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Apple iPhone 5

Apple iPhone 5

Released: September 21, 2012

Price TBA
Display4"
Camera8 MP, f/2.4, 33mm (standard), 1/3.2", 1.4µm, AF
RAM1024GB
BatteryLi-Po 1440 mAh, non-removable (5.45 Wh)

A Masterclass in Minimalism: The Apple iPhone 5 The Apple iPhone 5, launched in 2012, was a defining moment for smartphone design, stripping away bulk to deliver an unprecedentedly light (112g) and slim (7.6mm) aluminum-clad chassis. Targeting users who prioritize premium build quality, pocket-friendly ergonomics, and a seamless iOS ecosystem, this device delivers a hardware experience centered on precision engineering and effective on-the-go performance. It remains a classic study in how to pack high-quality components into a compact, bar-style form factor. Spotlight: The Retina Display & Compact Build A Window to Precision: The 4.0-inch IPS LCD screen offers a sharp 640 x 1136 pixel resolution with an excellent 326 PPI pixel density, rendering text and images with remarkable clarity. Protected by Corning Gorilla Glass and an oleophobic coating, the display is designed for daily durability and smudge resistance. Unmatched Portability: With an aluminum back and frame, the iPhone 5 achieves a featherlight 112g weight. The 7.6mm thickness makes it one of the slimmest devices of its era, ensuring it slides effortlessly into any pocket while delivering a solid, premium feel. Spotlight: Core Performance & Imaging A6 Engine Power: Driven by the Apple A6 (32nm) chipset featuring a dual-core 1.3 GHz Swift CPU and a triple-core PowerVR SGX 543MP3 GPU, the iPhone 5 delivers smooth iOS 6 navigation. Its hardware was engineered to handle the demanding Retina display and fluid multitasking, backed by 1GB of RAM. Reliable Camera System: The 8 MP rear camera with an f/2.4 aperture captures detailed shots, supported by an LED flash, panorama mode, and HDR. The 1.2 MP front-facing camera is tailored for FaceTime calls over Wi-Fi or Cellular, making it a practical tool for its time. Who is this for? / Should you buy it? The Apple iPhone 5 is the ultimate choice for collectors, nostalgia seekers, or users looking for a secondary device that excels as a compact music player or calling machine. It offers undeniable value for those who appreciate iconic industrial design and a lightweight, durable build. However, its 2012-era hardware, non-removable 1440 mAh battery, and lack of expandable storage mean it is strictly a device for enthusiasts or those seeking a minimalist digital experience, not for modern heavy-duty usage.

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Reasons to Buy

  • Iconic, ultra-lightweight aluminum unibody design (112g)
  • Sharp 4-inch Retina display with 326 PPI pixel density
  • Premium build quality with Corning Gorilla Glass protection
  • Reliable 8 MP rear camera with HDR and panorama modes

Reasons to Avoid

  • Small 1440 mAh battery may require frequent charging by modern standards
  • Limited to 1GB RAM and an aging dual-core A6 chipset
  • Lack of expandable storage (no microSD card slot)
  • Obsolete iOS 6 at launch, upgradeable only to iOS 10.3.4
  • No IP rating for water or dust resistance

Full Specifications

Network

Technology
GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
2G Bands
GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - GSM A1428, CDMA 800 / 1900 / 2100 - CDMA A1429
3G Bands
HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - GSM A1428, CDMA2000 1xEV-DO - CDMA A1429
4G Bands
4, 17 - GSM A1428, LTE 700 / 850 / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 - CDMA A1429, LTE 850 / 1800 / 2100 - GSM A1429
Speed
HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps

Launch

Announced
September 12, 2012
Status
Discontinued

Body

Dimensions
123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6 mm
Weight
112 g
Build
Glass front (Glass front (Corning-made glass)), Back (Aluminum back), Frame (Aluminum frame)
SIM
Nano-SIM

Display

Type
IPS LCD
Size
4 inches
Resolution
1136 x 640 pixels (16:9 ratio) (~326 ppi density)
Protection
Corning Gorilla Glass, oleophobic coating

Platform

OS
iOS 6 (Upgradable to iOS 10.3.4)
Chipset
Apple A6 (32 nm)
CPU
Dual-core 1.3 GHz Swift (ARM v7-based)
GPU
PowerVR SGX 543MP3 (triple-core graphics)

Memory

Card slot
No
Internal
16384GB 1024GB RAM, 32768GB 1024GB RAM, 65536GB 1024GB RAM

Main Camera

Modules
8 MP, f/2.4, 33mm (standard), 1/3.2", 1.4µm, AF
Features
LED flash, panorama, HDR
Video
1080p@30fps

