Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

iPhone 5 vs. 4S

I've been on the fence between the two, but the 5 just has too many troubles. I've had a 4 and love the sturdiness of it (as they say, like a Leica camera). I played with both at ATT and the 5 was just too damn 'dainty'. Beautiful, but much too fragile for a mobile device. Apple went too far with this one (IMHO). (and I won't put an otterbox on it to make up for Apples poor design decisions).

I bought the 4S (and it still has 5.1.1 - woot!). Apple can keep the 5 and iOS 6.
 
GoodBoy said:
In Poland Warsaw

Image


"Faster is always better" claim is only appropriate when talking about home internet lan configurations since people are doing a lot more and a much more heavy internet usage on personal computers than smartphones. 3G network is already enough for everything you can do on a smarptphone and 90% of data speed are internet browsing, appstore, and itunes. You really do not need 40mbits/s to browse internet or buy apps from appstore. The only huge deal about LTE is the hot spot possibility to provide fast internet on the go to your computer. And as you said speeds vary depending on locations. I've seen iPhone 5s LTE speedtest results even worse than some good iPhone 4S 3G like mine. Given that said, LTE is not that huge deal, it's not widespread yet, it's not really neccesary, thus it is not a dealbreaker like some of you guys making it. It's a nice feature, but it's not like you're gonna actually feel significant improvement on a daily basis of use. iPhone 4S was already blazingly fast not lagging at all regarding most common internet use on iPhone that are appstore, internet browsing and itunes.
Click to expand...

Very well said, in my opinion. Prior to the 5 release, the 4S was already a very remarkable phone that is capable of very decent 3G/HSPA+ download speeds, & it still is even till today. There is really no apparent need, like what Goodboy said, for crazily fast LTE speeds for an average person's daily usage besides as a personal hotspot or downloading huge files. Most people get the idea that LTE, "Oh it's so much faster!" & all that, in the end, it's only a marginal difference of a few seconds, which in my opinion, won't affect most of iPhone users. Modern people are just too used to having the latest & the best.

----------
Sedrick said:
I've been on the fence between the two, but the 5 just has too many troubles. I've had a 4 and love the sturdiness of it (as they say, like a Leica camera). I played with both at ATT and the 5 was just too damn 'dainty'. Beautiful, but much too fragile for a mobile device. Apple went too far with this one (IMHO). (and I won't put an otterbox on it to make up for Apples poor design decisions).

I bought the 4S (and it still has 5.1.1 - woot!). Apple can keep the 5 and iOS 6.
Click to expand...

Man, thinking of upgrading now & I'll gladly spend my money for a 4S which is still operating 5.1.1. For some strange reason, I get the feeling that iOS 5 is more optimized for the 4S, while iOS 6 is optimized for the iPhone 5. Besides, who doesn't want google maps back on their device? I can make do without panorama, or additional Siri features, which most of the time I do not bother to use.
 
cababah said:
Never a good idea to invest in outdated technology. Get the 5
Click to expand...
And it's a good idea to invest in 700$+ iPhone 5 that's made with bad design choices, extremely prone to scratches and scuffs? You'll be all selling your iPhone 5 in a few months desperately wanting to upgrade to iPhone 5S, which is going to be what the iPhone 5 should be in the first place. Exactly the same scenario as with iPhone 4 and 4S. iPhone 4S is really good phone, just a year old with unbeatable and durable design. I strongly reccomend for iPhone 4S users to wait until next year for the finished issues-free product iPhone 5S is going to be.
 
GoodBoy said:
And it's a good idea to invest in 700$+ iPhone 5 that's made with bad design choices, extremely prone to scratches and scuffs? You'll be all selling your iPhone 5 in a few months desperately wanting to upgrade to iPhone 5S, which is going to be what the iPhone 5 should be in the first place. Exactly the same scenario as with iPhone 4 and 4S. iPhone 4S is really good phone, just a year old with unbeatable and durable design. I strongly reccomend for iPhone 4S users to wait until next year for the finished issues-free product iPhone 5S is going to be.
Click to expand...

