Why am I more inclined to buy an iPhone 5 than an iPhone 6?

[MH01]

I think the 4s was the best iPhone ever, sadly it's too outdated now, so I had to upgrade to a newer model. For me it was the build quality, it felt premium, the 5 felt cheaper.....and the 6 more like fancy android those. As Steve said, the 4 reminded me of a Leica, I don't have that feeling with the 6.

Hang onto the 5 for as long as you enjoy using it, though at some point you will need to upgrade as apple drops support/features for it. For now it's still a great device.

 

[ron7624]

I am leaning towards the 5, but I don't see an option for it on Apple's website. I am not talking about the 5c, I am talking about the original 2012 iPhone 5 in black slate.

I would just love to ask Apple why a customer is leaning towards an older iphone. Why have they changed that much?

I have three 5's sitting on my desk waiting to be sold. Just haven't gotten around to listing yet. One is Black and just replaced by Apple, so almost new.
None the less, I can't imagine using it again. I bought the 4.7 inch 6 and just the quality of the camera alone is enough to keep me from going back. Also the increased speed is very noticeable to me.
The 6 runs circles around the 5 in speed and ease of use imo.
On the down side, I do not like the sleep wake button on the side, and have not gotten used to it yet, but that is the only problem I find with the unit.
Appearance? That is in the eye of the beholder. I like the looks of the 6.
Why are you considering buying the 5?

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Titled says it all. Why am I more inclined to buy an iPhone 5 than 6? I feel the iphone 5 was Apple's last decent device. It seems like it peaked here. Then it went down hill, both with design and OS. Anybody else inclined to choose the iPhone 5 over the 6/6+?

A few people have started threads like these and there are plenty of opinions for and against. Ultimately it is a subjective opinion and I respect any body for their choice of mobile phone. People only clash when reasons are applied to other people and there are no right or wrong answer. When I first got the 6 it took me a few days to get used to it. I prefer the form factor of my old 5 because it slipped into my pocket easily and I could forget it was there. The 6 has more of a presence and having played with the 6 Plus I can say that is a step too far for me.

Design wise I prefer the 6 over the 5 and love the curves. I maybe in the minority too as I actually like the antenna lines, but hey I appreciate what fellow designers have to go through to achieve the best functionality and at the same time aesthetically pleasing. Now I am used to the 6 I couldn't go back and everybody who has got it feels the same way about their older iPhones. My advice is get the phone you like and enjoy it. It could be a iPhone 3GS and I doubt it would matter.

 

[vikingjunior]

I like my 5. I really wish Apple had kept a 4" size around for the 6. If they had I wouldn't have to question what to do with my upcoming upgrade.

Hopefully the 6s has a 4-4.3" model. I believe there is still a huge market for smaller.

 

[Newtons Apple]

Titled says it all. Why am I more inclined to buy an iPhone 5 than 6? I feel the iphone 5 was Apple's last decent device. It seems like it peaked here. Then it went down hill, both with design and OS. Anybody else inclined to choose the iPhone 5 over the 6/6+?

Not a chance! The 6 is what I had hoped the 5/5S would be. No way I am going back to the smaller screen. I own the 6 and 6+ buit find the 6 is the "sweet spot" for me.

Nope, not even considering going back to the 5/5S.

 

[himeros]

I am leaning towards the 5, but I don't see an option for it on Apple's website. I am not talking about the 5c, I am talking about the original 2012 iPhone 5 in black slate.

I would just love to ask Apple why a customer is leaning towards an older iphone. Why have they changed that much?

Apple is forecast to sell a record number of iPhone 6 and 6 plus. Clearly they make the right choice and the people love it.

 

[bunnicula]

I am leaning towards the 5, but I don't see an option for it on Apple's website. I am not talking about the 5c, I am talking about the original 2012 iPhone 5 in black slate.

I would just love to ask Apple why a customer is leaning towards an older iphone. Why have they changed that much?

Because Apple knew they could sell the 6/6 plus design. It's selling very well. They got 4 years of mileage off the basic design of the 4/4S/5/5s style of phone and it was stagnating.

 

[MattMJB0188]

I think the 4s was the best iPhone ever, sadly it's too outdated now, so I had to upgrade to a newer model. For me it was the build quality, it felt premium, the 5 felt cheaper.....and the 6 more like fancy android those. As Steve said, the 4 reminded me of a Leica, I don't have that feeling with the 6.

