The latest version of the iPhone is thinner, lighter and longer, but does that make it better too? We take a look at what's new in the world's favourite phone.
The advanced, smartphones that we use today are a gift from Apple.
No, Apple didn't design all of them, but back in 2007 it gave the
industry a masterpiece that managed to change the dynamics for good. It
set new benchmarks, both in terms of the hardware and software. It won't
be wrong to say that if Apple hadn't launched the iPhone, we could
still have been been using the old 2.4-inch displays with alphanumeric
keypads in feature phones and resistive (stylus driven) displays in
business phones.
Yes, there were apps for Nokia and Windows phones
then too. But we had to search websites like getjar.com to download
them. Apple streamlined this by introducing App Store, a onestop shop
for downloading all free and paid apps.
ALTERNATIVES
APPLE IPHONE 4: iOS 4 (upgradable to iOS
6); 3.5 inch Retina display; Apple A4 Chip (1GHz); 8GB internal storage;
Wi-Fi, 3G, Bluetooth; 5 MP; 115.2 x 58.6 x 9.3 mm, 137 gm.
APPLE IPHONE 4S:
iOS 5 (upgradable to iOS 6); 3.5 inch Retina Display; Apple A5 chip
(1GHz dual core); 8GB/16GB/32GB internal storage; Wi-Fi, 3G, Bluetooth; 8
MP camera; 115.2 x 58.6 x 9.3 mm, 140 gm.
NOKIA LUMIA 920: Windows
Phone 8; 4.5 inch display; 1.5GHz Dual Core processor; 32GB internal
storage; Wi-Fi, 3G, Bluetooth, NFC; 8 MP camera; 130.3 x 70.8 x 10.7 mm;
185 gm.
SAMSUNG GALAXY SIII: Android v4.0; 4.8 inch
display; 1.4GHz quad-core processor; 16GB internal storage, 32 GB
expandable; Wi-Fi, 3G, Bluetooth; 8 MP camera; 136.6 x 70.6 x 8.6 mm;
133 gm.
HTC ONE X: Android v4.0; 4.7 inch display; 1.5GHz
quad-core processor; 32GB onboard storage; Wi-Fi, 3G, Bluetooth; 8 MP
camera; 134.4 x 69.9 x 8.9 mm; 130 gm.
SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE II:
Android v4.1; 5.5 inch display; 1.6GHz quad-core processor; 16/32/64GB
onboard storage, Wi-Fi, 3G, Bluetooth, NFC; 8 MP camera; 151.1 x 80.5 x
9.4 mm; 180 gm. |
Apple hasn't looked back since. Unlike other players, the company brings
out just one new smartphone every year and manages to keep the
competition on their toes. The recently launched iPhone 5 with a bigger
display, faster processor, fine camera and better battery life is
single-handedly trying to keep the Android onslaught at bay. Here is a
look at the new features in this iconic phone- and where it falls short.
HARDWARE
There
has always been something special about the iPhone. While the basics
still remains the same, the iPhone 5 has got itself more powerful
innards, gained some height and shed some weight.
DESIGN: The iPhone 5
is 18 per cent thinner and 20 per cent lighter than its predecessor.
It is 7.6mm thin, approximately 1.7mm sleeker than the iPhone 4S. Living
up to the competition of having bigger, better displays, the iPhone 5
has a 4-inch display, achieved by making the screen longer. Apple did
not want to increase the width beyond 58.6mm as that would have made it
harder to use with a single hand. The 4-inch screen means more real
estate, enough to create space for another row of icons. However, the
new, thinner display is bright and offers more clarity. The phone has
also got an aluminum back.
LIGHTNING CONNECTOR: In the
effort to make the iPhone thinner, Apple has replaced its proprietary
30-pin connector with the new eight-pin digital connector. This new
connector is advanced and reversible, which means the cable can be
plugged in from any side. To make the new iPhone compatible with the
existing accessories, Apple has also launched a special adapter.
PROCESSOR: Replacing the dual-core A4 processor on the iPhone 4S is the
A6 processor. Apple hasn't shared much details about the A6 chip, but it
claims the iPhone 5 will be 2x faster and will offer 2x graphics
performance over its predecessor. The iPhone 5 comes prepared for
graphic-heavy games and for extra power needs.
CAMERA: The
8MP iSight camera of the iPhone 4S was just fantastic. Instead of
increasing the megapixel count, Apple claims to have enhanced the camera
itself. It captures photos 40 per cent faster than its predecessor and
has better low-light performance and improved noise reduction. It also
supports Panorama that allows user to shoot up to 240 degrees in a
single motion. For capturing 1080p videos, video stabilisation has been
enhanced. Lastly, users will be now able to click images even as they
are capturing videos. NANO-SIM: Unlike the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S, the
new iPhone does not support a microSIM card. Apple has stepped ahead to
include a new technology by using a nano-SIM slot. This new SIM card is
not only small but is 15 per cent thinner than the regular SIM cards.
