Just another iPhone

With the release of the iPhone 5 in September students may be wondering whether it is worth it to upgrade. While it may not seem as if the iPhone 5 is a major change from the iPhone 4S, Apple has taken the opportunity to refine both the hardware and software of the phone.

The hardware

The hardware of the iPhone has gotten a major overhaul since the previous generation. The phone now supports the LTE wireless network, which cellular companies claim is capable of up to 100 Mb/s download speeds. While this is a much-needed improvement, other companies have had the LTE technology implemented in similar phones for a few years.

An important change to take note of for previous iPhone owners is the transition from Apple’s old 30-pin connector to the new “Lightning” connector. This change means that any accessories using this old connector will be incompatible with the new iPhone unless an adapter is purchased (now selling for $29.99), and even then, many accessories are unusable.

Since some accessories may have to be repurchased, the cost to upgrade to the iPhone 5 may be more than meets the eye. As of now the increased speed from the connector does not outweigh the extra costs it brings with it.

The software

As with every next generation iPhone, the iPhone 5 brings a new operating system along with it. The biggest change is the new maps app, replacing the Google Maps used in earlier systems.

The new Apple map application boasts turn by turn navigation, compatible with Siri’s voice recognition; however, it does not seem as refined as Google’s old application. Apple CEO Tim Cook admitted in a press conference that the new Maps application at the moment is inferior to that of Apple’s competitors and even recommended that those other applications be used while their Maps application is improved. 

The verdict

Anyone currently without a smartphone would be satisfied with the iPhone 5 and love all the features it brings to the table. Previous iPhone owners with the iPhone 4 or older should also  consider upgrading to the iPhone 5. The new processor provides a noticeable increase in the speed of the device, and the larger screen allows users to enjoy the new features at their fullest capabilities. 

However, owners of the iPhone 4S should probably stick with their current phone and wait until the next generation iPhone is revealed, because the hardware changes in the iPhone 5 do not facilitate an immediate upgrade. Also, previous iPhone owners should plan on spending extra money on new accessories that support the iPhone 5 or an adapter to make older devices compatible with it. 

Overall, the iPhone 5 does not present any groundbreaking innovations from the previous models, instead further refining the tried-and-true aspects of the popular iPhone.