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

MacRumors · Sep 18, 2012, 08:15 PM

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.

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?"

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"

superhrixenz · Sep 18, 2012, 08:17 PM

It's not fair...

Caliber26 · Sep 18, 2012, 08:18 PM

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.

Mykbibby · Sep 18, 2012, 08:18 PM

Don't judge a book by its cover... unless that cover is a 4 inch retina display.

Furifo · Sep 18, 2012, 08:18 PM

Can't wait! C'mon Friday, hurry up already!

nostaws · Sep 18, 2012, 08:19 PM

"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).

chembox · Sep 18, 2012, 08:20 PM

iPhone 5 reviews as of 9:00PM ET:

Walt Mossberg's review: http://allthingsd.com/20120918/the-i...he-big-screen/
CNET's review: http://www.cnet.com/iphone-5/
Pocket-lint's review: http://www.pocket-lint.com/review/59...5-phone-review
Michael Steeber's (Cult of Mac) review: http://michaelsteeber.com/post/31277...phone-5-review
Engadget's review: http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/18/a...hone-5-review/
The Loop's review: http://www.loopinsight.com/2012/09/18/review-iphone-5/
David Pogue's review: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/19/te...er=rss&emc=rss
Telegraph UK's review: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technolog...-5-review.html
Slashgear's review: http://www.slashgear.com/iphone-5-review-18247708/
Techcrunch's review: http://techcrunch.com/2012/09/18/iphone-5-review/ (no photos)

Ajones330 · Sep 18, 2012, 08:20 PM

The only negative that I am hearing is from the maps. Guess we shall expect updates sooner than later...

Small White Car · Sep 18, 2012, 08:21 PM

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.

kiwiboi87 · Sep 18, 2012, 08:22 PM

OMG i love the white box, im getting white for sure now!

Bako-MacAddict · Sep 18, 2012, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caliber26

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.

I feel the same way

wordoflife · Sep 18, 2012, 08:23 PM

New font on the box, I see.
Me gusta

Tankmaze · Sep 18, 2012, 08:24 PM

Here is a good read
http://techcrunch.com/2012/09/13/the-iphone-5-event/

I.Must.Have.It.In.My.Hand.Now.

Bako-MacAddict · Sep 18, 2012, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiwiboi87

OMG i love the white box, im getting white for sure now!

So you're going to decide for the white device because of a box? Not too clever

lol, just kidding. Both devices look beautiful nuff said !

MultiMediaWill · Sep 18, 2012, 08:25 PM

Who else literally can't wait till Friday?

CosmoPilot · Sep 18, 2012, 08:25 PM

-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**

PhoenixMac · Sep 18, 2012, 08:27 PM

Waiting for the Verge's review!

MartiNZ · Sep 18, 2012, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiwiboi87

OMG i love the white box, im getting white for sure now!

Same here

, I had decided pretty much for sure last night, but that really clinches it ... good to have made that decision with 8 days still to wait ><.

alent1234 · Sep 18, 2012, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CosmoPilot

-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

matty.p · Sep 18, 2012, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhoenixMac

Waiting for the Verge's review!

I don't think they got one, nothing's posted so far at least :/

opikal · Sep 18, 2012, 08:29 PM

I am so excited about the iPhone 5. Now I can finally own a iPhone 4S!

timotheezz · Sep 18, 2012, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhoenixMac

Waiting for the Verge's review!

Seriously! They probably didn't get a review unit this year

KPOM · Sep 18, 2012, 08:30 PM

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 · Sep 18, 2012, 08:31 PM

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 · Sep 18, 2012, 08:31 PM

"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.

Sep 18, 2012, 08:15 PM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	First iPhone 5 Reviews: Thinner, Lighter, LTE "Stunningly Fast" 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. 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?" 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"
	3

Sep 18, 2012, 08:18 PM	#3
Caliber26 macrumors 65816 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: 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. __________________ My happiness is measured by the battery percentage displayed on my iPhone.
	21

Sep 18, 2012, 08:18 PM	#4
Mykbibby macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Palm Springs, CA	Don't judge a book by its cover... unless that cover is a 4 inch retina display. __________________ Mac Soda: Quenching Your Thirst for Everything Apple
	3

