Apple Introduces iPhone 4S with A5 Chip, Faster Graphics, Siri Voice Assistant

[SwissMac2]

I was going to write a new blog entry about the iPhone 5 but it appears I won't need to as it's not happening. So, here's my review of the iPhone 4S - sorry, iPhone 4, from last year. Since the phone's the same, so's the review!
http://fifthdecade.wordpress.com/2010/07/31/why-i-dont-love-the-iphone-4/

 

[Leaping Tortois]

As far as I know the only smartphone with a higher resolution than the iPhone 4/4s is the samsung galaxy hd which has a 4.6 inch screen. That's huge and cannot be easy to fit into a pocket.
Do you want apple to give you a half inch bump with the same 960x640 res, thus making the display less crisp? Or bump the res making all the app need to be rebuilt?

What smartphone display is clearly better then the iPhone right now. Not just BIGGER.

I'm going to go with the GALAXY S2! I've compared it to the iPhone, and while the iPhone does have a higher resolution and pixel density, it isn't even noticeable unless you stick for eye right next to the screen, and if you're doing that then you're obviously not actually using your phone.

I find the screen QUALITY of the SAMOLED+ displays to exceed the IPS displays used on iPhones. It's brighter, more vibrant, far better contrast. Only uses power when the pixel is on (no backlight so if you want a darker wall paper or theme, you use less battery).

 

[maroontiger2k9]

15 months for that?

THIS...

apple had a great opportunity to make a birdie or eagle on the par 5 and simply made some impressive strokes to make a par after missing the fairway badly

i hope that for apple's sake that this is the last 12-18 month refresh that they ever do... their fanbase is very strong but they're obviously behind the ball on the competitive goals.. and released the 4Gs to shut us up for 8/10 months before they put out the iphone 5 which HAD BETTER BE 4G/LTE or apple is going to be in trouble..

dont get me wrong, the 4GS IS A GREAT PHONE... but it would've been great for a march-april 2011 release... not mid october 2011

 

[Freyqq]

Almost what I wanted, needs the bigger screen. I'll wait another 3-6 months for the real iPhone 5 to arrive.

more like 12 months...

 

[maroontiger2k9]

I am moving on to Android. I was hoping for a iPhone half the size and weight with doubling the screen size. So long!

so you were expecting an iphone the size of a BN Nook?!

 

[jljue]

Disappointed or not, I'm still getting an iPhone 4S because my fiance's brother wants an iPhone. My fiance pays his cell phone bill, because he is in college and she is a pharmacist, and she wants me to hand down my iPhone 4 and keep the 4S because she does not trust him with the new phone. This is a "yes, dear" that I don't have a problem with.

A new design would be cool, but it's not like this design and build quality has been matched by any other manufacturer yet.

 

[mouthbreather]

Actually there are many many reasons to upgrade. Silly comment.

Never said there weren't good reasons to upgrade. People are just bummed that there aren't dramatic differences that would compel them to upgrade.

 

[jsoto]

Actually I have an iPad and an iPad 2 and if your mister I work on my phone and have been using a 3G for 4 years that takes 30 seconds just to bring up the message screen then u r stupider then I thought.... U should of upgraded a long time ago. I'm glad your so happy with a microscopic screen. But I'm not and I'm also not ever going android so y do u think I'm so pissed of when I hear people like you saying that the phone needed no redesign. Well it did and of course someone using a caveman 3G is gonna be happy with a 4s but for the people who like to keep up with the times and buy the nicest and best of electronics. Well we just got screwed. We now have to watch these droid morons laugh. While we need a telescope to see our Facebook page

Is Facebook the only thing making you cry :-( my, my...

You are even more stupider than I think you are... We'll see in the next earnings report who is still stream rolling.... It seems they know what they are doing as they have a bigger & much nicer balance sheet than the federal goverment. Hey if you are not happy getty a droid period. There is nothing wrong with the 4s. I am on the 4 and I am happy with it. When the time comes I'll upgrade being the 4s or version 6.

You talk about keeping up with the times??? What does the 4s not have that the other phones have??? You want more plastic??? Bulkier phone??? Go for it... Apple came out with a good spec phone. Obviously not for you then move on... But for the millions that will buy it. I am sure Apple will be just fine.

 

[Leaping Tortois]

To be honest I think the biggest reason that people are disappointed is due to apple not exactly setting the bar. Up until now, every time apple has released a new phone it's had something that caused the other manufacturers to go "Ah crap!" I mean the iPad2's performance caused samsung to pull their original 10.1 Tab from sale. What I see here is catchup.

The CPU is faster, but that's a time thing, give it a month or two and an even faster CPU will be in an android phone. World phone is nothing new, my brother recently went overseas to several different countries with his S2, and he just dropped in a local sim and it worked straight away, and I'd doubt the S2 was the first such phone.

This said apple will sell these things like hotcakes! Why? Two reasons: It's Shiny and has the apple logo, and people are quite invested in the iOS system (It actually is a good system, people) with apps and the like.

