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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....

Read the full review

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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  • 2.0
    Show all User reviews

    Reviewed by designerfx (Currently owns)

    November 21, 2012 04:53 pm

    If there is a reason to buy an iphone, there is only 1 : you are already stuck in their ecosystem (which is not a boon), and are somehow forced into buying.

    There is no logical reason to buy a phone which is a marginal hardware bump (with plenty of losses such as camera and battery life), aside from essentially supporting apple suing samsung. Other apple devices may be competitive, and the 4s was a big improvement - but this is not.

    Veridct: skip until next iphone model if you have a 4s.

    The Breakdown

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    • 10
    • Design 1
    • Display 5
    • Camera(s) 4
    • Reception / call quality 7
    • Performance 4
    • Software 3
    • Battery life 5
    • Ecosystem 1
    Show the rest of this review and the breakdown
  • 9.0
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    Reviewed by sam1234567890 (Currently owns)

    November 21, 2012 04:37 pm

    One week on Verizon LTE model, coming from iPhone 4 (and before the 3G and the original) on AT&T.

    Positive surprises: User experience even faster than I expected. Feels light and expensive, awesome in hand. Better battery life than expected. Maps and nav have worked great (in SF Bay Area at least). Many 30-pin accessories work with 30pin-Lightning adapter (like Wahoo Ant+ dongle). Siri is actually very useful. Lot of apps already optimized for larger screen.

    Negative surprises: Verizon coverage worse than AT&T where I work and live. Home button click is louder than earlier models.

    The Breakdown

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    • Design 10
    • Display 9
    • Camera(s) 9
    • Reception / call quality 9
    • 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 iMosa3da (Currently owns)

    November 21, 2012 03:25 pm

    Frankly, I don't have this phone, not because I hate it, that's because I'm in UAE, and Apple didn't officially launch it here. Anyway, I loved this phone, I'm dreaming about the day Apple will launch it here in the UAE, reasons to get this phone are basically, iOS, the cameras, it's screen, it's size, it's amazing design...

    The Breakdown

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    • Design 10
    • Display 9
    • Camera(s) 9
    • Reception / call quality 10
    • Performance 9
    • Software 8
    • Battery life 9
    • Ecosystem 10
    Show the rest of this review and the breakdown
  • 9.0
    Show all User reviews

    Reviewed by Marrvelous (Currently owns)

    November 20, 2012 01:30 pm

    Been using my iPhone 5 for a few weeks now, undoubted the best iPhone yet and by far the best build quality for a smart phone on the market. Its super fast and lag free, making the experience seamless. The only issue is IOS is getting to the point that its been left behind by its competitors, if IOS 7 has all the areas like improved maps, and possibly live tiles which is much needed then it will bring Apple back to the top. In Conclusion a fantastic phone.

    The Breakdown

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    • Design 10
    • Display 10
    • Camera(s) 9
    • Reception / call quality 10
    • Performance 10
    • Software 8
    • Battery life 8
    • Ecosystem 9
    Show the rest of this review and the breakdown
  • 9.0
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    Reviewed by tomi2711 (Currently owns)

    November 15, 2012 11:00 pm

    Pros:

    - Awesome design, super thin, super light, highest quality materials (as it scuffs, I gave it a 9).
    - Best display out there.
    - Notable speaker improvement.
    - Outstanding performance. Snappy, no lags.

    Cons:

    - No real "new feature" over iPhone 4S. There's nothing an iPhone 5 can do that the 4S can't.
    - iOS is holding this phone.
    - It scuffs (I own the black one).

    Summary:

    The iPhone 5 is the best iPhone ever... For a bit. There's nothing the iPhone 5 can do that the iPhone 4S can't. And this is mainly because iOS. The hardware involved in the 6th generation iPhone is the best out there, but Apple's phone doesn't really stand out of the crowd anymore due to its operating system. iOS is stable, fast, easy to use, and all that good things.. but its really holding this phone down. The hardware battle is already over. There's not that much innovation left in hardware. But the race is now on software. Smartphones nowadays are way more powerful than before, much more capable. And phone makes should take advantage of this.

    The iPhone 5 is the best iPhone out there, but iOS 6 is the worst, least innovative version of iOS until now. Sadly this makes the 6th generation iPhone another smartphone, and not the best one as it used to be.

