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

[designaholic]

Stop whining.

Thing is, Apple have blown people away so much in the past, people's expectations are just way to high. Coupled with the over-zealous rumour mill merchants who just set-up the disappointment *every* time.

I'm really not that bothered, still happy with my iPhone 4 - not once have I ever thought "I hate this phone and wish I had a different one". Will definitely upgrade for the speed boost + Siri.

As to their stock, it will remain strong, especially when they *ahem* launch the iPad 3 next year. Just look at the numbers and use your head.

 

[MacTheSpoon]

15 months for that?

Yeah, weird. They must have had some problems with integrating the A5 chip or something, that's all I can think of.

Very underwhelming. Damn. Especially after the silver prototype being leaked all over the place.

This is the first time I can think of that an Apple phone has not set a new standard for the industry. Siri seems pretty much the same as voice search on Android, as nice as natural language is and all, and I doubt it's going to set people's hearts on fire like the retina display did. And the 4s isn't setting new standards for phone thinness, either. Or even weight. And certainly not network speed.

They're even sticking doggedly to the glass back and external, groundable antenna.

Well, Nexus Prime...you're up next.

 

[Sam Yikin]

Honestly, people, look beyond the name (4S vs 5). This is a huge upgrade.

Much better camera, 7x faster graphics, 2x faster CPU, much improved antenna designed, better battery life, world phone, Sprint, Siri, AirPlay mirroring.

I would've liked a new design too (especially the bigger screen) but I won't let that stop me from seeing that this is actually quite a substantial update.

 

[4x4bob]

Why didn't they just stencil in an "S" on their iPhone 4 inventory.

Kinda like when these guys revolutionized the music industry.

http://youtu.be/F7IZZXQ89Oc

Disappointed, I didn't care for the 4 design.

 

[mbh]

Apple's stock is down $18.00 HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Remember not so long ago when AAPL hit 420 and everyone was moaning about how they wish they had gotten in when it was lower? Well, now it's lower.

But who wants to buy a stock when it's down? Best wait until it hits a new all-time high.

 

[PeterQVenkman]

Honestly, people, look beyond the name (4S vs 5). This is a huge upgrade.

Much better camera, 7x faster graphics, 2x faster CPU, much improved antenna designed, better battery life, world phone, Sprint, Siri, AirPlay mirroring.

I would've liked a new design too (especially the bigger screen) but I won't let that stop me from seeing that this is actually quite a substantial update.

Same for me.

Now If I can just get it without a wallet raping data plan on a non AT&T carrier (sucks in my area), I'll buy it day one.

 

[Drewswa77]

Ha

Person 1: Oh crap, I'm getting an Android phone. The 4S sucks
Person 2: Why, so you don't like the new stuff it has?
Person 1: No, I like those features but the fact is that I wanted a phone half an inch bigger and a millimetre thinner.

Well put. I think a lot of iphone users on here just want to win screen size pissin* matches with the android using friends. This is a nice upgrade. I don't know why they just didn't call it an iPhone 5 to avoid the panic.

 

[Goratrix]

The iPhone 4S will debut in an additional 22 countries by the end of October. Those countries include: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland

So, does Siri work just as well as in English in German, Czech, Danish, Estonian, Finnish, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Spanish, Dutch, Norwegian, Slovakian, Slovenian, Swedish and whatever other languages are spoken in those countries?

 

[ArchaicRevival]

No turn by turn navigation?

Wait, so is there free voice commanded turn by turn navigation? Can you get that with the iPhone yet?

 

[milo]

And now it has 4G speed...

I agree with your post except for this part.

 

[citi]

It's a good evolutionary update. The only thing I really wanted was the ability to talk and surf at the same time. Until then, I won't be upgrading my Verizon iPhone. Guess next year then.

 

[skiphunt]

screen size

Looks nice but I was hoping for bigger screen and faster. Looks like I'll be saving my money and sticking with the iPhone 4 for now. Disappointed, but glad I don't have to go wait in line for an iPhone 5 now.

 

[Kaibelf]

Honestly, I care nothing for Siri. The other stuff is good, but kind of expected in the very least...no?

No, not for a single person who doesn't troll these sites. Normal people don't follow this, and they will, by the millions, buy the 4S. The same idiots who said the 3GS was a huge mistake are probably still applying Preparation H right now, and the 4S whiners will buy their tubes. Then they will complain about how stupid "sheeple" inexplicably buy well-designed mature products at a good price instead of cutting edge junk that breaks in 2 months.

 

[Star fox]

One question. What is happening to all the thousands of "iPhone 5" cases?

That makes me wonder too. What is this mysterious device ?

I can't see Apple using it to find leaks, that'd be stupid.

 

[richard4339]

Does anyone know the unsubsidized cost? Who gets a contract anyway?

Will the 3GS be 99€? Pretty please?

Apple store is back up. iPhone 4S is $649/$749/$849 unsubsidized, iPhone 4 is $549 through VZW. Can't see the 3GS as its AT&T only.

 

[whawhat]

It's all about China people! That's where their future growth lies and they only officially got the iPhone 4 a few months ago. This actually makes sense for Apple. Can you imagine the demand for the 5 next year.

