Apple iPhone 5 unveiled

I've added some pics to answer Clint on another thread, I'd add, while I do like the way the iphone works, I wouldn't normally consider myself a fanboy, I still have (and use) my Galaxy S2 which I think as a phone is better than the S3 (I think the S3 is just too big and built from recycled ice cream tubs, but of course, just my opinion).

I do like the style, and build of the iPhone 5, and unless there are huge differences in product quality (not impossible as there seem to be 4 separate factories producing them), I don't recognise my phone from some of the moaning and groaning going on.

A lot seems to be iphone 4/4S owners trolling a bit ("the iPhone 4S is by far superior, that's why I'm keeping it") from 4s owners only 12 months into their 24 month contracts, but undoubtedly there are some QC issues, undoubtedly Apple Maps is worse than Google Maps, but I haven't met another owner with any significant scuffs, I can cause a "purple-gate" (colours might vary) with most phone cameras, in fact my Galaxy S2 is much worse, and the iPhone 4S is almost the same as the 5.

I would suggest though, those criticising it as terrible do need some hands on with it (not just Clint, plenty of people doing it all over the net) and see for themselves.

It really is a quality phone, well made, and a cut above the 4S. It's actually proving that popular worldwide that its causing Apple huge problems with preorders and supply chain issues, some preorder people from the 14th of September are still waiting. With that sort of demand I suppose it's tempting for Foxconn and the other 3 companies to try and cut some corners with QC, hopefully Apple have got on top of that now.
 
Dave123 said:
I would suggest though, those criticising it as terrible do need some hands on with it (not just Clint, plenty of people doing it all over the net) and see for themselves.
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A small correction needed, I do not think it it is a terrible phone, and I'm sure many of the others criticising it will agree. But when a phone is made out to be perfect, which is rather silly as nothing is, then you should expect criticism especially when issues are raised which shows it to be anything but perfect.
 
ClintZA said:
A small correction needed, I do not think it it is a terrible phone, and I'm sure many of the others criticising it will agree. But when a phone is made out to be perfect, which is rather silly as nothing is, then you should expect criticism especially when issues are raised which shows it to be anything but perfect.
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Question for you then, which manufacturer doesn't tout their latest greatest phone as perfect?

The Galaxy S3 feels like its produced from recycled Tupperware but I haven't seen a Samsung advert saying,"Galaxy S3, high tech, top of the range phone produced from cheap shiny plastic".

They ALL talk up their phones, it's advertising rhetoric.
 
Why all this "cheap plastic" nonsense talk when it comes to the S3 and Note 2? Cheap "hulk of plastic" is what iFans like to think we are dealing with here as if it is an inferior choice of materials. The polycarbonate used is actually a wiser choice compared to the soft aluminum used in the iPhone 5. My Note 2 does not feel like a cheap plastic device at all and neither does the S3. But the "cheap plastic" argument is about all iFans can come up with. Those into materials technology/science will understand why polycarbonates make perfect sense. Apple themselves used it. The MacBook used to be pure polycarbonate but the iFans then reconned it was cool.
 
ClintZA said:
A small correction needed, I do not think it it is a terrible phone, and I'm sure many of the others criticising it will agree. But when a phone is made out to be perfect, which is rather silly as nothing is, then you should expect criticism especially when issues are raised which shows it to be anything but perfect.
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No, no that's your unfortunate way of interpreting any attempted defense of the iPhone5. If anybody ever used the term 'perfect' at any point in the conversation I heartily repent on their behalf though.
 
BeVonk! said:
Why all this "cheap plastic" nonsense talk when it comes to the S3 and Note 2? Cheap "hulk of plastic" is what iFans like to think we are dealing with here as if it is an inferior choice of materials. The polycarbonate used is actually a wiser choice compared to the soft aluminum used in the iPhone 5. My Note 2 does not feel like a cheap plastic device at all and neither does the S3. But the "cheap plastic" argument is about all iFans can come up with. Those into materials technology/science will understand why polycarbonates make perfect sense. Apple themselves used it. The MacBook used to be pure polycarbonate but the iFans then reconned it was cool.
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Did you get the Note2 then? Stunning phone that, got great reviews across the board.

But anyway here's The Verge's comment on the Note2's build:
The downside is more immediately apparent, as your first look at the Note II greets you with a plastic-rich, glossy construction that’s framed by an unsubtle chrome surround. There’s no getting around it, the materials Samsung has used here look cheap. You shouldn’t let that discourage you, however, since the actual ergonomics and durability on offer are very good. Samsung has managed to sell 20 million Galaxy S III phones already and though it needn’t expect any industrial design awards, there have been no major issues with the phone’s build quality.
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The S3's plastic does look cheap. It's not just our imaginations. It's tacky and shiny. Apple did use polycarbonates and it was good. Then they moved onto alu and it was better.
 
