The iPhone 4S received more than 1 million pre-orders in the first 24 hours it was available, blowing the previous record of 600,000 in a day for the iPhone 4 out of the water.
Time will tell whether the iPhone 5 receives a similar reception when it becomes open for pre-order on September 14, but in the meantime, we compared the iPhone 5 to its predecessor to see which comes out on top.
Design
The iPhone 5 has jumped up in size, offering a 4in display over its predecessor's 3.5in screen. It’s slightly taller, at 4.8in compared to the iPhone 4S’ 4.5in length. Width-wise the iPhone 5 has managed to slim down, to 7.3mm compared to the 4S’ 9.6mm.
It’s also lost a bit of weight, coming in at 112g compared to 140g.
The iPhone 5 also debuted a new design, with a two-tone anodized body inlaid with glass. The black model is contrasted with slate, while the white model offers a combination of white and silver aluminium.
Screen
The iPhone 5 has launched with Apple’s so-called “retina display". It offers 1136 x 640 pixels at 326 ppi compared to the 4S’ 960 x 640 resolution.
The screen itself is taller, and because of that Apple has added a fifth row of icons.
Performance
Apple has debuted a new processor in the new smartphone, with the A6 chip 22 percent smaller in size but boasting two times faster graphics and app performance than its A5 predecessor.
Apple also talked up the smartphone’s battery, claiming it offers 8 hours of 3G talk time, 3G and LTE browsing time, and 10 hours of browsing on wifi. It said the battery is capable of 10 hours of video playback and 40 hours of music playback, with a 225 hour standby time.
Most importantly, the iPhone 5 is 4G capable, unlike its predecessor. And not just for the US - the iPhone 5 will launch down under on the 4G networks of Telstra, Optus and Virgin Mobile.
The iPhone 5 still offers 1GB of RAM on 16GB, 32GB and 64GB storage configurations.
Camera
The primary camera for the iPhone 5 has remained the same as the 4S, at 8MP, but Apple says it is 40 percent faster, with better low-light performance and improved noise reduction. The camera itself is also 25 percent smaller, but Apple says this won’t impact on its performance.
Most significantly, Apple has upped the spec of the iPhone 5’s front-facing camera to 1.2MP from VGA, and it is now able to record HD video at 720p.
Features
The most notable feature of the new iPhone is its new dock connector. Apple had long been rumoured to be ditching the 30 pins seen in the previous iPhone connectors, and it today confirmed it had slimmed it all the way down to an 8-pin port, called “Lightning”.
Apple says the port allows faster data transfer between phone and computer. The new port has received a split reception, as it renders all previous iPhone accessories useless. Apple attempted to assuage irate customers by offering an adapter which is not yet ready but will set Aussies back $35.
OS
Apple’s latest upgrade to its iOS mobile operating system has canned Google Maps and seen the introduction of more than 200 new features.
Click through for a full list of the OS’ most notable features.
Conclusion
The smartphone will retail in Australia from Apple for $799 for the 16GB model, $899 for 32GB and $999 for the 64GB model - the same starting price the iPhone 4S offered when it was launched late last year.
Apple’s product cycle runs on a yearly calendar, so you can be sure another iteration of its hugely successful smartphone won’t be too far off.
In the meantime however, a faster processor, better front-camera, crisper display and the all-important Australian 4G capability make the iPhone 5 a attractive option.
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