Hang onto the 5 for as long as you enjoy using it, though at some point you will need to upgrade as apple drops support/features for it. For now it's still a great device.

The 4S was the best looking iPhone ever made. It would still be perfect if those using it can get iOS 5 or 6 on it. It was 7/8 that crippled it.

The iPhone 6 was a mess. Horrible design, laggy software, terrible ergonomics, ect... I'm glad I still have my iphone 5S with iOS 7.1.2. But I do not blame the OP for wanting the iPhone 5. The iPhone 5 with iOS 6.1 was amazing and quite powerful. What's funny is that its more fluid and smooth than the current POS iphone 6 plus running 8.1.2.

 

[eyoungren]

Why was I inclined to eat swordfish for dinner tonight? I could have picked steak and scallops, which I love, but I picked the swordfish.

Please, someone, anyone, help explain why!

You may be an aspiring sword swallower (and didn't realize it) with a latent desire to run off to the circus?

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Design wise the 5 was my least favourite iphone. Those horrible edges that damaged way too easily. The glass sections on the metal back were hideous.

The 6 is on par with the 4 in top spot.

As compared to those fugly plastic antenna bands on the back of the 6 and 6+? The design for that on the iPhone 5/5s was way more elegant.

Sorry. Not a fan of the 6 and 6+.

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I think the 4s was the best iPhone ever, sadly it's too outdated now, so I had to upgrade to a newer model. For me it was the build quality, it felt premium, the 5 felt cheaper.....and the 6 more like fancy android those. As Steve said, the 4 reminded me of a Leica, I don't have that feeling with the 6.

Hang onto the 5 for as long as you enjoy using it, though at some point you will need to upgrade as apple drops support/features for it. For now it's still a great device.

I felt the opposite about the iPhone 4 and 5. I waited for the iPhone 5 precisely because I felt the iPhone 4/4s was cheap.

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Apple is forecast to sell a record number of iPhone 6 and 6 plus. Clearly they make the right choice and the people love it.

That may be, but that doesn't automatically mean it was the right choice and that everyone loves it.

I know lots of people and know of lots of other people who rush out and buy simply because Apple released a new product. Not because they loved it or even liked it. But because it was made by Apple and it was new.

Do not underestimate the power of the narcissist wanting to own the newest and latest toys just so they can be better than everyone else.

My own sister buys phones for precisely that reason and could care less about liking the phone. The moment it's no longer the hip device to own she gets rid of it! It's all about how having the latest Apple device to make her more important and special than everyone else.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I am leaning towards the 5, but I don't see an option for it on Apple's website. I am not talking about the 5c, I am talking about the original 2012 iPhone 5 in black slate.



I would just love to ask Apple why a customer is leaning towards an older iphone. Why have they changed that much?

Apple discontinued the iPhone 5 quite some time ago mate. The black slate was about the least durable iPhone to date which is why the slate grey iPhone 5S came with lighter and better anodisation. The 5C is the old 5 but packaged in a more cost effective exterior (I.e cheaper). The iPhone you speak of was a flop in terms of QC and they must be glad to see the back of it.

I hate to break it to you but Apple doesn't need to listen to consumers like you because you are in the extreme minority. They are selling the 6 and 6 plus in record numbers and the days of chip-able iPhone 5's is gladly over. The secondhand market is your best bet and I hope you find the model you prefer.

 

[eyoungren]

The black slate was about the least durable iPhone to date which is why the slate grey iPhone 5S came with lighter and better anodisation. The 5C is the old 5 but packaged in a more cost effective exterior (I.e cheaper). The iPhone you speak of was a flop in terms of QC and they must be glad to see the back of it.

I disagree. I have no case for my iPhone 5 and the anodization has kept well as long as I've kept if off rough surfaces and in a pocket when out.

As to the anodiazation of the 5s, I would argue that simply anodizing the shell for less time is not a solution to the problem. And it results in Space Gray and not Black.

There are some people who really do hate Space Gray.

As for being a flop for QC, I do actually agree with you. Had Apple chosen a better (more expensive) anodization route this never would have been an issue.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I disagree. I have no case for my iPhone 5 and the anodization has kept well as long as I've kept if off rough surfaces and in a pocket when out.

As to the anodiazation of the 5s, I would argue that simply anodizing the shell for less time is not a solution to the problem. And it results in Space Gray and not Black.

There are some people who really do hate Space Gray.

As for being a flop for QC, I do actually agree with you. Had Apple chosen a better (more expensive) anodization route this never would have been an issue.