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Got the Note 2 on Friday. Awesome device. The "shiny plastic" perception changes the moment you hold this thing and you feel its perfect weight/substance and you press and get zero squeaks ... a very solid device. The Note 2 feels much nicer in the hand than the Note 1. It is slightly heavier which gives it a much more solid feel. I got over my own plastic hangups with the S2. When I had the iPhone 4 I thought I would never go for plastic phones at that price point ... but one must use it to appreciate it.

A major issue for me also is the fact that I can easily open the back and exchange batteries ... but the Note 2's battery life is astounding. Two days on one charge with full use. For such a large screen thát is a big win for me.
 
The battery life is a major selling point I think. It's highly impressive. Also the non-pentile screen is a great addition.

I'm not sold on the plastic though. Even HTC is trying to use premium build materials. Nokia's polycarbonates also look much more premium than S3's. Reckon if it doesn't bother you then it's fine though, I got used to the S1. The Sony plastic tbh feels a bit cheapish.
 
People must understand that not all plastics are equal. There are huge differences in the various kinds of "plastics" and there is a lot of research going into this field. I now dislike the cold hard feel of aluminium ... I genuinely do. My kids won't use the iPad I gave them because they also dislike the cold hard metal (I mentioned this in a thread some time back). Plastic has better thermo properties and feels better for me (and many others). The aluminium fad will fade. Others are doing it because Apple is doing it ... but over time this will again change. The metal look and feel craze will make way for something else. It always does.
 
cerebus said:
Then they moved onto alu and it was better.
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You sure about that ?

A number of people that I know with iDevices constantly complain about the scratches and dents.

IMO modern impact resistant polycarbonates are way better.

Aluminium is like going back to the toffee cans of the 1950's.
 
Who cares if the feel is aluminium or plastic. 90% of us shove the thing inside some sort of case and never notice what the back is ever again. Well until we do a battery pull or something :p
 
I started playing tennis with a wooden racquet ... then it had to be aluminium ... then it had to be carbon fibre .... etc.

My new XPS 13 is half aluminium and half carbon fibre. Soon Apple will move from aluminium to iFibre (must be iFibre as it must be something they invented). Kevlar will be in there somewhere as well. Whatever Sir Jonny likes at a given time will be the "best" material.
 
Mike, how many people do you know that buy aluminium protective cases for their aluminium phones?
 
Unrelated note, did anyone see the SIII Mini announced? 4" top end Galaxy handset - this looks great to me.
 
You sure about that ?
A number of people that I know with iDevices constantly complain about the scratches and dents.
IMO modern impact resistant polycarbonates are way better.
Aluminium is like going back to the toffee cans of the 1950's.
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Well we're getting into highly subjective territory here. If you just prefer plastics then one can't really dispute one man's taste over another. The difference between the anodized alu found in the iPhone5 and a toffee can is equal to the difference between a children's bath toy and the polycarbonates used in the Nokia 920 though. And still, Samsung's plastics don't feel good to me. Nokia's are much higher quality, better than iPhone4 in feel to me. In terms of build construction though the iPhone5 is extremely sturdy, a bit of scuffing notwithstanding - it whipped the SGS3 in drop tests hands down.

My new XPS 13 is half aluminium and half carbon fibre. Soon Apple will move from aluminium to iFibre (must be iFibre as it must be something they invented). Kevlar will be in there somewhere as well. Whatever Sir Jonny likes at a given time will be the "best" material.
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That's utter nonsense. There's a reason 90% of 'ultrabooks' are alu/glass Macbook knockoffs. But I reckon the next direction Apple will move in wrt materials is indicated by the iPhone5. The iPad Mini looks to use a very similar type of build, and I wouldn't at all be surprised to see them expanding it out to their entire product range. It feels like a return to real bona fide Apple premium build material innovation again after a while of not doing very much in that area.
 
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cerebus said:
Did you get the Note2 then? Stunning phone that, got great reviews across the board.

But anyway here's The Verge's comment on the Note2's build:

The S3's plastic does look cheap. It's not just our imaginations. It's tacky and shiny. Apple did use polycarbonates and it was good. Then they moved onto alu and it was better.
Click to expand...

I concur, the flimsiness is somewhat rectified with a decent case but it's still no design winner. It is an extremely light phone though, just not that well put together.
 
cerebus said:
Unrelated note, did anyone see the SIII Mini announced? 4" top end Galaxy handset - this looks great to me.
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Apple's gonna get a hernia for that one.

To be honest I think Samsung just did it to directly compete for the small screen market. ie: "Oh 4" screens... we can make em as well..."
 
AlphaJohn said:
Apple's gonna get a hernia for that one.
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I won't be surprised. I welcome it though. 4" screen is optimal for me.

To be honest I think Samsung just did it to directly compete for the small screen market. ie: "Oh 4" screens... we can make em as well..."
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Everyone has 4" screen models but they're redheaded stepchildren atm. To make a top shelf 4" phone in Android is getting to be unheard of. I think this will be a big success.
 
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