WHAT ABOUT OLDER IPHONE MODELS
Rumours suggest that the iPhone 5 is
likely to get launched by the end of October, before Diwali. Also, Apple
will be launching the phone through its distribution channel and not
with the operators. But given the weak rupee, we expect the iPhone 5 to
be launched at a price between Rs 47,000 and Rs 50,000. Also, the launch
of the iPhone 5 will bring down the price of the iPhone 4S, currently
retailing at Rs 44,500. Our bet is that it will be priced around Rs
39,000. While the iPhone 3GS has been discontinued, the iPhone 4 prices
too will come down to Rs 30,000 from the present Rs 37,500. With a
stronger rupee, the iPhone 4 could have been retailing around Rs 20,000. |
LTE:
Like the new iPad, the iPhone 5 supports LTE wireless technology. But
it won't be compatible with 4G LTE networks that are coming up in India.
SOFTWARE: iOS 6
The
iPhone 5 will run Apple's new iOS 6 operating system. iOS is easier to
use as unlike Android and other platforms there is no hidden menu or
options. All apps are laid out scattered across the homescreens and
users can make folders just by dragging and placing the app icon over
another. The biggest plus point of owning an Apple device is the instant
availability of updates. The minute Apple rolled out the iOS 6, the
update was available to all Apple users across the globe, irrespective
of the device and country. Here is what the iOS 6 brings to the table.
FACEBOOK INTEGRATION:
Social network integration is a must in any smartphone today. After
integrating Twitter in iOS 5, Apple has now opened the doors for
Facebook integration. Now users will be able to share photos, update
status without having to log into the app.
MAPS: With iOS
6, Apple has dropped Google Maps and replaced it with its own Maps. Maps
offer turn-by-turn navigation and a new 3D feature called 'Flyover'.
However, unlike Google Maps, the new mapping software lacks details and
features. It does not support turn-by-turn direction in India.
SIRI:
The intelligent voice assistant, Siri, was the distinguishing feature
on the iPhone 4S. With the iOS 6, Siri has become smarter. It has
learned new tricks and can now launch apps, present score cards, search
for movie tickets, and book tables at restaurants. It can even send a
tweet and post on Facebook. However, some of these features will not
work in India.
VIP EMAIL: Thanks to the deluge of junk
emails we often overlook important mails. Not any more, as iOS 6 lets
users set up a VIP list. Users can now also have different signatures
for different accounts with the new Mail app.
PHOTO STREAM:
The new Photo Stream feature allows Apple users to create Photo Streams
and share it with other users over iCloud. Just like Facebook and
Instagram, people invited to the group can like the images and even add
comments.
SAFARI: The number of improvements on Safari
browser include offline reading list, photo upload support, full-screen
landscape view on iPhone, etc. The iCloud also syncs the browsing
history across iOS devices when logged in using the same account. Safari
on iOS 6 features a brand new Java Script engine, which makes Safari
significantly faster.
FACETIME OVER 3G: Till now, video
chat using FaceTime was only possible if both the parities were on
Wi-Fi. But on iOS 6, it works over cellular network as well.
MESSAGE REPLY & DND:
Basic features like decline an incoming call with a text message, set a
callback reminder or create a preset message have been added to iOS 6.
The Do Not Disturb feature allows users to set up a time for incoming
calls to be silenced. One can also create a list of people that can
still continue to reach you overriding the DND settings.
APP STORE
Till
now, Apple iPhone users always had an edge over competitors, at least
on the application front. For past five years, the phone's display had
stayed at 3.5 inches, as a result of which all apps listed on the App
Store were compatible with the iPhone 4S. But given the increased screen
size of the iPhone 5, users and developers could face some challenges.
While the existing apps will run flawlessly, there will be an emplty
black space on the top and the bottom, restricting users from enjoying
full benefits of the bigger display. But once the developer updates the
app, things will be back in place. This can take some time. "The change
depends on the type of app," says Binay Tiwari, Head, Global Marketing,
Vserv.mobi. "Some of the 'table' structure layout type apps will get
updated relatively easily, while the more graphics intensive games may
need a re-design. The app ecosystem is a competitive one and Apple
rewards developers that support their latest hardware by featuring their
apps on the App Store."
SERVICE
Like its hardware,
Apple has one of the best service support structures as well. While
Apple offers international warranty for its Mac lineup along with the
iPod and iPad, things are a bit different for iPhone, which comes with a
country-specific warranty. In case anything goes wrong within the
warranty period, just take it to the service centre with the proof of
purchase
