LCA Review Finds iPhone 5 Divisive

The launch of iPhone 5 on 21 September marks Apple’s latest step in its smartphone line, offering a slimmer profile and a taller display while keeping the familiar design language of its predecessor.

Design and Build Changes

The handset is about 18 % thinner and 20 % lighter than the previous model, with an added inch of height that accommodates a 4‑inch diagonal screen. The company replaced the glass back with a single‑piece aluminium shell, giving the device a sleeker look and a different tactile feel.

One noticeable alteration is the relocation of the headphone jack to the bottom edge, paired with a new Lightning dock connector. It occupies less space, which the firm says enables faster data transfers and charging, but it also renders existing accessories obsolete unless users purchase a £25 adaptor.

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4G support arrives on EE first.

Performance and Connectivity

The larger retina display adds an extra row of icons on the home screen, a change many users have requested as app libraries continue to expand. The increased screen real estate allows apps to render with more detail, improving the visual experience.

Powering the device is an A6 processor, which the brand claims is twice as fast as the chip in the prior model. This upgrade, combined with the same 8‑megapixel camera, reportedly enhances low‑light performance and introduces a panorama shooting mode.

The manufacturer also introduced a Nano‑SIM slot, replacing the older Micro‑SIM. Retail outlets are expected to provide the smaller cards at no extra charge when the phone is purchased.

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Despite the hardware upgrades, two highly anticipated features—Near Field Communications and wireless charging—are absent. The company has not indicated a timeline for adding NFC, and it dismissed wireless charging as merely relocating the plug point rather than eliminating it.

Pricing and Availability

Sim‑free pricing starts at £529 for the 16 GB version, £599 for 32 GB, and £699 for 64 GB. Contract‑based offers will vary across providers, potentially lowering the upfront cost.

Overall, the device represents a notable step forward from the earlier model.