Screw waiting on 5s... wait for the 6... no, wait, actually get the 6s it will be worth it.... actually as long as you're waiting get the 7.... or if you want a good phone get the 7s.... I'm waiting for the 8s personally.
 
Boilermaker_coday said:
Screw waiting on 5s... wait for the 6... no, wait, actually get the 6s it will be worth it.... actually as long as you're waiting get the 7.... or if you want a good phone get the 7s.... I'm waiting for the 8s personally.
Click to expand...
That is too long and you're just being sarcastic... Apple has tought us that each time they present new design it comes with the issues and early adopters are being just a beta testers for Apple. The "S" models incorporate same but much improved design. That's why I personally think it's best to buy iPhone S models.
 
Just making a point. There will never be a technology that is perfect in everyone's eyes so you can either accept that and buy the newest thing and appreciate the marvel of technology that it is (what I did) or you can just be that guy who hates stuff because of their flaws instead of appreciating them for their merits. Remember when the 4s came out? There were a bunch of threads about how the 4s was a lame, not that much better than the 4, all it really got was siri, etc. etc. etc..... Now that the 5 comes out it's the same story, different circumstances.

My iPhone 4 had a shattered screen and I used it like that for a year until the pieces started falling out and the inside of the phone was exposed. Then I used it like that for 2 months until it just quit working. So I basically had to get a phone... why would I buy a 4s instead of a 5? Doesn't make sense in my mind. My brother has a 4s and it is also a nice phone, but we both agree that the 5 is much faster (both the phone itself, as well as the LTE connection.)
 
Boilermaker_coday said:
Screw waiting on 5s... wait for the 6... no, wait, actually get the 6s it will be worth it.... actually as long as you're waiting get the 7.... or if you want a good phone get the 7s.... I'm waiting for the 8s personally.
Click to expand...

This is my answer to your post.
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    62.7 KB · Views: 63
GoodBoy said:
That is too long and you're just being sarcastic... Apple has tought us that each time they present new design it comes with the issues and early adopters are being just a beta testers for Apple. The "S" models incorporate same but much improved design. That's why I personally think it's best to buy iPhone S models.
Click to expand...

And I thought this has already become so apparent that most Apple fans would've realized it by now. "S" models are typically (following Apple's trend) refinements of the earlier model in which they would optimise key components of the last generation including design features. A great example would be how the introduction of the 4S removed the Antenna-gate problem & at the same time, introduced the ability to use the metal band antenna to intelligently switch to get the best reception, & this is obviously a significant enhancement from the 4's design. I always get the feeling that Apple is sort of like "testing the waters" with non-S models, which usually brings about some sort of cosmetic change to the design.
 
GoodBoy said:
And it's a good idea to invest in 700$+ iPhone 5 that's made with bad design choices, extremely prone to scratches and scuffs? You'll be all selling your iPhone 5 in a few months desperately wanting to upgrade to iPhone 5S, which is going to be what the iPhone 5 should be in the first place. Exactly the same scenario as with iPhone 4 and 4S. iPhone 4S is really good phone, just a year old with unbeatable and durable design. I strongly reccomend for iPhone 4S users to wait until next year for the finished issues-free product iPhone 5S is going to be.
Click to expand...

As opposed to the 4S being extremely prone to easy cracking and shattering? Unless this is the first iPhone launch you have witnessed, every single iteration has a problem of some sort. With the 4, it was the antenna thing, 4S was initially hit by the yellowgate thing and battery issues, now the 5 has its quirks. If history has taught us anything, the 5S will be plagued with some issue that will undoubtedly get blown way out of proportion.


Tobias Funke said:
What is the threshold for something being "outdated technology" ?!
Click to expand...

