iPhone 4S Reviews: "Best iPhone Yet", Great Camera, Siri Straight Out of Sci Fi

[MacRumors]

The early iPhone 4S reviews are in. Apple has provided some publications with an early review unit of the iPhone 4S and here are the reviews. We've extracted some of the more interesting points from each review, but you can click each title to read the full writeup.

TechCrunch

- "The iPhone 4S blows away the iPhone 4 when it comes to speed."
- "The true killer feature of the device is Siri."
- "The amount of times Siri hasn't been able to understand and execute my request is astonishingly low. I'll say something that I'm sure Siri won't be able to understand, and it gets it."
- "Because it uses server-side software to decipher what you're saying (likely using Nuance-licensed technology), you have to be connected to the Internet in order for Siri to work."

ThisIsMyNext

- "On paper, [the iPhone 4S] may not stand up to the latest and greatest Android phone with 4G radios, a massive screen, and a screaming 1.5GHz dual-core CPU -- but in use, it's easily one of the most capable handsets on the market."
- "Apple made a pretty big deal out of the new camera on the rear of the iPhone 4S, and after testing it for a few days, I understand why... Apple has improved on what was already a capable video solution, making it a full-fledged competitor for bulkier point-and-shoots or dedicated camcorders."
- "The 4S is more than capable of going through a full business day without needing a charge, and if you're a lighter user, you'll rarely have to worry about it."
- On Siri, "The software even has a good sense of humor. Asking it "what is the meaning of life?" will bring up a number of responses, both serious and not so serious. The first time I asked, Siri simply said "42."

Other reviews: NYTimes, Wired

Macworld

They've included a video:

Article Link: iPhone 4S Reviews: "Best iPhone Yet", Great Camera, Siri is "Straight Out of Science Fiction",

 

[bpeeps]

Want. This week has been the slowest week ever.

 

[longofest]

well, it got the meaning of life question partially correct, but it missed the rest of the numbers. Should be 4 8 15 16 23 42, if I'm not mistaken.

iPhone 4S does look to be a solid upgrade, though walt noted that while Siri was promising, he did feel it had room to grow and pointed out that it is still a beta.

 

[WannaGoMac]

GSM unlocked on CDMA carriers?!

Why couldn't ONE of these reviewers say whether or not the GSM was locked on Verizon or Sprint with a test?

To clarify, since many confuse this question -- if I get a Sprint/Verizon iphone 4s, will the GSM/SIM card be unlocked so I can use any SIM in it I want while traveling outside the USA

 

[JRoDDz]

Apparently Siri has read "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy"

 

[FroMann]

One week everyone complains about the 4S being junk, next week people will call it the best phone ever.

 

[wordoflife]

Siri send surges of chills down my spine. It's sheer awesomeness is so ... awesome.

 

[deannnnn]

Asking it “what is the meaning of life?” will bring up a number of responses, both serious and not so serious. The first time I asked, Siri simply said “42.”

Lmao. Love it.

 

[appleisgod]

These reviews are making it extremely hard for a current iPhone 4 owner with an upgrade not buy the 4S.

 

[QCassidy352]

I'm sure that 7 mb number is heavily location dependent, but if I can get even half that in Boston, that's reason enough for the upgrade in and of itself.

 

[preguntonontrac]

- "On paper, [the iPhone 4S] may not stand up to the latest and greatest Android phone with 4G radios, a massive screen, and a screaming 1.5GHz dual-core CPU -- but in use, it's easily one of the most capable handsets on the market."

So what will be or is better than the 4s in the next 6 months?

 

[8CoreWhore]

Over 6Mbps on AT&T!!!

 

[SuprUsrStan]

Why couldn't ONE of these reviewers say whether or not the GSM was locked on Verizon or Sprint?

Why would you expect it to be CDMA unlocked? Especially when you know the "unlocked" phone yet to be released will not be able to operate on the CDMA networks.

 

[iGobbleoff]

And only a couple of weeks ago people were complaining about the specs and threatening to go to Android

 

[entatlrg]

One week everyone complains about the 4S being junk, next week people will call it the best phone ever.

Now that people actually have one in their hands they're eating their words ...

 

[rick snagwell]

looks very promising!

 

[macrumorsuser10]

Absolutely amazing reviews. The reviewer feedback on Siri is fantastic. It's this type of overall integration (hardware, OS software, OS features like Siri, the wealth of third party applications and peripherals) that Android fanboys just don't understand. They're the ones putting tails and lights on their cars and thinking the specs make it superior to a high-end sedan. They can go f* themselves.

 

[mKizzo]

Congrats to all those who bought the iPhone 4S. Sounds like a winner.

 

[troop231]

Can't wait to get my 64GB 4S this Friday Hurry it up UPS!!

 

[slrandall]

Oh, did Giz not get one?

 

[ABernardoJr]

- "Apple says Siri will improve with time — both because she adapts to you, and because Apple itself will periodically upgrade her brain."

I find that to make this all even more amazing

 

[mbarriault]

One week everyone complains about the 4S being junk, next week people will call it the best phone ever.

This forms the core difference between seeing and using.

 

[Dreamer2go]

To all you hypocrites of iPhone 4S...
I don't mind you switching back or taking back all your negative statements about iPhone 4S....

I'm going to upgrade this from an iPhone 4 anyway
but please hurry and come to Hong Kong!!!

 

[ghettochris]

What does it cost iphone 4 users in contract to upgrade taking sale of old phone into consideration? It looks like att wants 450 for a 16 4s, so how much can I get for a iphone 4 in great shape and where's the best place to sell it? I'm sure some people will sell their iphone4 somewhere for more than 250 and end up with the 4s for cheaper than those not in a contract with a 4.

 

[Primejimbo]

"Best iPhone Yet" I sure hope so, i would hate if the 4 was better...