My thoughts on the iPhone 5 vs. competitors

[zbarvian]

So, the rumors were unsurprisingly correct. However, one tidbit that snuck through was the A6 chip, as nobody was really certain of its existence or inclusion in the iPhone 5. Everything really does seem to have been improved, and they've been able to squeeze all of the components in a remarkably thin and light body. Battery life is allegedly slightly better than the iPhone 4s, though we'll have to wait for reviews to test the veracity of that statement.

However, there's nothing new here. For the most part, everything was accurately predicted well before today. No exclusive new feature, no (dare I say it) innovation. The hyperbole in the presentation was galling: an immense effort to increase the screen size? Really? Some commenter on the Verge drafted up that exact plan months ago. Coupled with the uninspired iOS 6, it's the first iPhone that despite many changes, was not able to awe me.

That being said, I think it's still the best phone for most consumers. Specs and hardware are top notch, the chassis is impressive, the ecosystem is unparalleled, and Apple's support is vastly superior than other OEMs. But iOS, great as it is, is growing stale, and Apple is falling into a groove.

At the moment, there's not another phone or platform that can compel me to abandon the iPhone and iOS. So--almost reluctantly--I'll buy the iPhone 5. Next time I have an available upgrade, though, I suspect Android or WP will be matured and polished enough to sway me. Apple is disappointing , and I don't mean to be just another voice in the choir here, but I understand the frustration. If they don't change, I'll leave. That's a meaningless threat to them, but I'm tired of refinements, I want something different.

I'm just ranting and voicing my opinions. I know everybody in this forum is already on Android and/or resents iOS/Apple. Feel free to comment with your own thoughts on today's announcement, or the state of the mobile market.

Cue the flame wars, personal insults, and various denigration.

 

[Tarzanman]

Apple is stuck. Its the same thing that happens to you when you're wildly successful (like Blackberry).... you end up risking alienating your entire customer base if you go off and do something completely crazy.

Android has the advantage of 10 billion different phones. If you don't like the new 'Holo' theme that ICS and JB use, then you can still buy Gingerbread devices.

What did you really expect? Apple has to make any of their new stuff work with their old ecosystem.... they do not have the ability to make any rapid changes while simultaneously developing hardware AND software.

I predicted over a year ago that Apple would not be able to keep up. They are doing a pretty good job for a single company competing with about half a dozen.

 

[matttye]

Apple is constantly providing evolutionary upgrades to the hardware but not really improving the way the OS is actually used. Or, at least, they're doing it at a snails pace.

You can now have a faster, thinner, lighter phone, with a faster data connection and improved audio... But it's really the same as last year's device. Sure it will feel different to hold and it will be faster, but the experience is the same. Siri business enquiries coming to the UK is probably the most exciting update for people in the UK.

They hold features back so that they've got features to sell in future devices. NFC would've been the perfect compliment to Passbook, but they didn't implement it.

They're very stale.

 

[opinioncircle]

Apple is stuck. Its the same thing that happens to you when you're wildly successful (like Blackberry).... you end up risking alienating your entire customer base if you go off and do something completely crazy.

Android has the advantage of 10 billion different phones. If you don't like the new 'Holo' theme that ICS and JB use, then you can still buy Gingerbread devices.

What did you really expect? Apple has to make any of their new stuff work with their old ecosystem.... they do not have the ability to make any rapid changes while simultaneously developing hardware AND software.

I predicted over a year ago that Apple would not be able to keep up. They are doing a pretty good job for a single company competing with about half a dozen.

I couldn't agree more with you. I sat this morning looking over what Apple has provided, and can't muster the lack of innovation on their part.

Apple has clearly hit the fan here, and I hope they can bring a definitive answer to this. I am though wondering on how the stock will do??

 

[flameproof]

Apple is stuck. Its the same thing that happens to you when you're wildly successful (like Blackberry).... you end up risking alienating your entire customer base if you go off and do something completely crazy.

Apple did something completely crazy when they came out with the iPhone in 2007. After that they moved only in small steps.

It seems "Think (not too much) differently."

To me the iPhone 5 design is OK. I prefer the iPhone 4 design, but less heavy is good. And less breakable I guess. But the iOS is getting a bit boring. WP8 could be interesting...

 

[fSHAD]

There is defensibly innovation for me no doubt in that but the keynote sucked !

Without Steve jobs apple keynote is just like another samsung or Microsoft keynote no "wow" factor !

Any way iOS and iPhones are not about showing off specification its more into performance

Remember how 800 Mhz A5 shinned in benchmarks,

but I agree that I feel like I expected something different from apple but this is disappointing

 

[Chic0]

OP - I couldn't agree more with what you said. These are the exact same thoughts that I've been having.

With all the rumours and photos that we have seen over the last few weeks, I thought they were authentic, but I wasn't too keen. Before yesterday's keynote, I knew they would unveil the same thing, but I was really hoping to be surprised with something else. That didn't happen. This is definately more evolutionary than revolutionary.

