5S even smaller of an update then we might think

[teknikal90]

Image

https://www.macrumors.com/2013/08/1...hlighted-in-new-rear-shell-comparison-photos/

What was the smallest update to an iPhone? Maybe the 3G? Which wasn't a disappointment at all.

I'm not worried one bit.

the iPhone 3G wasn't an update per say to a lot of people.
it was the first time the iphone came into australia, canada, most of europe, asia. it was actually THE first iPhone to most of the world...just with an updated radio chip to include 3G, which wasnt included in the 'prototype' iPhone 2G.

from then on, the updates were massive: iPhone 3GS was a beast. the iPhone 4 changed everything - from the importance of build quality, to the importance of the pixel density on phone screens... the iPhone 4S was, like the 3GS, a beast. The iPhone 5 was another leap forward - not quite to the same level as the iPhone 4, but a big leap nonetheless.

Here's to hooping the 5S follows the trend...but if the rumors are to be believed, I dont think so - 30% CPU bump, dual LED and fingerprint sensor?? come on..

 

[nooaah]

f of 2.0 with dual or xenon flash plus 128GB, fingerprint sensor, and updated A7 = I'd be happy for an S update.

 

[blerns3]

f of 2.0 with dual or xenon flash plus 128GB, fingerprint sensor, and updated A7 = I'd be happy for an S update.

Same. Even though I'm highly doubting this, I'd also like to see the 32gb become the base model. If not, no big deal. I'm really hoping they throw in some feature no one is expecting. Wireless charging? Doubt it, but hoping so.

 

[Poly]

Same. Even though I'm highly doubting this, I'd also like to see the 32gb become the base model. If not, no big deal. I'm really hoping they throw in some feature no one is expecting. Wireless charging? Doubt it, but hoping so.

Wireless charging would make the 5S a no-brainer-instant-buy for me!

 

[Lord Hamsa]

The 3GS looked almost identical to the 3G, but the internals changed significantly.

The 4S looked almost identical to the 4, but the internals changed significantly.

Why should we expect differently from the 5S compared to the 5?

 

[cynics]

Wireless charging would make the 5S a no-brainer-instant-buy for me!

A radio that supported LTE + Voice GSM and data + voice CDMA would be an instant buy for me. While that might be petty to some that would be incredibly useful to me.

 

[jigzaw]

Same. Even though I'm highly doubting this, I'd also like to see the 32gb become the base model. If not, no big deal. I'm really hoping they throw in some feature no one is expecting. Wireless charging? Doubt it, but hoping so.

Just curious, why are you doubting that they'll bump the base model to 32gb? The iPhone usually gets a base model memory bump on the S release so I would be surprised and it would go against their history if this one doesn't.

 

[javisan]

The 3GS looked almost identical to the 3G, but the internals changed significantly.

The 4S looked almost identical to the 4, but the internals changed significantly.

Why should we expect differently from the 5S compared to the 5?

I expect just that.

I believe we should all demand the iPhone that we want the best way we can, with our $dollars$, by not supporting whatever the 5S will be. That will send a message to Apple to put their act together and give us what we want. It's not 2009 anymore, it'll soon be 2014.

If we the users boycott the 5S, we'll get what we want in the iPhone 6. Everybody needs to hang on to the 4S or buy a used 5 if desperate, and wait for the 6. iPhone 5 users have no need whatsoever to update to this mediocre update.

 

[jigzaw]

I expect just that.

I believe we should all demand the iPhone that we want the best way we can, with our $dollars$, by not supporting whatever the 5S will be. That will send a message to Apple to put their act together and give us what we want. It's not 2009 anymore, it'll soon be 2014.

If we the users boycott the 5S, we'll get what we want in the iPhone 6. Everybody needs to hang on to the 4S or buy a used 5 if desperate, and wait for the 6. iPhone 5 users have no need whatsoever to update to this mediocre update.

Wait a second, what is it that we want? Holograms? Should the phone levitate? I'm being silly but I honestly am not sure what can be added to a new model of phone that would be truly "AMAZING" without some sort of bump in technology (haptic? 3D?) that hasn't become mass-produceable yet. Until some phenomenal technological breakthrough happens, I generally expect new phones to have a camera/chip/graphics/screen bump. What else is there?

 

[DowdyFick]

A radio that supported LTE + Voice GSM and data + voice CDMA would be an instant buy for me. While that might be petty to some that would be incredibly useful to me.

Perhaps an LTE Advanced chip?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LTE_Advanced

 

[spinedoc77]

Wait a second, what is it that we want? Holograms? Should the phone levitate? I'm being silly but I honestly am not sure what can be added to a new model of phone that would be truly "AMAZING" without some sort of bump in technology (haptic? 3D?) that hasn't become mass-produceable yet. Until some phenomenal technological breakthrough happens, I generally expect new phones to have a camera/chip/graphics/screen bump. What else is there?

