iPhone 5 is a 'winner,' says Consumer Reports

(Credit: Apple )

The iPhone 5 is among the best smartphones on the market, at least in the eyes of Consumer Reports.

Putting the new phone through the paces, CR was impressed with the larger 4-inch display, the thinner and lighter body, 4G LTE access, and "a host of innovative features." Those factors all pushed the iPhone 5 high in the ratings, beating the iPhone 4S as well as a host of Android phones.

Consumer Reports found improvements in Siri as well as the camera. With the exception of the 41-megapixel camera on the Nokia 808, the iPhone 5's camera tested as the best that CR has seen on a smartphone, offering "beautifully sharp and vibrant photos."

Performance in low-light conditions and shutter speed matched those of the better smartphone cameras but weren't noticeably better than those on the iPhone 4S.

And what of the Maps app? CR's testing found some pros along with the cons.

The app offered clear directions, both on-screen and through voice. The 3D fl... [Read more]