8 Reasons Why Apple’s iPhone 5 Won’t Be a Revolutionary Update

By Malarie
18 Jul, 2012 12:38 am

9 Comments

Conjecture and rumor swarm around Apple’s products like flies at a summer picnic. Every potential photo is analyzed, every rumor picked over until its dried up. Only Apple can get this kind of attention in the tech world. Not even Samsung garners this much attention.

Our very own Sascha has written up 8 reasons why he believes the iPhone 5 won’t be a revolutionary update and why it won’t compete with the innovations of Android that we’ve seen this year. All that follows, is from Sascha

1. Signs Point to Evolution not Revolution

One can argue that LTE and a quad-core processor update is fundamental, but these are generally only features that are available on most competitor’s phones already. Even a marginally enlarged display does not mean that Apple suddenly reinvents the phone.

2. What is revolutionary?

In 2012, it is not really that easy to differentiate between competing smartphones. Large screen, 720p resolution, Super AMOLED display, 8MP camera, quad cores … It’s all one. Mass production of high end technologies makes it harder and harder to say, “This is revolutionary.”

3. Apple just doesn’t “Do” revolutionary updates with the iPhone

Let’s look at the amazing success story and history of the first Apple iPhone, now that was something new. But generation after generation of iPhones since then have received only rudimentary upgrades. Apple seems to have no interest in radical update practices of other companies. They don’t take risks, and as they say, nothing risked, nothing gained. The iPhone is developed in small steps and the sales figures give Apple the right to mosey along.

4. Don’t scare the business customer

When the iPhone was introduced in 2007, it was aimed especially at the retail level. Meanwhile (and this is due above all to the enormous number of extremely high quality apps), the iPhone is also a popular platform for business customers and those afraid of radical updates like the plague!

5. Apple has to catch up, not overtake!

Of course, HTC, Samsung, Motorola, Sony and LG make technical leaps with each generation. The 2nd generation of the iPad and iPhone 4S had to catch up technically with the competition, but they did not overtake the competition. Apple’s loyal customer base will buy them anyway because technical wizardy isn’t their concern.

6. Ultimately, the software counts.

Apple’s iOS has not reinvented the mobile operating system, or even defined it, but they have revolutionized the market and created a brand that reaps much profit in annual updates. The closed ecosystem offers definite advantages in the integration of fundamental functions and is therefore very popular.

7. Technological gimmicks are expensive.

A transparent display? A 20MP camera or even a 1080p display? Revolutionary technologies are expensive and if Apple wants to upset the competition, they need something to justify the price. Of course, Apple is a premium brand and clearly that iPhone is in its highest stage as a luxury item, but there is also a limit for Apple!

8. To Apple users,  a revolution isn’t necessary.

Nobody has brand loyalty like Apple. Nobody even dreams of achieving the emotional response Apple triggers with its customers. The iPhone will certainly be a bestseller this time around as well because of this customer base, so why, would Apple start revolutionizing what already works so well?

What do you think? Is the iPhone 5 worth the hype? What is a revolutionary update in today’s market? Will you be getting an iPhone 5?