Apple has finally launched the 6th iteration of the world’s most famous smartphone – the iPhone 5.
Thinnest, Lightest iPhone Ever Features All-New Aluminum Design, Stunning 4-Inch Retina Display, A6 Chip & Ultrafast Wireless
The iPhone 5 is an awesome upgrade from the iPhone 4 and (quite) a meager update from the iPhone 4s. As expected, the iPhone 5 looks like the leaked images by Tinthe.vn; so I did not feel too surprised when it was finally unveiled during the keynote presentation this morning.
Apart from aesthetics, the iPhone 5 (specifically the model that will be launched for Asia) will be compatible to 1800 and 2100 Mhz LTE bands and uses nano SIM. This means that Smart and Globe iPhone 5 subscribers will soon enjoy ultrafast downloads via LTE.
“iPhone 5 is the most beautiful consumer device that we’ve ever created,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “We’ve packed an amazing amount of innovation and advanced technology into a thin and light, jewel-like device with a stunning 4-inch Retina display, blazing fast A6 chip, ultrafast wireless, even longer battery life; and we think customers are going to love it.”
Here’s a detailed comparison of the iPhone 4s and the iPhone 5 (via Engadget)
| iPhone 5
|
iPhone 4S
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Price (on contract) | $199 16GB, $299 32GB, $399 64GB | $199 16GB, $299 32GB, $399 64GB |
| Processor | Apple A6 | Dual-core Apple A5 |
| Memory | 1GB (tbc) | 1GB (tbc) |
| Display | 4-inch IPS 1,136 x 640 | 3.5-inch IPS 960 x 640 |
| Pixel Density | 326 ppi | 326 ppi |
| Storage | 16GB / 32GB / 64GB | 16GB / 32GB / 64GB |
| Primary camera | 8 megapixel AF with flash and f/2.4 aperture | 8 megapixel AF with flash and f/2.4 aperture |
| Secondary camera | 1.2 megapixel at 30fps | VGA at 30fps |
| Video recording | 1080p at 30fps | 1080p at 30fps |
| Cellular/ | GSM Model A1428: GSM / LTE
CDMA Model A1429: CDMA / LTE GSM Model A1429: GSM / LTE |
Hybrid GSM / CDMA “World Phone” |
| WiFi | Dual-band 802.11 a/b/g/n | 802.11 b/g/n |
| Bluetooth | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Orientation | Accelerometer, digital compass, gyroscope | Accelerometer, digital compass, gyroscope |
| Navigation | A-GPS, GLONASS | A-GPS, GLONASS |
| FaceTime | WiFi and Cellular | WiFi-only (iOS 5) |
| SIM standard | nanoSIM | microSIM |
| Battery life | Up to 8 hours talk time on 3G Up to 8 hours data on 3G Up to 8 hours data on LTE Up to 10 hours data on WiFi Up to 40 hours audio Up to 10 hours video Up to 225 hours on standby |
Up to 8 hours talk time on 3G Up to 14 hours talk time on 2G Up to 6 hours data on 3G Up to 9 hours data on WiFi Up to 40 hours audio Up to 10 hours video Up to 200 hours on standby |
| Weight | 112 grams / 3.9 oz | 140 grams / 4.9 oz |
| Dimensions | 123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6mm | 115.2 x 58.6 x 9.3mm |
| Colors | Black and Slate / White and Silver | Black / White |
For an iPhone 4 user, the iPhone 5 is definitely a very significant upgrade. So, from my perspective as Globe iPhone 4 subscriber, upgrading to this phone is going to be a very big deal for me. Unfortunately, Globe and Smart kept too mum about this issue right after Apple’s announcement that clearly states the Philippines will not get it this September 21 and 28. Hopefully, both giant telcos would a
[stextbox id=”info” caption=”Pricing & Availability”]iPhone 5 comes in either white & silver or black & slate, and will be available in the US for a suggested retail price of $199 (US) for the 16GB model and $299 (US) for the 32GB model and $399 (US) for the 64GB model. iPhone 5 will be available from the Apple Online Store (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores, and through AT&T, Sprint, Verizon Wireless and select Apple Authorized Resellers. iPhone 5 will be available in the US, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and the UK on Friday, September 21, and customers can pre-order their iPhone 5 beginning Friday, September 14. iPhone 4S will also be available for just $99 (US) and iPhone 4 will be available for free with a two-year contract.****** iOS 6 software will be available on Wednesday, September 19 as a free software update.
iPhone 5 will roll out worldwide to 22 more countries on September 28, including Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.[/stextbox]
I still hope that the iPhone 5 would officially land the Philippines in October 2012 as subsidized rate and very friendly payment terms, much like to what telcos they did when they launched the iPhone 4s. For eager beavers, there are 2 ways to buy the iPhone 5 and get it before anybody else:
1. Buy from Apple Store Online Singapore or Hong Kong and have it delivered to your friend’s or relatives address whom you think are going home to the Philippines in the last week of September or October. iPhone 5 bought from Apple Store SG/HK is possibly network-unlocked.
2. Contact Widget City and ask for their price. They may bring it to the Philippines way earlier than the telcos. Expect a little (additional) premium as they may incur taxes during their purchase.
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- iPhone 5 34L Black PRINT
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- iPhone 5 34Hi Stagger FrontBack Black PRINT
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- iPhone 5 PF Black wPods PRINT
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- iPhone 5 AngledSharp Front Back White PRINT
Giancarlo Viterbo is a Filipino Technology Journalist, blogger and Editor of gadgetpilipinas.net, He is also a Geek, Dad and a Husband. He knows a lot about washing the dishes, doing some errands and following instructions from his boss on his day job. Follow him on twitter: @gianviterbo and @gadgetpilipinas.
