iOS 6 Is A Better Upgrade Than The iPhone 5 You Preordered

I’m in my twenties and people my age have things like student loans and low paying, entry-level jobs to worry about — not the size of our iPhone screen.

So I look at the iPhone 5 from a cost-benefit standpoint. For anyone who already owns an iPhone the free download of iOS 6 is a far better upgrade than dropping a few hundred dollars on Apple’s new hardware.

If you don’t have an iPhone or somehow have a non-smart phone, then the iPhone 5 may very well be the best option on the market. But for those of you just itching to dump your old iPhone 4 or 4S, just take a moment, collect yourself, and download Apple’s newest mobile software that’s available today

iOS 6 boasts 200 new features, and that’s 200 features that make the iPhone feel like new — and all for the low, low price of $0.00.

Not once did I ever find myself complaining about the speed of my phone or the size of its screen, which are the two main upgrades of the iPhone 5. My gripes were in the details.

I lived in the Bay Area this summer and found myself terrified driving on California freeways staring at my phone for directions. With the iOS 6 upgrade we have Apple’s own Maps app, which gives turn-by-turn directions (thanks Siri).

Another problem with the iPhone was how it let the user share content.

Before the iOS 6 update, sharing on an iPhone wasn’t the most streamlined process. You first had to open and navigate through the Facebook app then choose the photo from your camera. Now sharing a photo can be done by clicking a new share button, through the Notification Center or using Siri.

This new software also provides an opportunity for the user to have some personal space.

Even though we live in a world where it’s almost mandatory to be attached to a device 24 hours a day, all of us deserve a little “me time.” iOS 6 gives users the benefit of turning off all annoying notifications during set quiet hours. This feature also has the option of allowing important alerts through.

Other updates include a more useful Siri, privacy settings that show which apps are using data and a Passbook app that keeps track of tickets, cards and passes.

For a longer list of the updates check here.

Upgrades like these, small as they may be, make the iPhone feel like a new and streamlined device. Comparatively, a slightly larger screen and a moderately faster phone don’t seem to warrant the price tag of the iPhone 5.

Let’s not forget that the main selling point of all Apple products have been their integrated software. And with iOS 6 you’ll see the company’s latest improvements across legacy iPhones, not just the iPhone 5.

It’s easy to feel left behind in the fast-moving tech world, but when Apple’s newest phone doesn’t offer anything groundbreaking, it’s a wise choice to step back and look at the little ways your phone can be more functional.

While the iOS 6 upgrade might not be as sexy as having the latest gadget, the features of the new operating system are a huge improvement at a fair price.