Is there anything else different besides the purple flare?
I am _not_ bashing the iPhone 5, it certainly has it's appeal for many, but for me I find it uninteresting.
The 4S on the other hand, has features I've grown accustomed to and am unwilling to live without. iOS 5 is far and away my favorite version of iOS. iOS 6 is a pain to use. Not difficult, just simply has nothing of value to me. Google Maps is a must have, since despite my best efforts to be patience with Apple Maps is just not cutting it.
They are missing many parts of the areas in CA that I travel in. Areas that are major metro cities, (not backwoods) like Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and others. Huge sections of those cities missing or roads incorrectly mapped. Apple maps will be fine in a year or two, but I must have functionality now.
The easily scratched finish (and I'm very careful) and other issues, are just too annoying to put up with.
That said I am very certain that the next iPhone will have these all resolved and will be the phone to have. That's Apple's pattern and it's proven.