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Why the iPhone 5 is Even More Anticipated Than the iPhone 4

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A couple of days ago, we brought your attention to the results of a survey that exclaimed that the upcoming iPhone 5, or whatever Apple is going to call it, is even more anticipated than the iPhone 4 was last year.

The survey was conducted by investment bank RBC Capital Markets and it asked 2,200 people in early August whether or not they would be purchasing the next iPhone and 31% of those interviewed stated that they would either be likely or somewhat likely to buy the iPhone 5.

RBC asked the same question about the iPhone 4 back in 2010, before its launch, and found that 25% of respondents wanted one. So, why the sharp increase? Why is the iPhone 5 even more anticipated than the phone that turned out to be the best selling smartphone ever made?

iPhone 4

Here are some theories.

Emergence of LTE

You may have heard. There is a new, next-generation network out called 4G LTE. Data speeds absolutely trounce those of regular 3G service and those who regularly use their smartphone for data consumption are over the moon not only with the network’s quickness but are also curious about pairing LTE up with the most iconic smartphone of all time, the iPhone.

Currently, Verizon is the only major U.S. provider that has a 4G LTE network in place. AT&T launches its network on Sunday in five cities across the United States and MetroPCS’ network is more like a glorified 3G network.

But because AT&T’s network is so new, I have a hard time believing that Apple is going to be releasing a 4G LTE iPhone this year. That being said, it’s certainly still possible that Apple might surprise and there are tons of people holding onto the hope that the iPhone 5 has true 4G capabilities.

Droid BionicExpectations Are Higher Than Ever

2011 has seen Android rise to prominence as a smartphone superpower. Almost every month we see the launch of at least one, powerful Android-powered device with incredible specifications. And that means there is quite a bit of pressure on Apple to keep pace with the competition.  Consumers expect Apple’s next iPhone to be on par, hardware-wise, with the best Android devices and Apple generally doesn’t  disappoint its customers.

In addition, Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7.5 operating system has all the makings of a serious contender. It’s a gorgeous operating system that will now have a gorgeous hardware option in the form of Nokia’s Sea Ray.

Consumers have always expected big things from Apple but now that the competition has finally caught up, I think the expectations and thus, the anticipation, have increased dramatically.

Missed June Launch

Oh, and if you forgot, Apple neglected to launch an iPhone at this year’s WWDC in San Francisco instead choosing to focus on software. That means that we’ve had an extremely large gap between iPhone releases. The iPhone 4 was released well over a year ago.

This means that iPhone 3GS users, who bought the phone at launch, have had to wait awhile to see if they want to upgrade to another iPhone. It means that those off-contract have had to wait in order to weigh their options. It means that those who upgrade every year have had to hold off.

The excitement had been brewing months before June and I can’t even imagine how some people must be feeling now that we’re in September.

iOS 5

iOS 5

Like I said, WWDC 2011 was all about software. We saw the introduction of Mac OS X Lion, the unveiling of iCloud and also, the first appearance of iOS 5, an operating system that is packing some highly anticipated features. In fact, the new OS have over 200 new features including a Notifications Center, iMessage, Reminders, OTA updates, and a whole lot more.

It’s an exciting piece of software. maybe the most exciting piece of Apple software ever, and many people out there are hoping to pair with a new piece of hardware that will hold them over for the next two or so years.

Are you waiting for the iPhone 5? And what’s it going to take from Apple to get you to buy one over an Android or Windows Phone Mango device?

24 Comments

24 Comments

  1. Anonymous

    09/17/2011 at 7:11 am

    The iphone isn’t going to be great … don’t get me wrong its going to be an improvement but it isn’t likely to even have 4g lte it makes phones a little thicker and apple doesn’t like that. The “New” features of ios5 are a joke the notification center is being made because android has one and it is better than the current ios4 notifications. The OTA update have also been available on android for a long time now. Apple slaps 6 month old tech into a fancy looking phone and call it new and breaking edge. They aren’t new they are making it to keep up really … apple is no longer leading edge in the smartphone world … they(apple) made their sprint a while ago, android has been on a steady jog and has passed apple and apple is struggling to keep up 

    • Sleibow

      09/17/2011 at 8:23 am

      The “Apple-Cores” will buy whatever Apple labels as New. I do not know where you are getting your numbers from, but Androids fragmentation among hardware manufacturers will be one reason they will have a difficult time catching up to Apple. Apple products just “work” and that is what the majority of people want, the “nerd” segment is small by comparison.

  2. B Smith

    09/17/2011 at 11:41 am

    Microsoft’s already-failed Windows phone is not “the makings of a serious contender.” Have you seen the sales figures? Less than 2% of the market. Worse than Bada OS.

  3. Cuhulin

    09/18/2011 at 5:44 am

    It’s funny to read the Android and Apple Fan-types going back and forth here.

    I am seriously looking at buying an Iphone 5 when it comes out.  I won’t be buying an Android phone because Android doesn’t begin to do what I want a data-based phone to do.  I had one, and it was a total waste of time for me — just too many limitations in the Google productivity software.  For others, it may be fine. YMMV. 

    I don’t think Windows phone is failed — it’s a first round, and it takes a while to build the ecosystems for these things.  I will revisit that question after Win 8 ships.  

    IOS 5, however, contains nice upgrades to things like task management that I want in a mobile device.  They aren’t revolutionary, but they don’t need to be.  

  4. Michael Moligano

    09/18/2011 at 10:45 am

    My iPhone 3GS still works great, better than the HTC’s and Samsung I tested. iOS is great and safe, Android is open. I like itto just work, so I will buy an iPhone 5. I don’t need 4G(it’s nice to have). I’m back on 2G at the momen’t because the 3G network is so slow, because they are so many 3G phones.

  5. Amylcullen

    09/19/2011 at 12:18 am

    There is just no comparison between an iPhone and an android. iPhones are just always going to trump every other smartphone there is. As far as I’m concerned it is like comparing apples to oranges. Sorry for the pun.

  6. Guest

    09/19/2011 at 1:21 am

    If the new iPhone is non-LTE, forget it, no way I am signing up for a two year contract. It’s fine for the wife, that’s what she likes because it is familiar and easy for her. But I have a hard time settling for less than LTE for the next two years. I also don’t expect it to have a screen larger than 4″, if it’s that large. Sorry, but retina display does not impress me if your own retinas aren’t that sharp. And I want to be able to replace my own battery. Apple if too much like “have it our way” while the other manufacturers continue to add innovation because they are not only competing against Apple, they are competing against each other. There was a time when Apple was pretty much the only game in town, but those days are over. This is one iPhone user that is likely to switch this time around.

  7. Anonymous

    09/19/2011 at 3:01 am

    Just gonna update to OS 5 and get the iPhone 6 in 2012.. hopefully it’s LTE by then in the NY/NJ area for me.

  8. Richard

    09/19/2011 at 12:48 pm

    As for LTE: Apple is not at all hesitant to adopt and promote new technology – where it makes sense, such as optical drives, FireWire, Thunderbolt on their Macs. Despite competitor ads, 4G is quite new, where suitable chipsets are still in development, and battery drain is debilitating. Apple is hypersensitive to criticism about battery life, where users will jump all over them if it’s lacking, and so won’t commit to new technology that compromises overall device usefulness. So, expect iPhone 5 to be 3G, and don’t be surprised if the new iPhone is basically iPhone 4+. And there’s nothing wrong with that. The iPhone will be 4G when the time is right.

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