With the Apple iPhone 5, Apple is clearly aiming at buyers who want a well-rounded phone without too many compromises. Here is our take on what it brings to the table. Announced in 2012, September 12. Released 2012, September 21, it arrives at a time when the competition is as tight as ever.
Design & Display
Up front there is a 4.0 inches, 44.1 cm 2 (~60.8% screen-to-body ratio) screen, pushing a resolution of 640 x 1136 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~326 ppi density), which is more than sharp enough for everyday use, streaming and a bit of gaming. The build feels well put together, and Apple has clearly paid attention to the in-hand feel. You can pick it up in a few finishes, including Black/Slate.
Performance & Software
Under the hood you will find the Apple A6 (32 nm), paired with 1GB of RAM. For the kind of tasks most of us throw at a phone, there is plenty of muscle here. It runs iOS 6, upgradable to iOS 10.3.4 out of the box, so the software experience feels current.
Camera
Photography is handled by a main 8 MP shooter that should cover most situations, from daylight shots to the occasional low-light frame. It is not a pro camera rig, but for everyday memories it gets the job done nicely.
Battery
There is a Li-Po 1440 mAh, non-removable (5.45 Wh) battery inside, and that is a healthy number that keeps range anxiety at bay.
Our Opinion
So, what do we actually make of the Apple iPhone 5? What you are getting is a device that quietly covers the fundamentals rather than shouting about them. It gets the basics right, offering a dependable main camera, a crisp display, which is exactly what most buyers are really after. For someone who simply wants a dependable daily driver that will not let them down halfway through the day, this ticks a lot of boxes. You could nitpick a few things, as you can with any phone in this bracket. Even so, the Apple iPhone 5 holds its own and represents a solid, no-nonsense buy. If you have used this device or are planning to pick one up, do let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
