PROS:
- Larger screen - Going from a 3.5-inch screen to a 4-inch screen isn't that big a jump, not when Samsung's current bestseller is a 4.8-incher. But the extra screen real estate means more icons on the home screen, more navigation options in apps and HD movies shown without the black bar "letterbox" effect.
- 4G LTE connectivity - Even if you don't know what 4G refers to, you probably know that it means faster data on phones. "LTE," another admittedly mysterious term, is the best flavor of 4G, delivering data so fast it can feel like you're on a cable modem. Apple is the last smartphone maker to join the 4G party, and it's about time it did.
- Better battery life - The trouble with 4G LTE is that it tends to be a battery drainer. But Apple seems to have solved that problem, and even managed to give the iPhone 5 better battery life than its predecessor, too. Battery life is Apple's stock and trade: The company will sacrifice features to keep battery life long, but in the iPhone 5, there doesn't appear to be a real downside.
- Less glass - It's hard to find an iPhone user who hasn't smashed their screen at least once, so it was a little bit bizarre when Apple decided, with the iPhone 4, to give it a second pane of glass, on the back. Yes, it made the phone astoundingly beautiful, but it meant more to smudge and yes, more to shatter. With the iPhone 5, we return to the more sane world of just one glass pane.
- An iPhone 5 (left) shown next to the thicker iPhone 4S.
- Thinner and lighter - This may not be apparent from the presentation, but take it from me, when you hold it, the phone feels impressively thin and impressively light, especially given the larger screen and longer battery life.
- Faster chip - While most of us mere mortals, me included, don't need to worry about the processor power of our smartphones, gamers who yearn for console-like experiences will appreciate the improved processing and graphics might of the iPhone 5's brand-new A6 chip. And the rest of us might notice that photo and video processing, and everyday app usage, have gotten a tad quicker.
CONS:
- The Lightning Connector. I know it was meant to have an ‘easier’ connection. This connection does not provide a quicker recharge time or any other very dramatic benefit. It seems silly that I will have to ‘rebuy’ accessories to fit my iPhone5. Don’t chuck your current accessories. You can buy a $30 adapter to connect to the old 30 pin accessories. If you can get your hand on the adapter, BUY IT, they have been on back order since the announcement of the iPhone5.
- Ear phone jack on the bottom. This may not be a pro or con, but for me, I’m used to having the ear buds attach to the top.
- The phone can get hot after 20 minutes of intense screen activity (facetime/movie). However, it shouldn’t be too bad if you have a case for the phone.
- Unlimited data. Many cell phone carriers are phasing out their ‘unlimited’ data plans. I’m currently on the unlimited data plans. I was looking at the baseline 2GB share anything Verizon plan. I have not used more than 560 MB during a month while I was out of town without wireless. Look at your data and decide if you want to give up your ‘unlimited’ data plan.
