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Apple iPhone 5 (GSM)

8.8 Verge Score 8.7 User Score Write Review
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Verge Review

Ah, to review the iPhone 5; what a blessing, and what a curse. It's actually funny to think that there was a time not that long ago that the iPhone wasn't even a thing, let alone an iconic part of pop culture. A time when an Apple-made phone was just a fantasy; a blogger's fever-dream; a secret glimmer in the eye of Steve Jobs and his team of engineers and designers. But the iPhone has become very real. In fact, it's grown up, moved out, and taken over the world. Well, half the world anyhow....

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Basic Specs

Thickness 0.3 inches
Weight 0.25 pounds
Form factor Slab
Screen size (diagonal) 4 inches
Carriers AT&T
Operating system iOS
Launch OS version 6.0

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Tech Specs

Hardware

Height 4.87 inches
Width 2.31 inches
Thickness 0.3 inches
Weight 0.25 pounds
Form factor Slab
Color White / Silver, Black / Gray
Loudspeaker Mono
Noise cancellation Hardware (multi-mic)

Display

Screen size (diagonal) 4 inches
Technology IPS LCD
Pixel arrangement RGB
Resolution (Y) 1136 px
Resolution (X) 640 px
PPI 326
Touchscreen type Capacitive

Connectivity

Carriers AT&T
GSM Yes
GSM frequencies supported 1900, 900, 850
UMTS / HSPA Yes
UMTS frequencies supported 900, 2100, 1900, 850
LTE Yes
WWAN data standards supported UMTS, LTE, EDGE, HSPA+, HSUPA, HSDPA, GPRS, DC-HSDPA
Wi-Fi Yes
Wi-Fi support 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a
802.11n frequencies 5GHz, 2.4GHz
GPS Yes
Bluetooth Yes
Bluetooth version Bluetooth 4.0
Tethering / mobile hotspot Yes
Media streaming AirPlay

Processor

Manufacturer Apple
Model A6
Clock speed 1 GHz
Number of cores 2

Memory

RAM size 1 GB

Storage

Internal size 64 GB, 32 GB, 16 GB
External No

Front Camera

Resolution 1.2 megapixels
Video resolution 720p

Rear Camera

Resolution 8 megapixels
Flash LED
Focus type Autofocus
Video resolution 1080p
Video framerate 30

Software

Operating system iOS
Launch OS version 6.0

Interface

Video out Yes
Headphone jack 3.5mm
Other ports Lightning

Sensors

Sensors Compass (Magnetometer), Proximity, Ambient light, Gyroscope, Accelerometer

Battery

Quoted use time 8 hr
Removable No

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  • 10.0
    Show all User reviews

    Reviewed by lucasrepullo (Currently owns)

    November 28, 2012 11:53 am

    I buy a smartphone to use the apps inside of it, to see the content produced all over the word, to listen to my music and take my pictures, not to have to worry with the specifications and the processor, and the resolution of the screen or to be able to customize it.

    I only want a device that works, that is beautiful, practical, thin, light and fast. For this, the iPhone is always better and this is the best iPhone ever. If you use apple products like macbook and iPad, you don't have to even think about getting another phone.

    The Breakdown

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    • Design 10
    • Display 10
    • Camera(s) 10
    • Reception / call quality 10
    • Performance 10
    • Software 9
    • Battery life 9
    • Ecosystem 10
    Show the rest of this review and the breakdown
  • 4.0
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    Reviewed by scribacco (Currently owns)

    November 27, 2012 06:36 pm

    Very disappointed of this new handset and mainly disappointed on IOS 6 which is very buggy.

    Pros:
    Ecosystem
    Support
    LTE
    Fast Internet surfing

    Cons:
    Screen still small
    Software freezes (updates shown in Apple store but no way I can download them unless I restart)
    Terrible battery life
    Scratches easily
    Outdated UI
    Poor reception

    The Breakdown

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    • Design 1
    • Display 6
    • Camera(s) 5
    • Reception / call quality 1
    • Performance 6
    • Software 1
    • Battery life 1
    • Ecosystem 10
    Show the rest of this review and the breakdown
  • 10.0
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    Reviewed by justfinethanku (Currently owns)

    November 26, 2012 09:12 pm

    I pre-ordered this year and was able to get the phone the day it came out. I'm a big fan.

    I have to be honest though, I've definitely gotten a little bored with the OS. The problem, though, is that I have nothing else to turn to. I use Keynote and Numbers a LOT, as well as iMovie and Garage band to make little videos and I haven't yet encountered another phone with capabilities on-par with this device.

    Thin, light, bright and beautiful. This phone is a powerhouse for anyone who wants to actually get things done.

    The Breakdown

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    • Camera(s) 10
    • Reception / call quality 10
    • Performance 10
    • Software 9
    • Battery life 8
    • Ecosystem 10
    Show the rest of this review and the breakdown
  • 10.0
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    Reviewed by ShanTaClaus (Currently owns)

    November 26, 2012 05:40 am

    No regrets buying it whatsoever. I was skeptical at first after seeing what the competition had to offer, but over the past 2 months I have been nothing but satisfied with my purchase. It must be noted, however, that I have been lucky thus far to have gotten a non-defective unit, in light of the scuffgate faced by Apple currently.

