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iPhone 5 review

engadget.com

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Re: iPhone 5 review

#11

Post by Steko »

bryanlarsen wrote: post #8
Mythbusters wrote: post #2

It's sad that every time the authors chose to compare the phone they compared it with iPhone 4S instead of comparing it with any of the newer phones out there in the market such as Lumia 920 or GSIII. That is like taking a page from Apple's marketing book. Of course it is going to be better than the older version released last year. How does it compare to the phones of this generation? That question is left unanswere…

Sure, comparisons with the 920 or GSIII are interesting to those who are watching the market, but frankly only comparisons to previous iPhones are useful. Nowadays iPhones and flagship Androids have gotten good enough that the pain of switching ecosystems far outweighs any benefit to be gained by switching ecosystems.

All comparisons matter I think but Engadget is not a benchmark heavy reviewer. They don't even give overall grades anymore.

Re: iPhone 5 review

#12

Post by w1ntermute »

> But, [Maps] isn't nearly as comprehensive as Google's offerings on Android. The biggest drawback is the unfortunate lack of public transportation directions. If you haven't quite mastered New York City's subway system, you won't get any help from your iPhone 5. Curiously, the app offers to give you public transportation directions, but should you choose that option it pops you straight into the App Store with a search for "Routing Apps." Right now, there are zero results.

By itself, no public transportation directions in Maps should be a deal-breaker for anyone living in a big city. How Apple could have allowed such a huge feature regression from the 4S/iOS 5 to get into the final version of the iPhone 5 is beyond me.

Re: iPhone 5 review

#13

Post by potatolicious »

Steko wrote: post #11
bryanlarsen wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sure, comparisons with the 920 or GSIII are interesting to those who are watching the market, but frankly only comparisons to previous iPhones are useful. Nowadays iPhones and flagship Androids have gotten good enough that the pain of switching ecosystems far outweighs any benefit to be gained by switching ecosystems.

All comparisons matter I think but Engadget is not a benchmark heavy reviewer. They don't even give overall grades anymore.

> "They don't even give overall grades anymore."

Thank heavens. Because we all know how judging phones by letter grades, percentage points, and benchmark scores is so useful.

Re: iPhone 5 review

#15

Post by fingerprinter »

I have zero desire to upgrade to iPhone 5. At this point, I can't see anything that would compel me to plunk down any money for the device over what I have now (iPhone 4).

That being said, if I had a free upgrade, I'd take it, but I wouldn't pay any money for it.

I'd actually be more interested in a new iPad (please call it the iPad 4...'The New iPad' is a ridiciously stupid name) with a better processor for playing Madden NFL type games.

BTW..the most curious thing I saw out of the Apple news the day the iPhone 5 was announced was the new Nano. http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_ipod/family/ipod_...

I can't believe they are using those round icons. Does that strike anyone else as odd? It doesn't fit with anything else they are releasing and, IMO, looks pretty terrible.

Re: iPhone 5 review

#16

Post by zobzu »

kyleslattery wrote: post #9
hack_edu wrote: post #5

The more I see that Lightning port, I can't help but wonder why they didn't just do the obvious and go for micro USB. I'm wholly confident Apple could design the highest of quality micro USB connector to satisfy even the biggest of haters that claim its too flimsy while silencing the constant gripe of obsolescence.

This post explains that a little bit: http://brockerhoff.net/blog/2012/09/13/boom-2/ Essentially, his conclusion is that micro USB can't support everything Apple wants the connector to do.

I disagree with all the points of the article you linked. I guess most android users with a micro usb port can disagree just the same.

I charge at 2A and it's not burning. Yes you read right. Many modify their chargers to charge at 2A. Also most computers charge them at 0.5A as it's the standard (yes, some charge at 1A).

There no function micro USB cannot do due to less pins, because its 100% digital.

But then, those are just nitpicking and lightning is just fine here.

There's however actual advantages to micro-usb:

- it supports USB3, which is faster than lightning

- everyone and their dog have micro usb cables

- every phone with micro usb works on every device, dock, what not, that has a micro usb and uses usb standards for storage, audio, etc.

Re: iPhone 5 review

#17

Post by aik »

bryanlarsen wrote: post #8
Mythbusters wrote: post #2

It's sad that every time the authors chose to compare the phone they compared it with iPhone 4S instead of comparing it with any of the newer phones out there in the market such as Lumia 920 or GSIII. That is like taking a page from Apple's marketing book. Of course it is going to be better than the older version released last year. How does it compare to the phones of this generation? That question is left unanswere…

Sure, comparisons with the 920 or GSIII are interesting to those who are watching the market, but frankly only comparisons to previous iPhones are useful. Nowadays iPhones and flagship Androids have gotten good enough that the pain of switching ecosystems far outweighs any benefit to be gained by switching ecosystems.

>> the pain of switching ecosystems far outweighs any benefit to be gained by switching ecosystems.

Not sure I agree. Most people I know ended up with their phone because that's what was popular at the time, or because it was pushed into their face, or it was reasonably inexpensive, or it was what their company handed out. They use it, play games, might use a specific app here and there, and might use the more advanced ecosystem features but more than likely those confuse them. They use it because they're used to it by this point, and not much more. Meaning changing wouldn't be the end of the world.

Personally I have an iPhone (and iPad) and have a good number of apps, though I regularly use very few of them and am enamoured with even less. I'm not necessarily invested in the ecosystem -- I wouldn't mind throwing away most apps I paid for since they were $1 and because I don't even use most of them any more, and the ones I do care about are most likely available on alternative ecosystems. It also doesn't help that my backups in iTunes fail 90% of the time and the bulkiness and slowness of iTunes does not often lead to a positive experience. I'm not saying alternative ecosystems would be all roses, just that this is my experience and that it prevents me from becoming overly attached.

Re: iPhone 5 review

#18

Post by IanDrake »

I don't understand why the back isn't all glass or all aluminum. The two seams on the back don't appear to be functional or visually appealing.

Can anyone explain what the deal is?

Re: iPhone 5 review

#19

Post by mburshteyn »

w1ntermute wrote: post #12

> But, [Maps] isn't nearly as comprehensive as Google's offerings on Android. The biggest drawback is the unfortunate lack of public transportation directions. If you haven't quite mastered New York City's subway system, you won't get any help from your iPhone 5. Curiously, the app offers to give you public transportation directions, but should you choose that option it pops you straight into the App Store with a sea…

So, everyone who downloads iOS6 onto their iPhone 4/4S will have to live with this "upgrade"?

Re: iPhone 5 review

#20

Post by w1ntermute »

mburshteyn wrote: post #19
w1ntermute wrote: post #12

> But, [Maps] isn't nearly as comprehensive as Google's offerings on Android. The biggest drawback is the unfortunate lack of public transportation directions. If you haven't quite mastered New York City's subway system, you won't get any help from your iPhone 5. Curiously, the app offers to give you public transportation directions, but should you choose that option it pops you straight into the App Store with a sea…

So, everyone who downloads iOS6 onto their iPhone 4/4S will have to live with this "upgrade"?

From what I understand, yes, that's correct.

You will probably be able to jailbreak and replace the Maps app with the older version. That may not come out for a month or two though.

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