Anyone else just thinking, jeez, what a complete let down?

 

Thinner. Lighter. Faster. More Boring Than Ever.

 

Also, I think it's lost the crown of best screen by a long shot. It's the same screen as the 4S, just taller, and you put the 4S screen next to the Galaxy S3 and there's absolutely no contest, the S3 completely blows it away.

 

Just struggling here to understand what Apple are playing at. I really feel they're losing their way.

Yeah was quite disappointing. I like to watch keynotes from all the companies to see where the industry is heading. However yesterday's keynote was poorly organised, badly presented and I was left with the distinct feeling of Apple playing catchup to it's competitors.

 

Maybe it was just in comparison to the Nokia keynote the other week that really pushed things forward.

I didn't watch the keynote live, but I'm not disappointed with the 5.

 

I use my 4S every day in almost every aspect of my life, the girlfriend still insists on talking face to face, but I'm working on it.

 

The iPhone 5 will do everything my 4S does, on a slightly larger screen, with a slightly nicer design - there, I said it.

 

I won't be able to upgrade until Christmas, but I'm excited nonetheless.

So, you've not even seen, or used, the product, yet it's a complete let down. Sounds fair. As for losing their way, apparently the global market would disagree. And that phone on your desk - it was originally inspired by the iPhone, perhaps even copied as close as your manufacturer's lawyers would allow for.

 

The S3 screen is technically worse than even the iPhone 4 (over 2 years old), and 4S. It's bigger, but worse quality. It may not be your opinion, but that's the specs. Remember you're comparing a phone ~1 year ahead of the 4S, so the S3 should smash it to pieces.

 

As for the S3, t'is a wonderful item. I played with one once for a couple of hours in a Carphone Warehouse (was stuck there). I said to my friend I was with at the time, "This is genuinely better than an iPhone.". Of course, it's a hardcore thing to move from iOS to Android, or vica-versa, so I waited for the iPhone 5 announcement. Since that, these are my conclusions:

 

iPhone 5:

• Highest available (mobile) PPI, 16:9 screen - movies without black bars? Shame it's not the iPad. Jeez.
  
• Unbelievably fast from what I've seen, and iOS is already smoother than Android (yes, it is), and may always be
  
• Intense camera
  
• Extremely well built, as with most of their products (although part of the "premium" people complain about)
  

 

S3:

• Massive screen, great quality
  
• It was very quick and smooth, but still displayed what I call "Android lag" - described in link above
  
• Android is a lot more free than iOS - can be a blessing for geeks, or a curse for non-techies, as my girlfriend has proved
  
• Android seems to be evolving faster than iOS at the moment
  

 

For me, an improved version of what I've used every single day for 26 months is exactly what I want. And sure, LTE if the UK ever catches up with the World. I'm the same as Lewwy here. iOS is what I'm used to, OS X is what I'm used to. I'd only change if another company came up with something special - yet to see that happen.

 

I've been out of my original iPhone 4 contract for 8 months, and I'm not buying into another contract. I'm currently on a 30-day rolling SIM only plan - SIM only plans with the upfront iPhone 5 cost works out best for me. Easier too, and I can hop network deals each month.

I didn't watch the keynote live, but I'm not disappointed with the 5.

 

I use my 4S every day in almost every aspect of my life, the girlfriend still insists on talking face to face, but I'm working on it.

 

The iPhone 5 will do everything my 4S does, on a slightly larger screen, with a slightly nicer design - there, I said it.

 

I won't be able to upgrade until Christmas, but I'm excited nonetheless.

 

 

Well, if you're happy with Apple simply playing catch up to Samsung/Nokia et al then that's fair enough, but for me, the iPhone 5 should have been an innovation, and it's not, it's a tweak.

 

My girlfriend has a 4S too and in comparison to my S2, which has since been superseded by the stunning S3, it's just nothing near as good. The camera for instance, is p*** poor in low-level light conditions.

 

The most worrying thing is, if this is the next "big step" for the iPhone, that means there will likely be no significant update to the phone in 2 years. The iPhone 5 is going to look dated in one year, let alone two, when you consider the massive strides forward taken by other manufacturers.

Edited September 13, 201213 yr by brightonmike

And that phone on your desk - it was originally inspired by the iPhone, perhaps even copied as close as your manufacturer's lawyers would allow for.

