X
Tech

Apple's iPhone 5 revealed: roundup

Apple announced on Wednesday, after months of speculation, the iPhone 5. Here's what you need to know, as well as a roundup of ZDNet and CNET's coverage.
Written by Zack Whittaker, Contributor

screen-shot-2012-09-12-at-22-49-44.png

The leakiest announcement in Apple's history: the iPhone 5 was revealed. Yes, in San Francisco yesterday, but day after day, week after week on the blogs and the news outlets. Still, in case you missed any of it -- despite the majority of the leaks proving true -- Apple still had a few surprises up its sleeve. 

The new iPhone boasts a whole new design with a larger 4-inch screen, an improved A6 processor, and global 4G LTE cellular network support for dozens of networks in the U.S., Europe and Asia. It also comes with the latest iOS 6 mobile operating system, packed with new features such as Maps, Facebook integration, Passbook, and much more.

Also see: All ZDNet iPhone coverage | All CNET iPhone coverage | Techmeme | Apple statement

Available for pre-ordering on September 14 with shipping starting on September 21, the iPhone 5 comes in three different flavors: 16GB at $199, 32GB at $299, and 64GB at $399 on a two-year contract. 

Think that's all you need to know? There's a lot to digest in the hour-long media event. Here's a roundup of what you need to know, from ZDNet and sister-sites CNET and CBS News:

Apple announces iPhone 5: What you need to know

ZDNet: As expected, Apple has announced the much-anticipated next-generation iPhone at a media event in San Francisco. Here's the run down of what you need to know.

Apple's iPhone 5 event: By the numbers

ZDNet: During Apple's media event to announce the new iPhone 5 in San Francisco, the Cupertino-based giant released a mass of figures. Here's what was said.

Apple's iPhone 5: Winners and losers

Zack Whittaker, ZDNet: Apple announced this week the long-awaited iPhone 5. Boasting a wealth of new features and technologies, today isn't just about Apple. Who will gain and lose out from Wednesday's event?

Apple unveils the iPhone 5: photos

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes, ZDNetApple has unveiled the iPhone 5, which it claims is the "biggest thing to happen to the iPhone since the iPhone". Here's a visual tour of what the new handset brings to the table.

Apple makes it official: Meet the iPhone 5

Charles Cooper, CNET: Taller, lighter thinner than its predecessor, Apple sticks with former naming convention in unveiling its latest smartphone.

Where, when, and how to buy the iPhone 5

Jason Cipriani, CNET: We have all the information you need to get the iPhone 5 on launch day.

Apple iPhone 5 announcement, what else we learned

Chenda Ngak, CBS News: The iPhone 5 features a larger 4-inch screen, 8 megapixel camera, 1080p video recording, a 720p front-facing camera, panoramic photos and a new dock connector called Lightning.

iPhone 5 has enterprise potential, but disappointing overall

Ellyne Phneah, ZDNetApple's latest gadget offers features suitable for work, making it a worthy contender in the enterprise space, but isn't revolutionary enough and adds inconvenience to consumers.

So, what's new? Comparing the iPhone 4S and iPhone 5

Lynn La, CNET: Now that Apple has finally unveiled the iPhone 5, CNET stacks it up against its predecessor, the iPhone 4S, and compares its newest features.

Apple's iOS 6 release date: Start your downloads on Sept. 19

Donna Tam, CNET: The company unveils the official release date for the new operating system with promises of improvements to mapping, Siri and more.

iPhone 5: Apple's worst kept secret

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes, ZDNet: Apple has just unveiled the iPhone 5, and for anyone who has been keeping up with all the hardware leaks over the past few months, there's an unnerving sense of déjà vu as the new hardware seems awfully familiar.

A fool's errand: iPhone 5 skips the self-checkout line (and NFC)

Jason D. O'Grady, ZDNet: Apple today announced an evolutionary upgrade to its flagship iPhone handset, but it left out NFC hardware. In the process, the world's most valuable company left billions of dollars in potential point-of-sale commissions on the table.

Apple's big iPhone 5 reveal: pictures

CNET: The company announces its thinner, lighter, and taller iPhone 5 with LTE. It also debuts a new iPod Touch and Nano. See how Apple's press event unfolded this morning through photos taken at the scene.

Apple's iPhone 5 upgrade cycle secured with global LTE, 4G support

Larry Dignan, ZDNet: Yes, the iPhone 5 may have a better screen and improved design. But most of you will sign up because Apple is offering global 4G support finally.

iPhone 5 to first hit Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan in Asia

Ryan Huang, ZDNet: The three countries are among the first wave of nine markets worldwide that will sell Apple's latest smartphone on Sep. 21, but not all telcos may be supporting its LTE capability.

Why the iPhone 5 will work on the UK's new 4G network

Ben Woods, ZDNet: Now that EE is launching its 1800MHz network, the UK will have access to 4G services for the first time. The question everyone wants to know the answer to is: will Apple's next iPhone have support for it?

iPhone 5 officially unveiled: Just what Apple needed

James Kendrick, ZDNet: The hoopla has died down from the iPhone 5 event, including the band Foo Fighter packing up its gear. The new phone is an evolution of the most successful smartphone in history which is just right for Apple.

I miss Apple's reality distortion field

Larry Dignan, ZDNetWithout Apple's patented reality distortion field, the company launches a new iPhone 5, but resembles many other tech companies.

With iPhone 5, Apple is out to prove it's still the king

Roger Cheng, CNET: Well, at least king for the holidays. But a lot has changed since the last massive update to the iPhone came out more than two years ago.

Apple announces iPhone 5: larger, faster, 4G LTE

Chenda Ngak, CBS News: "It's an absolute jewel," Schiller said. For the most part, the iPhone 5 looks like previous models, but taller and thinner.

Are operators ready to handle LTE?

Charlie Osborne, ZDNet: A new survey released by Opennet suggests that while operators have the LTE network ready, billing systems and management leave a lot to be desired.

Apple's era of secrecy is over

Andrew Nusca, ZDNet: Apple introduced the new iPhone 5 today. It was entirely underwhelming. Why? Because we knew about it well ahead of time.

Apple's big iPhone launch: What could go wrong

Larry Dignan, ZDNetLet's play the contrarian game. The world says that Apple's iPhone 5 launch will kick off the greatest upgrade cycle in the history of electronic devices. Here are the wild cards that could prove the analysts wrong.

Apple's iPod Nano design: Evolution, revolution or vision whiplash?

Andrew Nusca, CNET: Does Apple have a vision for what it wants the Nano to be when it grows up? In a portfolio of extremely consistent products, the Nano has ballooned and shrunk with each new generation.

Apple accidentally outs iPhone 5 name, LTE support, and new iPods

Zack Whittaker, CBS News: The technology giant can't catch a break: for the most-leaked iPhone to date, Apple today delivered the nail in the leaky coffin. 

Apple iPhone 5 gives the world a new connector: Lightning

Stephen Shankland, CNET: Feel like you don't have enough cables in your desk drawer? To better fit small devices and to make them easier to use, Apple just introduced a whole new cable.

By adding new maps and more FaceTime, iOS 6 hits major marks (updated)

Kent German; Jason Parker, CNET: Coming soon for the iPhone and iPad, iOS 6 will add several long-awaited features, including turn-by-turn navigation and FaceTime calls over a cell network.

Editorial standards