Many were rather impressed with Apple CEO Tim Cook’s performance at the iPhone 5 launch event earlier this month, as he was able to deliver and release a new iPhone that beat some expectations.  Doubting Toms saw Cook in a new light, indicating that the early release of the iPhone 5 meant that he was able to manage supply chains smoothly.

Investors are happy about it, especially with word that Apple’s sold over five million iPhone 5s since it’s retail launch last Friday.

But what about what the consumers think?  Are they happy about the iPhone 5? If you can still remember, consumers who were quick to buy the iPhone 4S last year were met with yellow screens, battery issues and Siri problems.   So are iPhone 5 users happy with the device they purchased?  Let’s find out.

Mapsgate

Many using the iPhone 5 or an iPhone upgraded to iOS have gotten quite upset over Apple’s forced Maps update, which pales in comparison to many features found on Google Maps.   Users complained of misplaced towns, cities, landmarks and businesses, aside from the many errors that occurred when using the new map.

Another thing that users are complaining about is that they no longer enjoy the Street View that came with Google Maps, as well as walking and transit directions because Apple’s Maps doesn’t have those features, unlike Google Maps.  Some ended up downloading other navigation apps to compensate for their loss.

Yellowgate

Yes it’s back.  Some who bought the iPhone 5 noticed the yellow hue on the devices screen, which means white appears yellowish and other colors are off hue.  I’m sure Apple will just say that the yellowish hue will go away over time as the glue used for the screen hasn’t dried, and once it dries, the screen will be clear.

WiFigate

Still other users reported problems connecting via WiFi, with one person claiming on Apple’s forum that “I asked if it was hardware or software related and she said the WPA2 issue seems to be software based and the non-connecting issue may be hardware based, but that they are still trying to identify the cause.”

Apple hasn’t addressed the issue though their representative stated that they know about, they just don’t know how to fix it.  According to users, the iPhone 5 has a problem connecting to encrypted routers.  This is something you’re unlikely to detect when purchasing the device at an Apple store, which uses public WiFi.

Scratchgate

A person usually keeps an iPhone in his pocket or bag or purse, where it can easily get scratched if there’s no case to protect it.  The problem is, some who bought the iPhone 5 reported that their iDevice came with scratches and scuffs, right out the box.  Scratches were found especially on the “diamond-cut beveled edge” that Apple’s so proud of with the iPhone 5.  So this begs the question, how great is the quality of the new iPhone?

iFixIt performed a scratch test on the back panels of the iPhone 5 and the iPhone 4S and the torture, inflicted by a two-year old, showed that the iPhone 5 gets easily scratched.  Because the casing of the iPhone 5 is made with anodized, which means it was coated, the aluminum back is softer and easily scratched.

Others also noticed that in the Black & Slate model, the slate rubs off revealing the silver aluminum beneath.

Screengate

If some reported scratches and scuffs out the box, some reported having broken or scratched screens out of the box.  But Apple has good news.  You can have the broken or scratched screen replaced in Apple Stores, as the retail locations are now equipped with proper machines to do on-site replacements.   The downside is, no one knows how much the replacement will cost, or if it’s covered by Apple Care+.

Lightgate

It seems like the “best iPhone so far” has a lot of issues aside from all the x-gates already mentioned above.  And to add insult to injury, the iPhone 5 has a light leakage issue as well.  Some reported light leaking from the right corner of their newly bought iPhone 5, which could only mean the parts weren’t assembled correctly.  Some may not have noticed this, especially if you don’t really use your iPhone 5 in dark places or have poor lighting.  But for those who have, this might be a big disappointment, especially if you just spent hundreds of dollars on a new device and if you’re a first time iPhone user.

So did Tim Cook really make the best iPhone yet?

Now, after reading the above iPhone 5 issues, do you still think Cook was able to successfully deliver “the best iPhone”?  I don’t think so.  The problem with meeting or beating deadlines is compromising the quality of your product.  And as you’ve read, the iPhone 5’s quality may in fact be below Apple’s standards.

Some say the late Steve jobs was a perfectionist and that all these issues would never have happened under his regime, but checking older iPhones, they still had some issues, though not as many.  Still, you can’t help but think, “if Jobs was alive, would he have allowed an iPhone with diminished quality to be sold to consumers?  Would he prioritize beating the deadline over producing great quality iPhones?”  I guess we’ll never know.