 

My girlfriend has a 4S too and in comparison to my S2

 

Ha! Ok, I take back the lawyers comment - apparently they didn't check, they just went ahead and made an iPhone replica.

 

/joke.

So, you've not even seen, or used, the product, yet it's a complete let down. Sounds fair.

 

 

Come on, it's a bit thinner and a bit taller and a bit lighter. My girlfriend has a 4S and I can't see it being a bit thinner, a bit lighter, and a bit taller, changing my mind about how I feel about it.

 

It's like I said, they're the new Porsche. They just tweak.

 

People like you who have bought into the ecosystem and love it will, I am sure, buy into the iPhone 5 and be satisfied. Those of us not in that camp, those of us more on the middle fence or on the other side - I don't see the iPhone 5 achieving much.

 

I think you can read too much into PPI. You cannot seriously tell me that 20PPI is significant enough to make a noticeable difference. I simply don't believe it, I think if you put them side by side in front of someone who did not know beforehand which device had the higher PPI, they would not be able to confidently identify the one with the better PPI.

 

Perhaps, for me, it's the sheer glorious size of the S3's screen that makes it better for me. So much more....space!

 

The reason I think this will be a downturn, eventually, for Apple is because I don't think they're doing enough. Look at how Android and the phones that go with it have changed over the years. They were far behind to start off with, and now they're either on par or better. That trajectory, coupled with the release of the iPhone 5, can only really mean one thing - that if Android and the phones that go with it continue to evolve at the rate they have done since the iPhone came out, they will surpass it quite soon.

Edited September 13, 201213 yr by brightonmike

To illustrate my point about how the two sides have evolved in comparison.

 

Android, Android Phone, iPhone - 2007

 

 

 

Android, Android Phone, iPhone - 2012

 

I'm not saying the iPhone 5 is a bad product i'm saying it should have been called the iPhone 4.6.

 

No innovation and if i want something to be a bit taller thinner and lighter it's my girlfriend.

 

It's plainly been pushed out to combat the release of the new range of Windows Phone 8 devices coming through. Not to forget the new UK 4G network.

The thing is it's not Apple that let everyone down, it's everyone having way to high an expectation of what was to come, fake leaks also killed any buzz the actual product could have generated.

 

Regarding the lawsuit. This will run for years, there is no winner. If anything it's Samsungs best ever marketing campaign. The average user has now had it thrust in their face that Samsung products were so like Apples they got sued but the products are half the price hmmm.. Let's also not forget that the lawyer residing over the case used to work for Apple (and still does on occasion), is a well known advocate of Apple and threw out some pretty damning evidence against Apple due to it being bought to the case to late (Designs pre dating Apples). AND the lawsuit was only won in the US where as Apple lost in Japan.

Edited September 13, 201213 yr by MikeChipshop

The (lovely) problem I have with switching from iPhone, is other phones won't work as well with my Macbook Pro, iMac, iPad, Pebble Watch, Smart TV, Xbox.

 

The last 3 might be debatable.

 

I couldn't care less if your phone has a bajillion megapixel camera.. I'd wish you the best of luck in your professional photography career.

 

If the last 4 phones are anything to go by, it's going to work for me. And that's all I'm worried about.

People like you who have bought into the ecosystem and love it will, I am sure, buy into the iPhone 5 and be satisfied. Those of us not in that camp, those of us more on the middle fence or on the other side - I don't see the iPhone 5 achieving much.

 

It's more than just, "Oh I may as well...". My iPhone is 26 months old, and there's not one thing wrong with it. No lag, no crashes, no nothing - and it's Jailbroken. It's taken a lot over the past 26 months, including floating in the sea at West Wittering, a 28kg dumbbell to the face, and numerous drops. Yet no cracks, only surface scratches and one slightly deeper <0.5cm one from the dumbbell! I'm more than happy to buy a faster/better looking model of something that reliable!

 

Again, with Lewwy - it's perfect for me. There's nothing significantly better than it, so I'm not worried about that either.

 

I think you can read too much into PPI. You cannot seriously tell me that 20PPI is significant enough to make a noticeable difference. I simply don't believe it, I think if you put them side by side in front of someone who did not know beforehand which device had the higher PPI, they would not be able to confidently identify the one with the better PPI.

