KnightWRX
macrumors Pentium
So is the CPU. The only bumped the clock speed. It's still a Cortex A8, just like the 3GS had.
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iPhone 4S with A5, Sim-less? "Major New" iPhone 5 Due in 2012
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So is the CPU. The only bumped the clock speed. It's still a Cortex A8, just like the 3GS had.
Rodimus Prime
macrumors G4
Full of Win
macrumors 68030
If the no SIM part is true, Apple can shove their next super phone. There are several activities that I do that I don't want to risk my iPhone 4....which is why I use a SIM adapter and a throw-away GSM phone.
firestarter
macrumors 603
Exactly!
It's not just putting other SIM cards in your iPhone, it's the ability to put your iPhone SIM card in something else.
Lots of times I've taken my SIM out of my iPhone and transferred to my old Nokia. My number transfers too... switch the Nokia on and all my calls are directed to it. Very useful if I'm going somewhere hazardous (paintballing, some concerts etc.) where I'm worried my phone will be stolen or damaged.
gkpm
macrumors 6502
Whats the problem with eSIM?
It's still a SIM but instead of replacing the tiny bit of plastic you download a new one and install it. A real SIM is just software anyway, just runs inside a little chip, that's all.
Being software doesn't mean you can't change it, it makes it easier!
Imagine going abroad and downloading a new SIM instead of having to find a shop, negotiate the local language, figure out which tariff to get..
In the extreme case Apple could even run multiple virtual SIM cards at the same time. Two networks without the physical space taken by two cards.
That's why the networks are running scared of this, and saying this is a bad thing.. well it is, for them.
As for the phone crapping out, well the Apple Store replaces them on the same day or close to that.
It's still a SIM but instead of replacing the tiny bit of plastic you download a new one and install it. A real SIM is just software anyway, just runs inside a little chip, that's all.
Being software doesn't mean you can't change it, it makes it easier!
Imagine going abroad and downloading a new SIM instead of having to find a shop, negotiate the local language, figure out which tariff to get..
In the extreme case Apple could even run multiple virtual SIM cards at the same time. Two networks without the physical space taken by two cards.
That's why the networks are running scared of this, and saying this is a bad thing.. well it is, for them.
As for the phone crapping out, well the Apple Store replaces them on the same day or close to that.
The 3GS was a crap upgrade. It moved a little faster -- so what. It was functionally the same as the 3G. The only differences became apparent when iPhone OS4 bricked the 3G due to it's incredibly poor optimization (and "planned obsolescence" decision to deny multi-tasking to the 3G even though jailbroken phones could run it).
I wish I was on the proper upgrade cycle, but my contract with another carrier made me wait to go iPhone until 3GS. Now I'm stuck on the "down" upgrade cycle getting an old phone every 2 years while the even-year upgraders get cool new stuff.
jclardy
macrumors 601
I think these rumors should get their naming conventions straight.
iPhone (1st gen)
iPhone 3G (2nd gen)
iPhone 3GS (3rd gen)
iPhone 4 (4th gen)
iPhone "4S" (Makes sense if it is a speed boost...)
iPhone 5?? - Does not make sense because it is the 6th generation. Could be iPhone 4G, but I think a ton of people would be confused by that because many people call it the "iPhone 4G" already, even thought it is not.
I think the most likely case is for Apple to not go with the "4S" name and just call the next one iPhone 5.
iPhone (1st gen)
iPhone 3G (2nd gen)
iPhone 3GS (3rd gen)
iPhone 4 (4th gen)
iPhone "4S" (Makes sense if it is a speed boost...)
iPhone 5?? - Does not make sense because it is the 6th generation. Could be iPhone 4G, but I think a ton of people would be confused by that because many people call it the "iPhone 4G" already, even thought it is not.
I think the most likely case is for Apple to not go with the "4S" name and just call the next one iPhone 5.
If they don't increase the screen size, I'm sticking with my iPhone 4. I do use the camera a lot, but the current model is excellent. Speed on the iPhone at this point is not a major issue...looking more forward to iOS 5. Plus I do not want to use up my upgrade pricing should Apple go back to the June/July window next year.
I sometimes don't think you even read what you write -- why do you think the iPhone A5 will be any different than the 3GS? It'll be faster, but no one will write software to support it because they don't want to lose legacy-support for iP4 and iPad1 users.
So, once again, you'll own a phone that can't utilize it's own speed. A feature that can't be used is effectively worthless to the consumer.
Exactly what I said on the front page, but I guess people don't like thinking with logic because my post is currently at a -3 rating. 🙄
wordoflife
macrumors 604
Sim free does not mean you can't change your sim
I see a lot of people worrying that an iPhone without a physical, swappable sim card would be handicapped when you go abroad - they say you wouldn't be able to replace the sim with a local one. I don't so.
A sim card is merely a memory chip which carries certain network settings and other data. It's just data. So, essentially, instead of a sim card which you put into your phone you would download virtual sims which you could 'swap' within the eSim settings. Better than physical sims because you won't need to worry about losing them and, what's more, you won't need to find a shop to buy a sim from. You're off to India? Go to the website of an indian telecoms provider and request an eSim. Want to switch your phone to a different provider? Same deal. Just go to their site and download an eSim.
