For many, the battle for best smartphone will be a never-ending one. Some have settled that once and for all the enemy’s flag has been captured and securely remains in the Samsung camp with the Galaxy SIII as the victor. However, countless others have placed their bets, and even their 24 month contract costs, on the newest edition to Apple’s line: the iPhone 5. Admittedly that comes mostly from those possessing older model iPhones, but for those already in possession of the latest Samsung, HTC, Blackberry, Motorola or “old” iPhone 4S, you might be wondering if all the hype is worth you buying into the fruity company’s latest offering.
The reasons to buy a new phone are no longer those of the past. Let’s face it, a smartphone is a smartphone. We want our multiple email accounts pushed to our pockets. Take more than decent photos that will rival a budget Nikon DSLR (and HD video to boot!). Surfing the Web and downloading content at the speed of light are a given. Most importantly, though, we want to check our Facebook and other social media updates at a slide of a finger on the smoothest, most intuitive screen possible this side of Tony Stark’s “touch air” technology present in Jarvis. The iPhone 5 of course does this and much more. As true as that may be, there are still a number of real reasons we convince ourselves of a new 500 gadget (“because my old one is now inferior”) despite only being, sometimes, just a few months old. And why shouldn’t we? We work hard and deserve to treat ourselves every once in a while, right? Right!
So let’s look at it. On the surface, if you’re after a massive 4 inch, 16:9 aspect ratio, super bright, crystal clear screen then look no further. You’ll be hard pressed to find such luxury within the HxWxD measurements of 123x58x19mm whilst weighing in at a mere 112 grams. Yes, it’s not the largest screen, but it’s not trying to be. Compared with the iPhone 4S, the weight-loss is welcomed by most – dropping a humongous 28g, something not to be snubbed at as many a boot camp attendee will attest to. And yes, although the larger screen carries with it a new can of issues, namely when it comes to apps designed for the thus far 3.5 inch platform Apple decided to stick with for the past 5 years, let’s face it, we’re not that bothered about playing the same old faithful Angry Birds with a black border if it means we get true wide-screen when watching movies or viewing panoramic photos shot by ourselves or talented others via Flickr or the like as they were designed to be viewed.