 

Completely agree - that's why I said it may not be your opinion, only the specs. You'd expect a phone 2 years ahead to have equal PPI now though. I thought Samsung provided the screens to Apple anyway?! I may be wrong there.

 

The reason I think this will be a downturn, eventually, for Apple is because I don't think they're doing enough. Look at how Android and the phones that go with it have changed over the years. They were far behind to start off with, and now they're either on par or better. That trajectory, coupled with the release of the iPhone 5, can only really mean one thing - that if Android and the phones that go with it continue to evolve at the rate they have done since the iPhone came out, they will surpass it quite soon.

 

True, but I'm still sceptical that they are "better" than the iPhone. If there were an Android phone which was straight up better than the iPhone, it would have market share. Fact is, none of them do. Collectively they do, a vast number of them will be cheap phones for people who do not care for spending £500+ on a phone - for financial reasons, or general lack of interest. That's great - giving everyone an equal chance of using modern day technology, regardless of the financial situation is genuinely brilliant. Apple tend to overlook that.

 

Remember, though, that Android has always been, and is always, playing catch up to iOS. It was born because of iOS. Perhaps they have invented some new features, which iOS has replicated - but I'm unaware of any. Forgive my ignorance if there are a lot!

 

Android, though, is becoming brilliant. I have always said I will probably ending up buying into Android - but it's not ready yet. After a quick play with a friend's rooted Samsung on 4.1, not much has changed - his words, not mine. It's still a cool OS though, more "fun" than iOS. Kind of less professional I think, which is perhaps a good thing on a personal device.

 

To illustrate my point about how the two sides have evolved in comparison.

 

Look at almost all Apple products. Yet they set record sales nearly every time. All that's happened is Samsung have taken 5 years longer than Apple to finally create something which is roughly equal, but still not quite there.

 

@mikechipshop, this new IPB is cool, huh? Live reply notifications?! Tidy. Anyway, I was only kiddin' about the lawyers - if Apple had it there way, they'd patent touch screens.

Edited September 13, 201213 yr by andyl

The (lovely) problem I have with switching from iPhone, is other phones won't work as well with my Macbook Pro, iMac, iPad, Pebble Watch, Smart TV, Xbox.

 

The last 3 might be debatable.

 

I couldn't care less if your phone has a bajillion megapixel camera.. I'd wish you the best of luck in your professional photography career.

 

If the last 4 phones are anything to go by, it's going to work for me. And that's all I'm worried about.

 

That's because you've bought into an entire ecosystem. You're tied down to using an iPhone. You're potentially missing out on something that's better than the iPhone, because you're tied into a closed ecosystem.

The (lovely) problem I have with switching from iPhone, is other phones won't work as well with my Macbook Pro, iMac, iPad, Pebble Watch, Smart TV, Xbox.

 

The last 3 might be debatable.

 

I couldn't care less if your phone has a bajillion megapixel camera.. I'd wish you the best of luck in your professional photography career.

 

If the last 4 phones are anything to go by, it's going to work for me. And that's all I'm worried about.

 

Absolutely agree and this is why i use Android, most of my work stuff goes through Google (Gmail, GDrive etc) so it was the best choice for me.

I have an iPad and love it but the iPhone was never for me.

 

 

However i'm actually thinking of going for the Nokia Lumina 920 when it comes out.

That's because you've bought into an entire ecosystem. You're tied down to using an iPhone. You're potentially missing out on something that's better than the iPhone, because you're tied into a closed ecosystem.

 

But I'm happy.

 

I *might* be missing out on something better than the iPhone, but I haven't seen any evidence to support that. Not for my needs. Not for my wants. Not for my in car sound system.

 

I guess I could be classed as a fanboy. It just so happens the product I'm a fan of is the best one available. For me.

Come on, it's a bit thinner and a bit taller and a bit lighter. My girlfriend has a 4S and I can't see it being a bit thinner, a bit lighter, and a bit taller, changing my mind about how I feel about it.

 

 

 

You're forgetting that they've changed the connector which will force people to buy an adaptor or cable - assuming that they will fit in whatever device they have.

