Engadget's iPhone 5 review -- ask me anything! - gdgt

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TimS September 18, 2012

Engadget's iPhone 5 review -- ask me anything!

Hey folks, let's do a little AMA here. Check out our review:

www.engadget.com/2012/09/18/apple-iphone-5-review/

Then I'll be happy to address your questions here.

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ryan 2012-09-18 21:14:10

Personal opinion: headphone jack on top or bottom?

Me? I'm definitely a top.

Ahem.

10 like dislike

TimS 2012-09-18 21:21:31

I am totally a bottom. It just feels far more natural to me to reach in to your pocket and pull the phone out that way. Very glad they moved the port down.

alexarena 2012-09-18 21:16:42

It doesn't seem to make much sense on the bottom, right? I mean that's upside down. Plus for tall people, such as myself, we need every inch of headphone cord we can get.

ryan 2012-09-18 21:19:17

Well, arguable that bottom just means you have to put your phone into your pocket upside down, which does have the added benefit of meaning it's oriented correctly in your hand when you pull it out. Still. Top.

septuplicate 2012-09-24 13:55:41

Yes, top, because of the simple reason that many people often hold (me included) the phone with their pinky at the bottom of the device to stabilize the device. A headphone cord there would make that more or less impossible.

caronal 2012-09-18 21:40:48

Couldn't it also mean a higher chance of crud and the 'weather' getting into the new Lightning port? Previous iPhones have a water damage indicator in the dock connector port for example. Or maybe the new port is small enough for it to not matter? Seems exposed to more potential problems. Or a reason for AppleCare+

kernco 2012-09-19 17:38:39

Another reason to have it on top is if you're resting the device on something, like when laying on the couch or bed and resting it on your chest. This is a much bigger issue with tablets (I hate that the Nexus 7 has the headphone plug at the bottom) but it might also be relevant for a phone.

ranhalt 2012-09-18 21:20:52

The point is that you will hold the phone normally, then put your arm down before putting it in your pocket. Plus, putting the speakers and headphone jack closer make it simpler for arranging the sound hardware. The only issue is that you'd need a long enough audio cable if you were going to put the phone in your pocket intending to keep listening to it, which I don't think Apple's earbuds do.

vallieres 2012-09-19 07:58:55

Also, the speaker is oriented up, so you have a greater chance of hearing it if it's not on a very lound setting.

astarling10 2012-09-18 21:18:37

i say bottom but only because i got used to it on my galaxy nexus i had before the evo i''m using now.

barkerja 2012-09-18 21:28:58

Bottom. It feels awkward when inserting/removing from a pocket when it's on the top of a device.

robertcampos 2012-09-18 21:59:27

Ha. Top man here...

Russian45 2012-09-18 22:38:57

I am definitely a top as well

cass 2012-09-18 21:23:44

Do you think the iPhone 5 is pretty scratch resistant? Would you feel comfortable using this naked, sans case?

TimS 2012-09-18 21:31:29

The glass, for sure. The back, that remains to be seen. I was naturally taking things carefully.

astarling10 2012-09-18 21:35:00

Tim, did you use the Maps/navigation outside of the city? If so, how did it perform in getting you where you wanted to go. How fast did you get GPS lock?

TimS 2012-09-18 21:44:44

Absolutely, I live out in the boondocks. It locked very quickly and the routing was perfectly acceptable. The lack of traffic warnings is a bummer, but you can't have everything.

thedamfr 2012-09-18 21:43:00

What's your current personnal phone ? Would you switch for the iPhone5 ?

TimS 2012-09-18 21:50:44

I'm still rocking a Droid Charge on-contract. Was all ready to go for the GS III but was waiting for the apparently non-existent Developer Edition. Now... I'm honestly not sure. Waiting to see how the Note 2 shakes out.

I'm an Android guy but I'd strongly consider the 5.

thedamfr 2012-09-18 21:53:06

Yeah :) I would like to get a Motorola RAZR HD Developer Edition :)

alexarena 2012-09-18 21:13:14

How badly scratched up did it get in day to day use? Didn't look so hot in the review.

Thanks Tim!

TimS 2012-09-18 21:22:05

It's not scratched so much as it is oily. I think the light was hitting it oddly. The matte back definitely absorbs some skin oil.

But, no scratches on the thing yet.

alexarena 2012-09-18 21:22:50

Yay or nay to a case?

TimS 2012-09-18 21:31:41

Too early to tell for sure.

deathapples 2012-09-18 21:17:54

Can you explain the battery testing a little better? I was a little confused at how you were switching back/forth from LTE to Wifi, etc.

TimS 2012-09-18 21:23:48

For the battery rundown test it's with LTE and WiFi on, connected to LTE for data, looping a video endlessly. That's the 11 hour score.

The 14 hour score was just a fairly normal day of heavy use.

dilpreet28 2012-09-18 21:19:48

Any improvements in low light capture compared to the 4s?

TimS 2012-09-18 21:25:16

No, still noisy. I didn't see any improvements in image quality.

dilpreet28 2012-09-18 21:26:56

that's kind of disappointing. Also great job on the review Tim!!

TimS 2012-09-18 21:30:41

Thanks!

andycv 2012-09-18 21:35:46

What do you think of the iPhone 5's speaker. Is it louder than the 4S?

TimS 2012-09-18 21:44:51

Not significantly so, no.

andycv 2012-09-18 23:44:01

Thankyou for your reply =)

RoyTV 2012-09-19 00:59:39

now thats a bummer...

AdamWillis 2012-10-01 18:35:35

Might not be significant but it is louder. www.tuaw.com/2012/10/01/video-iphone-5-speaker-is-...

TechSmartt 2012-09-18 21:13:45

Great job Tim.

TimS 2012-09-18 21:23:07

Thanks!

This post has been removed.

ranhalt 2012-09-18 21:17:20

How does it make you feel?

TimS 2012-09-18 21:31:13

Feels good, man.

ryan 2012-09-18 21:56:43

↓

TimS 2012-09-18 22:05:52

Keep forgetting I can post pictures here!

joeymkk 2012-09-18 21:32:59

Should i wait for the Lumia 920 or?

TimS 2012-09-18 21:44:21

How much do you like Windows Phone? The Lumia 920 does look like a great device, but we haven't had a chance to put it through its paces yet.

AdamWillis 2012-09-18 21:37:46

Have you noticed any iOS specific features on the iPhone 5 that weren't mentioned before? (I noticed the camera snap button is larger)

TimS 2012-09-18 21:45:22

That was the only thing that jumped out at me. The camera UI is slightly modified, but that's all I spotted.

ejk411 2012-09-18 21:40:00

Evening -- Any benefit ordering online from a) apple.com vs. b) at&t vs. c) best buy...or they all the same.

TimS 2012-09-18 21:45:47

At this point, if you want one on launch day, order from all of them and cross your fingers.

deathapples 2012-09-18 21:49:32

Or, stand in line at an Apple store VERY early, like me. :)

-2 like dislike

andycv 2012-09-19 00:17:41

I have one other question which I haven't read about anywhere else. During the keynote, it was mentioned that the display would have less glare in sunlight. Is there a notable difference between the 4/4s and 5 both inside and outside?

Thankyou very much!

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