Well yeah, space grey was born out of the issue with the black slate iPhone 5. I originally had the black 5 on order but as most of my friends were reporting chips out of the box and damage after a few days, I swapped to white. I liked it do much I had a white 6. I can't see them venturing into the black slate option again as space grey is now hugely popular. I remember a lot of people black in 2012 that I know complaining the Apple logo didn't show up well enough on the back of the black 5 too.

It's good it had and still has its fans, but do you honestly expect Apple to rush back to it just yet? I think a 3.5 inch screen is much more likely and that's a stretch.

 

[eyoungren]

It's good it had and still has its fans, but do you honestly expect Apple to rush back to it just yet? I think a 3.5 inch screen is much more likely and that's a stretch.

I'm not expecting them to rush back to anything. Apple always looks forward and ignores anything behind.

I was not expecting however, complete abandonment of the iPhone 5. I had hoped Apple would just fix the problems and that the 5s would have been the result of that in Black/Slate.

Instead Apple chose the route it did. While Space Gray is popular as you said, I would argue that it's only because it's the closest anyone can get to black when black is no longer offered. Not that there aren't fans of Space Gray over black. But I know some people settled because Space Gray was all they could get.

My wife has the white iPhone 5. It's stunning. Just not my cup of tea.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I'm not expecting them to rush back to anything. Apple always looks forward and ignores anything behind.

I was not expecting however, complete abandonment of the iPhone 5. I had hoped Apple would just fix the problems and that the 5s would have been the result of that in Black/Slate.

Instead Apple chose the route it did. While Space Gray is popular as you said, I would argue that it's only because it's the closest anyone can get to black when black is no longer offered. Not that there aren't fans of Space Gray over black. But I know some people settled because Space Gray was all they could get.

My wife has the white iPhone 5. It's stunning. Just not my cup of tea.

I think it's the black bezels that have the fans more than anything. Most users put phones in cases and the rear of the device is often forgotten about. Apple will produce what doesn't give them as much of a headache and black slate certainly gave them that at the time.

 

[eyoungren]

I think it's the black bezels that have the fans more than anything. Most users put phones in cases and the rear of the device is often forgotten about. Apple will produce what doesn't give them as much of a headache and black slate certainly gave them that at the time.

Oh I can certainly agree with that. QC was crap when launched.

The stories of MR members here opening box after box at the Apple store and the phones were all chipped or scratched or both.

I was fortunate that my first iPhone 5 was fine. When I had it replaced, the QC was much better and that phone was fine too…until I had to get it replaced as well last year. The third iPhone 5 has been great. Just wish it had come with iOS 6 and not 7.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Oh I can certainly agree with that. QC was crap when launched.

The stories of MR members here opening box after box at the Apple store and the phones were all chipped or scratched or both.

I was fortunate that my first iPhone 5 was fine. When I had it replaced, the QC was much better and that phone was fine too…until I had to get it replaced as well last year. The third iPhone 5 has been great. Just wish it had come with iOS 6 and not 7.

Wow a double whammy of dissatisfaction then with iOS 7 too! Fingers crossed your iPhone lasts or Apple don't change anything too drastic in future lol. Sorry, I'm just one of those people that rolls along with changes and adapt. My CAD software for my job changes every 12 months whether I like it or not but it's put me in good stead for accepting changes on my portable devices. I liked iOS 6 but it amazing how quickly I forgot about it, not saying you should of course.

What will you do if your current iPhone bites the dust in 2 to 3 years say? Will you being looking on eBay or begrudgingly buy and iPhone 9?

 

[sunking101]

Nope. I'd choose the 6+ over the 5/5s any day. There is no way I'd tolerate that tiny screen and ugly version of iOS anymore.

iOS8 looks exactly the same as iOS7 to me...

 

[eyoungren]

Wow a double whammy of dissatisfaction then with iOS 7 too! Fingers crossed your iPhone lasts or Apple don't change anything too drastic in future lol. Sorry, I'm just one of those people that rolls along with changes and adapt. My CAD software for my job changes every 12 months whether I like it or not but it's put me in good stead for accepting changes on my portable devices. I liked iOS 6 but it amazing how quickly I forgot about it, not saying you should of course.

What will you do if your current iPhone bites the dust in 2 to 3 years say? Will you being looking on eBay or begrudgingly buy and iPhone 9?

