NEWS ANALYSIS: Apple's iPhone 5 is scheduled to hit store shelves next month. Apple fans and mobile market pundits have been speculating about when it will arrive. But when it finally does hit the market, you can bet it'll be worth the wait.
Apple's
iPhone 4S is getting a little old. The device's dual-core processor doesn't
quite hold up against its powerful, quad-core competitors. Furthermore its
design, while still nice, is starting to look long in the tooth, compared to
the latest models that have reached the market in recent months. Apple's iPhone
simply needs a refresh.
Luckily,
Apple
plans to offer up a new iPhone next month, according to reports. The updated
model, which has yet to even be confirmed much less named by Apple, will more
than likely ship with iOS 6. Better yet, it'll have an improved processor, and
according to nearly every rumor out there, a 4-inch screen, dwarfing the
3.5-inch display currently available in its iPhone 4S.
By the look of things, the next iPhone is going to be a major step up over the
iPhone 4S. And with any luck at all, it'll come in at the same $199 price with
the usual two year wireless carrier contract, making it all the more worthwhile
a purchase.
Today, though, there may be many folks who are ready to buy a new smartphone. There
are plenty of Android handset makers that would be more than happy to help them
make that purchase. But even smartphone shoppers ready now to make that final
decision would be well advised to consider waiting for the next iPhone. Chances
are it'll be worth the wait.
Read on to find out why:
1. It'll come with a better processor
Although it's tough to say if the iPhone 5 will come with the long-rumored quad-core
processor or the dual-core A5X chip found in Apple's new iPad, it's not a
stretch to say that it'll definitely come with a better processor than is
currently built into the iPhone 4S. What that means is the next iPhone will
deliver better performance and offer up a vastly improved user experience. Who
can get upset with that?
2. That larger screen is coming
There's little doubt that
Apple
will be delivering a larger screen in the iPhone 5. Apple's competitors are
nearly all offering displays larger than the iPhone 4S' 3.5-inch screen, making
it a near-necessity for Apple to respond. Look for a 4-inch display to come to
the iPhone 5.
3. 4G LTE is the new standard
Now that Apple has finally brought 4G LTE to its iPad,
it
would only make sense for the company to follow suit with its next iPhone.
With 4G LTE, consumers and enterprise users can connect to faster networks,
creating a superior wireless connection and browsing experience to what's
currently available in the iPhone 4S. Waiting for 4G LTE to come to the iPhone
is definitely worth the wait.
4. The Galaxy S III isn't an iPhone
There are many high-quality Android-based devices on store shelves, but the best of
the bunch is the Samsung Galaxy S III. While that might seem like a fine
alternative to the iPhone 4S, it likely won't be able to hold up against the
iPhone 5. With that in mind, it might be best to wait for Apple's handset
rather than go with what will likely be trumped in the next few weeks.
5. Apple's current iPhones are lame ducks
If customers really can't wait to get another smartphone,
buying
the Galaxy S III or one of Apple's current iPhones might do the trick.
However, it should be pointed out that Apple's iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S are lame
ducks with features and components that will soon be outdated. There's nothing
worse than buying an Apple product, only to have it replaced in a couple of
weeks.
6. Windows Phone 8 won't do the trick
Those strongly considering a Windows Phone 8 device will need to wait at least a
couple of months before they can get their hands on that operating system.
Right now, most Windows Phone 8 devices are expected to be announced in
September and likely hit store shelves in October or so. Considering Apple's
iPhone 5 will likely launch in September, those looking for a new device sooner
rather than later would do better to jump on Apple's handset rather than wait
for Microsoft's operating system to launch.
7. RIM is struggling to survive
There was a time when RIM's BlackBerry devices were considered a reasonable
alternative to Apple's iPhone. Nowadays, however, that's simply not the case.
RIM is dead in the water. And it's a mistake to either own one of the company's
products or buy one of them at any point in the future. It's much better to
wait for the iPhone and get a device that will still prove relevant for at
least the next two years.
8. For the enterprise, it's the only move
Looking around the mobile market, it's hard to find a single device besides those
fading RIM handsets that will be as welcome in the enterprise as the iPhone
over the next few years. The device is what employees are increasingly bringing
into the office as the BYOD craze continues and companies are warming to the
idea of supporting it.
The
iPhone 5 might just be the most popular Apple handset to ever hit the
enterprise.
9. Remember Apple's support practices
Getting a new iPhone now or sticking with what you have might prove troublesome down
the road. Apple is notorious for requiring its customers to update and after a
couple of years, stops supporting certain devices. Nowhere is that more
apparent than in the iPhone 3GS and iOS 6. Keep that in mind when deciding
whether to buy a new iPhone.
10. What iPhone isn't?
Let's face it: Apple's iPhone is the top smartphone in the world. And with each new
launch, Apple delivers something new and exciting that proves worth the wait.
With the iPhone 5 just a month away, according to reports, it would only make
sense to wait and once again take advantage of Apple's updates.
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