The only down side is that you can't take your sim from the iPhone and use it in another handset. That said there's no reason this can't be worked around and the advantages of eSims could certainly outweigh the downside.
I see a lot of people worrying that an iPhone without a physical, swappable sim card would be handicapped when you go abroad - they say you wouldn't be able to replace the sim with a local one. I don't so.
A sim card is merely a memory chip which carries certain network settings and other data. It's just data. So, essentially, instead of a sim card which you put into your phone you would download virtual sims which you could 'swap' within the eSim settings. Better than physical sims because you won't need to worry about losing them and, what's more, you won't need to find a shop to buy a sim from. You're off to India? Go to the website of an indian telecoms provider and request an eSim. Want to switch your phone to a different provider? Same deal. Just go to their site and download an eSim.
The only down side is that you can't take your sim from the iPhone and use it in another handset. That said there's no reason this can't be worked around and the advantages of eSims could certainly outweigh the downside.
gkpm
macrumors 6502
The 3GS? Even the iPhone 4 is clearly faster than that. Seeing the A5 on the iPad2 everything just flies, my iP4 feels sluggish now.
There's no need to write software to support it, existing ones will simply work a lot faster.
I think you people are misunderstanding the whole 'e-sim' thing. It is not like a CDMA phone where you would be locked to the carrier. If an e-sim was in the i-Phone, it would give the user options to change options on the e-sim. So if you were to buy an unlocked phone,
you could set the phone to use AT&T when in the USA, then when you visit Canada you could switch to Bell, and when you go backpacking in Europe you can switch to O2, etc. All this without have to worry about taking out and putting in a new sim card.
Its similar to the dual sim phones they have in some countries, you can pick which 'sim' you want to use and when.
-Rio
you could set the phone to use AT&T when in the USA, then when you visit Canada you could switch to Bell, and when you go backpacking in Europe you can switch to O2, etc. All this without have to worry about taking out and putting in a new sim card.
Its similar to the dual sim phones they have in some countries, you can pick which 'sim' you want to use and when.
-Rio
Phil A.
Moderator emeritus
And what if the carrier in the country you are going to doesn't support the "sim switching", or refuses to switch you over. What if you want to temporarily use a different phone on your account?
There is no way I would ever buy a "simless" GSM phone - it's a crazy idea, does away with one of the huge advantages of GSM, and makes no sense at all.
I buy my phones sim-free so I have the flexibility to drop in a local SIM when I go abroad, or switch my SIM between different phones (such as a cheap and cheerful phone if I'm going somewhere where I don't want to risk my iPhone) as I want to, and I don't care how good the iPhone 4S (or whatever it's called) may be, I'll stick with my 4 if the next phone comes out with a built in SIM
Tailpike1153
macrumors 6502a
I was thinking about a sim-less iPhone
Maybe Apple is moving into the MVNO market. Apple through its cash reserves buys up large tracks of prepaid minutes from various carriers where iPhone/world iPhone would be available. Your phone would have to be programmed with a base carrier. For me that would be ATT. Say I leave my base carrier's coverage area, by going up to Thunder Bay, Ontario. My phone should now sense that I'm out of normal coverage. Instead of auto-roaming, it should pop-up with warning message and ask me if I want to roam or buy airtime on Rogers, Telus, etc through iTunes. If I complete the purchase, I get wireless airtime without getting charged by ATT for roaming. There is nothing on the carriers to maintain account wise because this would be an itunes transaction. I know kind goofy but one way a mutant GSM iphone could be feasible.
Maybe Apple is moving into the MVNO market. Apple through its cash reserves buys up large tracks of prepaid minutes from various carriers where iPhone/world iPhone would be available. Your phone would have to be programmed with a base carrier. For me that would be ATT. Say I leave my base carrier's coverage area, by going up to Thunder Bay, Ontario. My phone should now sense that I'm out of normal coverage. Instead of auto-roaming, it should pop-up with warning message and ask me if I want to roam or buy airtime on Rogers, Telus, etc through iTunes. If I complete the purchase, I get wireless airtime without getting charged by ATT for roaming. There is nothing on the carriers to maintain account wise because this would be an itunes transaction. I know kind goofy but one way a mutant GSM iphone could be feasible.
bushido
Suspended
pushing the new iphone to fall or early next year is going to hurt their sales in the long run imo but thats just my opinion, i know at least 5 people at uni who switched from their 3G/3GS to Samsung because they just couldnt wait any longer due to their contract being over or just bc their phone was really dated.
Tailpike1153
macrumors 6502a
QuarterSwede
macrumors G4
That's not likely to happen but a darn good idea. Most of the time when I'm willing to throw down coin on buying international minutes is when I'm already in the country. They could make so much more on this type of impulse buy.
algiris
macrumors 6502a
gkpm
macrumors 6502
It's not a SIM-less phone, it's an eSIM. There's still a SIM in there, just means it's downloaded and not physically replaced.
So there is no need for Apple to buy minutes. When you went roaming the phone could just list different carrier options for that region and offer to download a new SIM for the new carrier you picked.