iPhone 5 Photos and Hands on Impressions

After the media event, Apple allowed the attendees to use the new iPhone 5 in a hands on area. Many of the early impressions seem to be focused on how light and thin the new iPhone feels. Despite the decrease in weight, the iPhone 5 appears to be sturdy due to its aluminum design.

sidebyside

Here are a roundup of some of the early impressions:

TechCrunch
- "Build quality is quite nice and the solid aluminum is quite unique and quite solid. Hopefully this will reduce some damage if it falls on a hard surface."

Telegraph.co.uk
- "The biggest change, literally, is the larger screen. Here, I'm thankful that Apple opted not to go wider. Samsung's Galaxy S3 is too big for my taste and I think Apple is right to say that the width of the iPhone is right for the average hand."

thin
Slashgear
- "Gripping it, your thumb is able to navigate the full length of the display without stretching, just as promised, and while it’s undoubtedly a light handset it doesn’t feel delicate."

Engadget
- "Much like the speed increases between the iPhone 4 and 4S (and before that, the iPhone 3G vs. iPhone 3GS), they won't take you by storm right away. But, use it for half an hour and you'll have a hard time going back to a slower chip. The transitions are smoother, switching between apps is a bit quicker and everything just generally feels incrementally faster."

Anandtech
- "The phone feels very thin and light (obviously), and the improvement in performance is very noticeable compared to the 4S."

They shot a nice video showing the speed of the device and features:

Popular Stories

Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple's CarPlay Ultra to Expand to These Vehicle Brands Later This Year

Sunday February 1, 2026 10:08 am PST by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. In his Powe...
Apple Logo Black

Apple's Next Launch is 'Imminent'

Sunday February 1, 2026 12:31 pm PST by
The calendar has turned to February, and a new report indicates that Apple's next product launch is "imminent," in the form of new MacBook Pro models. "All signs point to an imminent launch of next-generation MacBook Pros that retain the current form factor but deliver faster chips," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated...
Apple MacBook Pro M4 hero

New MacBook Pros Reportedly Launching Alongside macOS 26.3

Sunday February 1, 2026 5:42 am PST by
Apple is planning to launch new MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips alongside macOS 26.3, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "Apple's faster MacBook Pros are planned for the macOS 26.3 release cycle," wrote Gurman, in his Power On newsletter today. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated for the macOS 26.3 software cycle, which runs from...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
We are still waiting for the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate to come out, so the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week or two away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
iOS 26 Home Feature

Apple Gives Final Warning to Home App Users

Tuesday February 3, 2026 8:55 am PST by
In 2022, Apple introduced a new Apple Home architecture that is "more reliable and efficient," and the deadline to upgrade and avoid issues is fast approaching. In an email this week, Apple gave customers a final reminder to upgrade their Home app by February 10, 2026. Apple says users who do not upgrade may experience issues with accessories and automations, or lose access to their smart...

Top Rated Comments

Caliber26 Avatar
175 months ago
My heart is yearning for the black one!!!

Despite it being called iPhone 5. :rolleyes:
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Simplicated Avatar
175 months ago
White...once you go white, you're always right.

Once you go black, you can't go back. :D
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dlewis23 Avatar
175 months ago
I don't know which one to get now. White or Black. :confused::confused:
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WeegieMac Avatar
175 months ago
This is what apple should have shown off.

Wow.. just wow!!

Galaxy note 2 - Next month!! Insane!

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DcgZum8M1o

Galaxy Notes are hideously big.

Takes me back to the days when I walked around looking like a complete fud with the N-Gage by my ear.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Taz Mangus Avatar
175 months ago
Thinner, Lighter, Faster. More of the same. iPhone 4SS.

Zzzzzzzzzzz

Let me guess you wanted fatter, heavier and slower ;)
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Ryth Avatar
175 months ago
My heart is yearning for the black one!!!

Despite it being called iPhone 5. :rolleyes:
Every version I've preferred the black one...except this one. I think the White one is the superior looking one this time around. Reasoning...I think the silver back and sides will show less scratches therefore you can go case-less or even just a small bumper around it.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)