iPhone 5 audio consistent with iPhone 4S
Today, I had the opportunity to begin testing the audio input characteristics of the new iPhone 5. As seen in the plots, below, the headset input frequency response matches that of the iPhone 4S, which was presented in the previous post. The behavior of the built-in microphone also seems to match that of the iPhone 4S, suggesting that Apple kept the audio input path essentially unchanged in the new device.
One current limitation of the iPhone 5 is that existing dock connector accessories for audio input (and output) are not compatible, due to the iPhone’s new Lightning connector. As soon as Apple’s new Lightning to 30-pin adapter arrives, we’ll be able to see if it enables existing audio accessories to work with the new iPhone. Until then, the headset input and built-in microphone will have to suffice for iPhone 5 users. Fortunately, iOS 6, which comes installed on the iPhone 5, allows us to bypass automatic gain control and the high pass filter that plagued the headset input and built-in mic in earlier versions of iOS.
