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iPhone 4S vs. iPhone 5

I'll give you the differences.

Screen
4S- 3.5"
5- 4"

Processor
4S- A5
5- A6

RAM
4S- 512 MB
5- 1 GB (1024 MB)

Initial iOS version
4S- 5.x.x
5- 6.x.x

iSight camera
4S- 8 MP
5- 8 MP

FaceTime camera
4S- VGA (0.3 MP)
5- 1.2 MP

Cellular connectivity
4S- 2G, 3G
5- 2G, 3G, 4G

SIM
4S- Micro-SIM
5- Nano-SIM
 
Abazigal said:
The iPhone 4S and 5 both got the same feature set exactly because apple expected that 4s users are only 1 year into their 2 year contract and unlikely to upgrade anyways. Likewise, you don't want to piss them off into switching to another brand.

I expect 5 to get the same features as 5s, though the latter should get one or 2 new features the former won't enjoy (just like 4s getting Siri but not 4).
Click to expand...

The 5 won't get the same features as the 5S. What would be the difference between the 5 and 5S if they had identical software? A faster processor, more ram and a better camera in a phone that looks identical to its predecessor? That would be a huge flop. Imagine those reviews on tech sites? What would Apples selling point be? "Fastest phone now unnecessarily faster!", "Best camera now even better!", "More ram then you can shake a stick at!"

Also to believe that you need to negate all of Apples previous history with the iPhone. They've done what I'm "predicting" since the start.

The non S models are redesigns in appearance. The S models are better software. That's the only real difference.

Plus think about what you said. The 4S got the same software that the 5 to not to upset customers one year into their two year contract? So what about the 4 owners? They were one year into their two year contract when 4S owners got Siri. Their is no difference from 4 to 5 (again unless you negate Apple past history).
 
cynics said:
Plus think about what you said. The 4S got the same software that the 5 did not to upset customers one year into their two year contract. So what about the 4 owners? They were one year into their two year contract when 4S owners got Siri. Their is no difference from 4 to 5 (again unless you negate Apple past history).
Click to expand...

I believe the iPhone 5s will get a defining feature to set it apart (maybe that fingerprint recognition system).

Both the iPhone 4 and 4s got the full feature set from ios5.

The way I see it, the S versions are wholly internal changes and a better camera while the non-S models focus more on external hardware and a new form factor.
 
Abazigal said:
I believe the iPhone 5s will get a defining feature to set it apart (maybe that fingerprint recognition system).

Both the iPhone 4 and 4s got the full feature set from ios5.

The way I see it, the S versions are wholly internal changes and a better camera while the non-S models focus more on external hardware and a new form factor.
Click to expand...

You may very well be right. We'll all have to wait and see.

I'm currently holding onto my 4S waiting for the 5S (my employer buys my phone so I can get whatever when I just don't want to abuse that privilege). If the 5S is identical software wise as the 5 then I'll just get the 5 and save the company money or just hold onto my 4S again depending on the new features of iOS 7 or more importantly the lack of those features on the 4S.

This is why I think their will be something cool on the 5S the 5 doesn't get. Just no reason to upgrade (for me) if its got more ram and ghz then the 5. All fluff words to me. I'll by an Android if it want 8 cores and 4 gb of RAM. I want proprietary software! :)

I doubt we will see new hardware in the 5. Just upgraded. While probably not impossible but a fingerprint scanner might be tough to jam into the same housing. And if they could do it I'd rather do away with that and add more battery!
 
maflynn said:
Let me say to the majority of consumers its not a massive upgrade. Most people aren't scouring the specs to see if its a huge update. Most users see the same form factor, the same OS, and no new real features (other then an improved camera).
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Well, it's not about subjective opinions. It's the exact same upgrade no matter what you think of it, and the iPhone 4S will feel a lot faster (because it is) for everyone.
 
What about for first-time iPhone owners? Anybody recommend the 4S or 5? I'd probably upgrade every "S" version.
 
They're both good devices. The 5 is faster, by how much is relative to each user but it is quicker to launch apps. I prefer the size in my hand of the 4S. I kept my 4S as my backup phone and eventually went back to it because it feels better with one hand. I'm a sucker for smaller devices when it comes to phones.
 
Cursor said:
What about for first-time iPhone owners? Anybody recommend the 4S or 5? I'd probably upgrade every "S" version.
Click to expand...

If you want to keep in the S rotation the most cost effective thing would to get a used 4S then use an upgrade for a 5S when it comes out.

