To upgrade or not to upgrade. Do I really want the iPhone 5?

As you all know, I’m down with Apple.

And if you don’t know, now you know.

Have been for years.

But I’m not an Apple fanatic, as some would have you believe (Winston Clayton).

I’ve never waited in lines outside of the Apple store, hoping to be the first (or among the first) to buy any new Apple product.

I have a life.

Nor do I ever feel compelled to upgrade to the latest and greatest Apple product just because a new version has been released.

I owned the original 2G iPhone through the 3G and 3GS.

Didn’t get caught up in any of that 3G, front-facing camera, Face time mess.

I even resisted the hype around the 4GS and Siri.

I still own the original iPad.

Even after the iPad 2 dropped with it’s front AND rear-facing cameras, Face-time, smaller form factor and all, I stayed the course and rocked with my joint.

There was no way I was parting with another 700 bones for a few new bells and whistles!

I only recently copped a 13″ MacBook Pro, and that’s because we desperately needed a second computer at home when the G4 (I bought in 2004) died.

I was more than happy with the 13″ aluminum MacBook I copped back in 2009.

I say all this to say that, notwithstanding the fact that I’m not usually caught up in Apple’s new product releases, I am eagerly anticipating the release of the latest iPhone.

If the rumors circulating the iPhone 5 are to be believed, it’s dropping on September 12.

The rumored features of the new iPhone (which you can read about in exhaustive detail at TechRadar.com) include a smaller dock, relocated headphone jack, centralised front facing camera and two-tone back.

But rumors aside, the new iPhone is said to put the Samsung Galaxy SIII to shame.

Those are big words considering the splash that the Galaxy made upon its release.

And in light of the ongoing patent dispute being waged between Apple and Samsung, the release of a new iPhone that separates Apple further from this competitor would be good (especially since it doesn’t appear that Apple’s case is going all that well).

I can tell you this much – I plan on upgrading to the 5.

My contract with AT&T expires in January.

By then the excitement over the release will have abated.

Lines at Apple stores will have returned to normal.

Shelves will have been restocked with inventory.

And all the naysayers, pundits and talking heads will have had their say.

I can admit that I’m a little excited for the unveiling, and I’m sure the real deal will live up to all this hype.

But enough about me.

Do you think the iPhone 5 will live up to the hype?

Are you planning on getting one?

Don’t be shy…share!

I’d love to hear your thoughts!