Well, we are actually going to be leaving Sprint (our carrier) when we get our tax refund. So, the hope is that I can find T-Mobile iPhone 5s (plural, not the 's' model) on eBay. I'll dream and say I hope they come with iOS 6.

So, there's that. The old iPhones will be retired as media devices/game machines for the kids. If someone needs a Sprint iPhone 5 at some point I will probably pass it along. We don't sell our old phones and it's very rare for us to have them die on us.

My wife's own iPhone is an original she got in 2013. Manufactured in November 2012 and it's still going without issue. She's still on iOS 6 (lucky her), jailbroken.

We've had a long history of our devices living well past their service. Both of our old phones were sent out to people who needed to keep their Sprint SERO plans (an employee discount plan) and my sister's 3GS is being used right now as a daily driver by one of my friends. I used that phone for a year or so on WiFi with Google Voice/SMS and iMessage. Pretty good condition when I passed it along.

As to change…well, actually I am like you in one sense. I work in the Graphic Design field. Both Adobe and Quark force me to be current all the time. If you do not adapt in this field you will fail. Change is the only constant.

That said, personally, I do not care for change, except in narrow instances in the tech field. But my chosen profession requires me to adapt. But for my own personal self I can choose what I wish to use. An email sent from a 3GS or a 5 is the same as an email sent from a 6+. So, I stay with what I like. Especially since my wife and I usually only upgrade every 2 to 2.5 years. I want to like a phone that I am going to use for that length of time.

 

[a.guillermo]

Sometimes I still miss the 5s. But, the 6 is still cool I love it still.

 

[MattMJB0188]

Well, we are actually going to be leaving Sprint (our carrier) when we get our tax refund. So, the hope is that I can find T-Mobile iPhone 5s (plural, not the 's' model) on eBay. I'll dream and say I hope they come with iOS 6.

So, there's that. The old iPhones will be retired as media devices/game machines for the kids. If someone needs a Sprint iPhone 5 at some point I will probably pass it along. We don't sell our old phones and it's very rare for us to have them die on us.

My wife's own iPhone is an original she got in 2013. Manufactured in November 2012 and it's still going without issue. She's still on iOS 6 (lucky her), jailbroken.

We've had a long history of our devices living well past their service. Both of our old phones were sent out to people who needed to keep their Sprint SERO plans (an employee discount plan) and my sister's 3GS is being used right now as a daily driver by one of my friends. I used that phone for a year or so on WiFi with Google Voice/SMS and iMessage. Pretty good condition when I passed it along.

As to change…well, actually I am like you in one sense. I work in the Graphic Design field. Both Adobe and Quark force me to be current all the time. If you do not adapt in this field you will fail. Change is the only constant.

That said, personally, I do not care for change, except in narrow instances in the tech field. But my chosen profession requires me to adapt. But for my own personal self I can choose what I wish to use. An email sent from a 3GS or a 5 is the same as an email sent from a 6+. So, I stay with what I like. Especially since my wife and I usually only upgrade every 2 to 2.5 years. I want to like a phone that I am going to use for that length of time.

Any sealed iPhone 5 will come with some version of 6 on it. The iPhone 5 never shipped with 7. Check this out.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/Cell-Phones...Brand=Apple&_dcat=9355&Model=iPhone%205&rt=nc



Btw, your pretty much the only member on this site that is on the exact same page as me when it comes to iOS 6 and the iPhone 5. Glad your jumping on T-Mobile.

 

[eyoungren]

Any sealed iPhone 5 will come with some version of 6 on it.

Very true! I hope that will be the case for me. The only reason my second replacement came with iOS7 was because it was a white box replacement. I had hoped that the fact that my phone was a 64GB Sprint model I'd luck out, but that was not the case.

The iPhone 5 never shipped with 7. Check this out.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/Cell-Phones...Brand=Apple&_dcat=9355&Model=iPhone%205&rt=nc

Thanks for that!

Btw, your pretty much the only member on this site that is on the exact same page as me when it comes to iOS 6 and the iPhone 5. Glad your jumping on T-Mobile.

I liked my old iPhone 5. It was jailbroken, customized exactly how I wanted it and I had none of the unicorn puke that makes up iOS 7!

My iOS 7 jailbreak has mitigated a lot of that but I still hate iOS 7.

 

[MattMJB0188]

I liked my old iPhone 5. It was jailbroken, customized exactly how I wanted it and I had none of the unicorn puke that makes up iOS 7!

