Reality Check: THIRTY big hardware improvements over 4s!

[Geckotek]

how will the new dock connector benefit you in any way apart from the reversible thing?

The reversible part is HUGE in my book. Everytime I fumble with a USB connector or 30 pin connector I just close my eyes and dream about the new reversible connector. On second thought, perhaps closing my eyes is the issue. Seriously, I LOVE the idea of this new connector.

 

[bszelda]

People making excuses by saying that they don't need certain features or that certain things aren't improvements need to rethink the concept of product design. When space is made within a product by reducing the size of a component, some larger (better) components are able to be installed. A good example is the speaker. By making the sim card and the dock smaller (among other things), room is made for a larger speaker. Depending on the quality of speaker chosen, it may be better or may be worse than previous models (I suspect that the speaker will allow for a louder volume).

I agree with OP about all of the things in the list. Making things smaller, faster, lighter, etc. is an IMPROVEMENT. Those who say that they are happy with what is currently out are missing the point of technological progression. Faster is better. The more we are exposed to faster and better things, the more we become used to them and the more we want even faster things. Technology advances whether we like it or not and companies will progress their products regardless of what some people may think.

Sorry for this long post. I just felt like venting about this. This is coming from a guy who owns a $3k Windows PC (built myself) and someone who has owned Android products as well as Apple products.

 

[Frankied22]

The reversible part is HUGE in my book. Everytime I fumble with a USB connector or 30 pin connector I just close my eyes and dream about the new reversible connector. On second thought, perhaps closing my eyes is the issue. Seriously, I LOVE the idea of this new connector.

It's definitely one of those subtle improvements that people glance over on paper, but I think a lot of people will love the reversibility aspect daily.

 

[MLG]

I highly doubt the iPhone 5 will break records personally.

The point I m making is that although the improvements are quite clearly there, they won't make much difference for most people.

I'm more than happy with my iPhone 4. I didn't upgrade to the 4S as it wasn't enough of an improvement for me and I feel the same about the iPhone 5.

If you like the new phone then that's fine. I just don't feel it's worth the price.

I'm in this category. I was expecting to upgrade to the 4S but was underwhelmed. I waited. I was expecting to upgrade to the 5 but I was underwhelmed again. It's not enough of a change to warrant switching.

Since I really want a larger screen (not a stretched 16:9), I'm going to look at the Android options. I bet there are a lot of people doing that. If I can't find one I like there, I will get a cheap 4S just to have the faster processor, Siri, and 3D maps/turn-by-turn. The extra row of icons on the 5 does nothing for me, and the screen is only marginally larger. All the other things are incremental changes that I won't even notice. 18% thinner? Really? Like anyone is going to notice that when it's wrapped in a case.

 

[Battlefield Fan]

I highly doubt the iPhone 5 will break records personally.

The point I m making is that although the improvements are quite clearly there, they won't make much difference for most people.

I'm more than happy with my iPhone 4. I didn't upgrade to the 4S as it wasn't enough of an improvement for me and I feel the same about the iPhone 5.

If you like the new phone then that's fine. I just don't feel it's worth the price.

It sounds like someone can't upgrade to the new phone! Idk what iPhone 4 you are using but mine is a slow poke. It's a great update from the iPhone 4.

 

[Geckotek]

Most have no clue what lte is

While a lot of people don't have a clue what LTE "IS", they know about it and they know it makes their phones faster. Enough to make a sale.

 

[Gathomblipoob]

You still have lightning.

Well played, sir, well played.

 

[BaldiMac]

I'm in this category. I was expecting to upgrade to the 4S but was underwhelmed. I waited. I was expecting to upgrade to the 5 but I was underwhelmed again. It's not enough of a change to warrant switching.

I have a feeling "underwhelmed" is code for "I wanted a bigger screen than Apple decided on".

Since I really want a larger screen (not a stretched 16:9),

If you need to make make stuff up to justify your position, maybe it's not as strong as you think.

The iPhone 5 has a larger screen. It is not stretched in any way. If you want a screen larger than 4" or a different aspect ratio just say it. No need for doublespeak.

I'm going to look at the Android options. I bet there are a lot of people doing that.

Not a great bet. Many times greater percentage of Android users looking at the iPhone than iPhone users looking at Android.
http://www.bgr.com/2012/08/23/iphone-android-user-loyalty-survey/

If I can't find one I like there, I will get a cheap 4S just to have the faster processor, Siri, and 3D maps/turn-by-turn. The extra row of icons on the 5 does nothing for me, and the screen is only marginally larger. All the other things are incremental changes that I won't even notice. 18% thinner? Really? Like anyone is going to notice that when it's wrapped in a case.

