iPhone 5 decision keep it or walk away
Apple’s 2012 smartphone hit stores on 21 September, priced at £529 for 16 GB, £599 for 32 GB and £699 for 64 GB on a SIM‑free basis, with contract‑based offers varying by carrier.
The entry price sits just above five hundred pounds.
Design tweaks make the handset feel slimmer
The new model is about 18 % thinner and 20 % lighter than the previous generation, while its height grew enough to accommodate a 4‑inch diagonal display. A single‑piece aluminium back replaces the glass casing, giving a sleeker look and a different tactile experience.
Screen size adds an extra row of icons
The larger retina panel fits an additional row of apps on the home screen, a change many users have asked for as app collections expand. The extra real‑estate also lets apps render with more detail, improving visual clarity.
The handset runs on an A6 processor, which Apple says is twice as fast as that of the previous iPhone model. This speed boost should help both everyday tasks and more demanding games.
A new “Lightning” dock connector replaces the older 30‑pin port, freeing space for a bottom‑mounted headphone jack. Users with existing accessories will need a £25 adaptor, a cost the company anticipated and plans to sell separately.
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4G capability arrives via the EE network, which is launching its service in the coming weeks.
Other carriers are unlikely to offer comparable speeds until later in the year because of regulatory delays.
The device also adopts a Nano‑SIM, smaller than the former Micro‑SIM. Retailers typically provide the tiny card at no extra charge when the phone is purchased.
Camera hardware remains an 8 MP sensor, but the A6 chip promises better low‑light performance and introduces a panorama mode that could disrupt apps built around the older format.
Two highly requested features—near‑field communication and wireless charging—are still absent. Apple has not indicated plans to add NFC, and its stance on wireless charging suggests it prefers a wired solution, even if the plug moves.
Pricing varies with storage capacity, and contracts typically lower the upfront cost. The 16 GB version starts at £529 unlocked, while carriers often bundle the phone with monthly plans.