My iOS 7 jailbreak has mitigated a lot of that but I still hate iOS 7.

I hated iOS 7 at first, with a strong passion lol. Now it's grown on me, except for the hideous look. I really do enjoy the features they implemented. 7.1.2 runs exceptionally well on my 5S, so I won't ever change it. But unfortunately, more and more apps are beginning to require iOS 8.1. That's ridiculous, IMO.

I'd imagine iOS 6 would be even worse. If you have had an iPhone 5 all this time with iOS 6 then you'd be fine, but getting a brand new one and trying to get all your apps on it may be a problem. :/

 

[eyoungren]

I hated iOS 7 at first, with a strong passion lol. Now it's grown on me, except for the hideous look. I really do enjoy the features they implemented. 7.1.2 runs exceptionally well on my 5S, so I won't ever change it. But unfortunately, more and more apps are beginning to require iOS 8.1. That's ridiculous, IMO.

I'd imagine iOS 6 would be even worse. If you have had an iPhone 5 all this time with iOS 6 then you'd be fine, but getting a brand new one and trying to get all your apps on it may be a problem. :/

Well, not necessarily.

There are backups…things you can do because you are jailbroken. Once upgraded a certain app around the time iOS 7 was first released. Now, the dev of that app was very sneaky and did not label that upgrade as iOS 7 only. So, because I was iOS 6 it crashed every time I loaded it. I use that app every night (it's a bedside digital clock) so I was very annoyed and emailed him.

Once I mentioned I was jailbroken his immediate response was "I don't support jailbroken iPhones." Now, I paid for this app. So this made me angry.

So, I pulled out my iPhone 3GS which still had the latest version of that app for iOS 6, used iFile to find and zip the app to Dropbox, opened my iPhone 5, used iFile to copy the file over and overwrote the updated app with the older version. A reboot and I had the old version of the app for iOS 6 functioning correctly.

I informed the dev of this and also that he'd never receive any further money from me.

In any case, all of my routinely used apps on iOS 6 functioned just fine. There was never any need for me to upgrade just to get new features. I mainly use my phone for email/SMS/iMessage, Facebook and web browsing. I don't do games and everything else I have on there is expendable.

 

[zone23]

No the iPhone 5 screen is too small for me. I really like the iPhone 6.

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Very true! I hope that will be the case for me. The only reason my second replacement came with iOS7 was because it was a white box replacement. I had hoped that the fact that my phone was a 64GB Sprint model I'd luck out, but that was not the case.


Thanks for that!


I liked my old iPhone 5. It was jailbroken, customized exactly how I wanted it and I had none of the unicorn puke that makes up iOS 7!

My iOS 7 jailbreak has mitigated a lot of that but I still hate iOS 7.

Yep so glad I upgraded to iOS 8 its much better.

 

[MattMJB0188]

Well, not necessarily.

There are backups…things you can do because you are jailbroken. Once upgraded a certain app around the time iOS 7 was first released. Now, the dev of that app was very sneaky and did not label that upgrade as iOS 7 only. So, because I was iOS 6 it crashed every time I loaded it. I use that app every night (it's a bedside digital clock) so I was very annoyed and emailed him.

Once I mentioned I was jailbroken his immediate response was "I don't support jailbroken iPhones." Now, I paid for this app. So this made me angry.

So, I pulled out my iPhone 3GS which still had the latest version of that app for iOS 6, used iFile to find and zip the app to Dropbox, opened my iPhone 5, used iFile to copy the file over and overwrote the updated app with the older version. A reboot and I had the old version of the app for iOS 6 functioning correctly.

I informed the dev of this and also that he'd never receive any further money from me.

In any case, all of my routinely used apps on iOS 6 functioned just fine. There was never any need for me to upgrade just to get new features. I mainly use my phone for email/SMS/iMessage, Facebook and web browsing. I don't do games and everything else I have on there is expendable.

Maybe Apple will restore the iPhone 6 look, or some of it in iOS 10 or 11?

No the iPhone 5 screen is too small for me. I really like the iPhone 6.


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Yep so glad I upgraded to iOS 8 its much better.

I can't speak for the OP, but for me, I am not against a larger screen at all. What I am against is a manufacturer who once made the best devices, turning their designs into smut. If owning a larger screened iphone 6 means having to deal with a hideous looking device, ugly antenna bands, a protruding camera, and absolutely terrible software, then I'll pass on the large screen and keep using my 5S til the day it does not turn on anymore.