 

[SirChadwick]

At least my iPhone 4 won't look old since there isn't going to be an iPhone 5 today.

Always look on the bright side of life.

 

[nagromme]

Okay, so all you haters and whiners,
You don't appreciate the A5 chip which, as proven, mashes up all the competitors' CPUs,
You don't appreciate the new camera, which is as good as the best Android phones,
You don't appreciate the new clever antenna system which makes 4G speeds, without 4G,
You don't appreciate the new awesome Siri voice assistant,
You don't appreciate the extended battery life,
You don't appreciate the fact that it is a world phone.

JUST BECAUSE IT HAS NO NEW CASE! IT STILL LOOKS BEAUTIFUL EVEN TODAY, AND I STILL FIND IT THE BEST DESIGN OF A SMARTPHONE!

And clearly, if they’re saying (pretending?) they’ll get one of those HTCs with the terrible battery life and worse antennas, then they also don’t appreciate all the OTHER benefits that the iPhone 4 always had over everything else (highest quality apps, automatic FULL backups, you name it) nor the new benefits of iOS 5.

In effect, they’ve found a genie lamp in an antique store and said: "I wanted 4 wishes! This genie only offers me 3! Keep it; for the same price, I’ll just take that doll with the arm missing!”

 

[ade2bee]

Stock always rises on the rumor, falls on the news. Daily stock twitches indicate very little.

“Catching up”?

The 4 already had a better camera, battery life, and performance.

All of which are now improved even further.

And it still has the retina display, without the problems of OLED.

And now it has 4G speed without 4G battery drain and 4G limited coverage!

An awesome phone just got better. And the shape stayed the same, just as happened with the 3G. No great surprise, and buyers don’t care: that’s why the 4 and the 3G were the two best-selling smartphones even before this new release.

Usually I's agree with you, but like it or not the colours on the pie chart were changing compares to 18 months ago and as Scott Stein CNET just wrote:*
"Well...that's it. Hmm. This wouldn't have felt as disappointing if the iPhone event were back in June.
*
I think this wait of a few extra months is really what's created this build-up..."

In the end, yes the 4 has massive sales. But with the Nexus Prime and Samsung phones already out or nearly here then Apple can't mock anymore.

I myself love Apple iOS, but the design was the first from Apple that I heard Apple Fans have mixed feelings about. Plus, this phone, regardless to what people say is made of glass and does shatter/break easier than any phone on the market as more than a couple of my friends have discovered. Plus you have the antenna issues that hampered the 4, yes i know they've fixed it and the specs are up, but the public will see the iPhone 4, 'the design they read bad things about in the paper'.

 

[Jimbo1234]

Never mind

What the iPhone 4 should have been.

No wonder Steve decided to bow out.

 

[laravia18]

Honestly, I am seriously disappointed in the update based on how long it took. However, I am glad that the iPhone finally has 64gb. Plus it is a world phone.

This allows me to stay on Sprint and use my phone wherever I want when I update in December.

It will be my first iPhone. I am selling my touch in November.

 

[milo]

I kind of suprised that develoeprs are not getting iOS5 today.

They've had the beta for months, the final should be any day now assuming it's not the version they have already.

Is iCloud for SL or Lion only?

Good question, there have been rumors about that for a while. Did apple clarify either way today?

Except that the price usually goes up leading to the event. In this case, AAPL is down some $65 in the last couple weeks.

Have you missed that the broader markets are down at least as much? Maybe it's not big enough news to make it on your radar, but there has been increasing worry that we may be headed into a second recession.

 

[Agent OrangeZ]

I am very pleased with todays release...

I have owned every iPhone that has come out. Every now and then I dabble in Android to check it out... see how it's going in that world... but I always come back to iPhone.

1 reason is size. I always tell people... especially with phones like Galaxy S II with 4.3 inch screens... "Man this thing is big. Kind of uncomfortable to hold. This build quality feels cheep too."

iPhone has always felt sturdy, high quality build and the PERFECT size.

Now it's coming with the features I've wanted from Android devices. 1080p camera, dual core, dictation, voice feaures. But... like in Apple elegance and style, we get the features with a super fine polish to them!

1080p video with image stabilization and better sensors. Faster camera. I have kids... it is important to be able to quickly whip out the camera and take a shot while they are doing something cute.

A voice assistant that I don't have to speak like a robot to get it to understand me and it knows what I want it to do.

And really... what is your problem??? The iPhone 4's design is still LEAPS and BOUNDS over many of the competitors. The freakin thing is made of glass! Who else does THAT?!?

Thank you Apple! I'll be sending you $399 soon for my 64GB.

 

[KTF]

They Change Everything Again!

 

[vivescaramouche]

Well quite a few people not happy with a faster phone, better graphics, hugely improved camera, faster download speeds, better battery life not to mention the quite superb software coming onboard. And the fact that you can talk to your phone...just wish you could prefix any Siri request with 'Computer...'

Oh and a 64GB model and decent pricing. That Card app looks nice. hmm wonder if you can ask your phone to remember birthdays then order a card?