iPhone 5 - 5 reasons not to buy one
Posted on 27 Nov 2012 at 06:44
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Apple stores across the country were flung open today for the first eager customers wanting to pick up an iPhone 5. There's little doubt Apple's latest phone is an impressive piece of technology, and anyone that buys one will probably be very happy with it, but it's certainly not the second coming some were expecting.
With that in mind, is it worth buying one at all? We've thought of a few reasons that might convince you to save your money.
5. You’ve already got one
Own an iPhone already? Then you can get pretty much every one of the iPhone 5's new features by updating it to iOS 6. Passbook, Facebook integration, improved Siri and iCloud Safari tabs can all make the jump to existing iphone owners at the push of a button. Even the new panorama photo mode will work on the iPhone 4S, so if you're still tied into a contract you don't have to feel like you're missing out.
iPhone 4S owners don't miss out on the new Panorama photo mode
Aside from the larger screen and slightly faster processor, there's very little actual innovation here. Even the so-called "new" design is relatively unchanged, with a metallic rather than glass back being the only noticeable difference.
4. You’ll need to buy adaptors for all your accessories
Apple introduced a new docking connector with the iPhone 5, which it dubbed Lightning. It's significantly smaller than the old 30-pin connector, and is reversible so you don't have to worry which way round to plug it in. However, it also means that all your existing iPhone accessories will no longer work.
Want to keep using your now-obsolete speaker dock? It'll cost you
If you've been using an iPhone for any length of time, there's a good chance you've amassed quite the collection of speaker docks, external batteries, cables and other accessories that will require an adaptor if you want to continue using them. Some, which require video signals from the device, won't work at all - the digital to analogue converter (DAC) built into the adaptor can't process video, so many in-car entertainment systems and gaming-related accessories will be completely incompatible with the iPhone 5.
You'll also have to buy those adaptors yourself, as Apple doesn't include any with the phone.
They cost £25 a time, so if you have multiple accessories you'll be looking at a hefty bill if you want to equip them all.
3. It doesn't support NFC
Almost every new flagship smartphone now includes a near field communication (NFC) chip which can be used to connect to accessories, pair equipment wirelessly, set up file transfers and make payments at smart terminals. It's already appearing in coffee shops and train stations, and support for the technology is expected to grow astronomically over the next few years.
Keep your cash and cards handy with an iPhone, because it can't do this
However, if you buy an iPhone 5, you won't be able to experience any of these things, as it lacks an NFC chip. Quite why Apple decided not to include the technology is a bit perplexing, as it's pretty standard stuff now. HTC, Samsung, Motorola, Nokia and Sony all have NFC in their flagship phones, and accessory manufacturers are using the system to make things like wirelessly docking to a speaker as simple as a tap.
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2. You'll be tied in to iTunes
If you're thinking about making the leap from an Android or Windows Phone handset, or have even yet to jump on the smartphone bandwagon, keep in mind that when you buy an iPhone you're also buying into iTunes - one of the worst pieces of software ever to force its way into the public consciousness.
Almost everyone we've ever spoken to about iTunes has at least
one of these horror stories to tell, ranging from a complete inability to recognise ID3 tags, music going missing and forced app updates crashing PCs, to forced device reboots and complete data wipes. It doesn't seem to matter if you're using a Mac or PC, want to sync an iPhone, iPad or iPod, have a music collection spanning several hard disks or just a few albums,
Get out while you still can
Less than comprehensive file format support, a lack of video conversion software and poor file management makes it even harder to get video onto an iPhone than music, and considering one of the iPhone 5's major selling points is a "16:9 screen that's perfect for video" you have very little option but to rent or buy content from the iTunes store, dragging you even deeper into the Apple ecosystem until there's no escape.
1. iOS 6 maps are a bit of a fail
With the iPhone 5, and iOS 6 in general, Apple has stopped using Google as the supplier for its mapping data, instead opting to use its own information rather than pay a key rival for the privilege. The unfortunate downside to this move is that Apple's mapping data is, at best, patchy.
We're pretty sure the Japanese never colonised Brazil...
As well as not knowing the whereabouts of many locations, many entries are outdated, incorrect or just plain ridiculous. Navigating around Sao Paulo, Brazil apparently reveals the presence of a Japanese plaza, Gothamburg seems to have vanished from a satellite view of Sweden and German mountain ranges appear to have localised seasons, changing from completely snowed under to lush green grass in the same image.
It's been such a mess that a
Tumblr blog has sprung up overnight, cataloguing the numerous fails. Even Transport for London got involved, helpfully suggesting that tube passengers pick up a paper map if they were thinking of getting the new iPhone.
Author: Expert Reviews staff