Here's an interesting take - http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/09/12/iphone_five_reasons/

 

I've still got my 3GS and use it daily; it's nearly 5 years old, looks brand new (rubber cover = spotless) and has never let me down. Incredibly the battery is still pretty solid and doesn't discharge particularly quick either.

 

As far as I can see I have no reason to upgrade?

You're forgetting that they've changed the connector which will force people to buy an adaptor or cable - assuming that they will fit in whatever device they have.

 

As far as i'm aware they'll be shipping a converter with new phones. Would be interesting to see how much the stand alone converter will cost.

I think I heard £18 for a converter and £24 for a cable version. Usual rip off prices then.

Time for all of us to feel bad.

 

http://www.guardian....foxconn-factory

 

 

"An iPhone 5 back-plate run through in front of me almost every 3 seconds. I have to pickup the back-plate and marked 4 position points using the oil-based paint pen and put it back on the running belt swiftly within 3 seconds with no errors. After such repeat action for several hours, I have terrible neckache and muscle pain on my arm. A new worker who sat opposite of me gone exhausted and laid down for a short while. The supervisor has noticed him and punished him by asking him to stand at one corner for 10 minutes like the old school days. We worked non-stop from midnight to the next morning 6 am but were still asked to keep on working as the production line is based on running belt and no one is allowed to stop. I'm so starving and fully exhausted."

Edited September 13, 201213 yr by brightonmike

I hear the iPhone 6 is going to be able to morph into a Samsung S4 when you flip it.

I think that Apple missed it's oppurtunity here, since this is an important one if you ask me. Samsung's S3 is quite good and I expected Apple to come with something completely new as they said they were certain about crushing the S3.

 

Well it looks like Apple focused way to much on the sizes (screen, physical size) and not so much on any new features, possibilities.

I just watched 1 hour of Google 2012 IO. I like Google Now and Siri Google Search. Doesn't fully work in the UK, though.

 

I'll tell you what would be perfect for me - the iPhone 5 handset, running Android 4.1. Let's face it, the iPhone 5 physical handset looks better than any other phone on the market - if you're honest with yourself.

I'll tell you what would be perfect for me - the iPhone 5 handset, running Android 4.1. Let's face it, the iPhone 5 physical handset looks better than any other phone on the market - if you're honest with yourself.

 

Haha i dunno man, they've always felt quite brickish in my hand. Solidly built though, never deny that.

Haha i dunno man, they've always felt quite brickish in my hand. Solidly built though, never deny that.

 

Ha! You love that brushed metal, diamond cut glass, precision engineered brick!

Andy's got a fair point, BMike - yes, he's tied in to a closed ecosystem but he's a smart lad and he's made the decision with his eyes open. I don't mind navigating the very diverse Android ecosystem (my favourite flavour is HTC at the moment - but that's my call, just as you went with a Samsung).

 

What I do think Apple should be held accountable for is their own words: they said there would be no bigger iPhone, because a 3.5" screen was the perfect ergonomic size. Now they've abandoned that to play catch-up with the large Android handsets. They said that there was no point to a tablet smaller than the iPad, now they're feeling threatened by high-quality 7" tabs like the Nexus, so out comes the iPad Mini.

 

Apple have positioned themselves as an innovator for quite a long time. Some of their innovations have been genuine (iPhone, iPad), some have been pointless and gimmicky (bringing "Retina" to large screens - only truly necessary for things like photo editing when you're working on something larger than your screen, scaled down). But for the first time they're on the back foot, reacting to the market instead of driving it. Part of the problem was the structure of the company: on his return, Jobs built a personality cult that couldn't continue in the same way without him. Cook just isn't the same - he'll do a great job of milking Apple's IP and market position for all it's worth, but companies have fallen from market dominance before by being out-innovated, and Apple is structured for a visionary at the helm.

Edited September 13, 201213 yr by Renaissance-Design

I honestly don't feel comfortable with them in my hand compared to something like my HTC Desire HD which feels smooth and rounded. Whenever i pick up my mates iPhone 4s it feels square and awkward.

Of course this may be down to direct comparison and getting used to the feel of the Desire.

And that phone on your desk - it was originally inspired by the iPhone, perhaps even copied as close as your manufacturer's lawyers would allow for.

