Then go elsewhere. Those of us coming from a 4 or 4S got a larger screen with the 5.
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Will I regret buying an iPhone 5 now?
- Thread starter Dulcimer
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Then go elsewhere. Those of us coming from a 4 or 4S got a larger screen with the 5.
You will absolutely, 100%...regret getting an iPhone5 now.
You'll absolutely love the iPhone5, but once the new iPhone comes out, 1 of 2 things will happen.
1. The newer model will be better and you'll look at the iPhone5 and say, "I'm stuck with you for awhile."
OR,
2. You'll look at your iPhone5 and say, "if I'd waited a couple months, I could've bought your for $99."
When you get within 4-5 months of an iPhone release, it's time to sit tight. If you want the iPhone5...it will be significantly discounted. If you're willing to spend $199 to $399 on contract...just hold your money for a couple more months and get the proper value for your money.
You'll absolutely love the iPhone5, but once the new iPhone comes out, 1 of 2 things will happen.
1. The newer model will be better and you'll look at the iPhone5 and say, "I'm stuck with you for awhile."
OR,
2. You'll look at your iPhone5 and say, "if I'd waited a couple months, I could've bought your for $99."
When you get within 4-5 months of an iPhone release, it's time to sit tight. If you want the iPhone5...it will be significantly discounted. If you're willing to spend $199 to $399 on contract...just hold your money for a couple more months and get the proper value for your money.
Visit a shop and test several devices, 5, 4S, HTC one, BB etc
If you are convinced iOS and 5 is what you want it is mostly up to you: 5S will look exactly the same with some specs bump and a release later this year, 5 is still competitive. It is also a matter of budget as 5 might be cheaper once 5S is out...
Most important is to pick right one which fits your needs best
If you are convinced iOS and 5 is what you want it is mostly up to you: 5S will look exactly the same with some specs bump and a release later this year, 5 is still competitive. It is also a matter of budget as 5 might be cheaper once 5S is out...
Most important is to pick right one which fits your needs best
Or
3) You'll look at your 5, be happy to have it and still in the honeymoon phase, realize the 5S is another yawn "toc" cycle from Apple, and immediately be glad you got the 5 so you can look forward to getting an all new 6 late next year just as supply starts to come up and initial batch QC issues are worked out.
Waiting for the new phone if you are "4-5 months from the new one" is ridiculous for a device that refreshes every 12 months or so; that's basically writing it off around mid-cycle.
If he does wait for the 5S, then when that contract is up he may as well wait for the 6S...it's all the same if you are upgrading based on contract extensions. At least with AT&T, you'll get 2 out of every 3 phones if you renew every 18 months...may as well skip an S.
Why wait if you are months out? If you were a few weeks out I would wait (I did that in September '11 when I needed a new phone but new the 4S would be out just a few weeks later) but in this case I would just get the new one and enjoy and let the clock start ticking on the next upgrade.
The only thing that would make me regret buying a 5 today would be if the next iPhone had a 5" screen.
I think you should only wait if your main reason is to save money. I'm waiting now for the 5s (upgrading from a 4) because I think that when it comes out, I'll be able to get 64gb for what 32 costs now ($299 w/contratct). And, if I'm wrong about that, then hopefully I'll be able to get the 5 at a discounted rate.
I'm not sure it matters. If you are buying an iPhone of any kind at this point in time in technology, you are settling for outdated tech and a less functional device.
I have nothing against the iPhone or its owners (I've owned all of them), my parents love their iPhones and it's perfect for what they do.
Point is, the iPhone is a great device in it's category, but if you are looking for a power device, you have to look elsewhere.
This won't be a popular post, but it's fact. iPhone was the king in 2010, not 2013. Personally, I hope Apple gives me a good reason to come back someday, but until that day comes, the poweruser is forced out.
I have nothing against the iPhone or its owners (I've owned all of them), my parents love their iPhones and it's perfect for what they do.
Point is, the iPhone is a great device in it's category, but if you are looking for a power device, you have to look elsewhere.
This won't be a popular post, but it's fact. iPhone was the king in 2010, not 2013. Personally, I hope Apple gives me a good reason to come back someday, but until that day comes, the poweruser is forced out.
The only thing that would make me regret getting a 5 now is if the new phone had a more durable finish...if they had somehow solved the scratch-proneness issue with the black phones.
To answer the OPs question...speed of the phone should not even figure in your decision process. The speed will no doubt be fine for a long time. Basically, if the life of any phone on launch is x mo (say 36 mos.), you have at most reduced it down to 30 mos. The new features are incremental in value so it's unlikely you would miss anything.
I'm in the same boat, and was about to pull the trigger because I had issues with my home button, but I think I've managed to address those by playing around with the charging connector, so now I'm back to indecision.
Or
3) You'll look at your 5, be happy to have it and still in the honeymoon phase, realize the 5S is another yawn "toc" cycle from Apple, and immediately be glad you got the 5 so you can look forward to getting an all new 6 late next year just as supply starts to come up and initial batch QC issues are worked out.
