D aerial views very welcome.
The interface looks a little stale compared with Android phones’ updating widgets and Windows phones’ live tiles. But then, the iPhone beats them all with the quality of its own apps and the best of those provided by third-party developers.
Overall, it is Apple’s attention to detail and to ease of use that makes the iPhone 5 the RollsRoyce of smartphones. While 4S users may not succumb, the 5 will appeal to owners of earlier models and tempt new users to taste the Apple experience.
2012 Financial Times Limited