OK, now that I've had a little over a week with the iPhone 5, I can tell you that it is the best iPhone yet without reservation. While many have criticised Apple for not really innovating, I think there are really a few innovations here that have been over looked.
A new connector - Lightning
The Lightning connector may not seem like a big deal, or to others has been seen as an inconvenience, but is a game changer in my book. Yes, it will mean new accessories will need to be purchased. It means I need to have 2 different adapters in my car, one for the iPhones Carrie and I have, one for our iPads and older iPhones the kids carry. However, the advantage of being able to just plug a cable in without fumbling to make sure the correct side is up while driving is a HUGE improvement not just to use but to safety in a world where many of us plug our phones into our cars for everything from entertainment while driving to GPS navigation.
Maps
While the maps are not perfect (or even ready to be used for navigation in most areas), they are a sign that Apple is once again trying to branch out into existing areas without reliance on partners. While this could backfire like the ill-fated Ping service or the iPod Hi-Fi, it could end up making Apple a player in a market they have left to others in the past. Apple has always been a company that tries to do thing themselves when unhappy with the way partners or other companies are doing things. Google would not give them the turn-by-turn directions that were needed to really integrate maps properly, preferring to reserve that aspect to it's own Android platform. This left Apple with a choice: either continue to let media and users see them as sub-par to Google, or make a change. While they may not be firing on all cylinders to start with in iOS 6 with maps, you can expect that to change quickly. Now that they can see the places improvement is needed, Apple can get people and processes on board to address the issues and get things right.
Specs/Performance
The iPhone 5 is by far the fastest iPhone, and according to tests from the major hardware sites, the fastest Smartphone on the market. Combined with a true HD screen and a smaller form factor the iPhone 5 sets the standard once again for performance and features. It is still the phone everyone envys, and is the only phone in the category that creates the kind of frenzy we saw at launch. No other smartphone has ever sold-out presale availability in less than an hour. No other phone in the category has EVER sold more than 4 million units in the first weekend. In every way that matters to Wall Street and consumers, the iPhone 5 is a winner.
There are a lot of sites that can give you performance breakdowns and benchmarks. What I want you to know is that you will not be disappointed in this purchase, now or in 6 months. Lets see any other device give you that.