iPhone 5: The Good and The Bad

Here's my personal take on the latest iPhone (iPhone 5, which is actually the 6th iteration). For technical specifications and technical details, i should refer you to Apple:
http://www.apple.com/iphone/specs.html

I don't want to drown you more with very detailed and unadulterated review and description. Cyberspace already contains a lot of those. So, let me just focus on practical usage from my point of view (who else. lol). Since my previous phone was iPhone 4 (not 4S) i would also add a few comparisons here and there.

Overview:
I got the black iPhone 5 16Gb. Yes, i actually prefer the 16Gb over the 32, 64Gb models. My previous iPhone 4 was also 16Gb - and i haven't been able to fill it up. So, it is a matter of preference and usage. I only put in specific songs (the rest stays on the desktop), and i don't usually watch movies (unless from youtube) on my phone.

A. The Looks & The Form
The good:
This phone is LIGHT, and you wouldn't really realise that with what the fewer grams stated in Apple's ads, until you've actually held the device. It is also REALLY thin - making it super sleek. I prefer the black model and this version is really sleek and looks beautiful, better than the previous models. Before, i've always preferred the look of the original iPhone (that's the 2G version) - but the look of the current one actually wins over it (or i may have just learned to fall in love with the slate look). I'm really glad Apple didn't change the width of this already perfectly sized device. For existing iPhone users, there really is no need to adjust. It still fits perfectly in my pocket, fits just right in the hand and everything in the screen is practically reachable. Like what they say, 'it just works'.

The bad: 
The phone being really light and really thin, makes it feel less solid and sturdy especially compared to the 4S and below. However it's just a minor adjustment. In a few weeks it would probably feel more natural. However, i do feel that those whose gotten used to the 4 or 4S weight and thickness would find this new one easier to slip and probably accidentally throw. My previous phone-cases (actually just bumpers) and armband won't be able to fit the phone though.
oh well, i guess it's time to replace them too.

B. Apps (Software)
This wouldn't exactly be just about the iPhone itself but with iOS 6 for obvious reasons.
The good:
iOS 6 is an update, and like previous updates it does improve and adds new features. The extra row of icons at the home screen isn't really much of a change but it's good to have. I actually already have my apps (icons) setup in a certain way that they consume only the 3 rows of the home screen. For me, i always leave the 4th row blank - allotted for swiping (and yes, i do know that i don't need to swipe at a blank area). Now with an extra row, i have more empty spaces to fill-in requiring a little bit of rearranging for my part. Not a big deal, though. I do like the panorama integration in the camera (although, i won't use it that often) and the new Podcast app. Oh, there's also the 'tweet' option in the notifications. Also, the taller screen allows for more content to be shown. I really liked that i can see more (at least 1 more row of event) at the Calendar.

The bad:
You've probably heard about the Maps issues, and the letter from apple just confirms it. To be honest though, i'm not really affected as i use Gothere.SG app. I still get some of the minor issues from the last iOS (i.e. Personal Hotspot doesn't always work the first time it is turned on).

The in-betweens:
Not all apps have adopted the taller screen so, until they do we'll be stuck with them being centered at the screen, which is fine. Thankfully, iOS does the transition flawlessly - particularly with the black iPhone. Most of the time, you wouldn't notice that you're actually looking at the shorter-sized app. Which actually works both ways - the change in the updated apps that i've seen isn't really that big.

C. Siri
Okay, she deserves her own spot.
The good:
My old (but is now lost) iPhone 4 didn't have Siri so i really can't compare if she has improved from the previous release. (It feels a bit weird calling her a 'her'). However, i am loving Siri. Well, maybe it's just a novelty for now. According to the ads/specifications, she does support more commands now. And, more languages. It's fun to change the language to 'Japanese' as i can hear that oh so familiar japanese female voice - she very much sounds like the voice on the Japan train announcements.

The bad:
Hmmm.. i really wish that Siri could close apps. I asked her once, 'Siri, close all apps'. Her reply was, 'as much as i want to, i can't close apps'. Well, at least i hope she could learn how to do that soon.

D. Performance & Responsiveness
The good:
The apps really load and perform faster than before. Granted, i was previously using iPhone 4 which is 2 steps down the hardware improvements. With that, the usability of the phone is way smoother than before.

