The iPhone 5 models, regardless of network compatibility, have a 4 (diagonal) widescreen multi-touch IPS LED-backlit 1136×640 native resolution (326 ppi) retina display, dual cameras — a rear 8 megapixel, 1080p iSight camera and a front 1.2 megapixel, 720p FaceTime HD camera, and 4G/LTE support, all packed in an aluminum unibody case with a glass front that is a mere 0.30 of an inch thick (color options include either a dark gray slate matte back and a glossy black front or a silver matte back and a glossy white front).

Each iPhone 5 device is powered by a 1.3 GHz dual core Apple A6 processor, has 1 GB of RAM, and 16 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB of flash storage. It also supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 as well as packs three noise canceling microphones, a bottom-mounted headphone jack, and a new USB 2.0-based Lightning port for connectivity.

Apple estimates that the iPhone 5 models provide up to 40 hours of audio playback, 8 hours of talk time on 3G, 8 hours of Internet use on 3G, 8 hours of Internet use on 4G/LTE, 10 hours of Internet use on Wi-Fi, 10 hours of video playback and 225 hours of standby time.