To be fair though the hardware isn't my major issue, it's the software. IOS is stale. There have been tweaks since it was first released, but on the whole it's the same in look and feel. You can make the argument that Apple are keeping it consistent for consumers, but that's not how I see it.

The problem for me is what to do. I had the 3G for two years and now have had the iP4 for just over two years. My iP4 has a dodgy home button too (another thing which I think needs to be ditched by Apple).

Having owned a Nexus 7 for two months, I'm quite liking Jelly Bean. The thing is if I went over to android, I would only want a Nexus phone as I don't rate HTC or Samsung especially when it comes to OS updates and build quality. The current Nexus phone has already been out a year, so I don't really want to get one. Will probably need to wait for new one.

As for WP8.........Really not sure about that. Need to see and read more about that before I even consider it.

Just my 2p worth.

 

[wrkactjob]

At the moment, there's not another phone or platform that can compel me to abandon the iPhone and iOS. So--almost reluctantly--I'll buy the iPhone 5.

It's tempting for many to think like this but this is an unusual time and you/we really should hold off until we have seen the Sony Xperia T, the Nokia Lumia 920 and the new HTC X8 offering before we jump into the iP5.

 

[zbarvian]

Good responses, guys. At least the iPhone 5 appears to have unparalleled build quality. Apple's engineering and hardware prowess never fails to impress me.

That's something I think Android and even Windows Phone needs. No other device (with the possible exception of the Lumia) is as meticulously crafted or thought-out as the iPhone. Samsung just churns out generic plastic crap, and HTC is better but not as attentive as Apple. I personally believe in Steve Job's mantra of building your own hardware. Look at the Surface tablet; that thing is one hell of a device. Google now owns Motorola, they can build stunning hardware to ensure that Android runs as it was intended (no gaudy skins, software updates). I personally just don't like the idea of OEMs.

 

[linkgx1]

I think the underlying issue here or rather truth is that....Apple only makes one phone so it better be good. The competition.....even with just one maker makes dozens of them. White some are exceedingly great like the Motorola RAZRs...others tend to be worst off. But I think companies don't want to spend too much time of a product because that's R&D money and they don't have the name like 'Apple' so there are people who will automatically dismiss any groundbreaking desingns. When you look at the Windows phones, most are beautiful. But since they are not designed by apple, they automatically run into the issue of not being appriciated.

There are great phones out there and IMO, much better than what Apple is cooking now. Not to mention they have been stuck with essentially the same design for 3 years now.

My biggest problem with Android phones is the software mostly. I know JB was just released and is buttery smooth but that's not what is on most devices.

I owned several Androids before the iPhone 4S. Why did I switch? Support. I hated feeling like I got the 'bad batch' even from a company as large as Samsung. If i could, my dream phone would be a mix between the Galaxy S3, Lumia and i5.

But honestly right now the phones are still babies essentially and no phone exists now without some major sacrifices. Only time will tell.

----------

Good responses, guys. At least the iPhone 5 appears to have unparalleled build quality. Apple's engineering and hardware prowess never fails to impress me.

That's something I think Android and even Windows Phone needs. No other device (with the possible exception of the Lumia) is as meticulously crafted or thought-out as the iPhone. Samsung just churns out generic plastic crap, and HTC is better but not as attentive as Apple. I personally believe in Steve Job's mantra of building your own hardware. Look at the Surface tablet; that thing is one hell of a device. Google now owns Motorola, they can build stunning hardware to ensure that Android runs as it was intended (no gaudy skins, software updates). I personally just don't like the idea of OEMs.

But OEMs are essential to the growth and there likes the Windows problem. If every phone or tablet had the build quality of a Lumia or Nexus 7...we'd be golden. But OEMs are money hogs and will cheapen on as many parts as they can.

 

[Mac.World]

Good responses, guys. At least the iPhone 5 appears to have unparalleled build quality. Apple's engineering and hardware prowess never fails to impress me.

That's something I think Android and even Windows Phone needs. No other device (with the possible exception of the Lumia) is as meticulously crafted or thought-out as the iPhone. Samsung just churns out generic plastic crap, and HTC is better but not as attentive as Apple. I personally believe in Steve Job's mantra of building your own hardware. Look at the Surface tablet; that thing is one hell of a device. Google now owns Motorola, they can build stunning hardware to ensure that Android runs as it was intended (no gaudy skins, software updates). I personally just don't like the idea of OEMs.

Build quality has never been in question with Apple products. Steve Jobs ensured this, not to mention his attention to detail on the little things within the looks of a piece of software or piece of hardware. Anyone that read the first couple of chapters of his bio will know why.
That said, the iphone 5 is just ugly with its out of proportion looks. Apple is known for making products that look smooth, elegant and proportional. So, what the hell happened here?

I never got tired of looking at my iPad2. I can't even stand to look at the iphone 5. Makes me throw up a bit in my mouth every time I see an image of it.