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The embargo has just lifted on the first iPhone 5 reviews. Apple has provided some publications with an early review unit of the iPhone 5. We are collecting some of the more interesting points from each review, but you can click each title to read the full writeup. The iPhone 5 will officially launch on September 21st and will be available in retail stores beginning at 8am.

04_archimedes_35438535_610x436-500x357.jpg



CNet Review

- "The screen size lengthening is subtle: but, like the Retina Display, you're going to have a hard time going back once you've used it."
- "LTE, in my tests, ran anywhere from 10 to 20 [Mbps], which is up to twice as fast as my wireless router's connection at home."
- "Still pictures taken while recording video aren't shot using the normal 8-megapixel Web cam; they're screen captures of the video itself. The aspect ratio is different, and the image quality's a bit weaker."
- "callers I reached via speakerphone noticed a crisper, clearer call on the iPhone 5 versus the iPhone 4S."
- "The phone's lasted roughly the whole day each day, unplugging around 8 a.m. and engaging in a mix of calling, web surfing, video playback, downloading, game playing, FaceTime calling over Wi-Fi and LTE, and even a little 4G LTE hot spot use via my MacBook Air."

The Loop Review by Jim Dalrymple

- "If you told me that I would be able to see another few rows of emails or more of a Web page, I don't know that I would see the importance, but when you look at the iPhone 5, it's more than that. You have to see it to get an idea of what can be done."

The New York Times Review by David Pogue

- "The new phone, in all black or white, is beautiful. Especially the black one, whose gleaming, black-on-black, glass-and-aluminum body carries the design cues of a Stealth bomber."
- "The camera is among the best ever put into a phone. Its lowlight shots blow away the same efforts from an iPhone 4S."
- "It's just too bad about that connector change. Doesn't Apple worry about losing customer loyalty and sales?"

archimedes_35438535_44_610x436-500x357.jpg


iPhone 4S vs 5 photo via CNet
Engadget Review by Tim Stevens

- " At 112 grams it's 20 percent lighter than the 4S, a figure that doesn't seem like it would make much of an impact. It does -- so much so that it's the lightness, not the bigger display or the thinness, that nearly everybody praises when first getting a chance to hold the iPhone 5 in their own hands."
- "the Lightning connector is infinitely easier to connect. It slots in nicely and does so regardless of orientation, plugging in right-side-up or upside-down."
- "More problematic is the speed of this new connector. " -- Based on USB 2.0, so no faster than existing connector/cable.
- Taking photo speed is much improved.
- "On our standard battery rundown test, in which we loop a video with LTE and WiFi enabled and social accounts pinging at regular intervals, the iPhone 5 managed a hugely impressive 11 hours and 15 minutes."
- "In general, iOS 6 has seen some nice nips and tucks where it needed it. iCloud integration is tighter, Safari is better and the overall experience is more polished. But, it isn't a major step forward in any regard. "

Wall Street Journal Review by Walt Mossberg

- "I found the new iPhone screen much easier to hold and manipulate than its larger rivals and preferred it. In my view, Apple's approach makes the phone far more comfortable to use, especially one-handed."
- "The iPhone 5´s battery lasted between 9 and 12 hours every day, in mixed use. For most people, the phone would last the day without recharging."
- "The biggest drawback I found is the new Maps app. Apple has replaced Google Maps with a new maps app of its own. "

T3 Review by Luke Peters

- "Don't get us wrong, it's a miracle how Apple has shed so much excess podge and millions of people will love the lightweight design, but we preferred the more robust, weapon-like nature of the 4S."
- "Given that iPhone 4S users can upgrade to iOS 6 and do just about everything the iPhone 5 can do, and that Android users can get similarly impressive handsets for less dosh, we reckon the smart money won't all be going on a new iPhone this year, even if the mass market can't get enough of it. It's good, very good. But it's no longer the best around."

Pocket Lint Review by Stuart Miles

- "It is now chamfered and while that looks pretty, we've already noticed that on the black model the edge has started to wear, revealing the shiny silver aluminium metal underneath the "slate" coloured coating and, indeed, we've witnessed it on two separate models, ruling out a fluke manufacturing error."

