Although the iPhone 5 is, generally speaking, a very solid device which has sold in record numbers, that's not to say the launch and subsequent release of Apple's sixth flagship smartphone hasn't been without its flaws.
Whether you're an Android fan or iOS lover (or somewhere in between - I've heard it's possible to like both), there's no denying the iPhone 5 from Apple and Samsung Galaxy S III are the two biggest smartphones right now. Both have sold in multiple millions, and although they've been compared in many key areas in benchmark tests, drop tests, and various other one-on-one scenarios, the performance of the new iPhone's camera has yet to be properly scrutinized, at least not versus its fiercest competitor.
It shouldn't really come as a great shock to anyone by now that any device running iOS 6 no longer comes with Google Maps installed as the default mapping platform. In fact, it doesn't come as part of iOS 6 in any shape or form. The removal of the tried and tested Maps app as well as Apple's decision to roll their own vector-based mapping solution has been the discussion of the week so far due to the fact that users have managed to find some rather large inadequacies with Apple's own creation.
iFixit's teardown of the iPhone 5 answered many questions unanswerable until one has had a good look inside a new device, and gave the true techies something to ogle over.
What a contrast. While Apple's new smartphone, the iPhone 5, is reported on as the best thing since sliced bread, its accompanying software, iOS 6, cannot buy a positive review. Then again, whenever a new device and software arrive at the same time, the combination seems to jinx Apple, and this year's simultaneous release has had its usual dose of controversy.
The iPhone 4 / 4S’ design was always hailed as being among the best-looking in the smartphone market, but because of the glass front / back design, it wasn’t all that durable; people I know have had their device’s glass completely shattered from innocent 3-4ft drops. Samsung’s Galaxy S series of smartphones, on the other hand, were always plasticky but a whole lot more durable. This was the case for the years 2010-2011.
There's little doubt the new Lightning dock connector for iOS devices is a step in the right direction. It's much more compact than its 30-pin predecessor, which saves room within the device for more pressing hardware like the new A6 processor, and also, it's reversible, meaning no more irritating jams and unnecessary damage when attempting to plug in the wrong way.
Although the blogosphere has been dominated almost entirely with reports and coverage of Apple's iPhone 5, it's important to remember that the Cupertino company's sixth flagship device is just one of many new and exciting smartphones releasing this Fall. The Windows Phone 8 platform will be hoping to make a significant impression on a market dominated by iOS and Android, and in terms of Windows Phone 8 handsets, the Nokia Lumia 920 is the pick of the bunch.
Although some users are reporting a few issues with Apple's new iPhone 5 smartphone, the first weekend sales figures seem to indicate that users have taken the device to their hearts, with Apple looking likely to have yet another commercially successful piece of kit on their hands. The official press release also made it known that users have snapped up the opportunity to download and install iOS 6 more than one hundred million times, since it went officially live last week.
Critics often berate Apple for retailing its smartphones, tablets and computers, at higher price brackets than some would estimate their worth to be, and although it's a topic of fierce debate, there's little denying that your average Cupertino product costs a considerable amount more than a similar alternative created by a rivaling company.
