Hello everyone...first, I have been a loyal Apple fan for years and have owned every iPhone to date. However, one thing I learned during my 12 year military career was to keep an open mind and always be willing to adapt to change. Therefore, after purchasing an iPhone 5 on launch day, and subsequently returning it for a replacement within one week, and then replacing that phone with a 3rd iPhone 5, I realized that the one obvious flaw this phone has over its predecessors is subpar battery life. I, like many of you, have been very frustrated and have tried every conceivable option to optimize battery life. So, I recently sold the device and utilized my upgrade eligibility to test drive the Samsung Galaxy Note 2. Essentially, my reason for doing so was mainly battery life. I try not to complain about much as I am breathing oxygen and am very blessed and fortunate. And, I find myself at times trying not to get too uptight about a luxury device that is basically a communication tool and ultimately unimportant in the big scheme of things (family, love, health, etc.).
Anyway, I apologize for being philosophical....bottom line, as a consumer who utilizes this communication device, I had simply hoped to get a full day out of my iPhone 5 without having to inconveniently charge it multiple times. But, as with any device, the hardware and specs will play a part in how the device operates. Obviously, usage via games, texting, talking, and browsing will play a huge part no matter what size battery or device. However, I would classify myself as the "average" user and still found myself having to search for a charger around 2-3pm each day after unplugging my iPhone at 6:30am each morning. Again, only casual browsing, emails, and texting/calling drained my battery to under 10%. Finally, I realized that (and this is only my personal opinion) no update from Apple (iOS 6.1) will aid this device simply due to its form factor and hardware.
Bottom line, this is a very powerful, and wonderfully engineered phone with 4G capability and when used, will drain power from the 1440mAh battery...its a inevitable reality that I couldn't accept. I do miss the fluidity of iOS and the simple nature of the iPhone 5. However, I must admit that with my Note 2's 3100mAh battery, I am not having to compromise on what I turn on/off and how I use the phone. Yes, its bigger, glitchy, and simply not Apple. But, it works and I don't have to worry about battery life which is a huge factor for me (I'm not always around a wall/car chager). Maybe a battery case will help some of you and its a shame that you might have to invest another $100 into accessories after shelling out money for your iPhone 5. But, to me that was the only option when deciding to keep or sell my iPhone. So, I invested the other $100 into the Note 2 and ironically, I really like it. I miss the form factor of the iPhone 5 and its simplicity...and, even caught myself this morning second guessing my decision to keep the Note 2, or go back to my beloved iPhone 5 and buy a case. Ultimately, it's unfortunate that Apple made a product that is powerful and fast without substantially increasing the size of the battery...yes, its light and beautiful, but very frustrating to constantly monitor usage and settings. However, because of the small 1440mAh battery, the iPhone 5 is simply a Ferrari with a 5 gallon fuel tank. It's awesome to drive...but the ride is over so quickly before refueling begins. Apple, I appreciate your willingness to create a thin, light, and beautiful phone...but, couldn't you have sacrificed a little thickness and weight for a 2100mAh battery? I hope you're listening.......