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The best apps to install on your iPhone 5

James Thornton

James Thornton

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The iPhone 5 has only been available since last weekend and it’s already sold millions of units. If you’re one of the lucky ones to have bought Apple’s new phone, or if you intend to get one in the near future, you might be wondering what apps to install on it.

At the moment, we haven’t seen any significant new apps exclusively for the iPhone 5 – but there are plenty of existing applications that will take advantage of the new capabilities of the new device and the iOS 6 update. Here’s our recommendation of the best apps to install on an iPhone 5:

Ultra-fast connection


The iPhone 5 supports many high speed global networks, including 4G LTE, HSPA, HSPA+ and DC-HSDPA. This will make browsing, streaming videos and downloading content over the air, faster and easier than ever. These apps will help you really take advantage of high speed connections:

YouTube – One of the glaring omissions from iOS 6, YouTube is now downloadable as a third-party app, rather than being built into the phone. It would be a shame to miss out on the millions of videos on the site, especially since buffering is becoming a thing of the past thanks to faster cellular networks.

Netflix – It’s always been a great way to enjoy movies on an iPhone, but 3G/Edge connections just aren’t quick enough for seamless streaming. With the arrival of 4G LTE and faster networks, Netflix on the iPhone 5 will allow you to watch films on the go without worrying about buffering. Netflix is a movie lover’s dream app.

Skype – A better alternative to FaceTime since it’s accessible to all, Skype is a great way to stay in touch with friends and family who are far away. Call quality often stutters over 3G, especially video. Using Skype on an iPhone 5 with a 4G connection will feel like you’re in the same room as the person you’re talking to.

Amazing graphics


One of the most significant innovations of the iPhone 5 is the 4-inch Retina display, which has a 1136×640 resolution. The larger screen displays more saturated colors and looks shinier. This makes it ideal for gamers, and there are some titles that will really benefit from these improved specs:

N.O.V.A 3 – Already one of the best looking iOS games to date, N.O.V.A 3 will come alive on the Retina display of the iPhone 5. It’s a first-person shooter where you roam space stations to try and stop Earth from befalling a terrible fate. It has a compelling storyline, and even if you finish the main game, there’s plenty of multiplayer fun to be had.

Dark Meadow – Built using the famed Unreal Engine 3, Dark Meadow is a beautiful and strange iOS game, perfectly suited for the plush visuals afforded by the iPhone 5. It combines elements of puzzle solving, RPG and action to create a unique fantasy experience. Not recommended for those of a nervous disposition since Dark Meadow is pretty scary – especially in high definition!

FIFA 13 – Released just yesterday, FIFA 13 is the first big game release since the iPhone 5 came out. Its level of realism has been ramped up yet again, both in terms of realistic gameplay and lifelike graphics and animation. The larger screen and crisper visuals of the iPhone 5 will make FIFA 13 a real treat for soccer fans.

Longer battery life


The new A6 chip for iPhone 5, in combination with tweaks to iOS 6, has helped to reduce battery consumption in the new device. Thanks to these improvements, you’ll get more enjoyment out of the following apps – and for longer:

CoPilot Live – The GPS navigator has already been optimized for the new iPhone 5 screen, offering incredible wide screen views of maps. CoPilot Live includes the ability to download maps to your device, before using them offline in the application. It makes a great replacement for the disappointing default Maps application in iOS 6.

Deezer – Thanks to the improved battery life, streaming music lasts much longer on the iPhone 5. Deezer is a solid alternative to Spotify, offering the ability to listen to thousands of artist-based and themed radio channels for free. Subscribing to a premium account will get you access to 18 million streamed and downloadable tracks.

Kindle – Improved battery life is also great for those who read books in digital format. Reading eBooks through the Kindle app will be all the sweeter on the iPhone 5, since on long journeys you won’t have that nagging feeling that your power is about to die.

James Thornton

James Thornton

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