Waiting for the new phone if you are "4-5 months from the new one" is ridiculous for a device that refreshes every 12 months or so; that's basically writing it off around mid-cycle.
If he does wait for the 5S, then when that contract is up he may as well wait for the 6S...it's all the same if you are upgrading based on contract extensions. At least with AT&T, you'll get 2 out of every 3 phones if you renew every 18 months...may as well skip an S.
Why wait if you are months out? If you were a few weeks out I would wait (I did that in September '11 when I needed a new phone but new the 4S would be out just a few weeks later) but in this case I would just get the new one and enjoy and let the clock start ticking on the next upgrade.
The reason is because he or she will always be off Apple's release dates. Again, if the 5 is what your heart is set on, wait. It will be lower in price, and your 2 year contract (I'm assuming you'll be on contract) will expire when a new device is being released in 2 years.
If you get a 5 now, when your 2 year contract is up, not only will you have a very old phone (by today's standards), but you'll be in the exact same position you find your self in today...wait till the fall for the 6S or purchase the older 6 now. Unlike what the above poster suggested...you'll be on contract and not be able to get the iPhone 6 until it is 8 to 9 months old.
It's your money, do what makes you happy, but I promise you...September will be here before you know it and you'll be stuck with the decision you make today. At least in September, you can get the iPhone 5 for cheap or spend the exact same money you're gonna spend today and get the 5S.
The new iPhone will be released in approx 4 months. It will have "better" specs (802.11ac, processor, battery, etc.). The "yawn" factor...REALLY!!! Every iPhone has been a significant improvement over the previous years version...not even worthy of discussion. They look the same but under the hood improvements are significantly better for the same amount of money spent by waiting 4 months.
Are you sure it will have 802.11ac? Processor is a given, but battery life may or may not be better, because it will be powering a faster processor.
Also, it depends on the comfort level of someone to go out and buy a new phone on or near launch as opposed to waiting for a couple of months to see if there are any issues. (Of course, getting the cheaper 5 on the 5S launch doesn't have that problem.)
I'd bet the OP's paycheck on it. 802.11ac has been released by Samsung already. Apple has been in the hunt since early last year (Yahoo it). The standard is expected to be ratified later this year...Apple released 802.11n before it was ratified, so I'm quite certain Apple is ready to go live with 802.11ac. Here's what I think will happen.
iPhone 5S will have 802.11ac (September release). The dominoes will start to fall, and Apple will also update the AirPort models & AppleTV at the exact same time (give or take a week or two). The next iPad & mini will also support 802.11ac as well as the next release of Macs.
If an iTV is in the works, 802.11ac is a natural technology to implement due to its ability to stream multiple HD shows on network without issue.
In terms of battery life, if Apple can ship with the rumored A7 SoC based on 20nm it will suck less power resulting in increased battery performance.
Of course, the OP just wants to know if he'll regret getting the iPhone5 now. I'm all for getting a phone if and when you need one. But because Apple only releases phones on a yearly cycle, it's not prudent to jump into the iPhone market just before a new model is released.
Just check the eBay listings for iPhones once the iPhone5S is released. The market gets flooded with used iPhones which drives the prices down. If it were my money, I'd definitely wait the 4 months before jumping in.
What about yours?
I don't think that's a given. It may be that it consumes the same amount of power but just runs faster. There was not much difference in iPhone 4 vs 4S battery life; in fact some folks reported worse battery life with the 4S.
I agree that if you don't need the phone now, it's probably better to wait.
Why would the WiFi spec matter? Isn't the current WiFi in phones way faster than your common internet access? And doesn't current WiFi easily handle streaming HD video? How would faster WiFi help?
What about yours?
I don't think that's a given. It may be that it consumes the same amount of power but just runs faster. There was not much difference in iPhone 4 vs 4S battery life; in fact some folks reported worse battery life with the 4S.
I agree that if you don't need the phone now, it's probably better to wait.
Not my paycheck because you never know with Apple!
iPhone4 had significantly better battery life than the 4S and 5. However, the 5S (if the A7 SoC) is used should see a significant increase due to its ability to sip power. Not to mention other hardware improvements....read below.
802.11ac will not only provide more throughput due to increased bandwidth and increase range, it will also increase battery life due to its ability turn on/off faster due to the sheer speed (Yahoo it).
You are correct in terms of "surfing" the internet. However, if you use Home Sharing, or stream media from an in home server/computer...the internet is not the bottleneck but rather your WiFi speed. Not everyone uses WiFi solely for internet surfing. If you do stream content across your home using AirPlay, Home Sharing, etc. 802.11ac is gonna be a HUGE performance boost! Allowing multiple clients to enjoy content simultaneously.
Finally, wireless syncing is gonna rock. You'll be able to transfer a movie and/or large files back and forth in a matter of seconds!
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if hes on att he will upgrade again in 18 months.
ill be getting an iphone 6 on dec 1st, 2014, just two or three months after it comes out, once initial qc issues are solved and supply starts to increase.
i get two of every three phones released. 5s is a ways off.