This will be nice because the 5S will feel like a significant upgrade. So it will feel like you are getting your money's worth. The 5 to 5S won't be that big of a difference, more then likely.

The problem with the S is if the iPhone 6 is something amazing you'll need to pay out of pocket for it. That's yet to happen IMO though.
 
cynics said:
If you want to keep in the S rotation the most cost effective thing would to get a used 4S then use an upgrade for a 5S when it comes out.

This will be nice because the 5S will feel like a significant upgrade. So it will feel like you are getting your money's worth. The 5 to 5S won't be that big of a difference, more then likely.

The problem with the S is if the iPhone 6 is something amazing you'll need to pay out of pocket for it. That's yet to happen IMO though.
Click to expand...

Works for me. I'd be paying out-of-pocket, anyway with a pre-paid T-Mobile plan. Will data speeds between the 5 and 4S matter with T-Mobile?
 
SMDBill said:
My wife and daughter both have a 4 and I have a 4S. Pretty much the only thing I notice is significantly more lag in their phones than in mine, especially after Facebook or something long on a web page loads and then I scroll. Mine is much smoother and flows better. For me the power is noticeable in the 4S in comparison, but I don't really notice any other differences.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I notice it too. It helps to have a side by side. But alone, I think most users wouldn't know the difference between the two in every day use. Actually, I'd be willing to bet most users wouldn't even know where to start in identifying whether they are looking at a 4 or a 4s.

Reminds me of a hoax a late night talks how (Jimmy Kimmel?) did when the 4s was announced but not yet for sale. I am sure they only picked the best clips, but so many people, who were still just holding an iPhone 4, swore that there was noticeable speed gain, a crisper screen, and the list goes on.

----------
Cursor said:
Works for me. I'd be paying out-of-pocket, anyway with a pre-paid T-Mobile plan. Will data speeds between the 5 and 4S matter with T-Mobile?
Click to expand...

If you're in an area with refarmed 1900mhz hspa, it won't matter too badly. However, if the area hasn't been refarmed, and there are still huge gaps, and will likely continue to be for some time, you will be stuck on edge. Afaik even the "tmobile version" of the 4s and 4 don't have the appropriate antennas for 1900mhz.
 
lordofthereef said:
Agreed. I notice it too. It helps to have a side by side. But alone, I think most users wouldn't know the difference between the two in every day use. Actually, I'd be willing to bet most users wouldn't even know where to start in identifying whether they are looking at a 4 or a 4s.

Reminds me of a hoax a late night talks how (Jimmy Kimmel?) did when the 4s was announced but not yet for sale. I am sure they only picked the best clips, but so many people, who were still just holding an iPhone 4, swore that there was noticeable speed gain, a crisper screen, and the list goes on.

----------



If you're in an area with refarmed 1900mhz hspa, it won't matter too badly. However, if the area hasn't been refarmed, and there are still huge gaps, and will likely continue to be for some time, you will be stuck on edge. Afaik even the "tmobile version" of the 4s and 4 don't have the appropriate antennas for 1900mhz.
Click to expand...

How can I tell if it's been refarmed? I looked on T-Mobile's map, and it looks like I have good to Excellent 3G/4G coverage.
 
maflynn said:
Let me say to the majority of consumers its not a massive upgrade. Most people aren't scouring the specs to see if its a huge update. Most users see the same form factor, the same OS, and no new real features (other then an improved camera).
Click to expand...

I went from a 4 to a 4S. When I pick up my wife's 4, the difference is night and day. Slower, UI animations stutter, it's just a horrible experience.
 
WeegieMac said:
I went from a 4 to a 4S. When I pick up my wife's 4, the difference is night and day. Slower, UI animations stutter, it's just a horrible experience.
Click to expand...

Restore from new then back up from iCloud from the phone. My buddies 4 is a 100x better after doing that. My 4S is much better too but not as noticeable as the improvement on my friends 4.
 
Friendly i said that Iphone 4s is the best in the iphone series. It gives all the facility in the phone which iphone 5 gives us. Just light weight is the main effect of the Iphone 5.
 
cynics said:
Restore from new then back up from iCloud from the phone. My buddies 4 is a 100x better after doing that. My 4S is much better too but not as noticeable as the improvement on my friends 4.
Click to expand...

This seems to be a common theme. Kind of funny, because this is what I have done with Windows computers for years, yet the Mac crowd always bashed it. A fresh restore every twelve months or so improves things drastically. I make it a point to set up all new iPhones as new too.
 
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