I am intrigued by Siri, but to be honest I see it as an additional feature, not a game changer. I could be wrong, but that's precisely the point; We don't know. Apple may be hoping Siri takes this new iPhone to new heights but Siri will not compel people to buy just yet. After all, my voice activated software on my S2 works quite well, sometimes I have to talk a little slowly to it in loud places, but it works. I do hope Siri proves to be something really nice, though.

 

[jsoto]

Another "Ditto!"

I second that!

 

[booksacool1]

It has 14.4 Mbps HSPA+

Actually, as far as I'm aware, 14.4 Mbps isn't HSPA+. Its HSDPA.
It seems like the iPhone 4S can't do 64QAM encoding which gives the boost to 21.6 Mbps speeds provided in HSPA+.

DailyTech also say it isn't HSPA+:
http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=22896

This iPhone does not have HSPA+. HSPA+ (aka. "evolved HSPA") requires a fast downlink and a fast uplink. The new iPhone has a high-speed downlink, but a traditional 3G speed uplink.

 

[Jagardn]

Sell your Apple stock now--you fool!

How much do you have invested in equities? How do you read a balance sheet, or evaluate stocks? Guess you don't really know. Apple actually made a really smart move with the 4S. It allowed them to create a phone that is already popular with completely new hardware and software. Would they be better off making a few hundred people on Mac Rumors happy with all they hyped up crap that was floating around and get low profit margins on their product? They created a very solid phone that will be available to billions worldwide at a high profit margin. Apple is soooooo dumb!!!

 

[ItsVictorB]

To be honest I think the biggest reason that people are disappointed is due to apple not exactly setting the bar. Up until now, every time apple has released a new phone it's had something that caused the other manufacturers to go "Ah crap!"

This is the truth. People are disappointed because they expected more, and rightfully so. Apple has set the rules ever since the first iPhone was released, and now it seems they are playing catch up, more so than innovating.

I was really excited about a potential iPhone 5 that would be on par specs-wise with the top Andorid phones. Maybe another year?

However, many of us need to understand that there are better phones, IMO, on the market right now than this iPhone 4gs. Take this example:

Specs:

-Dual-core 1ghz CPU
-1gb RAM
-4in HD LCD
-16gb storage with microSD slot
-HDMI out
-a fingerprint scanner to unlock your phone
-4g

If apple released a phone with those specs people would go nuts over how awesome it is. I mean...a finger print scanner to unlock your phone? Sweet!

The thing is that phone is already out and it's the current phone I'm using...The Motorola Atrix. I switched to it from my iPhone 3g and right now couldn't be happier...even after this announcement of the 4gs.

Here's hoping the iPhone 5 sets the stage once again for mobile phone innovation.

 

[Leaping Tortois]

Specs:

-Dual-core 1ghz CPU
-1gb RAM
-4in HD LCD
-16gb storage with microSD slot
-HDMI out
-a fingerprint scanner to unlock your phone
-4g

If apple released a phone with those specs people would go nuts over how awesome it is. I mean...a finger print scanner to unlock your phone? Sweet!

The thing is that phone is already out and it's the current phone I'm using...The Motorola Atrix. I switched to it from my iPhone 3g and right now couldn't be happier...even after this announcement of the 4gs.

Here's hoping the iPhone 5 sets the stage once again for mobile phone innovation.

I think that perhaps the next "Standard Setting" phone would be the Nexus Prime. My main issue is that the screen sizes are getting bigger and bigger. I don't like the 3.5in screen, I think it's too small, was stoked with my S2's 4.3, a little big, but nice. I honestly think the sweetspot for a PHONE, is 4in. Big enough for those of us with chunky hands, but not so big that those with smaller hands find it massive. Anything bigger and we're starting to get into tablet territory.

 

[skillwill]

If you so desperately need a bigger screen it's not a TELEPHONE that you need. It's a good looking phone and now, if reports are correct, you can even hold it without fear of dropping signal. It's thin, light and fits in your pocket. The technology and performance beats any phone out there. What makes me laugh is that people will complain about anything - had we had a brand new iPhone 5 unveiling no doubt someone will have said "that looks ugly" "that huge screen will scratch too easily" etc. etc. And who knows what performance, heat, signal and battery problems would have had to be compromised for a newly designed phone. People want and expect way too much, you're all bloody spoilt.

 

[nutjob]

buying one ASAP.
SOLID UPGRADE!

Re-designed iPhone was just a pipe dream based on a bunch of baseless rumors.
Apple will probably update their design every two generations.

It was an overpriced phone to begin with, now you're willing to pay again for a marginal upgrade? This is the sort of customer than has given Apple 73 billion in the bank.

"I don't care what it is, don't care what it costs, just give it to me!"

 

[Jagardn]

It was an overpriced phone to begin with, now you're willing to pay again for a marginal upgrade? This is the sort of customer than has given Apple 73 billion in the bank.

"I don't care what it is, don't care what it costs, just give it to me!"

It's not a spec war to me and many others, it's about user experience and ease of use.

The A5 screams on the iPad 2, why would you need more?
The iPhone 4 camera quality was great, and this tops it. Along with the iOS 5 built in editing features.
If the antenna features work as advertised, it's pretty impressive.
ATV mirroring and HDMI.
Siri looks like it will be outstanding.
All of the iOS 5 enhancements.