I guess everyone defines that a little bit differently. For me, it is when it is replaced by the next iteration of that device that improves on all areas.
 
cababah said:
As opposed to the 4S being extremely prone to easy cracking and shattering? Unless this is the first iPhone launch you have witnessed, every single iteration has a problem of some sort. With the 4, it was the antenna thing, 4S was initially hit by the yellowgate thing and battery issues, now the 5 has its quirks. If history has taught us anything, the 5S will be plagued with some issue that will undoubtedly get blown way out of proportion.




I guess everyone defines that a little bit differently. For me, it is when it is replaced by the next iteration of that device that improves on all areas.
Click to expand...

You're right. And other phones from other companies have problems too, but they don't get closely scrutinized the way apple does.
 
Based on my experience, the IP5 is superior in every way, except for its performance with weak WiFi signals. I paid full price to upgrade from the 4S and it was well worth the money, IMO. Here's why:

  1. Every app loads faster and is noticeably more responsive.
  2. 4G HSPA+ on the IP5 is three times as fast as HSPA+ on the 4S (8-12Mbps vs 2-3Mbps) in my area.
  3. LTE is up to 20 times faster than 4G HSPA+ on the 4S (40-60Mbps vs. 2-3Mbps) in my area.
  4. Wifi is roughly 2.5 times as fast as the 4S with the Asus RT-N66U 802.11n router (80Mbps vs 30-35Mbps).
  5. The larger display makes a number of apps easier and more efficient to use.
  6. The display is of higher quality and more sensitive/responsive to touch.
  7. The display glass is more durable and more resistant to cracks and scratches.

IP5 Wifi and LTE
attachment.php
attachment.php


iP5 4G HSPA+ (Non-LTE)
attachment.php
 
Last edited:
KenAF said:
Based on my experience, the IP5 is superior in every way, except for its performance with weak WiFi signals. I paid full price to upgrade from the 4S and it was well worth the money, IMO. Here's why:

  1. Every app loads faster and is noticeably more responsive.
  2. 4G HSPA+ on the IP5 is three times as fast as HSPA+ on the 4S (8-12Mbps vs 2-3Mbps) in my area.
  3. LTE is up to 20 times faster than 4G HSPA+ on the 4S (40-60Mbps vs. 2-3Mbps) in my area.
  4. Wifi is roughly 2.5 times as fast as the 4S with the Asus RT-N66U 802.11n router (80Mbps vs 30-35Mbps).
  5. The larger display makes a number of apps easier and more efficient to use.
  6. The display is of higher quality and more sensitive/responsive to touch.
  7. The display glass is more durable and more resistant to cracks and scratches.

IP5 Wifi and LTE
attachment.php
attachment.php


iP5 4G HSPA+ (Non-LTE)
attachment.php
Click to expand...

Well put. It's an even better upgrade for the price when your contract is up and you get the major discount. After sellin my iPhone 4 and only having a price tag of $200 for the 5, I only spent $100 by the time it was all said and done.
 
KenAF said:
Based on my experience, the IP5 is superior in every way, except for its performance with weak WiFi signals. I paid full price to upgrade from the 4S and it was well worth the money, IMO. Here's why:

  1. Every app loads faster and is noticeably more responsive.
  2. 4G HSPA+ on the IP5 is three times as fast as HSPA+ on the 4S (8-12Mbps vs 2-3Mbps) in my area.
  3. LTE is up to 20 times faster than 4G HSPA+ on the 4S (40-60Mbps vs. 2-3Mbps) in my area.
  4. Wifi is roughly 2.5 times as fast as the 4S with the Asus RT-N66U 802.11n router (80Mbps vs 30-35Mbps).
  5. The larger display makes a number of apps easier and more efficient to use.
  6. The display is of higher quality and more sensitive/responsive to touch.
  7. The display glass is more durable and more resistant to cracks and scratches.

IP5 Wifi and LTE
attachment.php
attachment.php


iP5 4G HSPA+ (Non-LTE)
attachment.php
Click to expand...
Just remember to keep it in your purse so it's not bent and all scratched to hell in 6 months.;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back