The iPhone 5 Is 'Ugly'

Leaked photos of Apple's iPhone 5 are everywhere, and reports keep coming in that they are legit. The problem for Apple is that consumers don't seem to be all that impressed with the designs of the phones in those leaked images. After publishing lots of these pictures and hearing over and over in the comments and on Twitter that the iPhone 5 looked ugly, we put up a poll asking readers if they really thought so. 2,400 of them responded and 68% said "yes." Still. It is hard to believe the iPhone 5 will be anything but a smash hit for Apple. That's because of Apple's track record with these phones. They've sold more than 200 million – despite plenty of doubters. Take last year's iPhone 4s release, for example. Lots of pundits panned the phone because it basically an iPhone 4 with a few minor updates. And yet, the thing sold in crazy record numbers almost immediately. Eventually, it even reversed Google's assault on Apple's smartphone market share. I happen to think the iPhone 5 leaks look great – an improvement on the iPhone 4, which is the height of form and function. (Not all of us agree) I think what people may be reacting to is seeing the phones poorly presented – without the Apple marketing filter. Also – as much as we all want to see leaks – it's a letdown to see the phone before we're supposed to see it, and that negativity may be clouding objectivity.