Apple to Release iPhone 4S with New GPS Features?

[marksman]

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I still can't believe Apple would wait 18 months just for a spec bump. Doesn't make sense, no matter how many rumors I read.

It's going to be a HUGE let down if there's no iPhone 5...

Just refer to it as the 5 in your head and it will no longer be a let down. It is a brand new device but it shares the case of the iphone 4 which is functionally and aesthetically an amazing design.

If you want change solely for change itself jump on the android bandwagon. Their products are vastly inferior but they change them willy nilly on a weekly basis which will, seemingly, keep some of you excited.

 

[840quadra]

iPhone 1 = original announcement = Announced by Steve Jobs
iPhone 3G = major redesign = Announced by Steve Jobs
iPhone 3GS = evolutionary spec upgrade = Announced by Phil Schiller
iPhone 4 = major redesign = Announced by Steve Jobs
iPhone 4S = evolutionary spec upgrade = Announced by Tim Cook/Phil Schiller

I'm sure it's just a coincidence, but it's interesting nevertheless.

The 3G wasn't really that major of a design, it was more of a spec upgrade TBH.

 

[Lagmonster]

If there is no iPhone 5 today, I will have to move to Android. Not that I wouldn't be happy with the 4s - I would. But I would be shamed in to an Android at work. Sigh...

 

[Marzzz]

iPhone 1 = original announcement = Announced by Steve Jobs
iPhone 3G = major redesign = Announced by Steve Jobs
iPhone 3GS = evolutionary spec upgrade = Announced by Phil Schiller
iPhone 4 = major redesign = Announced by Steve Jobs
iPhone 4S = evolutionary spec upgrade = Announced by Tim Cook/Phil Schiller

I'm sure it's just a coincidence, but it's interesting nevertheless.

I think that is fairly telling. My wife and I take turns upgrading, I got the iPhone 4 last summer, her 3GS is on its last legs and she is overdue for the 4S. Personally I don't understand why anyone would want to update their phone every single year- I find two years works well and fits the contract.

 

[iBug2]

The 3G wasn't really that major of a design, it was more of a spec upgrade TBH.

Indeed. 3G added only GPS and 3G, and that's it. The case was 99% identical, same with 3GS' case. 4 had the first major case redesign.

 

[DotCom2]

All this hype for nothing...

It happens every year. Over hyped, under delivered.
And yet it sells millions!

 

[ChazUK]

I can't believe how worked up people are getting over all this (on both sides of the coin might I add).

Why not save the pent up fury and rage until we all know what's been announced after the event?

 

[3N16MA]

1. Apple releases iPhone 4S.

2. Some MR poster throw a hissy fit.

3. Claims of "Apple sucks" and "I'm buying a Galaxy SII" become more prominent.

4. Stories about how Apple is doomed are created by pissed off posters.

5. The average consumer does not care and buys the 4S anyways. Apple sells million of iPhone 4S every quarter and it becomes the #1 selling smartphone.





*Sequence if iPhone 5 is not launched.

 

[Eager Beaver]

well.... theres always next year

Next year we will ALL be firmly locked into our new contracts, and will have to watch all the other people get the newly designed iphone with bigger screen and lte

 

[Tom8]

I wonder if these are iPhone 4S or 5 (whatever the call the redesigned 4) exclusive features, or whether they're part of iOS 5. The article makes me think it's the former.

 

[spazzcat]

I still can't believe Apple would wait 18 months just for a spec bump. Doesn't make sense, no matter how many rumors I read.

Not if they spent all this time working on making the phone better. I don't understand why they need to change the current design? They just need to make sure there are no antenna issues, which is what I am guessing they been working on this whole time...

 

[l.w41sh]

Wow....

16 months later and we get the EXACT SAME PHONE with a better processor and a slightly better camera?

This isn't 2009 w/ the 3GS - Android is exploding and an iPhone 4S will not make people run to the Apple stores.

GOOD then I can upgrade without a billion other people in line at the store...

 

[RoboCop001]

For those thinking about getting the Galaxy S II instead of the 4S, I'm curious:

Is the choice a purely aesthetic one? If the A5 version in the iPhone turns out to be better than what the Galaxy S II has will you regret your choice to move to that phone? Or will you be happy because you enjoy the aesthetic of the S2 better?

And what about iOS 5?

I say this without mockery or sarcasm, I'm truly curious.

 

[840quadra]

If there is no iPhone 5 today, I will have to move to Android. Not that I wouldn't be happy with the 4s - I would. But I would be shamed in to an Android at work. Sigh...