How about smaller bezels? I'd be pretty happy with a larger screen, but not changing the overall size, or maybe just increasing the size a tiny bit.

 

[javisan]

Wait a second, what is it that we want? Holograms? Should the phone levitate? I'm being silly but I honestly am not sure what can be added to a new model of phone that would be truly "AMAZING" without some sort of bump in technology (haptic? 3D?) that hasn't become mass-produceable yet. Until some phenomenal technological breakthrough happens, I generally expect new phones to have a camera/chip/graphics/screen bump. What else is there?

Holograms and levitation sounds cool, but I have a better idea: how about a second model with a slightly bigger screen in the range of 4.7 - 5.0 inches. This way, those who prefer the small screen and have issues with their hands and phones, can keep the current form factor. Or, if they refuse to make a second screen size for the iPhone (as they do with macs, ipads and ipods), at least let me install the iOS in the phone on the phones made by the other manufacturers (jeje a man will land on Mars first).

This should have been done LAST year, and with luck, will be done NEXT year. So, in summary, the 5S is a pathetic useless update. If they can't produce a real update, just keep selling the 5 until you can come up with one. In summary, I'm saying that these "S" updates are now a joke. They used to have a purpose back in 2009 - 2011, but being almost in 2014, they need to alter the playbook, or risk defection/stalling sales.

 

[AAPLinc]

I expect just that.

I believe we should all demand the iPhone that we want the best way we can, with our $dollars$, by not supporting whatever the 5S will be. That will send a message to Apple to put their act together and give us what we want. It's not 2009 anymore, it'll soon be 2014.

If we the users boycott the 5S, we'll get what we want in the iPhone 6. Everybody needs to hang on to the 4S or buy a used 5 if desperate, and wait for the 6. iPhone 5 users have no need whatsoever to update to this mediocre update.

The thing is Apple knows they have people wrapped around their finger. Meaning, no matter how strongly you feel that the 5S isn't a good upgrade over the 5, sooooo many people will be waiting in line to pick it up. It's the obsession to have the latest and greatest. Plus plenty of people still have the 4 (3 members of my family) and are eagerly waiting for the next model (5S).

People said that same thing about the 4S. That it wasn't a huge upgrade, that it was ridiculous that it looked the same as the 4, it was just a faster iPhone 4, etc. Then the 5 came, and you got a bigger screen, lighting connector, beefier internals. It seemed like a huge upgrade because of the physical changes. The "S" models are always looked at as a minimal change. It's basically the generation before with beefier internals, and some tweaks, better camera, etc.

Going by the cycle, the 6 will be the next physically different iPhone. And the 6 will be released fall of 2014.

I have the 4S now (it's the first iPhone I've owned) and I'm on the fence about upgrading to the 5S. My 4S is still plenty of phone for me, and I don't have the obsession of having the newest iPhone. If I upgrade to the 5S, then my next upgrade won't be until the 6S.

Do I want to stop being on the S cycle and wait until the 6? Or continue the S cycle, because the S cycle is usually the better of the 2? 4<4S, 5<5S? This is my current iPhone dilemma.

 

[Lord Hamsa]

I expect just that.

I believe we should all demand the iPhone that we want the best way we can, with our $dollars$, by not supporting whatever the 5S will be. That will send a message to Apple to put their act together and give us what we want. It's not 2009 anymore, it'll soon be 2014.

If we the users boycott the 5S, we'll get what we want in the iPhone 6. Everybody needs to hang on to the 4S or buy a used 5 if desperate, and wait for the 6. iPhone 5 users have no need whatsoever to update to this mediocre update.

But the iPhone is essentially on a 2-year design cycle with a mid-cycle spec boost (and a few extra bells and whistles). This is the mid-cycle release - expecting a whole laundry list of new stuff isn't realistic.

Personally, I'm due for an upgrade late winter/early spring (I have the 4S now), and assuming I do choose to upgrade (and I probably will, because I want LTE), I'll go with the best option available, and that will be the 5S. I can't see why a "mediocre update" matters to me as a buyer, I just want the latest version, with all of the updates, mediocre or otherwise; it will still be a lot better than my 4S.

 

[atlatnesiti]

But the iPhone is essentially on a 2-year design cycle with a mid-cycle spec boost (and a few extra bells and whistles). This is the mid-cycle release - expecting a whole laundry list of new stuff isn't.

Isn't realistic? I would expect nothing else but at least yearly total redesigns coming from multibilion dollar company such as Apple

 

[user-name-here]

Isn't realistic? I would expect nothing else but at least yearly total redesigns coming from multibilion dollar company such as Apple

When you are as rich as Apple, you stay that way by keeping with the traditions that got you rich to begin with. So no, no redesign every year

 

[javisan]

Isn't realistic? I would expect nothing else but at least yearly total redesigns coming from multibilion dollar company such as Apple

My expectations are less, I don't even wan't a yearly redesign, I just want an iOS phone with 4.7 - 5.0 inch screen. After that, I won't make another upgrade until that device becomes super slow. I don't wan't gimmick features, the S4 covers that well, I just wan't a bigger iPhone!

