The most surprising element of Apple's
iPhone 5 announcement was the complete lack of surprise. Whether by design or
negligence, the famously secretive Apple left little room for imagination. By
the time the new iPhone rose from the floor of the Yerba Buena stage, everyone
had already seen it in dozens of leaked photos.
iPhone
5: Should you buy it?
To Buy or Not to Buy?
Despite the lack of surprise that typically
accompanies an iPhone announcement, the iPhone 5 is still a significant step
forward for Apple. As Phil Schiller said in his keynote and Jony Ive drilled
home in the promo video, the iPhone 5 is the best iPhone yet.
While the iPhone versus Android debate will
be fought until the end of time, I feel that the iPhone 5 is exciting enough to
keep those in the iPhone camp firmly rooted there. The thinner form factor and
the brushed aluminum back are almost certainly sexy enough to sway those who
are still on the fence. For those who drink the Apple Kool-Aid, the iPhone 5 is
without a doubt the greatest smartphone in the world.
Apple has continued their practice of
selling the previous-generation iPhone at a discounted rate. While the low
sticker value is appealing, I strongly advise spending the extra $100 for the
iPhone 5. Considering it can cost over $1,000 per year for a phone plan, it's
worth the initial investment to have the latest and greatest technology. Also,
the greater resale value of the newest phone actually makes it a better
investment in the long run.
Should You Upgrade?
While picking between iPhone and Android is
easier than picking your favorite Spice Girl (they were all so great!),
deciding whether or not to upgrade from your 4S is little bit harder (if you
still have a 3GS or even an iPhone 4, don't walk - run to the nearest Apple
store to pick up the iPhone 5.) It really depends on how you use your phone.
For many, upgrading may not be worth the investment.
If you're a power user who uses the phone
all day, then upgrading is a no-brainer. The increased battery life and the 4G
LTE will definitely be worth it, as will the improved screen size and
resolution. The iPhone 5 is also a must have for iPhone gamers; the A6 chip
makes it twice as fast the iPhone 4S.
If you're a casual user, the improved specs
probably won't make a huge difference. The biggest factors would be how you
feel about a larger screen, and whether you live in an area with 4G. If you
feel indifferent (or worse) about the larger screen and don't live in an area
with 4G, you'll probably be just as happy sticking with your iPhone 4S. The
improved specs are nice, but not a necessity.
The Great Screen Debate
While Apple will market the larger screen
as a "revolutionary breakthrough," many experts speculate that the
shift was a design compromise, rather than a feature upgrade. 4G components
are larger than 3G components, so Apple may have been forced to make the screen
larger in order to make them fit alongside a larger battery.
While
Apple will market the larger screen as a "revolutionary
breakthrough," many experts speculate that the shift was a design compromise,
rather than a feature upgrade.
The question is, will people view the increased
size as an added benefit? Or will they be frustrated by it? I'm a bit concerned
about not being able to reach the whole screen with my thumb, and I'm not
looking forward to having a larger phone in my pocket.
One More Thing
While the Apple announcement contained the
usual marketing hyperbole, the event somehow lacked the exhilaration that
earlier iPhone announcements had aroused. There are no surprises anymore - no
"one more thing" tidbits to close the events with Apple-induced
euphoria. I think it's time to adjust our expectations, and start thinking
about Apple like, well... every other company. That doesn't make the iPhone 5
any less great, though.
