i phone 5 full review
The iPhone 5 is the best consumer device that we've
created to date. It's Phil Schiller, head of brand marketing at Apple, which
insures. But can you believe it.
To find out, we looked at every angle the new Apple Smartphone
as its predecessor, the iPhone 4S. The match between these two versions is
crucial for buyers: 4S version is for sale at a price which was lowered (€ 579
with 16 GB of memory), while version 5, which appeared in late September, costs
€ 679.
We've done the same tests with two devices: a battery of
laboratory measurements (range, speed display web pages ...) and a thorough
study of ergonomics and user interface by our experts in new technologies. Here
are the results of several weeks of testing.
Features: more light
Before evaluating the performance, a word about the
physical differences. The new iPhone is as wide as the previous one, but longer
(12.5 against 11.5 centimetres), which does not preclude weigh 30 grams less.
20% less weight in the pocket, it is not negligible.
The iPhone 5 has a new connector closer and, alas, still
own Apple. If you already have a docking station adapter (charged € 29!) Is
required.
Ergonomics: little nine
Regarding the ergonomics, the two devices are the same.
It must be said that some of the new iPhone 5 take the new operating system
(iOS 6), which now is also installed (or can be) on iPhone 4S.
The screen allows extended however improved ease of use,
especially when you type an SMS or email in a horizontal position, the keyboard
is less packed.
Internet: it
accelerates
Connecting the Smartphone to a Wi-Fi LAN, we measured the
time of loading and displaying multiple web pages stored on a server connected
to the network.
The iPhone 5 easily surpasses its predecessor. Thus, the
most loaded web page used for our tests - a page of an article of Liberation -
was displayed in 5.9 seconds against 7.1 for iPhone 4S (20% more). Velocity
which is probably explained by the new embedded processor in the iPhone 5.
Picture quality
Video: no obvious difference
Snapshots and movies were made outside and inside, under
different lights (CFLs, halogens ...). Quality differences are not significant.
I must say that the sensor resolution picture (3264 x 2448 pixels) and video
(1920 x 1080 pixels) is identical on both iPhone. However, the most recent has
better pictures indoors: it respects the colors a little better.
In addition, the sensor front camera used for video
calling (video telephony) is supposed to have been improved compared to the
iPhone 4S. But in our tests, the difference in quality does not seem obvious.
Location
GPS: it was better before
The iPhone 5 is slightly less powerful than its
predecessor in terms of geolocation. Nothing dramatic, however.
The time required for a first location by GPS after phone
reset is similar: just over 50 seconds for the two versions, which is decent
for a Smartphone. But we also measured using our GPS signal simulator, the behaviour
of the device when the signal is degraded. The iPhone 5 capitulated to a level
where the iPhone 4S is still able to locate.
Autonomy: the iPhone 5 does not come out
winner
On its website, Apple talks about "autonomy even
better" for the iPhone 5. We're not so sure.
Our first test was to play a video loop with screen
brightness and sound levels monitored until battery exhaustion. The iPhone 5 is
10 h 45. Despite its large screen, it outperforms the 4S, exhausted from 7 h 40
video.
In contrast, the first new device falters for other uses,
especially when the network connection is requested. Our second test and
simulated everyday use, from a usage scenario alternating periods of
wakefulness, phone calls, listening to music, gaming, Internet browsing ...
Under these conditions, the iPhone 5 was held 2 days 4
hours 30 minutes, which is pretty average and promises intensive users often
having to recharge their batteries. In any case, more often than users of the
iPhone 4S, with the same usage scenario, took 3 days and 6 hours.
Our
findings
In both versions, the iPhone is a great Smartphone. But
the comparison does not give detailed systematic advantage to the new version.
It makes no major technological breakthrough, or decisive jump performance
compared to version 4S.
The only indisputable asset of the iPhone 5 is its
enlarged screen. But he deserves to spend 100 € more?