Thoughts and opinion on Apple's new iPhone 5

[Good Times]

I'm sure we've all seen the new iPhone 5 online on various tech sites and even had witnessed the massive chaos online with the preorders going bonkers but has anyone joined the insanity and ordered the new iphone5?

I'm tempted to get it since my contract has long expired but I'm on the fence... The damn phone is soooo expensive it's really ridiculous how much these things go for! Just for pricing the 64GB is 399 w/ contract (eek!!) I've got Sprint (unlimited data bleh bleh) but I'm not sure if I should stick w/ Sprint or move over to Verizon since my cfo (the better half) is on Verizon. I know moving the Verizon means no unlimited data which would be a pain since I use data heavily with my iPhone 4. Verizon is nice with the better LTE network but the unlimited data that Sprint offers is kinda hard to give up.

At any rate, enough talk about the carriers, what's everyone's thought on the new iPhone 5? Worth it or screw it just go with the Galaxy phone? Both are definitely interesting so it would be interesting to get some other people's opinion on the latest craze with these phones coming out.

:clap:

[Obi..]

I hate to say this as much as I love my macbooks, after my experiences w/ the 3GS and the 4 lately and then having the choice to use the Android, I'd either go Android or wait a little longer for the bugs to finally be fixed.

In other words, if I didn't get the past two almost free I'd have a hard time justifying keeping them. I gave the 4 back and as of 2 days ago almost threw the 3GS into the S.F. Bay. IMHO Apple's quality and reliability are not the same, no matter what someone tells you otherwise.

~Keep in mind all that said I'll never own another PC, ever. If Apple offers me/us the same option again I am really going to consider overall options b/c there are just too many APP and OS glitches. For that matter a pop-up blocker and the ability to run FF instead of Safari would be sick.

[Seanz0rz]

I had an iPhone 3g, and have had so many problems with it. i still use it as an iPod, but without wifi, it's pretty worthless as anything other than a music player.

I have an android now. I won't be going back to apple. The iPhone was the only apple product i ever bought. it was impressive for the time, but there are much better options out there. I might buy a mac someday, and load windows on it. osx just doesnt tickle my fancy.

[fenrisx]

I think it's a nice looking phone, but I prefer Android over iOS. So, my vote goes to the Galaxy S3. Actually, I prefer the design of the S3 as well.. I'm just not sure I'd like the 4.8" screen. My wife has the S3, and it's definitely a nice phone.

Don't give up your unlimited data to switch over to VZW. 2Gb for $30/month is crazy. For the record, my friends S3 on Sprint's LTE network pulled 32Mbps down, 15Mbps up using the Speedtest.net app. My hand-me-down Thunderbolt (was my wife's) on VZW's LTE network, sitting directly next to his S3, only pulled 8Mbps down, 10Mbps up using the Speedtest.net app. I have yet to pull over 13Mbps down on VZW's LTE network... but that's going to depend on your area. Sprint's LTE is actually really good in this area apparently..

I rooted the Thunderbolt so I could put an ICS rom on it, and I love it. ICS is definitely an improvement over previous Android builds, IMO. I didn't realize the iPhone was stuck on Safari for web browsing (based on the above reply), but I've ran stock browser, Chrome, FireFox, and Dolphin browser..and they're all good. Currently running Chrome as default web browser.

The one plus I will give Apple is customer care. My brother bought his family all iPhone 4S', and bought nice cases for them, but declined VZW's extra "insurance". Less than a month later his daughter's phone falls from her pocket 100ft up on a roller coaster and gets warped, and broken. VZW wouldn't do anything for him, but he drove to Atlanta to the Apple store and they replaced it for him for free.

[Robinhood4x4]

My 4s has been pretty reliable, although it has its glitches every once in a while. I've owned it about a year now and I've only restarted it probably half a dozen times and half those probably weren't necessary.

I barely use any data so verizon works well for me. My lifetime usage so far is 125mb sent and 1.0gb received.

But if I used it as much as you do Lance, I don't think I'd give up unlimited data.

Edit: I meant cellular data usage. I'm sure it's way more than than through wifi.

[Good Times]

Yeah the unlimited data is hard to let go. Considering how ATT and Verizon has updated their plan to tiered data plans I'm expecting Sprint to change that eventually. It's just a matter of time. Guess that still shouldn't mean I should abandon the unlimited data at the moment...

I have the original Galaxy S and I thought it was the bomb until I started using the iPhone 4. The biggest difference is usability between the two. I know the Galaxy S is worlds apart from the Galaxy 3S. Using the iOS for such a long time I don't know if I'll be able to work my way back to using the android OS.

doh!