TechCrunch Review by MG Siegler

- "One nice side effect of the letterboxing is that the iOS system elements can still use the larger screen. So, for example, when Push Notifications come in, they flip down from the top of the screen and settle perfectly above the 3.5-inch app (as opposed to on top of it)."

Others

- USA Today Review by Edward Baig
- Daring Fireball Review by John Gruber
- CBC Review by Peter Nowak

Overall, the reviews are very positive. Regular iPhone users seem to enjoy the added space. Everyone seems to comment on the lightness and thinness of the device. Apple's 2x speed claims and battery claims seem accurate. The new Lightning connector seems to be physically nice, though there is disappointment there is no speed improvement in syncing as compared to the old sync cable/connectors.


Article Link: First iPhone 5 Reviews: Thinner, Lighter, LTE "Stunningly Fast"
 

Caliber26

macrumors 68020
Sep 25, 2009
2,325
3,637
Orlando, FL
I think I'm gonna go swallow a fistful of sleeping pills and set my alarm for Friday morning.

PS: I'm liking the black iPhone box a lot more.
 

nostaws

macrumors 6502a
Jan 14, 2006
519
472
"The camera is among the best ever put into a phone. Its lowlight shots blow away the same efforts from an iPhone 4S."

Don't tell me this!

This alone might be enough for me to upgrade (I use my phone as a camera A LOT).
 

Small White Car

macrumors G4
Aug 29, 2006
10,966
1,463
Washington DC
And now we switch from the typical "the specs look lame" coverage that always follows announcements to the "I didn't think feature x would matter until I used it and now I can't go back " coverage of the following week.

Such is the life of a new Apple product in the media.
 

CosmoPilot

macrumors 68000
Nov 8, 2010
1,537
373
South Carolina
-CNET:
"The bad: Sprint and Verizon models can't use voice and data simultaneously. The smaller connector renders current accessories unusable without an adapter. There's no NFC, and the screen size pales in comparison to jumbo Android models."

Sprint & Verizon...really? So other handsets can do this?
Smaller connector/accessories...really? Apple had to change it sometime. Also, do all iPhone 5 owners poses tons of accessories...how about first time buyers.
No NFC. Absolutely, Apple & I are not convinced this is the way to go.
Screen pales in comparison to "JUMBO ANDROID MODELS" **THIS IS A POSITIVE--IT'S A PHONE NOT A TV**
 

alent1234

macrumors 603
Jun 19, 2009
5,688
170
-CNET:
"The bad: Sprint and Verizon models can't use voice and data simultaneously. The smaller connector renders current accessories unusable without an adapter. There's no NFC, and the screen size pales in comparison to jumbo Android models."

Sprint & Verizon...really? So other handsets can do this?
Smaller connector/accessories...really? Apple had to change it sometime. Also, do all iPhone 5 owners poses tons of accessories...how about first time buyers.
No NFC. Absolutely, Apple & I are not convinced this is the way to go.
Screen pales in comparison to "JUMBO ANDROID MODELS" **THIS IS A POSITIVE--IT'S A PHONE NOT A TV**

there are a few SVDO phones out now
 

KPOM

macrumors P6
Oct 23, 2010
18,019
7,862
Nice reviews. I saw that CNET gave it an Editor's Choice but only 4 stars, which is also what the S3 got. The RAZR MAXX got 4.5, for whatever reason.

The text of CNet's review is pretty flattering, though. Mossberg's review is positive, but he's negative on Maps, which isn't much of a surprise to me. Hopefully Google is quick to come out with a new version of Maps so we can get the best of both worlds.
 

ericinboston

macrumors 68010
Jan 13, 2008
2,004
476
Although a nice upgrade over my 4S, 5 seems quite predictable.

However, there was a comment in the article that the battery would last at most a day with the average user. Ummmmm, my 4S lasts at least 2 full days with me using it for a few calls and tons of email/web surfing on my WIFI.

If I bought the 5 and it only lasted 24 hours or less, I'd return it immediately.

Anyone else know more details on the battery life besides what Apple claims/promises?
 

slffl

macrumors 65816
Mar 5, 2003
1,303
4
Seattle, WA
"It’s just too bad about that connector change. Doesn’t Apple worry about losing customer loyalty and sales?"

Wow what a stupid comment. Apple has changed their connector less than any other manufacturer yet they get this kind of grief over it. Pathetic.
 
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