 

And the iphone was inspired by other phones before it, whats your point with that regard? Surprised apple are not issuing court proceedings against whoever first came up with curved edges.

 

Nothing is original in todays age. Music, movies, phones, everything is a copy of a copy.

I'm with you on that MIke, the Desire HD feels perfect to the hand, and looks every bit as quality as the iPhone. It also feels the right weight for its size, which is what put me off the Galaxy S2 I also looked at.

I honestly don't feel comfortable with them in my hand compared to something like my HTC Desire HD which feels smooth and rounded. Whenever i pick up my mates iPhone 4s it feels square and awkward.

Of course this may be down to direct comparison and getting used to the feel of the Desire.

 

Oh I see what you mean. I'd agree, in no way was the iPhone designed with comfortability in mind. Other than the "perfect" 3.5" screen...Oh, the banter.

 

And the iphone was inspired by other phones before it, whats your point with that regard? Surprised apple are not issuing court proceedings against whoever first came up with curved edges.

 

The iPhone was a complete game changer. No-one can deny that. It invented what we now classify as a Smartphone. Apple did not replicate a Nokia N95, for example - which was my phone before my first iPhone. My point is that, since the 3G, all manufacturers have been fighting to replicate it without getting their arses handed to them in court.

 

Perhaps this better describes what I meant; Apple were inspired, other manufacturers replicated.

Yeah, I do agree they were innovating before, but now they dont. Apple are so scared to break the formula that made them a success, that have become "same old, same old".

 

What does a 5 do, that a 4 doesnt that really is ground breaking, trend setting if you will? Nothing comes to my mind, yet people will gladly ditch there old 4 for the new 5, just "because its cool" and "must have the latest product".

 

Also smart phones were out before the iphone, just not as good as they are today, but thats natural progression.

What does a 5 do, that a 4 doesnt that really is ground breaking, trend setting if you will?

 

Quite a lot with iOS 6. Comparing to a 4S, however, not much more.

 

Also smart phones were out before the iphone, just not as good as they are today, but thats natural progression.

 

Indeed, my N95 I mentioned was a Smartphone. But I personally wouldn't put an N95 in the same category as an iPhone 3G, or a Samsung S3.

Edited September 13, 201213 yr by andyl

no neither would I, but the point is iphone didnt invent the smart phone, as you claimed. Now, if you said "improved" over "invented" I would agree with you haha

Edited September 13, 201213 yr by jamesosix

Apple never invented anything. They just take existing ideas and improve upon them - usually. The iPod, original iPhone, and iPad are examples of this.

 

But...for me they're not even doing this any more, hence my above comments. Also, Apple have had their fair share of bad ideas and bad products. Apple TV. The Newton. Macintosh TV. The Quicktake. Bandai Pippin. TAM. Hockey-puck Mouse. G4 Cube. eMac.

 

They have a history of crap as bad as any other company, they just came good. Now other companies are coming good too. This is why it would have been better IMHO if Apple had done more with the iPhone 5.

Btw, didn't they say in the keynote that the camera on the iPhone would make the sea "bluer than blue" and make "kids look more happy" or something along those lines?

 

Because if so....

no neither would I, but the point is iphone didnt invent the smart phone, as you claimed. Now, if you said "improved" over "invented" I would agree with you haha

 

I said it invented what we now classify as a Smartphone. As I said, my N95 was a Smartphone - but these days we wouldn't see it that way.

 

Edit: Believe me, I'm under no illusion that the iPhone was the first Smartphone

 

@bmike, HTC's Manager of Product Strategy says that the best inventors are tiny companies, that we probably won't know about, and the best early adopters are Apple. "They do a great job of picking a recent standard and speeding up adoption".

 

They take ideas, and make them real. Google, Samsung, whoever, would then follow. Slowly, the other companies are beginning to adopt, but for now they're still playing catch up. Next year, perhaps, things will change.

Edited September 13, 201213 yr by andyl

Just catching up on the convo. i have a 4S, and i must admit i am slightly disappointed with the keynote. Nothing revolutionary, and as someone said above, it should have been 4GS, its practically, and essentially and upgrade, rather than a whole new version on the phone. But, i love the 4S, so any upgrades to it are simply extending what in my opinion is the best phone on the market.

I'm a child

 

^ but a funny one at that

Haha!