It’s amazing to think that it’s already been eight years since the iPhone 5 came out. Within just 3 days of its release date on September 21, 2012, Apple had sold 5 million of these phones. In only 12 months of production, more than 70 million were sold worldwide.
This means that there are a lot of used iPhone 5’s available for sale on classified sites like Kijiji, and on online marketplaces like Orchard. You can save money choosing the iPhone 5 over a newer iPhone, but here’s the big question: is the iPhone 5 still good in 2020?
Why is the iPhone 5 Still Good?
It can handle all of your day-to-day needs
Calling, texting, emails, web browsing, FaceTime… essentially everything that you need on a daily basis is handled with ease by this model. While you could get all of this out of older phones, none deliver with as much style as the iPhone 5.
The 16:9 aspect ratio of the screen is arguably the perfect design for use with one hand. Apple’s design of the iPhone 5 was so revolutionary, its form factor is still used today for the production of the iPhone SE. Add to that the fact that the iPhone 5 is the oldest iPhone compatible with lightning cables and most other Apple accessories, and you can see why it’s still an attractive option.
Pictures and video
Smartphone cameras have come a long way in recent years, but all things considered, the iPhone 5 still gets the job done with good results. It has an 8-megapixel iSight back camera and a 1.2-megapixel front (selfie) camera, both with LED flash. Furthermore, it can shoot HD video at 1080p.
It is the first iPhone with both a low light mode and a panorama mode. Not to mention it captures photos 40% faster than iPhone 4S.
These specs might not mean much to you, but what it translates to is a camera that can still shoot pictures and videos that you won’t be embarrassed to post on Instagram.
A wide range of available apps
Since the iPhone 5 can’t update to iOS 11, some of the most cutting-edge apps won’t run perfectly on it. Down the line, it’s likely that they may stop working entirely. The good news is thousands of apps still do work. This includes functional apps like those for banking and transportation. Plus, there is actually a huge range of apps that only work on older versions of iOS.
Downsides of Using an iPhone 5 in 2019
No more iOS updates
iOS 11 requires a 64-bit processor to support updates, and with its 32-bit chip, the iPhone 5 is left behind. As mentioned above, this means that not all apps will work. If they do they might be a bit buggy. This also means that things like the improved control center, revamped app store, improvements to Siri, and all future upgrades will be out of your reach.
Limited features
The iPhone 5 is packed full of great features, but there are also a number of things that you’ll get on newer phones that aren’t available. You’ll have to do without Touch ID, 3D Touch, stereo speakers, live photos, wireless charging, and much more.
The Verdict: iPhone 5 is Still Good
As far as cheap phones go, the iPhone 5 is the best you can do. If you’re only looking for something to cover the basics, or if want something to last you for a while until you upgrade to something more current, it’s a great choice.
Although the enduring design appeal of this device makes it look modern, it really is not. 5 years is a very long time when it comes to smartphones. If you’re in the market for a phone that you’ll be happy with for the long haul, consider moving up to at least the iPhone 5S.
If you might even want to go one step further up, check out our breakdown of the pros and cons of the iPhone 6.
Or… head on over to our shop and pick up an Apple iPhone 5 for as low as $79 today!
