Is it largely a 5 with new colors or is that exactly what it is? not being argumentative, jw

I'm scared to update to the new iOS when it's released. I'm afraid ill hate it. I'll probably wait to see if it really does fix some of the issues that iOS 6.whatever has

It's the components of the five in a new body/dimensions offered in different colors. How you categorize that is up to you

Pretty close.

- Plastic Shell
- Larger battery (more battery life, but slightly thicker and heavier phone)
- Minor tweaks to front-facing camera

ty guys!

So get a 5 or a 5c for the same price? I am getting one for my GF and not sure which one to get. The 5 case is more sturdy too. That has to count for something.

Wtf does "case is more sturdy" mean?

I'd think that the 5c would be more drop-resistant than the 5 thanks to the plastic shell, and when you add in the larger battery I think that's a clear win. I'd think a lot of girls would like the new color choices as well, but maybe I'm being sexist.

Only reason to get the 5 over the 5c is because you really love the exterior design.

I've done extensive accidental testing without a case on my iphone 5, and it is sturdy as hell. I've had probably like 5 or 6 bad drops onto concrete without a case and the screen hasn't cracked at all. Not sure how the plastic shell will effect durability, could go either way imo.

I'm interested but the lack of google maps with navigation isnt worth it

There's an app for that.

Thats what i read. The 5c is plastic and assumed less sturdy.

The metal reinforcing/antenna on the plastic ones probably make up for the difference from the 5S case.

First iPhone upgrade that I don't feel like I'm missing much with staying with the older one. I'll wait for the 6.

Anyone here used Mophie Helium Packs? thinking about getting one for my 5, found one for $50.

I guess it depends on what your previous upgrade cycle was.

from the 3g to the 3gs, that was basically a small upgrade.

then, the 4 was a cool new form factor and it truly was new. so I could have seen upgrading from either the 3g or the 3gs.

but then the 4s? meh, more of an incremental upgrade over the 4.

then the 5 was pretty cool b/c it brought the much bigger screen.

I feel like the 5s is fairly analogous to the upgrades of that the 4s or 3gs were. if I had a 5 I wouldn't be dying for one. great new camera sure, but the other killer feature seems to be the fingerprint thing, and I don't even use a password at all on my phone. so, meh for me.

but if I had any older gen I would want it.

Crazy ride. We went from the Model T to a Rolls Royce Phantom in 6 years, and in the 7th year we got the Phantom with keyless access and new paint codes.

I guess now I'll just upgrade when my phone gets FUBAR.

That's been available for like a year or two now

That's why apple released their maps...google was never gonna give iOS voice nav until they had to in order to not lose all those users

It depends on the plastic they used, but in general plastic is going to be able to absorb shock better. Metal is obviously stronger than plastic, but it's also more rigid and brittle. So when impacted, metal is going to transmit that shock to the glass screen. It'll also chip easily. I'd say the majority of my iPhone-owning friends have experienced chips and cracked screens, since they all don't want to use a case.

Plastic, on the other hand, is able to flex and absorb shock, so in theory it would reduce the likelihood of the glass cracking and be less prone to chips.

But it depends a bit on the plastic used and a lot on the construction of the shell and assembly, so I'm not saying it's 100% across the board. Just that I'd suspect the 5c to be better than the 5s in drops.

Thanks for the info, I'm going to buy one ($60 in the uk)

Waze is the best navigation app anyway

Craigslist iPhone market currently flooded here, wide range of prices for 16gb 5 from 275 - 600

Yea should have clarified. I'm on the 3G/4/5 upgrade path. So mine isn't up until next year.

For anyone that is looking to pick up a "great deal" on ebay or CL, make sure you check the phone's IMEI number at:

http://www.t-mobile.com/VERIFYIMEI.ASPX

I am 1 for 2 on acquiring a phone with a good IMEI number.

BTW, as a footnote: If you put a simcard into a blacklisted phone, the carrier will KILL the simcard.

I wonder who just bought Waze...