Sounds like a winner to me.

We just want different things from our phones.
If I had an iPhone 4, I probably wouldn't upgrade, but I'm also not one to "keep up with the jones'"

 

[aldorande]

I am very pleased to see this new release today; although I am surprised to see so many whiners on this post just because that is not called iPhone 5.

But you see, the real revolution was already announced a few month ago by Jobs: that was iCloud. This requires an iPhone 3GS or later so that you can run iOS 5.
iCloud is the best idea Apple come up with recently, and I am sure this will make the difference in the future. That just looks great.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnzCnPSQM7c


This iPhone would suit completely to the 2G and 3G owners who want to use iCloud as native and benefit a nice specs boost at the same time, like for example the camera or A5 ship...

this move will hopefully get some of the Android's users back!

 

[H2SO4]

If you so desperately need a bigger screen it's not a TELEPHONE that you need. It's a good looking phone and now, if reports are correct, you can even hold it without fear of dropping signal. It's thin, light and fits in your pocket. The technology and performance beats any phone out there. What makes me laugh is that people will complain about anything - had we had a brand new iPhone 5 unveiling no doubt someone will have said "that looks ugly" "that huge screen will scratch too easily" etc. etc. And who knows what performance, heat, signal and battery problems would have had to be compromised for a newly designed phone. People want and expect way too much, you're all bloody spoilt.

Pretty ridiculous idea to make it from glass though, yeah it looks and feels nice but glass? Do reports say you can hold it without fear of dropping and smashing to smithereens?
(Haven't dropped mine yet).

----------

Disappointed or not, I'm still getting an iPhone 4S because my fiance's brother wants an iPhone. My fiance pays his cell phone bill, because he is in college and she is a pharmacist, and she wants me to hand down my iPhone 4 and keep the 4S because she does not trust him with the new phone. This is a "yes, dear" that I don't have a problem with.

A new design would be cool, but it's not like this design and build quality has been matched by any other manufacturer yet.

The design hasn't?

 

[The Man]

With all these 3GS users saying there is no compelling reason to upgrade, are they serious? The 4s is smoking fast, has AirPlay mirroring, the camera system is a zillion times better, HD video, Siri, high res screen. 3GS users would be really happy to upgrade. 3GS users being disappointed, now that makes no sense at all. Sometimes I wonder if these boards have real Apple users, or fake ones.

 

[teme]

This is really just like when the 3GS Came out back in 2009, it didn't appeal greatly to current 3G users of the time, but it did appeal more to users of the original iPhone. This upgrade is essentially aimed at people who never bought the "4" and kept the 3G or 3GS. In which case this is a fairly substantial upgrade for users of them iPhones.

That's right. However, few years back the situation was different and Apple was really ahead their competitors. Right now it's different case, Android phones are popular and Apple should take a big leap forward to stay ahead.

 

[The Man]

iPhone 4 users who are disappointed in the 4s, I don't get either. iPhone 4 is still a great phone. IOS 5 and iCloud makes it even better. Apple makes things to last pretty long. Has the world come down to people needing to upgrade or die? And if you're a 4 user who is up for upgrade, what's not to like about 4s. If you love your 4, you will love your 4s even more. Need other form factor just to show off that you've got a new Apple? Need a bigger screen, maybe, but if you love iOS it's not like screen size will be the one decisive factor to go Android or Windows. Doesn't make any sense at all. Are these people really iPhone users? Feels so fake to me.

 

[aluren]

With all these 3GS users saying there is no compelling reason to upgrade, are they serious? The 4s is smoking fast, has AirPlay mirroring, the camera system is a zillion times better, HD video, Siri, high res screen. 3GS users would be really happy to upgrade. 3GS users being disappointed, now that makes no sense at all. Sometimes I wonder if these boards have real Apple users, or fake ones.

I think it has more to do with the fact that they wait this long to get what is mostly just an iPhone 4.

The more I think about it, the more that the 4S is a worthy upgrade, even from the 4. The only gripe I have is why they couldn't at least up the front camera to 2-3mp? Right now that camera is pure trash.

 

[SeanZy]

After using the galaxy S II for a couple days, I have to say I am extremely disappointed with the battery life. Extremely.

The Siri video really is making me want to get the iPhone 4S. And I said I never would, but once again apple does it.

I love the screen on the galaxy, but the battery is a huge deciding point for me.

 

[DaReal_Dionysus]

most of the people posting comments against this product are just you standard computer geek wanna be. The bottom line here:

iPhone 4 was supposedly outlined with issues and yet it's still the best smart phone and the most purchased smart phone in the world. Once Apple takes on new carriers like Sprint and T-Mobile the phone will not only dominate all four carries, but the industry as whole in it's self. Say what you want about 4s, but the media and said apple lost it's touch when iPad first came out and look what happened there. iPhone, Apple and it's technology is still the best there is now and for years to come. No matter what the individuals of this forum say. There is no real way to please technology freaks anyway.