iHistory: A Look Back At iPhone Releases And Reactions

iPhone 5

Announcement Date: Sept. 12, 2012

Release Date: Sept. 28, 2012

Key Additions: 7.6 mm thin, 20 percent lighter, extra row of apps, Apple A6 processor, longer battery life, 4-in. Retina display, 8 megapixel camera, Lightning charger connection

The iPhone 5 redesign presented a lighter, slightly larger phone that allowed for an extra row of apps without making it too large to fit in the palm of a user's hand. Expanded Siri capabilities and longer battery life on the iPhone 5 helped appease some earlier critics of the iPhone 4S. Major criticisms of the new phone included the switch to Apple Maps, lighter weight that made it feel cheaper and the new charger port that made it no longer compatible with Apple devices. Apple saw a positive stock response to the announcement on Sept. 12, with stock prices rising 4 percent in three days.