Sep 18, 2012, 08:20 PM	#8
Ajones330 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: SEC Country	The only negative that I am hearing is from the maps. Guess we shall expect updates sooner than later... __________________ There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all.~Peter F. Drucker 13" MBP l 13" MB l iPhone 5 64GB l
	2

Sep 18, 2012, 08:21 PM	#9
Small White Car macrumors G3 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: 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.
	35

Sep 18, 2012, 08:17 PM	#2
superhrixenz macrumors member Join Date: Jul 2012	It's not fair...
	8

Sep 18, 2012, 08:18 PM	#5
Furifo macrumors regular Join Date: Jun 2010	Can't wait! C'mon Friday, hurry up already!
	3

Sep 18, 2012, 08:19 PM	#6
nostaws macrumors regular Join Date: Jan 2006	"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).
	20

Sep 18, 2012, 08:20 PM	#7
chembox macrumors 6502a Join Date: Feb 2010	iPhone 5 reviews as of 9:00PM ET: Walt Mossberg's review: http://allthingsd.com/20120918/the-i...he-big-screen/ CNET's review: http://www.cnet.com/iphone-5/ Pocket-lint's review: http://www.pocket-lint.com/review/59...5-phone-review Michael Steeber's (Cult of Mac) review: http://michaelsteeber.com/post/31277...phone-5-review Engadget's review: http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/18/a...hone-5-review/ The Loop's review: http://www.loopinsight.com/2012/09/18/review-iphone-5/ David Pogue's review: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/19/te...er=rss&emc=rss Telegraph UK's review: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technolog...-5-review.html Slashgear's review: http://www.slashgear.com/iphone-5-review-18247708/ Techcrunch's review: http://techcrunch.com/2012/09/18/iphone-5-review/ (no photos)
	17

Sep 18, 2012, 08:22 PM	#10
kiwiboi87 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: New Zealand	OMG i love the white box, im getting white for sure now! __________________ 15" Macbook Pro, 2.33 GHz, 3 GB RAM, 700 GB H; 16 GB iPhone 4, iPod Touch 8 GB
	8

Sep 18, 2012, 08:23 PM	#12
wordoflife macrumors 604 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Republic City, URN.	New font on the box, I see. Me gusta __________________ "When we hit our lowest point, we are open to the greatest change."
	5

Sep 18, 2012, 08:24 PM	#13
Tankmaze macrumors 6502a Join Date: Mar 2012	Here is a good read http://techcrunch.com/2012/09/13/the-iphone-5-event/ I.Must.Have.It.In.My.Hand.Now. __________________ Check out our game Tank Maze
	2

Sep 18, 2012, 08:25 PM	#15
MultiMediaWill macrumors 65816 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Illinois	Who else literally can't wait till Friday? __________________ Click here for the iPhone 5 iOS 6.0 Jailbreak! MacBook Pro 15" 2011 , 2.2 GHz Quad i7, 750GB HDD, 8GB RAM, Anti-Glare iPhone 5 32gb iPad 3 16gb
	8

Sep 18, 2012, 08:25 PM	#16
CosmoPilot macrumors 6502a Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: 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 __________________ 2011 27" 2.7GHz iMac 2012 2.5GHz 13" MBP iPhone 5 / iPhone 4S iPad2 / iTouch 4G AppleTV (3G) / AEBS
	23

Sep 18, 2012, 08:27 PM	#17
PhoenixMac macrumors 6502a Join Date: Mar 2010	Waiting for the Verge's review! __________________ "Good artists copy, Great artists steal" -Steve Jobs
	14

Sep 18, 2012, 08:29 PM	#21
opikal macrumors newbie Join Date: Sep 2012	I am so excited about the iPhone 5. Now I can finally own a iPhone 4S!
	10

Sep 18, 2012, 08:30 PM	#23
KPOM macrumors 604 Join Date: Oct 2010	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.
	4

Sep 18, 2012, 08:31 PM	#24
ericinboston macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jan 2008	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? __________________ 1st computer: Apple //e 1983-1992 Now: Lenovo E430 i7, 4GB; Thinkpad W500 8gig, 128DG SSD and 500GB SATA drive; Thinkpad W520 24GB, 2 128GB SSDs, Mac Mini Core 2 3gig, 500gig
	8

Sep 18, 2012, 08:31 PM	#25
slffl macrumors 65816 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: 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. __________________ Why waste your time posting how much you hate Apple products?
	53

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