What does it look like?The Apple iPhone 5 looks a lot like the iPhone 4S but it's thinner, by 18 per cent, and lighter, by 20 per cent. The screen is taller too, at 4-inches corner to corner, but the phone, held in portrait mode, is the same width. Instead of a glass back, the iPhone 5 back and sides are made from a single piece of aluminium.
What's inside?
The handset is powered by an A6 processor, an upgrade from the A5 chip in the iPhone 4S and the A5X in the latest iPad. Apple says the A6 delivers CPU and graphics performance that is twice as fast as the iPhone 4S. It has been rumoured that the iPhone 5 has more RAM too - 1GB, compared with 512MB in the 4S - but this has not been confirmed.
The handset is powered by an A6 processor, an upgrade from the A5 chip in the iPhone 4S and the A5X in the latest iPad. Apple says the A6 delivers CPU and graphics performance that is twice as fast as the iPhone 4S. It has been rumoured that the iPhone 5 has more RAM too - 1GB, compared with 512MB in the 4S - but this has not been confirmed.
What about the camera?
Though the camera is still 8-megapixels, Apple says that performance will be improved by the new A6 processor. The iPhone 5 also has better low-light performance and a new panorama mode.
Though the camera is still 8-megapixels, Apple says that performance will be improved by the new A6 processor. The iPhone 5 also has better low-light performance and a new panorama mode.
Can I get 4G if I get an iPhone 5?
The iPhone 5 will work on EE, the new 4G network from the company formerly known as Everything Everywhere. That network will launch within the next few weeks but prices and speeds are yet to be confirmed. If you are on another network then you're out of luck: those networks have to wait for the spectrum auction before they can start their 4G services and they are unlikely to arrive before next summer.
Will I need a new SIM card?
Yes, to save space Apple has replaced the micro-SIM card in the iPhone 4S with a smaller nano-SIM. Your network should swap the SIM for you, over the counter, at no charge.
What happened to the dock connector?
Another thing Apple has replaced in order to save space: the dock connector. It has been a familiar feature of Apple devices since it was introduced with the third-generation iPod in 2003 but Apple has now replaced it with a smaller 'Lightning' connector. That means the iPhone 5 won't connect to any existing docks or accessories you may have. For those, Apple will sell you an adaptor at £25.
Why doesn't it do NFC/ Wireless charging/ magic?
According to Apple's Phil Schiller, the iPhone 5 doesn't have NFC because it's a solution to a problem that doesn't exist. One day, an NFC-enabled phone could replace your wallet but that day is unlikely to come in the next 12 months, by which time Apple will be launching a new iPhone. Wireless charging, meanwhile, was ignored by Apple because it still means plugging something in to charge - it just doesn't plug into your phone.
There are plenty of features that other smartphones have that the iPhone 5 doesn't. If a feature is missing that's essential for you, then this needn't be your phone.
When can I buy one and how much will it cost?
Apple confirmed yesterday that the iPhone 5 will be released on September 21. Unlocked, the phone will cost £529 (16GB), £599 (32GB) and £699 (64GB). Prices will be lower with a contract and providers are likely to issue prices for those very soon.
The iPhone 5 will work on EE, the new 4G network from the company formerly known as Everything Everywhere. That network will launch within the next few weeks but prices and speeds are yet to be confirmed. If you are on another network then you're out of luck: those networks have to wait for the spectrum auction before they can start their 4G services and they are unlikely to arrive before next summer.
Will I need a new SIM card?
Yes, to save space Apple has replaced the micro-SIM card in the iPhone 4S with a smaller nano-SIM. Your network should swap the SIM for you, over the counter, at no charge.
What happened to the dock connector?
Another thing Apple has replaced in order to save space: the dock connector. It has been a familiar feature of Apple devices since it was introduced with the third-generation iPod in 2003 but Apple has now replaced it with a smaller 'Lightning' connector. That means the iPhone 5 won't connect to any existing docks or accessories you may have. For those, Apple will sell you an adaptor at £25.
Why doesn't it do NFC/ Wireless charging/ magic?
According to Apple's Phil Schiller, the iPhone 5 doesn't have NFC because it's a solution to a problem that doesn't exist. One day, an NFC-enabled phone could replace your wallet but that day is unlikely to come in the next 12 months, by which time Apple will be launching a new iPhone. Wireless charging, meanwhile, was ignored by Apple because it still means plugging something in to charge - it just doesn't plug into your phone.
There are plenty of features that other smartphones have that the iPhone 5 doesn't. If a feature is missing that's essential for you, then this needn't be your phone.
When can I buy one and how much will it cost?
Apple confirmed yesterday that the iPhone 5 will be released on September 21. Unlocked, the phone will cost £529 (16GB), £599 (32GB) and £699 (64GB). Prices will be lower with a contract and providers are likely to issue prices for those very soon.
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