"iPhone 5 Formally Unveiled"

iPhone 5

After months of speculations and rumors, Apple has formally introduced the iPhone 5, packed with a new OS, a taller screen, thinner body, and improved hardware.

“It is the most beautiful product we have ever made, bar none,” Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing Philip W. Schiller proudly declares.

The entire iPhone 5 body is made of glass and aluminum, making it a challenge both in hardware and software engineering. We could imagine the overheat issues it would face, but we can safely assume that Apple has thought about that.

The device measures 7.6 millimeters on its side (18% thinner than the iPhone 4S) and weighs 112 grams (20% lighter than the 4S). It sports a 4-inch, 326ppi Retina display with 1136 x 640 resolution and 16 x 9 aspect ratio. The taller screen surface provides an added row of icons to the home screen, while all of Apple’s software have been updated to accommodate the new display size. Third-party apps, however, may not be optimized for this larger display so expect black borders placed above the below the software.

The new iPhone also features all available radio standard, including 4G LTE, which may trigger another round of legal battles between Apple and Samsung. It can download up to 100 megabits per second and switch antenna connections between different carriers if necessary.

A new processor powers the iPhone 5. The A6 chip is twice as fast at both CPU and graphics, all while being 22 percent smaller than its predecessor. It also has a longer battery life compared to the iPhone 4S at 8 hours of 3G talk time, 8 hours of LTE or 3G browsing, 10 hours of WiFi browsing, and up to 225 hours of standby time.

The cameras are also given an upgrade. On the rear is the 8-megapixel camera that is similar to that of the 4S at 3264 x 2448 resolution, backside illumination, hybrid IR filter, 5-element lens, and f2.4 aperture. What is new are the added features such as a dynamic low light mode, precision lens alignment, and a sapphire crystal lens cover. It can also shoot 1080p HD video, has improved video stabilization, face detection, and can even shoot stills while recording in video. Meanwhile, the front camera is updated with 720p video recording capability, backside illumination, and face detection.

The iPhone 5 has three microphones: one located on the bottom, and two more on top, each placed on the front and back sides. This makes audio recording yield clearer sounds as only one of the mics is activated depending on how you use it. The speaker has been improved as well. There are five magnets in the transducer and is 20 percent smaller than in previous version.

And as confirmed in previous leakages, we say goodbye to the 30-pin connector and welcome a smaller connector Apple dubbed “Lightning,” which features an 8-signal design and reversible connection capability. Worried about connecting your accessories with 30-pin dock connectors? There is an adaptor for that!

Finally, the iPhone runs on Apple’s latest software: the iOS 6, which has been designed to “take advantage of the iPhone’s larger screen from the beginning.”

Are you happy with the new features on iPhone 5? Leave us a comment!

Source: Wired

Photo: John Bradley/Wired