The bad:
Let me comment about the touch-response a bit - sometimes it's not as responsive or is less accurate than my iPhone 4. I seem to be getting a little bit more 'typos' now. Particularly, it's less accurate in getting the keys right when i press on the letters on the right side of they touch keyboard. Also, sometimes i would have to do a few more tries before the ON-OFF slider/buttons on the settings would respond. Hmmm, is it just me or are other people noticing this?

E. EarPods
The good: 
I am LOVING this new headset! The sounds seem a bit better than before. Adjust the EQ of the phone to the desired EQ settings and it's just waaay better than the previous headsets. Really, really thankful that they didn't change to in-ear phones as i've never really liked them. Of course, this is the stock headset and shouldn't really be compared to audiophile ones. The controls are also thicker now, so it is actually easier to press. You now plug the earphones at the bottom. The port has moved from the top-right to the bottom-left of the device - which quite surprisingly is just perfect! The wires just don't intrude anymore. I do need a little bit of adjustment as my phone does a little summersault every time i pull it out of my pocket as i'm used to holding my phone in a certain way, where the earphone is plugged at the top.

The bad: 
It doesn't exactly lock into place in my ears like the old earphones but it doesn't exactly fall off. So, it's fine. Now, the controls feel a tad bit clunkier than before.

The in-betweens:
I really can't talk about how durable these earphones are as i'm barely on my first month of usage.

F. Camera 
Not much to talk about here. Not much change, not much to consider. It's just fine. (although, i've read some 'purple halo' issue).

G. Lightning Connector
The good:
The connector is really small (i guess less exposed area means less chance of damaging it). And this connector plugs better now since you don't have to consider which side is the right-side up. There's also a slight difference in how fast it can transfer from the computer to the phone.

The bad:
With a new connector type replacing the older bigger ones (that was in use for many years now), all the extra/backup cables that i bought are practically useless. I'd rather buy a new cable than buy an adopter. I can imagine this new type of connector really pissing off people who have old docks (i.e. sound docks).

H. 4G (LTE) Connection
The good:
LTE is really really fast compared to 3G. It is noticeable especially when your connection switches from 3G to 4G (or vice-versa). Singapore will practically have full coverage by the end of this year. And thankfully, the Philippines is also catching up (i just saw a Globe ad about LTE).

I. Nano SIM
The good:
Umm.. it's smaller?

The bad:
I'd have to buy another type of card adopter just so i can use the SIM on another phone - which i occasionally do. And obviously, i can't use another SIM in this phone without having it cut first.

Also, why oh why do i have to pay for an extra $35 just to get a new nano-sim with the same number? Shouldn't that be free?
Oh wait, that complaint has nothing to do with the phone itself. Lol.

J. Battery life
The good: 
It's got better battery-life than 4S (comparing from my friend's phone).

The bad:
My iPhone 4, seems to have a better battery life. Lol.

J. Durability 
As previously mentioned, i can't comment about durability. I really think that the real test of durability should be from normal usage over time and not an instant stress test of the product. So, i might update this blog post after a few months.

K. Others
I'm not exactly sure but this phone seems to get warmer than my previous one.

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And there you have it, just a few comments about the good and the bad things about the new iPhone 5.
However, there's one last thing i'd like to say about a question that crops up quite often:

Should i get an iPhone 5?
Of course, you'd only ask this question if you're not constrained with budget. So, let's get that out of the way. Now, let's check if you're in one of these categories of people:
1. New to the iPhone: you can get iPhone 4S it would still be fine and cheaper. if you can shell out a little more, then go ahead and get the 5.
2. Existing iPhone user (4 or 4S): stick with what you have and maybe wait for the next iteration (maybe 5S or 6?)
3. Existing iPhone user (2G, 3G, 3GS): hmmm.. it's time to upgrade (of course, considering our first statement about budget).
4. You lost your phone: wait that's me! and you know what i did. Lol.

*Btw, if you're an existing iPhone user, the first time you plug-in your device to your PC, it'll ask you if you want to restore from backup. This is the fastest way of setting up your new phone as it would put practically everything that you have in your old phone to the new one - from Music to Brightness setting.
Really nice.

Yup, i did lose my iPhone 4 (albeit at the Airport!!). So, just be careful especially since the iPhone 5 is really still a hot item. In Singapore it should be relatively safe - but maybe not in most other places.

To close this post, i'd like to say that i'm really loving my iPhone 5.