iPhone 5: The No-Nonsense Phone

Note: Screen protector is affixed.

Note: There are different GSM versions of the iPhone 5 but they differ only in LTE band support. 
Contrary to what reports are saying, there are no scratches on the retail unit and there is no backlight bleeding. As with any expensive touch-enabled phone I would recommend putting a screen protector and a case to protect the body.
Update: Google Maps is available for iPhone. 

Side view of iPhone 5

The iPhone 5 arrives at a time when there is no clear best phone in the market. It does not win the best affordable phone award, but it certainly is the only premium phone in a small size; the only one with a 4" screen size and the slimmest of them all. The design is refined and understated and, dare I say, masculine unlike the androgynous designs of its predecessors. 

The iPhone does what flagship smartphones do but with finesse. This is evident in the details. Seamless syncing with iTunes, fast browsing speeds, accurate colour reproduction, camera autofocus and auto-exposure, scratch-resistant camera lens, good battery that yield's about a day's usage and charges fast in two hours or less, video stabilization, easy camera shooting and other details are present.

The iPhone 5 provides great display resolution and true colour reproduction

The tightly integrated Apple ecosystem of iDevices, enhancements, iTunes, and the App Store is a major draw. Yes, similar programs are offered on the Android platform but the user must be wary of permissions sought by individual apps before installing. Apple's vetting of apps makes choosing apps safer. Mobile apps roll outs are done on iOS before other mobile operating systems so the library of the Apple Apps Store is larger than other app stores. 

It's not a perfect phone. It would have been helpful if Apple could facilitate contacts migration and backup right out of the box. There is no smart dial and you cannot delete or insert digits in the beginning or middle of a number while dialing. These are minor niggles that do not spoil the experience and ease of use.

The internet is what makes a smartphone a smartphone. Without it, most of the features of such a phone are useless. At the basic level, smart choices show through. The iPhone is the only premium phone that fits comfortably in a jeans pocket. It's telephony is good with noticeable noise cancellation and the excellent signal reception. The battery is adequate for a day's usage and the battery charges in less than two hours. The user interface is speedy and intuitive and naturally complements the physical device.

The iPhone 5 exudes style and sophistication in both form and function. It is a product of deliberate choices in making the best iPhone yet. It doesn't try to overwhelm you with a smorgasbord of features and a slab-size screen. It makes an impression with distinctive simplicity.