Photo Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Following a frenzy of anticipation and speculation, Apple announced its new iPhone 5 at a press event Wednesday at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco. Here’s why I can’t wait to upgrade:
1. It’s thinner and lighter. It also has a higher-resolution, four-inch display, which is larger than the iPhone 4S. That allows it to show a fifth row of icons.
The bad news here is that the new shape means I’ll have to shell out more money for new accessories. The familiar connector, which has been around since 2003, is gone, and the new phone will take a much smaller one called “Lightning.” The good news: a smaller accessory to throw in my travel bag -- as if that old connector was the thing weighing me down!
2. It’s faster. It’s powered by an A6 processor, and will run on 4G LTE networks. This will speed up users’ Web browsing significantly.
3. It will improve call quality. Remember that part of the device that allows you to talk to other people? Ah yes, the phone! Well, Apple says that functionality will improve too, with three microphones on the new iPhone and a noise-canceling earpiece. You’re welcome, anybody who talks to me while I pace the bustling farmers’ market in the future.
4. It has longer battery life. Apple says the iPhone 5’s battery will last 225 hours on standby or eight full hours while in use. We’ll see if this is actually accurate -- but I’m hopeful.
5. It shoots better photos. The new Apple offering has higher resolution front- and back-facing cameras and a new panorama feature. It’ll up my Instagram game, for sure.
The iPhone 5 comes in black and white and ranges from $199 to $399. Pre-ordering starts Friday for shipping beginning on September 21.
Alesandra Dubin is a Los Angeles-based writer. Follow her on Twitter: @alicedubin.
