News & Reviews:   Apple iPhone 5

Apple has long been a supporter of releasing only one product in a one-size-fits-all sort of approach with their devices and smartphones. The Apple iPhone is no different. Samsung on the other hand like to flood the market with a smartphone for every use, niche or price point, which is why some sources believe that Apple may be looking to do the same soon.

While we've seen any number of drop tests between the Samsung Galaxy S4 and the Apple iPhone 5, we've never seen how much punishment each device can actually take. The video below shows just that, putting both smartphones through total destruction tests to see just how tough and durable each smartphone is. The results may surprise you, especially considering that one is made from a supposedly tougher aluminum unibody, while another is mostly premium plastic. Granted, the Samsung Galaxy S4 does have Gorilla Glass 3 but this is only good for screen related tests.

Apple has always been more about their optimized software or operating system than other smartphone or device makers, so it comes as no surprise that the main reveal of WWDC 2013 was iOS 7. Coming with many new features, the new operating system will be available in Q3 (probably around August), for Apple iPhone 5 users. Developers and those with access can download the beta through the developer portal.

Based on a rumour from China, possibly from component suppliers, Apple may be doubling the amount of pixels in the screen for the next iPhone. This would result in the side bezels becoming thinner, following the same look and feel as the iPad mini. Currently, the iPhone 5 has a Retina display with 730000 pixels anda pixel density of 326ppi. Doubling the number of pixels would mean about 1500000 pixels for a pixel density of 460ppi.

While it still hasn't come out yet, the Apple iPhone 5S continues to gain more and more rumours. While hardware rumours such as an improved 2MP front-facing camera seem very unlikely (the S versions of Apple's iPhone usually involve software upgrades more than hardware upgrades) some rumours still fit. This includes a rumour from iOSDoc that mentions the next iPhone will come out with iOS 7 and the ability to record full HD Videos. It also mentions the fact that it may have a dual-shot feature allowing you to take a shot or a video using both cameras at the same time.

It is always interesting to see behind-the-scene shots of how the people who made something truly excellent came to those decisions. That being said, the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV creators and designers supposedly got their inspiration for it from the stars in the night sky. The HTC One design team on the other hand were aiming for zero-gap construction which resulted in the beautifully elegant aluminum unibody design available from the HTC One. The Apple iPhone 5 was also designed with the idea of making a much better phone than before.

Watching expensive smartphones fall is usually a nightmare most people don't want to see, but with the recent release of the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV we now have it in not one but two drop tests against the Apple iPhone 5 and the Samsung Galaxy SIII. Samsung have defended and stood by their decision to continue using a plastic polycarbonate body for the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV but have upped the protection for the display with a Corning Gorilla Glass 3 screen which recently proved it was as scratch proof as it could possibly be.

What they found out

The folks at iFixit just love tearing down smartphones and this was no different for the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV when it officially came out. After a brief tear down they discovered that the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV:

• has a removable battery
• has an iFixit score of 8 out of 10
• uses IR sensors near the screen to enable Air View and Air Gesture
• has one of the most sensitive screens around (can even use with gloves)
• has the same 4G LTE chip as Google Nexus 4

Celcom has officially begun the roll-out of its 4G LTE network with a 1000 first-come first-serve deal for all their subscribers. As mentioned earlier, this deal is for 3-months service with the USB dongle. While this seems to be the only device and plan for Celcom 4G LTE for now, the company have stated that more plans and more devices are coming.

At their official roll-out the company listed the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV, Apple iPhone 5, Nokia Lumia 920 and Sony Xperia Z as smartphones that would support Celcom's 4G LTE network. They hope to roll out LTE support for the iPhone 5 this 18 May 2013 (which according to them is the actual commercial launch date for the service).

Volkswagon recently showed off the iBeetle at the 2013 Shanghai Auto Show. Featuring a Volkswagon Beetle with better Apple iPhone integration, the iBeetle offers a built-in docking station which allows the Apple iPhone 5 to be used as a mobile navigation system, entertainment hub and access the Beetle app on the iPhone.