Sounds like a good compromise.

Though I don't understand the comment about the extra row of icons. For me, the benefit of the larger screen to all the apps is much more significant.

Better antenna, more durable, lighter, thinner, less glare and new dock connector are all things that I would notice on a daily basis. Plus the improvements to the microphones and speakers could also be significant, but I'd have to test them out to know for sure.

 

[Gathomblipoob]

I'm in this category. I was expecting to upgrade to the 4S but was underwhelmed. I waited. I was expecting to upgrade to the 5 but I was underwhelmed again. It's not enough of a change to warrant switching.

Since I really want a larger screen (not a stretched 16:9), I'm going to look at the Android options. I bet there are a lot of people doing that. If I can't find one I like there, I will get a cheap 4S just to have the faster processor, Siri, and 3D maps/turn-by-turn. The extra row of icons on the 5 does nothing for me, and the screen is only marginally larger. All the other things are incremental changes that I won't even notice. 18% thinner? Really? Like anyone is going to notice that when it's wrapped in a case.

I looked at the Galaxy S III for a bit. Returned it. And yes, I have used Android before and am familiar with the OS. Can't open the stock camera while on a call?! That was one of my nitpicks. I'm sure a lot of people like it, and that's fine, but it's just not for me. Did like the swype keyboard, though.

 

[MLG]

No double speak, not making things up. Maybe my needs are different than yours. Personally I find the width of the phone to be too small, especially when it comes to using the phone in portrait mode. The keyboard is tiny. It's probably about right for kids and girls, though.

And when in landscape, the visible screen above the keyboard is too small to see anything. A larger phone with a 3:2 ratio would be ideal for me.

For anyone who notices a few grams lighter phone, maybe a trip to the gym is in order... ;-)

 

[BaldiMac]

No double speak, not making things up.

As I said, your use of the word "stretched" was nothing but doublespeak.

Maybe my needs are different than yours.

Absolutely, you listed stuff that you feel are important. I listed stuff that are significant to me. Works out nicely.

It's probably about right for kids and girls, though.

And it's probably about right for the hundreds of millions of people who thought it was good enough when they bought an iPhone in the past.

And when in landscape, the visible screen above the keyboard is too small to see anything. A larger phone with a 3:2 ratio would be ideal for me.

I wouldn't hold my breath.

For anyone who notices a few grams lighter phone, maybe a trip to the gym is in order... ;-)

I get the joke, but the reduced weight isn't just about how heavy it feels when you are holding in your hand. I noticed the reduced weight more when it's in a pocket. Less mass, means less force moving around.

 

[Ubele]

But it looks the same and people won't immediately know I have the new phone unless I stop them in the street and tell them.

Waaaaaaah

/sarcasm

You could always buy the new iPod Nano and tell people who don't know any better that it's the new iPhone.

I'll confess that I was underwhelmed by the iPhone 5 during the keynote address. I was expecting an innovation like, oh, Apple iGlass, a new compound whose refractive properties can be changed electrically, thereby giving the iPhone's lens 18 - 400 mm optical zoom capability, in a lens 0.5 mm thinner than that of the iPhone 4s, thereby giving the iPhone 5 all the functionality of a high-end DSLR camera.

But after the dust settled and I red the list of improvements, I decided that the iPhone 5 is a solid (if not spectacular) update, and nothing that Apple need be embarrassed about. I plan on replacing my iPhone 4 with one.

 

[skysailing]

Stop trying to make the "5" happen. It's not gonna happen.

 

[ThisIsNotMe]

Here is the thing. The 4S was already 35% faster than the Galaxy S3 in GLBench benchmarking and they made the thing twice as fast as the 4S.

 

[aperry]

Here is the thing. The 4S was already 35% faster than the Galaxy S3 in GLBench benchmarking and they made the thing twice as fast as the 4S.

Uh, yeah, we'll see how "2x" translates. "Apple Marketing" language can be very tricky to translate into "real world".

 

[Fruit Cake]

While a lot of people don't have a clue what LTE "IS", they know about it and they know it makes their phones faster. Enough to make a sale.

Mmm no they don't. Tell them "fast wireless" and they'll say sure sounds good, but many have yet to connect that to LTE

----------

But after the dust settled and I red the list of improvements, I decided that the iPhone 5 is a solid (if not spectacular) update, and nothing that Apple need be embarrassed about. I plan on replacing my iPhone 4 with one.

that's the kool aid kicking in

 

[Geckotek]

Mmm no they don't. Tell them "fast wireless" and they'll say sure sounds good, but many have yet to connect that to LTE

Mmmm....yeah they do. Even my completely uninformed friends have heard of LTE. I don't know who you're talking to, but perhaps they live in the hills of Kentucky.

