Apple unveils iPhone 5 to grand expectations

Apple’s iPhone 5 was unveiled to the public on Sept. 12, showing off the new features that Apple consumers have been long awaiting. Iphone 5’s release was postponed and replaced by the 4S in October 2011. The phone will go on sale Sept. 21, ranging in price from $199 to $399.

Apple sent an e-mail invite across the country, a picture with only the words, “It’s almost here,” above a large ’12.’ The shadow cast in front of the 12 was a large ‘5’ cryptic symbol, but it was effective in stimulating excitement. Rumors came swirling in from a variety of sources, including everything from speculation as to what features the phone would have to videos of the phones that were leaked onto YouTube.

Now that the iPhone 5 is out, is it what was expected?

“I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that the hardware and software engineering that has gone into this product was some of the most challenging our team has ever taken on,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president, at the official unveiling of the product. “What they’ve accomplished is simply amazing.”

This version of the phone also has a completely new size and shape, featuring the first hardware redesign since 2010. Apple now boasts the thinnest phone on the market, with a taller screen and a lighter weight to boot.

Another physical difference is the smaller dock connector. Presented as an innovation, no one has yet complained about this, however, this means that the phone will not be compatible with any of the other iPhone products without a converter, which is being seen as a drawback by many.

Its the software, though, that most people nowadays are looking for when buying a new phone. Multiple updates have been made to Siri, the phone’s voice recognition application, allowing her to interact and talk more, and even report the latest sports scores.

The phone’s camera promises eight megapixels with a five-element lens. Features like the camera quality and Siri updates have been predicted to be some of the biggest selling points with the new iPhone 5.

“It depends on what they bring to the new model,” said Valyeln Flyagare, 22, who works at the Apple counter in the UVU Bookstore.

Flyagare said students look for speed, screen quality and size differences when considering a new phone purchase. He said his hopes for the newest version were even higher since Apple postponed the initial release and had more time to work on the iPhone 5 when the company released the 4S model instead.

Though the Bookstore will not be selling the phone on campus, Flyagare said he and his friends look forward to the release with much excitement.