Any 4S owners still on the fence about stepping up to the 5S?

[HankHowdy]

I'm sticking with my 4S.

It's in perfect condition.

Battery life is great.

I have great Verizon 3G.

The 5S wasn't that impressive to me.

My 4S has zero lag.

I have a three year extended warranty through Verizon.

So I'm good to wait to see what the 6 had to offer.

 

[Kendo]

I'm upgrading solely for LTE (though the upgrade to a 5S is sweet, sweet icing on the cake). I have an unlimited data plan with AT&T that is just begging for LTE. I've been torturing myself on 4G for the past year and cannot wait any longer.

 

[Altis]

Yes. Very much on the fence. The 5s is nice but honestly from the 4S I feel as though the 5c is a better deal for me personally. I don't use the camera to often. I do not use passwords therefore would not use the fingerprint scanner. The 5c just for some reason has me wanting it. Maybe its the color or the disappointment I feel after stepping back to think about how little the 5s actually has.

Anyone considering the 5c?

Why not get a 5 for less than the 5C, and you can get any colour case you'd like, even change them up! Saves you money, helps out the fruitcakes upgrading the 5 to 5S, and it's ultimately the same phone (and just as thick as the 5C if you use a case).

PS The "not using passwords" is precisely why they introduced the touch-ID.. so you don't have to bother with passwords or PINs, but still have security.

PPS I'm in Canada where up until this year, we've been screwed with nice 3-year contracts. I'm only 1.25 years into my 3 year, so unless I buy unlocked/used, there's no cheap upgrade options for me.

 

[Sdreed91]

Why not get a 5 for less than the 5C, and you can get any colour case you'd like, even change them up! Saves you money, helps out the fruitcakes upgrading the 5 to 5S, and it's ultimately the same phone (and just as thick as the 5C if you use a case).

PS The "not using passwords" is precisely why they introduced the touch-ID.. so you don't have to bother with passwords or PINs, but still have security.

Yeah the iPhone 5 purchase occurred to me after I posted that. I'm on the fence in general I am debating not upgrading at all and just getting my 4S's screen repaired.

 

[Altis]

Yeah the iPhone 5 purchase occurred to me after I posted that. I'm on the fence in general I am debating not upgrading at all and just getting my 4S's screen repaired.

Having the screen repaired would help tremendously with resale value, if you end up not keeping it.

For me, one of the main upgrades of the 5/5S is how lightweight they are (probably a bad sign of my aging fingers/wrists). The 5C is heavier again towards the 4S.

I can't see any advantage of the 5C over getting a cheaper, either new-in-box or used 5 (with greater storage perhaps).

 

[elistan]

Have the details of Apple's in-store trade-in program been officially announced? Their mail-in program quotes about $200 for my 16GB white 4S, which would cover the cost of a new 5S (with contract) except that I'd be without a phone for a while. Assuming I can walk in to an Apple Retail with my 4S, and walk out with a 5S without paying anything except signing up for another 2-year contract, I'll do it. Otherwise, I'll just stick with what I have. Heck, I went four years with my original 2G iPhone - I figure I can do another two with my 4S without issue, then get a 6S.

 

[Sanveann]

My 4S was on its last legs, and I was looking forward to upgrading to the 5S. But the lack of preorder killed it -- the nearest Apple store is an hour away, and I have three little kids. I can't spend all day in line (and possibly not even end up with a phone), and my 4S wasn't going to last weeks longer while I waited to order one online and wait for it to get here. So I caved and upgraded to the 5 yesterday. Like it very much, but really had been hoping to get the 5S.

 

[darknyt]

4S owner. Frankly, my 4S doesn't feel "tired" enough to warrant an upgrade for me yet. The battery life is fine, the camera is fine, the speed is fine. Plus, I had planned on getting an updated Retina-equipped iPad mini this fall.

The hardest part will be putting up with 3G for another year...

4S owner as well. Gonna have to upgrade.

Mine doesn't feel tired, but the battery S U C K S so hardcore. I can get up in the am with 100% and after an hour it's down to 70% and half of that spent sitting on the counter. The battery literally races to the bottom, have to always carry my 12,000 mAh charger.

However, the BIGGEST reason to upgrade has nothing to do with 5S - it's LTE. Can't stand 3g anymore and once I get my retina mini, will want to hotspot that badboy on a premier plan.

I think the new camera features sound nice, will be interesting to see how well they work in practice.

 

[terzinator]

My 4S was on its last legs, and I was looking forward to upgrading to the 5S. But the lack of preorder killed it -- the nearest Apple store is an hour away, and I have three little kids. I can't spend all day in line (and possibly not even end up with a phone), and my 4S wasn't going to last weeks longer while I waited to order one online and wait for it to get here. So I caved and upgraded to the 5 yesterday. Like it very much, but really had been hoping to get the 5S.

You've got 14 days to return the 5, right? Order the 5S the minute you can and return the 5 when it arrives, no?

 

[sviato]

I was sure that I'd upgrade to the 5s but as of now, the only benefit to me is the camera so I'm going to wait till the Nexus 5 comes out before I make a decision.

 

[darknyt]

I'm upgrading solely for LTE (though the upgrade to a 5S is sweet, sweet icing on the cake). I have an unlimited data plan with AT&T that is just begging for LTE. I've been torturing myself on 4G for the past year and cannot wait any longer.

I'm confused, how does the unlimited plan help?

Aren't they still throttling you once you hit the lowest data tier they sell, so the unlimited plans are largely useless on AT&T? Or is it hit/miss whether they throttle?

Sorry, haven't kept up on that development.

 

[iSocialista]

Not on the fence at all. Definitely upgrading. The 4S feels stale to me now.