    The Breakdown

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    • Design 10
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    • Camera(s) 10
    • Reception / call quality 10
    • Performance 10
    • Software 10
    • Battery life 10
    • Ecosystem 10
    Show the rest of this review and the breakdown
  • 10.0
    Show all User reviews

    Reviewed by Pin-Apple (Currently owns)

    November 24, 2012 05:32 pm

    WAY the best Smartphone yet. The thinnest smartphone.....(the oppo does';t have a jack )...very light -great materials...perfect screen size with superior colors saturation ...LTE is great and the new camera lens makes the difference,...A6 chip is a miracle!!...very very economical!..Drawbacks...well ...i was waiting more in iOs6 ...but now with Johnny Ive i believe iOs 7 will be superior. Battery life is being improved but not...great...and it is expensive...but it's still the best phone out there.

    The Breakdown

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    • Design 10
    • Display 10
    • Camera(s) 10
    • Reception / call quality 10
    • Performance 10
    • Software 9
    • Battery life 9
    • Ecosystem 10
    Show the rest of this review and the breakdown
  • 10.0
    Show all User reviews

    Reviewed by Armuel9000 (Currently owns)

    November 24, 2012 05:06 pm

    The most amazing phone ever. Its so freaking awesome and I love it so freaking much. I love everything about it. There is absolutely nothing wrong with it (Apple fixed maps) and its freaking brilliant. If you do not want to buy this phone you are freaking crazy. Buy it and suck it android.

    The Breakdown

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    • Design 10
    • Display 10
    • Camera(s) 10
    • Reception / call quality 10
    • Performance 10
    • Software 10
    • Battery life 10
    • Ecosystem 10
    Show the rest of this review and the breakdown
  • 9.0
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    Reviewed by pjdfender (Currently owns)

    November 24, 2012 01:12 pm

    The iPhone has both many haters and many lovers. This is what keeps Apple going and creating new products. Although it is not a Galaxy S III in size it is so much more on the inside. There is something about the ability to hold something in your hand that just works and this is true about the iPhone 5. Even the maps app has improved and using in around where I live has yielded no problems. I strongly recommend getting one. You will not be upset with your purchase it is perfect for everything from email, to pictures, to amazing apps.

    The Breakdown

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    • Design 9
    • Display 8
    • Camera(s) 9
    • Reception / call quality 8
    • Performance 10
    • Software 9
    • Battery life 8
    • Ecosystem 10
    Show the rest of this review and the breakdown
  • 8.0
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    Reviewed by 2sixty2 (Currently owns)

    November 24, 2012 10:48 am

    Camera- great. Eco-system- unbeatable. Performance- rapid. But this iphone definitely feels like a less complete package than previous generations.

    The lack of a decent maps app isn't just a chink in the armour, it's like turning up to battle without a sword. In London having got used to the excellent public transport directions in iOS5 swapping my 3GS to an iphone5 feels like a bizarre step backwards in my autonomy. Travelling seamlessly between the city's multiple transport networks is now a fond memory; replaced by clumsy fumbling through a series of 3rd party apps trying to find the most appropriate one for each specific journey.

    The design ticks all the right boxes:- Thin. Light. Premium feel. But the new aluminium body is so easily scratched it is impossible to use this phone without a case. One day of this phone in the pocket without a case yielded a small dent and several scratches. What's the point of a premium finish if to be in any way functional it needs to be hidden behind a comparatively bulky, and tacky cover?

    I appreciate iteration and innovation both have their place in advancing technology, but stepping backwards is unacceptable. A great phone, but Apple can do better.

    The Breakdown

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    • Design 7
    • Display 10
    • Camera(s) 9
    • Reception / call quality 8
    • Performance 9
    • Software 6
    • Battery life 8
    • Ecosystem 8
    Show the rest of this review and the breakdown
  • 9.0
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    Reviewed by jrasero23 (Currently owns)

    November 23, 2012 10:45 am

    LTE Finally!, 4" is it enough for you?, lighter, thinner, faster. iOS getting long in the tooth. Maps are bad. Beautiful slate and black look. poor quality control and durability questions.

    I came from Galaxy Nexus and while I will miss the openess and customization of Android, I will not miss having second tier apps or waiting for good apps. Also apps just perform better on Apple.

    4" is a big upgrade but coming from a Galaxy it seems small. The biggest disappointment is the Maps (which do suck) but the quality control. I along my antenna there is discoloration which I didn't notice in the store, also it came with 2-3 minor nicks. I will be returning but just sad to see scuffgate is true!

    Case up and enjoy

    The Breakdown

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    • Design 8
    • Display 9
    • Camera(s) 9
    • Reception / call quality 8
    • Performance 9
    • Software 7
    • Battery life 8
    • Ecosystem 10
    Show the rest of this review and the breakdown
  • 10.0
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    Reviewed by Drummertist (Currently owns)

    November 21, 2012 04:58 pm

    I've never had a better smartphone than my iPhone 5. It really is incredible. The thinness and lightness will throw you for a loop and it's uniform thickness make it one of the thinnest phone on the market. The battery is kill: I can go through a whole day of heavy use and have 60% battery left.

    The Breakdown

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    • Design 10
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    • Camera(s) 10
    • Reception / call quality 10
    • Performance 10
    • Software 9
    • Battery life 10
    • Ecosystem 10
    Show the rest of this review and the breakdown
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