 

[ixodes]

I get it. There's lots of improvements to those who felt the 4S was lacking.

Or for those who wanted the type of improvements included.

Just because I have no interest in the phone, and share my specific thoughts about it doesn't mean I am anti-Apple or a naysayer.

Not all of us see these "Thirty Big Hardware Improvements" as must haves. If I did I'd buy the phone.

Citing it has the most this or that, that it will sell in record setting numbers are all fine and well for Apple, but that doesn't make me want it. Besides there's nothing new about it being a big seller, heck that's a given.

Nor does it mean I'm going to migrate to another platform. I am going to simply continue to use my 4S, and see what Apple can accomplish next year.

Why certain people here have to seek out those of us who are less than impressed, and try to sell us on the merits of this new model is very revealing.

Why you feel that you must bash us for disagreeing, is even more revealing of who you are.

Perhaps you have some inane need to push the new phone on us.

 

[Fruit Cake]

Mmmm....yeah they do. Even my completely uninformed friends have heard of LTE. I don't know who you're talking to, but perhaps they live in the hills of Kentucky.

Just normal people who don't speak tech (they do exist), closest Kentucky I've been to was KFC at my local mall. Maybe it's high time you escaped silicon valley ?

 

[Geckotek]

Just normal people who don't speak tech (they do exist), closest Kentucky I've been to was KFC at my local mall. Maybe it's high time you escaped silicon valley ?

I'm in Dallas. Carriers are advertising their LTE networks here. Perhaps they aren't in other areas and that's why people don't know.

 

[pdutta2000]

This thread perfectly captures my main issue with the iPhone 5. They spent so much time on the hardware that someone forgot to upgrade the software. I can't believe they actually touted a panoramic mode as a major feature. Or the ability to mark important messages. I still can't attach an image to an email without the copy and paste trick. I still can't get notification center on the lock screen. These aren't insane requests.

The iPhone 5 is a hardware tour de force. All of the 30 items are awesome. It's the software that's letting Apple down right now. Hell even Forstall looked embarrassed at his script.

 

[Flux.Capacitor]

I'm not sure I'm interpreting you correctly but a company that gets lazy, stops innovating, and instead relies on a currently popular design in a very active market...... is a company that's about to have its lunch eaten by a competitor.

Whats innovative to you? A much bigger screen? To me, that seems to be all the competition is doing these days; Who can come up with the biggest phone. Not every release needs to be "innovative". And IMO the design is extremely nice. Better than anything else out there. I've never been a fan of the plastic phones or the bulging camera lens in the back. Just my taste, but i love the new design.

 

[BaldiMac]

This thread perfectly captures my main issue with the iPhone 5. They spent so much time on the hardware that someone forgot to upgrade the software. I can't believe they actually touted a panoramic mode as a major feature. Or the ability to mark important messages. I still can't attach an image to an email without the copy and paste trick. I still can't get notification center on the lock screen. These aren't insane requests.

The iPhone 5 is a hardware tour de force. All of the 30 items are awesome. It's the software that's letting Apple down right now. Hell even Forstall looked embarrassed at his script.

Maybe because they already presented the software a few months ago? In addition to all the features that they did present, there is also the development that went into adapting iOS 6 to the larger screen on the iPhone 5.

And, yes, you can attach an image to an email without a "copy and paste trick" in iOS 6. And you can flag messages in iOS 5.

 

[Flux.Capacitor]

This thread perfectly captures my main issue with the iPhone 5. They spent so much time on the hardware that someone forgot to upgrade the software. I can't believe they actually touted a panoramic mode as a major feature. Or the ability to mark important messages. I still can't attach an image to an email without the copy and paste trick. I still can't get notification center on the lock screen. These aren't insane requests.

The iPhone 5 is a hardware tour de force. All of the 30 items are awesome. It's the software that's letting Apple down right now. Hell even Forstall looked embarrassed at his script.

Did you miss the iOS 6 presentation? It has quite a few new features. Check it out. It's available on the 19th.

 

[Photogdave]

No way, the new iphone is better than the old iphone. I dont believe it, wow I was not expecting incremental upgrades to the specs. amazing


do you think the next iphone may get spec bumps also??? That would be incredible.

Id like to know just what is considered big in your book or anyone elses.
Tell us all what you expected from a phone in 2012
Please....