This week, Apple introduced its next generation of iPhones. While the company traditionally drops the price of the previous iPhone model when it announces a new model, this time around Apple had a different strategy: eliminate the iPhone 5 completely and make a new-looking and budget-friendly iPhone 5C.
Andrew Cunningham was in San Francisco for Apple's announcement and brought us a hands on look at the near future in A tale of two iPhones: Hands-on with the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C (update: video!). In the comments beneath the story, our readers shared some of their first reactions to the new products.
"That 5C case looks like a Lint Collector Supreme (kind of like a Sorcerer Supreme, but with less neatly kept hair)," wrote Demani. Some, like foetusinc, were bored: "I was hopelessly hoping maybe gold was just a tease and there would be actual colors for the 5S. Red/Green/Blue anodize would look awesome if done right. Honestly, I'd seriously consider buying the 5S guts in a 5C case if it were an option—I'm completely bored with colorlessness."
The fingerprint reader really struck a chord for some. "I'm still struck by the fingerprint reader. It's just so natural a thing to see," cooed Happysin. "It almost feels like Apple decided to go with that button on day one of the first iPhone because one day they knew it would become their fingerprint reader. It's perfect." yolnizzle agreed, adding, "For me, the best features on the new device are the fingerprint sensor and the M7 Chip. Can't wait to see the kind of applications developers churn out!"
But the new phones still disappointed others: "3 years in a row without a bump to the 16/32/64 storage tiers (or a reduction in price). Surely flash prices haven't been anywhere near constant?" asked Daniel Smith. jonah agreed. "We're seeing quite a few new apps and games that take up a comparatively huge amount of space. For example, X-Com takes up 3.5+ GB by itself. 16GB looks a lot smaller when you have about 13GB free to start with and start putting a few AAA games on it."
Just a 5 in 5C’s clothing
In our analysis of Apple's launches, Editor at large Jacqui Cheng returned to the Ars CMS to give some perspective of the launch of the iPhone 5C. In her article, The Cheap iPhone™ has been calling from inside the house all along, Jacqui writes about the demographic that Apple is targeting and why it chose to split its line of phones at this point in time.
Commenters on this story were split on hating the colors and design of the 5C and hating the price. Some even managed to do both!
"$550/$650 for the 5C off contract is nowhere near cheap," wrote agifford. "'Costly' is far more appropriate. $249 off contract for a Nexus 4 is a screaming deal in comparison." Onerunjuror was not swayed by the price either: "As someone who was seriously interested in the 5C, that unlocked price is just baffling. It needs to be at least $150 cheaper to be considered "cheap" to someone who is very on the fence about buying one. I probably should have expected a price not too much cheaper since it has the guts from an iPhone 5, but that was kind of a shocker to be honest. I want to replace the parents' 3GS's, but at that price it may have to wait. At least I have until Christmas to save the money should I go ahead and get them each one."
grimmReaper pulled no punches, "the iPhone 5C is not a cheap phone. It is still a costly phone made with cheaper material. Usually Apple releases an 'S' model and reduces the price of the previous model to $99 (with contract). Instead they are offering a plastic iPhone with a $99 contract. I don't see how this will help the customers."
"So 'C' is for Cheap, and 'S' is for 'Spensive?" quipped craigc.
RockDaMan was tentatively impressed, however:
Great writeup.
I'm in the market for a new phone—but no way you can buy one of these sight unseen. I'm going to have to see them in person before deciding on model. I'm into future-proofing when I buy a device I plan to use for two to three years, but I might forgo the technical wizardry of the 5S and get a 32GB white 5C. Decisions, decisions...
My unpopular opinion: the gold 5S will find plenty of takers, not just overseas, but in the USA as well.
In reference to RockDaMan's gold 5S comment, glap1922 responded, "I hope you aren't right, but I fear you are."
Nicky G didn't understand all the 5C haters: "I kind of wish I could get 5S guts in a 5C case! I like the plastic and colors! It's freaking fun, you dorks."
But peterford pointed out something that you'll notice if you look carefully at the image of the iPhone 5C back and case above:
iPhone 5C... lovely.
Interesting colors... lovely.
Snap on contrasting colors ... marvelous!
Holes that make the back of your phone say "non"...um, that's a bit crap isn't it?
The final frontier
Although we may have heard this a number of times before, this week scientists announced that they really, truly...well, probably...believed that Voyager 1 has left the Solar System. Matthew Francis explained in Voyager 1 really has left the Solar System…probably that researchers have become more certain than ever that Voyager 1 is a long, long way from home.
arcite is apparently a space probe that dropped in to leave a quick comment: "I feel a kinship with this ship as its pretty much the same as me. Go forth V'ger into the great space between, may you achieve sentience and one day return in search of your maker."
Bron marveled at the mechanical prowess of Voyager 1's creators. "The Voyager probes have always amazed me. 37 years on and still working (mostly)—and now Voyager 1 has likely left the Solar System. Hats off to NASA and their engineers." Shudder, obviously one of our humanoid (read: inferior) readers, could not compare to Voyager 1: "I'm 36.75 and some of my systems have shut down already. This is quite a feat! The vastness of space is so mind-boggling. Here we have something that is so far away we can't make sense of it, and it's the celestial equivalent of me getting 2 inches outside my front door."
But Airborne Geek took the prize for most enthusiastic: "The Voyagers are still the best thing we've ever done," Geek wrote.
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