MORE IPHONE 5:

However, the critical reaction has been uncharacteristically mixed for the latest version of Apple's ubiquitous smartphone, and even that ridiculous sales number is below what had been expected. Here are three factors pushing the iPhone 5 forward - and three more holding it back.

Hit 1: 4G/LTE

Given the increasing commonality of 4G/LTE connectivity among the iPhone's Android-based rivals, this was a gap that Apple needed to close, and it did so. Competing on relatively equal features allows the iPhone 5's meticulous engineering and high degree of polish to shine through.

Hit 2: The screen