Apple iPhone 5 first impressions

New handset manages to impress even after two years waiting

Apple has finally unveiled its iPhone 5 handset, nearly two years after rumours of the fabled device began to emerge.

Featuring a bigger screen, faster processor, updated software and LTE support on EE, the iPhone 5 conforms to most of the prominent pre-release rumours, leaving some fans a little disappointed.

However, while the iPhone 5's design didn't come as a massive surprise we've still found plenty to get excited about.

Screen
The most noticeable feature differentiating the iPhone 5 from the iPhone 4S is its 4in 1136x640 Retina display with a 16:9 aspect ratio. Previous iPhones had all featured 3.5in displays, reportedly because Apple founder Steve Jobs had put out an edict listing it as the optimum size for a smartphone screen.

While certain hardcore Apple fans have attacked the company's decision to break with tradition, we're really happy to see the company make such a bold change. When Apple unveiled its iPhone 4S in 2011, there were serious concerns that the company was playing it safe, with the device looking all but identical to the iPhone 4.

The increased screen size also comes with several boons, adding a fifth row of icons to the device's user interface. Apple claims this means users will be able to see more in its Calendar and Mail applications.

In terms of performance, Apple iPhone's screens have a proud history, with devices generally setting the bar. Apple claims the same is true for the iPhone 5, boasting that the device's 4in screen is the most advanced available on the market.

We're really excited to test this and compare it to other top-end devices set for release later this year, like the Nokia Lumia 920.

Unveiled earlier in September, the Lumia 920 features its own impressively specced 4.5in Nokia PureMotion HD+ WXGA IPS LCD display, complete with Super Sensitive touch technology and Nokia ClearBlack with high brightness mode and sunlight readability enhancements.

While the screen probably won't match the iPhone 5's on clarity, the Lumia's outdoor technology means it could beat the iPhone when used in more difficult, outdoor conditions.

Apple iPhone 5 first impressions

New handset manages to impress even after two years waiting

Design
Visually the iPhone 5, while sharing the same design philosophy as its predecessors, does look fairly different. This is mainly because Apple has redesigned the iPhone 5's chassis, making it entirely from glass and aluminium.

Despite packing a larger screen the iPhone 5 is lighter than its predecessor, weighing 112g. It's thinner too, measuring in at 124x59X7.6mm. The iPhone 4S by comparison measures in at 115x59x9.3mm and weighs 140g. The dimensions make the iPhone 5 the thinnest smartphone ever.

A6 processor and iOS 6
The iPhone 5 will be powered by Apple's new A6 processor. Apple claims the A6 is 22 percent faster than the A5 and is the first processor to bring true "console" graphics to a smartphone.

Despite its bold claims Apple has remained incredibly tight-lipped regarding the A6's exact technical specifications. Traditionally Apple's processors have, on paper, lagged behind the components seen on top Android handsets. The A5 for example was revealed to be a 1GHz dual-core chip.

But the iPhone's lower technical specifications have not traditionally translated to mean Apple's iPhones are slower than competitors. This is thanks to Apple's iOS operating system and focused design philosophy.

Unlike Android, iOS is a closed platform, meaning that every device Apple makes uses components and software custom designed to work together. This means that Apple iPhone's are optimised for their parts and thus are able to match what, on paper, are better specced handsets.

We're thinking the same will be true for the iPhone 5 and are expecting it to at least match, or even beat the performance of quad-core handsets, like the HTC One X and Samsung Galaxy S3.

As well as speeding up the iPhone 5's performance, iOS 6 also adds a host of new features to the smartphone. Chief of these is a completely reworked mapping system, Siri improvements and the ability to make Facetime calls over a 3G connection.

LTE
The Apple iPhone 5 will support EE's just announced 4G LTE network. This is good news as connection to the 4G network will grant iPhone 5 owners improved download speeds, web page load times and a generally smoother experience when connecting to the internet away from a Wi-Fi network.

Apple iPhone 5 first impressions

New handset manages to impress even after two years waiting

Camera
The iPhone 5 features an improved 8MP camera sensor that Apple claims is significantly better than the similarly specced unit featured in the iPhone 4S.

Apple claims this is due to the iPhone 5's f/2.4 aperture, backside illumination and built-in panorama modes. The iPhone 5 also features a new and improved HD camera on its front that Apple claims can capture HD 720p video.

The iPhone 5's camera is one area we're thinking may prove underwhelming when compared to other top end handsets, particularly the Nokia Lumia 920. The Lumia 920 comes with an 8.7MP rear-facing camera complete with Nokia PureView advanced optical image stabilisation technology and Carl Zeiss optics.

Nokia claims the Lumia 920's rear camera is the best currently available on any smartphone capturing "five to 10 times more light than competitors devices".

Having played with the Lumia 920's camera tech we can safely say the iPhone 5's camera will have to be something truly special if it's going to compete in this area.

No NFC, facial recognition or wireless charging
The iPhone 5 does have its shortcomings, with one major omission the lack of near field communication technology.

This means as well as being unable to take advantage of the slew of wireless payment services set to arrive in the UK, it won't feature any of the file sharing services seen on competing Android and Windows Phone handsets.

Additionally, the 4S doesn't feature facial recognition or wireless charging features. Facial recognition has become a staple feature on the Android operating system since it was appeared on Ice Cream Sandwich in 2011. Wireless charging is another feature set to appear on the Lumia 920, which promises to come packed with its own Fatboy peripheral.

While the features aren't massive, the fact that they're appearing on cheaper competing devices, makes us feel like Apple's decision not to add them to the iPhone 5 is an oversight it may regret.

Nano SIM
Another possible annoyance on the iPhone 5 is the fact that it requires a Nano, not micro SIM. This means that users upgrading to the iPhone 5 will have to get a new SIM card.

Looming threats
Overall our opening impressions of Apple's iPhone 5 are positive. The device builds on Apple's core offering adding an improved processor, operating system and larger screen that we feel will add to the user experience.

However, Apple's decision not to add certain key features like NFC support or facial recognition, combined with the lack of any surprise features makes us unsure whether the iPhone 5 will draw new users to the ecosystem. This is especially true considering the general interest around competing devices, like the Lumia 920 and new Nexus, expected for release later in the year.

Check back with V3 later for a full review of the Apple iPhone 5.