Buy what you want, not what others want you to have. If you want Android, great, If not, why would you change?

 

[masciam]

They're the exact same as the Chinese cases..

According to 9to5Mac these cases are made for a 4.44" screen phone. The chinese cases were made for 4" ones.

 

[Bodygard]

Almost there!
If only the 4S comes out, i'll keep my 4 and wait for iPhone 5

 

[BornAgainMac]

Maybe the 4S will not be a huge demand and it will be humanly possible to get one on day 1. I wouldn't mind a few more GPS features.

 

[spazzcat]

Next year we will ALL be firmly locked into our new contracts, and will have to watch all the other people get the newly designed iphone with bigger screen and lte

I like 99% of the people right now that have iP4s...

 

[Kitschier]

The crying sure will be entertaining, as always the "Apple fail" remarks are.

Apple apparently failed too when Jobs announced the iPhone 4. So you know, fails are bound to happen.

 

[lamewing]

Let me guess - you buy based upon specs?

A bigger screen, faster processor (cycle time specific) and "open" system make the SGS2 better than the yet unreleased and un-spec'd iPhone?

I can't wait for the day when HTC, Samsung, Moto, etc start producing upgradable box phones, so that the freaky tech guys can build their own "monster" smart phone with fan cooled, led lit, internals that require really cool supplemental backpack battery systems, giant 15" screens and full sized keyboards that you wear around your neck.

God, that will be cool.

While most specs don't matter to me, the SCREEN SIZE does. I have used a Samsung Focus for a while now with a four inch screen. The size of the phone isn't much wider than a 3GS and it is thinner and lighter too. If Apple doesn't add a 4 inch screen I really will just keep using this WP7 until next year. I hat to say this, but Mango is a great OS and my eyes really appreciate the extra screen real estate.

 

[PhotoPhoenix]

I just bought the 4 a few weeks ago knowing that the 4S/5 were coming out soon. The main reason I didn't care was because of the software upgrade that was coming. I'd much rather have the software update. I think that in itself will make these phones "new" phones.

 

[number9]

Yup, I bought the SGS2 when July rolled around and no iPhone came out. I needed a new phone soo bad that I bought the SGS2 for full price. Good job Apple for dropping the ball on a new iPhone. The SGS2 is blazing fast and works perfect. I had to get used to Android but it didn't take long and I like the back button.

Yes, because the iPhone4, and the iPhone 4S/5 will be soo slow in useless compared to your SG2. I don't get people's obsession with a new case design. The iPhone 5, if it came out now, would probably have the exact same internals as an iPhone 4S- A5, 8 MP camera, etc. Is there something you hate so much about the iPhone 4 that it needs to be changed? Outside of the forums here and on other tech sites where the nerds and trolls congregate, I don't think the majority of the smartphone buying public has many issues with the iPhone 4 design, judging by the number of them they've sold for $199/$299 for the last 16 months. It's not like A5 the hardware base isn't competitive with current Andriod hardware.

Is it just a bigger screen? Does a phone need a 5 inch screen to be competitive? Is there something wrong with the current Retina display other than it being less than 4 inches? Can someone explain in a rational, logical, manner with supporting evidence other than "Steve Jobs/Apple dropped the ball/failed, I <3 my SG2!!!!"?

 

[thesiren]

Screen size is subjective. If you want a larger screen than maybe the SII is a better phone for you. I, however, do _not_ want a larger screen so I'm glad the larger iPhone screen rumors have disappeared.

Not everyone wants a larger screen - not everyone wants a smaller one either.

What the hell do you have against a bigger screen? what could possibly be a downside to being able to see things better?

 

[KPOM]

Android phones are basically getting spec bumps as well. What extra hardware are they adding? The newest thing I saw was the 3D display of the latest HTC and I don't really see Apple actually going that way.

There's a Nexus Prime coming out next week that sports a new OS (Ice Cream Sandwich) and supposedly a curved back and 4.7" edge-to-edge screen.

 

[TTMax]

If Apple call the phone a 4s it *will* be an epic fail, it's basically saying hey, it ain't good enough to be called a 5. And Apple doesn't release new phones at lower price points. I have a 3gs and will not buy a bumped up 4, ios 5 will run quite nicely. Even a slight redesign is surely necessary?!

Apple doesn't do mediocre, still have hopes for an awesome release, can't see them whipping out the brand new phone and oh..it's a 4 with 1080p video and voice control... and its soooo fast!!