    The Breakdown

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    • 10
    • Design 9
    • Display 10
    • Camera(s) 8
    • Reception / call quality 9
    • Performance 10
    • Software 7
    • Battery life 8
    • Ecosystem 10
    Show the rest of this review and the breakdown
  • 5.0
    Show all User reviews

    Reviewed by boddha (Previously owned)

    November 15, 2012 06:55 am

    The iPhone 5 seriously doesn't add anything new on the table. It just keeps repeating the same patterns all over again. The screen isn't that great, and with the reduced weight the phone just feels cheap. And iOS doesn't just do the trick anymore, it is simply outdated. Not to mention the Apple ecosystem which tries to lock you in and never let you out, making it as hard as possible to switch to another platform. Luckily I managed to do so and returned this phone and got the amazing new Nokia Lumia 920 instead.

    The Breakdown

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    • Design 5
    • Display 6
    • Camera(s) 7
    • Reception / call quality 6
    • Performance 6
    • Software 4
    • Battery life 6
    • Ecosystem 2
    Show the rest of this review and the breakdown
  • 9.0
    Show all User reviews

    Reviewed by omikun (Currently owns)

    November 8, 2012 02:42 pm

    Much lighter than the previous phone, feels almost ethereal. For someone who just wants a phone that can do a basic set of things really, really well, this phone satisfies everything I want out of a smartphone. That is to say it's a great appliance: you pick it up, do what you need to do, and put it back down. It's not a linux of phones and you can't customize it to your hearts content. There is no lockscreen widget which would make my timer app way more convenient. Siri understands half the phrases I use, but at least I don't have to memorize commands. Overall it doesn't do everything but it excels at what it can do. I wish the battery could handle a week's worth of little to no use, but I end up charging it every two or three days. The camera is pretty good but not a revolutionary leap over say my 3GS. I guess I was hoping for something closer to my SLR. The video capture feature is phenomenal, however. Way faster and easier to use than my SLR, and it captures better at low light (and keep things in focus!). What more can I want out of it? Oh right, cheaper cable. $20 for a reversible plug is ridiculous. Give me a $2 non-reversible one please.

    The Breakdown

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    • Design 9
    • Display 10
    • Camera(s) 8
    • Reception / call quality 9
    • Performance 10
    • Software 8
    • Battery life 7
    • Ecosystem 9
    Show the rest of this review and the breakdown
  • 9.0
    Show all User reviews

    Reviewed by RoboticSpacePenguin (Currently owns)

    November 5, 2012 05:01 pm

    I really like this phone, the standout features for me are the increased screen-size and the reduced volume and weight. When I first held it in my hand, I must admit it felt a little cheap, like it was one of those empty shells on display at the crappy carrier store. However, it didn't take long for me to appreciate how nice a really light phone is.

    The Breakdown

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    • Design 10
    • Display 10
    • Camera(s) 10
    • Reception / call quality 9
    • Performance 10
    • Software 8
    • Battery life 9
    • Ecosystem 10
    Show the rest of this review and the breakdown
  • 1.0
    Show all User reviews

    Reviewed by JreiterE (Currently owns)

    November 3, 2012 06:55 pm

    I hate this device so much. Waste of my money.

    Ugly software
    ioS needs to grow
    It sucks
    I hate it
    Its horrible
    Get it away from me

    Nexus 4 will be so much better, I am switching the day I can. Nexus 4 provides a far better experience for me than I am getting with the iPhone. The iPhone's design needs to change for once. Needs ACTUALLY a bigger screen, and at least a semi good software

    The Breakdown

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    • Design 4
    • Display 8
    • Camera(s) 8
    • Reception / call quality 3
    • Performance 8
    • Software 1
    • Battery life 5
    • Ecosystem 5
    Show the rest of this review and the breakdown
  • 8.0
    Show all User reviews

    Reviewed by DorgonStudios (Currently owns)

    November 2, 2012 04:41 pm

    As an owner of the black model, I have noticed scratching of the painted aluminum on the phone already, making a case essential for anyone who bought the black model. It's a shame, because the black one is so dang sexy.

    It may be my neighborhood, but reception is pretty terrible. My wife's iPhone 4 also has issues, so I guess that's something.

    The screen is absolutely incredible. I've owned an iPhone 4, 4S, and now the 5. It seems to be getting better every time. The colors and contrast are mind-blowingly good.

    Battery life seems to be pretty crappy, and I rarely can make it through a day without needing to charge. I listen to a lot of podcasts, although they're all playing from the device instead of streaming, so I don't know what the problem is.

    The cameras are still great, especially the upgrade to the Facetime HD camera on the front.

    Overall, I'm really happy with the iPhone 5, even though I wish I would have bought the white one to avoid having to worry about scuffs over time.

    The Breakdown

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