Selfie Camera

Modules
1.2 MP, f/2.4, 35mm (standard)
Features
Face detection, FaceTime over Wi-Fi or Cellular
Video
720p@30fps

Sound

Loudspeaker
Yes
3.5mm jack
1

Connectivity

WLAN
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, hotspot
Bluetooth
4.0, A2DP, LE
Positioning
GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS
Radio
No
USB
Lightning, USB 2.0

Features

Sensors
Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass

Battery

Type
Li-Po 1440 mAh, non-removable (5.45 Wh)
Talk time
Up to 225 h (3G)
Stand-by
Up to 8 h (3G)

Misc

Colors
Black/Slate, White/Silver
Models
A1428, A1429, A1442, iPhone5, 1, iPhone5, 2
SAR
1.18 (head) 1.18 (body)
SAR EU
0.95 (head) 0.9 (body)

Tests

Performance
Basemark X: 2229
Display
["Contrast ratio: 1320:1 (nominal) \/ 3.997:1 (sunlight)"]
Camera
["Photo \/ Video"]
Loudspeaker
["Voice 66dB \/ Noise 66dB \/ Ring 67dB"]
Audio quality
["Noise -91.3dB \/ Crosstalk -76.5dB"]
Battery (old)
["Endurance rating 51h"]

Apple iPhone 5 Review

A Masterclass in Minimalism: The Apple iPhone 5

The Apple iPhone 5, launched in 2012, was a defining moment for smartphone design, stripping away bulk to deliver an unprecedentedly light (112g) and slim (7.6mm) aluminum-clad chassis. Targeting users who prioritize premium build quality, pocket-friendly ergonomics, and a seamless iOS ecosystem, this device delivers a hardware experience centered on precision engineering and effective on-the-go performance. It remains a classic study in how to pack high-quality components into a compact, bar-style form factor.

Spotlight: The Retina Display & Compact Build

  • A Window to Precision: The 4.0-inch IPS LCD screen offers a sharp 640 x 1136 pixel resolution with an excellent 326 PPI pixel density, rendering text and images with remarkable clarity. Protected by Corning Gorilla Glass and an oleophobic coating, the display is designed for daily durability and smudge resistance.
  • Unmatched Portability: With an aluminum back and frame, the iPhone 5 achieves a featherlight 112g weight. The 7.6mm thickness makes it one of the slimmest devices of its era, ensuring it slides effortlessly into any pocket while delivering a solid, premium feel.

Spotlight: Core Performance & Imaging

  • A6 Engine Power: Driven by the Apple A6 (32nm) chipset featuring a dual-core 1.3 GHz Swift CPU and a triple-core PowerVR SGX 543MP3 GPU, the iPhone 5 delivers smooth iOS 6 navigation. Its hardware was engineered to handle the demanding Retina display and fluid multitasking, backed by 1GB of RAM.
  • Reliable Camera System: The 8 MP rear camera with an f/2.4 aperture captures detailed shots, supported by an LED flash, panorama mode, and HDR. The 1.2 MP front-facing camera is tailored for FaceTime calls over Wi-Fi or Cellular, making it a practical tool for its time.

Who is this for? / Should you buy it?

The Apple iPhone 5 is the ultimate choice for collectors, nostalgia seekers, or users looking for a secondary device that excels as a compact music player or calling machine. It offers undeniable value for those who appreciate iconic industrial design and a lightweight, durable build. However, its 2012-era hardware, non-removable 1440 mAh battery, and lack of expandable storage mean it is strictly a device for enthusiasts or those seeking a minimalist digital experience, not for modern heavy-duty usage.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, the iPhone 5 does not support 5G. It supports 4G LTE, 3G (HSPA+), and earlier network technologies like GSM and CDMA.

The iPhone 5 has a 1440 mAh non-removable Li-Po battery. According to battery tests, the endurance rating is 51 hours, with talk time up to 8 hours on 3G and standby up to 225 hours.

No, the iPhone 5 does not support fast charging or wireless charging. It charges via the Lightning port and USB 2.0.

The iPhone 5 features an 8 MP rear camera with f/2.4 aperture, autofocus, LED flash, panorama, and HDR. It records 1080p video at 30fps. The front camera is 1.2 MP with f/2.4 aperture and records 720p video at 30fps.

No, the iPhone 5 does not have any IP rating for water or dust resistance. It is not officially water resistant.

The iPhone 5 is powered by the Apple A6 (32 nm) chipset with a dual-core 1.3 GHz Swift CPU and a PowerVR SGX 543MP3 GPU. It comes with 1 GB of RAM and storage options of 16 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB (no expandable storage).

The iPhone 5 originally shipped with iOS 6 and is upgradable to iOS 10.3.4.