Please Apple, make it happen.

 

[daijholt]

If apple employs new technology that works properly & is very secure (which I believe apple will), the possibilities are endless. It's coming. But when I don't know.

It wouldn't surprise me if Apple have developed a new kind of Fingerprint Sensor that they want to keep out of the competition's eyes so badly (Yes, Samsung, I'm looking at you) that they practically strip search every employee with any connection to it's development and production.

Personally, I think it will have one, and I would welcome it. Phone security is a big issue at the moment, it would give Apple a selling point no-one else has. Yes I know there are Android phones already using a FP sensor, but if they were any good to begin with, we'd already be raving about them

 

[sulpfiction]

I totally agree with you. Only reason I don't have my password set to "immediately" is the annoyance at having to enter every time I look at my phone. Every four hours instead is what I have.

Every 4 hrs totally defeats the purpose of a pass code. Might as well just have it off altogether.

I have mine set to 5 minutes, which i still think is right on the cusp of being too long. And I'll admit it is a PIA to constantly enter it. But If someone steals ur phone, u want it to be locked. Or if u leave ur phone somewhere, you'd want it too lock itself in a reasonable amount of time. And like I said, even 5 mins can be a lifetime to a thief. The point is moot if a thief wants to steal ur phone and not give it back. But if ur gonna have a password, at least have it serve some purpose.

 

[cynics]

Perhaps an LTE Advanced chip?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LTE_Advanced

That would be fine assuming your network supported it. I'm thinking more along the lines of how the competition does it that's not based on what the network does or doesn't have.

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Just curious, why are you doubting that they'll bump the base model to 32gb? The iPhone usually gets a base model memory bump on the S release so I would be surprised and it would go against their history if this one doesn't.

I don't think the OS is large enough in file size to warrant them getting rid of the 16gb size. If they offer 128gb they can just tack on an extra 100 dollars. That's more Apples style.

Case in point, the iPad 4.

 

[sulpfiction]

Wireless charging would make the 5S a no-brainer-instant-buy for me!

Wireless charging isn't happening in any real working fashion for about 2 or 3 years. That's the LAST feature I want on the 5S. In fact, I don't want it at all right now. Tech isn't quite ready.

 

[cynics]

5S even smaller of an update then we might think

Wireless charging isn't happening in any real working fashion for about 2 or 3 years. That's the LAST feature I want on the 5S. In fact, I don't want it at all right now. Tech isn't quite ready.

I've seen demos of wireless charging (without laying on a pad or anything) to a modified cell phone over a year ago.

I think we will see it in something sooner then later, maybe not the iPhone though.

However it would be PERFECT for Apple. The demo I saw had a square frame and as long as the device was in front of the frame it would charge. Now think about that frame being integrated into an iMac and/or Apple monitor!
That would make me want to upgrade my iMac and I'm sure many PC users with an iphone might want to do the same.

You'll see it in a Samsung phone first though.

 

[Spacial]

Other than what "may" be included from the plethora of rumors that have populated these pages for months, I don't expect much. And that's not a bad thing. It leaves more for Apple to include in iPhone 6.

In order for Apple to be perceived as the premier force in smartphones, iPhone 6 will have to be exceptionally impressive. Having wasted 2013, Apples now in a very unenviable position. Yet it's what they chose. Hopefully they can push themselves to the forefront one more time.

 

[blerns3]

Just curious, why are you doubting that they'll bump the base model to 32gb? The iPhone usually gets a base model memory bump on the S release so I would be surprised and it would go against their history if this one doesn't.

I actually forgot about that. Good point.

 

[eastercat]

The most disappointing launch was the 4S IMO. There were a ton of incorrect rumors all pointing to some complete redesign. And when launch day came, the majority of people online following the live feed were really disappointed to say the least.

Really? The only people disappointed by the lack of a redesign were those naive enough to believe it'd happen. Anyone who paid attention and used their critical thinking skills were skeptical of the redesign rumor.

Wireless charging would make the 5S a no-brainer-instant-buy for me!

Ugh. That is not a must have feature. It is a nice to have feature…but no.

but I have a better idea: how about a second model with a slightly bigger screen in the range of 4.7 - 5.0 inches. This way, those who prefer the small screen and have issues with their hands and phones, can keep the current form factor.

This should have been done LAST year, and with luck, will be done NEXT year. So, in summary, the 5S is a pathetic useless update.

Yes! Let's make the oversized model the cheap, plastic version and keep the premium model at a normal size. This is possibly the best idea I've heard on MR in ages.
Seriously, if you're unhappy with the screen size, why don't you buy one of those android-based phones with your favorite screen size?
This idea of a boycott is ridiculous, unless you can convince the millions of other iPhone upgraders to refrain.

I'm getting the 5S, because I want a phone that actually fits in my hand. Also, don't dig on the plastic of the 5C.