I got my iP5 on launch day and was very happy to have the new toy. Then... over time the annoyances of the iPhone 5 began to grow.
1. Quality control - right out of the box it had 3 big scratches. I pre-ordered from AT&T so they said I can either return it (w/ a $36 restocking fee) or I can take it to Apple for a replacement (which %#?!s up the ability to sell it, which I later find out).
2. Scuffing - so I go to Apple for a replacement and end up going through three bad ones before finally settling on the 4th. Was a huge hassle and the Apple rep had to call his manager after the first two had scuffs. Then the manager starts huffing / puffing / rolling eyes / looks at me like I'm stupid because I want a flawless product that I paid $700 for. Then I finally get one that I find acceptable and after 4 days the chamfer edges start to show bright silver
If you can't tell I'm highly OCD about my iPhone and take great care of it. I only had it in my pocket, no keys or change at all, and when I used a microfiber cloth to wipe off the fingerprints the black started to wear off and show more silver. Ugh 
3. Larger screen - larger screen is great right? WRONG. The 4" screen forces me to shift my hand to hit te top row of icons or pull down notification center. I almost dropped my phone a few times doing this.
4. Apps - most apps aren't set up for the larger screen and need to be updated. This could take months, if ever. Certain apps the letterboxing would be a hindrance such as Google Voice (letterbox bar below messes up typing) or games (Im focusing on the middle of the screen not the virtual controls). Why would I want to be a beta test subject for a product whose ecosystem isn't ready for prime time?
5. Jailbreak - no jailbreak sucks. Plain an' simple. And as Pod2G told us a few days ago. There isn't a iOS 6 jailbreak on the horizon. iOS 5 jailbreak took months to get here so why would I want to go months without a jailbreak for? For a 0.5" longer screens that most apps don't even take advantage of the real estate yet? No thanks.
6. LTE - not widespread on AT&T and won't be until next year as they try to catch up with Verizon. Why would I purchase a product whose major new feature isn't even widespread enough to easily take advantage of it?
7. Premium feel - the iPhone 5 feels like a toy in the hand compared to the 4S. The 4S has the sleek look and feel of a premium device while the 5 felt like a lightweight plastic android device in hand.
8. iOS - the 5 doesn't have any software advantages over the 4S, and the hardware changes are hardly an improvement for me. So what is the motivation to upgrade then if the software is the same and the hardware I dislike?
So, after a week I came to the conclusion that the 5 just isn't a worthwhile upgrade over the 4S for me and sold it on Craigslist for $750. Would have gotten more but having a replacement from Apple with a different IMEI # than what is on the originals box %#&!s up your ability to sell it
Stick with the 4S for now guys... The 5 isn't ready for prime time yet and won't be until the 5S is already here
So... got in, tried it out for a week, sold it to make a profit, and I'm back to the better phone for me: the 4S.
p.s. this is only my experience and personal opinion. I don't assume that anyone else feels the same way.
1. Quality control - right out of the box it had 3 big scratches. I pre-ordered from AT&T so they said I can either return it (w/ a $36 restocking fee) or I can take it to Apple for a replacement (which %#?!s up the ability to sell it, which I later find out).
2. Scuffing - so I go to Apple for a replacement and end up going through three bad ones before finally settling on the 4th. Was a huge hassle and the Apple rep had to call his manager after the first two had scuffs. Then the manager starts huffing / puffing / rolling eyes / looks at me like I'm stupid because I want a flawless product that I paid $700 for. Then I finally get one that I find acceptable and after 4 days the chamfer edges start to show bright silver
3. Larger screen - larger screen is great right? WRONG. The 4" screen forces me to shift my hand to hit te top row of icons or pull down notification center. I almost dropped my phone a few times doing this.
4. Apps - most apps aren't set up for the larger screen and need to be updated. This could take months, if ever. Certain apps the letterboxing would be a hindrance such as Google Voice (letterbox bar below messes up typing) or games (Im focusing on the middle of the screen not the virtual controls). Why would I want to be a beta test subject for a product whose ecosystem isn't ready for prime time?
5. Jailbreak - no jailbreak sucks. Plain an' simple. And as Pod2G told us a few days ago. There isn't a iOS 6 jailbreak on the horizon. iOS 5 jailbreak took months to get here so why would I want to go months without a jailbreak for? For a 0.5" longer screens that most apps don't even take advantage of the real estate yet? No thanks.
6. LTE - not widespread on AT&T and won't be until next year as they try to catch up with Verizon. Why would I purchase a product whose major new feature isn't even widespread enough to easily take advantage of it?
7. Premium feel - the iPhone 5 feels like a toy in the hand compared to the 4S. The 4S has the sleek look and feel of a premium device while the 5 felt like a lightweight plastic android device in hand.
8. iOS - the 5 doesn't have any software advantages over the 4S, and the hardware changes are hardly an improvement for me. So what is the motivation to upgrade then if the software is the same and the hardware I dislike?
So, after a week I came to the conclusion that the 5 just isn't a worthwhile upgrade over the 4S for me and sold it on Craigslist for $750. Would have gotten more but having a replacement from Apple with a different IMEI # than what is on the originals box %#&!s up your ability to sell it
Stick with the 4S for now guys... The 5 isn't ready for prime time yet and won't be until the 5S is already here
So... got in, tried it out for a week, sold it to make a profit, and I'm back to the better phone for me: the 4S.
p.s. this is only my experience and personal opinion. I don't assume that anyone else feels the same way.