 

[fiveainone]

4S owner

Can't stand the small screen any longer, want to wait for even bigger screen, but I'll settle for 5. Finger print unlock is tempting, and speed is great. I might go for the 5s. Although getting a used 5 might not be a bad idea..

That and I dropped the phone in ocean water two days ago. Surprisingly it still works with no problems! But, definitely upgrade in case it dies soon..

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I'm confused, how does the unlimited plan help?

Aren't they still throttling you once you hit the lowest data tier they sell, so the unlimited plans are largely useless on AT&T? Or is it hit/miss whether they throttle?

Sorry, haven't kept up on that development.

For me I'm still on the grandfathered unlimited plan, and I think it throttles at 3gb. I'm not sure if any current plan can do that amount of data for $70/mo?

 

[ElectronGuru]

That and I dropped the phone in ocean water two days ago.

Freudian Slip!

(sorry, couldn't resist)

 

[voyagerd]

I really want LTE so I think I'll have to get the 5S.

 

[appstate]

4s owner for 2 years. Unscratched, no dings... looks brand new thanks for the case.

I really don't need a new phone, but what the hell, why not.

I say that, but to me it's just a phone. What I really want is the 2014 iMac.

But I work out of my house and don't travel for work like I used to. I don't use my phone except to look at instagram and play solitaire on the pooper.

 

[rockstarjoe]

4S owner, was really hoping for a 128GB 5S... but I guess I will update anyway. I can sell my 4S and cover most of the cost of the upgrade, but I bet I will regret it when the 6 comes out.

 

[iSocialista]

4S owner, was really hoping for a 128GB 5S... but I guess I will update anyway. I can sell my 4S and cover most of the cost of the upgrade, but I bet I will regret it when the 6 comes out.

I've already resigned myself to paying full price for the 6 when it comes out simply because I cannot wait another second for a new phone. I'm completely over this Sprint white 4S.

 

[dukebound85]

Forgot if I posted already but I am leaning towards staying with 4s. It still does what I want, will feel new with the new os and I have alot of 30pin cables I don't quite feel like giving up (and having to buy new lighting cables)

 

[Pharmscott]

When comparing the 4S to the 5s, I'm surprised how few people are mentioning gaining LTE. The fingerprint scanner isn't the only bump. What about a 2-generation better processor (and co-processor)? 2-generation better camera? Bigger (yeah, whatever) screen? There are LOTS of pluses going from 4S to 5s. Perhaps you can tell I'm going to!

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Did you know they have flash drives now that connect wirelessly to wifi devices?

I love your show.

 

[darknyt]

4S owner

For me I'm still on the grandfathered unlimited plan, and I think it throttles at 3gb. I'm not sure if any current plan can do that amount of data for $70/mo?

I'm on a 4gb mobile shared plan that is $70/mo for that sized bucket.

As an FYI, I found out that my work discounts gave me $20/mo more off by moving to the mobile shared plan AND it doubled my data from 2 --> 4 GB.

Oh and don't forget you are throwing away $20/mo if you don't upgrade for us contracted owners. You've paid out your subsidy now from the contract and they are STILL CHARGING the same monthly amount. So not upgrading is just giving free money to your carrier every month. I'm sure they love you for it.

 

[gSOLO]

Just delete all the music on your phone. You'll still be able to listen any song in your library via iTunes Match, so you don't need them on your phone.

You just stream or download the songs and playlists as you need them. If you know you want a full playlist available to you, just download it when connected to wifi (or stream it if you have enough data available... each song is about 5MB, give or take, right? so it's not that much data we're talking about).

Thanks. My concern was with songs that I ripped apple lossless, but were matched. I wanted to keep the lossless version if at all possible. Looking into it, it seems as if I can kinda do a presync of the songs I definitely want from my computer, and then turn on match on the phone. The ones I synced would be there, and the rest of the stuff on demand. Perhaps this will work for me, yeah.

 

[GodWhomIsMike]

4S owner. Frankly, my 4S doesn't feel "tired" enough to warrant an upgrade for me yet. The battery life is fine, the camera is fine, the speed is fine. Plus, I had planned on getting an updated Retina-equipped iPad mini this fall.

The hardest part will be putting up with 3G for another year...

I'm on AT&T with my 4S. My biggest issue is storage, and Apple just released flash and trash this go around, without going anything with storage options.

I am passing on the 5C and 5S. Nothing is compelling enough to get me upgrade to either. What the heck is so exciting about a fingerprint reader? "ohhhh let me finger the **** out of my home button..."

Cheaper storage options and a 128GB option was the only things I was looking for... Apple did not do anything.

 

[terzinator]

Thanks. My concern was with songs that I ripped apple lossless, but were matched. I wanted to keep the lossless version if at all possible. Looking into it, it seems as if I can kinda do a presync of the songs I definitely want from my computer, and then turn on match on the phone. The ones I synced would be there, and the rest of the stuff on demand. Perhaps this will work for me, yeah.

You'll still be able to keep the lossless version on your computer. Your phone will be using Match to sync, rather than your computer, and to be honest, I don't know that the lossless version would be kept in the cloud. You'd probably have to turn off Match to get the Lossless version on your phone. (but I guess that's the idea... you keep the high-quality ones on your computer to play on your hi-fi, and you play the smaller, lossy versions for your phone, without having to keep two versions of the same track.)

 

[jav6454]

I have been on the "S cycle" since the 3GS. I have had my 4S for 2 years & obviously it is time to upgrade.

Conventionally, it is never the S cycles that increase storage capacity. That said, I'm more interested in how much memory the device brings. As it stands, I need to upgrade since the battery of my 4S is long gone from its golden days.