The new iPhone officially launches on September 21, and everyone who want one on launch day (and didn’t pre-order fast enough) will probably be standing in line! If you fall in that category, you may still have some questions about which iPhone 5 to buy – or whether you should upgrade at all! We’ve put together this handy guide to help you answer the tough questions!
If you already have an iPhone 4 or 4S, you may be wondering whether it will be worth upgrading to the iPhone 5. In short, it depends on how you’ll use the device. If you frequently use your iPhone 5 for photos, the new camera (with its sapphire lens cover) should be a real benefit to you. And if you view documents, or use content-intensive apps, you might find that the taller screen is exactly what you need. It’s also thinner, lighter, and faster, which can also be big factors. We think there are plenty of reasons to upgrade! If you need more convincing, check out Six Reasons To Upgrade To The iPhone 5!
This boils down to personal preference, as well as how you plan on using your iPhone. Both versions of the iPhone 5 look incredible. I’ve heard people say that white is better for reading and viewing documents, or that black is better for video. I’m not too sure that the color makes a huge difference – except you’ll be looking at it every day, so pick whichever color makes you happiest!
In the U.S., the iPhone 5 is available on Sprint, Verizon, and AT&T. It’s also available on many carriers around the world. Researching pricing, LTE support, data caps, and other factors are a great idea to help make sure you select the right carrier. It’s also worth taking a look at a coverage map to see which of the two carriers have better network coverage near your home, workplace, and places you frequently visit.
If you’re upgrading, and you’re already close to capacity on your current iPhone, it’s likely going to be worth it to move to the next size up. If you’re buying your first iPhone, think about what you’ll be doing on your device. If you plan to store photos, music and videos on your device, or if you plan to use a lot of apps or play a lot of games, you should probably choose at least a 32GB iPhone.
The answer to this question is almost always yes. The $99 AppleCare+ plan offered for the new iPad not only extends your warranty to a full two years, but also covers up to 2 incidents of accidental damage protection. If you’re at all accident prone, or think there’s even a remote chance that your iPad may encounter problems (like a stuck home button) after the first year, it would be wise to purchase AppleCare.
There are a number of retail stores where you can buy the iPhone 5 – but I tend to recommend the Apple Store as the best bet to make sure you get a device before they run out! For more information, check out the following posts:
Don’t worry if you make the wrong choice at first. Load your new iPhone up with content and see how much space you have left. Apple doesn’t charge a restocking fee, and will let you trade for another model within 14 days. They also keep a stock of replacement devices on hand, so even if the Apple Online Store and Apple Retail Stores are out of stock, you’ll likely still be able to make an exchange. Good luck, and enjoy your new iPhone! Feel free to check out these other resources to help yo buy and get started with your new iPhone 5:
Check out our iPhone 5 launch page for our full assortment of tips, guides, apps, resources, and other iPhone 5 coverage!