[fenrisx]

If you prefer iOS.. I think you know what to do.

[YotaFun]

Its just a slightly bigger option to the 4S.

I love my iPhone and will be getting another one when lifeproof makes a case for the 5, but for now I will hold on to my slightly glitchy 4.

Honestly, I think it comes down to personal preference.
If I ever went to another phone I would be going back to a blackberry.
Its the only phone and only OS on a phone that I really have never had issues with.

I have heard horror stories about owners of Android based phones having tons of issues, a friend of mine has one and he will be mid call and it will reset on its own, and he finds himself pulling the battery at least once a day to get himself going again.
HOWEVER, I have heard people never having an issue with the Android phone.

I like the iPhone OS and am familiar with it enough to not want to change.

When it comes to your plan keep your Sprint, If you must switch you might want to consider AT&T over Verizon for this little detail, iPhone5 does NOT support data and voice at the same time on the Verizon network. That bothers me, but the way it works is that most verizon phones use CDMA (I think thats it) for voice and 3G-4G for Data, the iPhone5 has only one antenna that supports both while most other phones have two to do the dual function needed.

Play with them and see, its all personal preference.

[paddlenbike]

Android. Works well, customizable, plenty of apps, much less $$$ than iPhone. I have nothing against the iPhone but I won't pay a premium for it and I would miss the Android's customization.

[4x4mike]

I really like my Android and haven't really considered an iPhone. I've got an HTC which allows me to change micro SD cards (up to 32gb) and change batteries. Having spare or backup batteries is great while traveling or in an emergency.

[Crinale]

I have to vote for Android too.. Everyone I know who has had an iPhone and got a recent Android says they will never go back. ICS and JB are incredible operating systems, stable and customizable. Personally, I'm not a fan of the GS3's size, its facking huge! But there are other phones out there, like the most recent Nexus, and the soon to be released Moto RAZR HD series. But if you like iOS, im sure the iP5 is gonna be a good phone, just not for me.

[L33T35T Tacoma]

I'm still on the fence myself about the iPhone 5. I have a 4S and love it, and it's jailbroken capabilities. I may wait until the iPhone 5 can be jailbroken... Or I may not get it at all.

As far as carriers are concerted, I'd recommend AT&T only because it can talk on the phone and use data at the same time. Verizon and Sprint can't do that, even on the IPhone 5. AT&T has a 3Gb Plan for $30

[fenrisx]

Personally, I'm not a fan of the GS3's size, its facking huge! But there are other phones out there, like the most recent Nexus


C.. those phones are almost the exact same size, lol.
Nex: 5.33 x 2.67 x 0.37"
GS3: 5.38 x 2.78 x 0.34"

[Good Times]

Considering the sheer amount of data I use I'll probably be forced to stick w/ the Sprint service. Their LTE is slowly growing and definitely behind ATT and Verizon so that part will suck horribly. I know LA does not have any LTE under Sprint at the moment (I think) so until that comes out I guess I'll have to leverage my wifi hotspots in the interim to get some decent bandwidth (or the office hehe).


Avy, I'm one of those rare folks that had a horrible experience with their android phone. I've had the usual disconnects and even the phone just shutting off during my call. I'd be on a call and suddenly I hear nothing so I stare at a black screen thinking huh wtf only to realize it's turned off somehow instantly. Didn't overheat or anything so I've had my fare share of whackiness. Surprisingly I still have the phone and still use it (Sprint service) but my iPhone 4 on ATT is so much better.

I'm definitely knowledgeable on both os's and both has its good and bad. Just hard to decide between the two because the new phones that are out are amazing! The GS3 is just a thing of beauty (though it's damn big!) I know the Android OS has come a long way since the original Galaxy S so maybe I'll have to play with someones to get a better feel before I decide to plunk some cash on a new phone.

I'm just glad we have lot of options to choose from. Better than those days when the Motorola phones were big *** bricks!

[Seanz0rz]

even my red-headed stepchild of a phone, the HTC Inspire 4G (lol, 4G!) has been pretty much flawless. I do restart it about once a week, just to clear it (much like restarting my windows box at least every other day)

I typically use my phone for about 5-10 minutes of phone calls per month. a few hundred texts per month, and about 2gb of data/ month on the cell network. having the larger phone is a plus for me since its number one purpose is surfing the net. I have ordered books while in the first day of class, looked up oil filter numbers while at NAPA, etc. It fits comfortably in my pants or shirt pocket.

using my old iphone today while working in the garage, and i remembered the biggest flaw with it. the home button barely works anymore...

[Bob98SR5]

I'm still on the fence myself about the iPhone 5. I have a 4S and love it, and it's jailbroken capabilities. I may wait until the iPhone 5 can be jailbroken... Or I may not get it at all.

As far as carriers are concerted, I'd recommend AT&T only because it can talk on the phone and use data at the same time. Verizon and Sprint can't do that, even on the IPhone 5. AT&T has a 3Gb Plan for $30


jason,

what additional capabilities do you have with a jail broken phone?

[Crinale]

even my red-headed stepchild of a phone, the HTC Inspire 4G (lol, 4G!) has been pretty much flawless. I do restart it about once a week, just to clear it (much like restarting my windows box at least every other day)

I typically use my phone for about 5-10 minutes of phone calls per month. a few hundred texts per month, and about 2gb of data/ month on the cell network. having the larger phone is a plus for me since its number one purpose is surfing the net. I have ordered books while in the first day of class, looked up oil filter numbers while at NAPA, etc. It fits comfortably in my pants or shirt pocket.

using my old iphone today while working in the garage, and i remembered the biggest flaw with it. the home button barely works anymore...


At least you have a newish phone XD I have an og HTC Droid Incredible.. haha. I love this phone though, never had any issues with it. And it's even running GingerBread which is old school Android now. Worlds behind ICS and JB

[paddlenbike]

At least you have a newish phone XD I have an og HTC Droid Incredible.. haha. I love this phone though, never had any issues with it. And it's even running GingerBread which is old school Android now. Worlds behind ICS and JB


Same phone here...HTC Incredible. I qualify for a new phone but when I look at what's available, they aren't entirely different from what we have. Basically, more memory (which I don't need) and more megapixels on the camera. I will probably stay with my Incredible until I break it.

[L33T35T Tacoma]

jason,

what additional capabilities do you have with a jail broken phone?


Oh there are too many to list! A jailbroken iphone allows you to install more than just Apps, like Apple's App Store. Instead, the jailbroken App Store, known as Cydia, allows you to install packages. These packages can do many different things; I'll sum it up in to several catagories.
1. Visual customization.
-A jailbroke iphone allows you to visually customize your iphone to your liking. On my iphone, I have all the app lables removed, so all you see is just icons. I currently have 5 rows of apps on each screen, instead of the ususal 4. I also have 5 icons in my "dock" (the apps on the bottom that never move). Also there are many "themes" out there which allows you to theme your iphone to your liking.. including everything from changing colors of certain things, changing fonts, or changing app icons themselves to a centralized theme.

2. Little tweaks that make the phone a little more enjoyable
-These little tweaks are very small modifications, which can make the overall user experience more enjoyable. For example, I have the local weather on my lock screen. When between pages of apps, I have a visually appealing effect applied, which makes it more enjoyable. Also, some apps themselves can be modified. For example, "pull to refresh". With these pull to refresh apps, you simply can pull down on a webpage, or your email to refresh what you're looking at, instead of looking for the reload button. Another awesome app is called "navigate from maps". theres an app called Waze, which is a free turn by turn direction app. The hardest part though is actaully programming the addresses in to that app. Well this jailbreak tweak adds a button in the Maps app that allows you to navigate to your selected point in the Waze app. These tweaks many times are things that it seems Apple may have "forgotten"
3. Apps that Apple would NEVER allow in the app store.
- MyWi is an amazing program if you have the need to tether, that is, hook up your iPhone to a laptop in order to provide internet on the laptop through the iPhones Data network. This is frowned upon by your wireless provider, but if used sparingly, it doesn't become an issue. Data providers generally charge an extra $20-30/MONTH to do this. MyWi is available for a one time fee of $20.

So there it is. There are so many apps in Cydia, the capabilities are endless. I'm not calling Apple copycats, but MANY of the current captailities that the current iOS software does are ideas that first popped up in Cydia. A couple examples are:

-Tethering (is currently built in to the iOS software with that monthly fee)
-Wireless syncing (introduced last year by Apple, on Cydia years ago)
-Notification manager (Apple last year, cydia again years ago)
-Putting the camera on the lock screen (again, apple last year, cydia years ago)
-Using the volume buttons as a shutter for the camera (same story)
-Putting apps in to folders (Apple 3 years ago, cydia since day one)
-Battery percentage (was in cydia a year before apple)
-multitasking (cydia had it years before apple)
Of course, with apple doing something, it's done much more fluidly than it's done on Cydia, most of the time. Reason for this is Apple simply designs the software around it, whereas the developers for Cydia apps have to work around the current apple infrastructure.

A final note - many people think Jailbreaking is illegal. It's not. The U.S. government says so. In fact, many of the "tweaks" on Cydia are paid apps. It is, however, very easy to pirate apps on a jailbroken iPhone, which, of course, I won't go in to here.