Is anyone else disappointed by the "low end" hardware of the iPhone?

[beamer8912]

The A4 isnt faster than snapdragon,

uhhhh what?

http://www.anandtech.com/show/3633/apples-a4-soc-faster-than-snapdragon

Also your post makes no sense.

When the 3GS came out, there was no other smartphone with faster processor/GPU. It actually had such a good hardware that competitors needed at least half a year to come up with something similar.

The A4 isnt faster than snapdragon, which is on the market for quite a while,

You talk about how the 3GS was SOOOOOO superior and it took so long to "come up with something similar". But then you go on to say the snapdragon has been on the market for quite sometime. So which is it? Was the 3GS so superior that google couldn't touch it, and because iPhone 4 > 3GS, therefore A4 > snapdragon. OR, is it that google stomped on the 3GS' speed in less than 6 months?

I hate to break it to ya bud, but:

1. The 3GS was fast, but is now being left in the dust
2. The snapdragon was released ~6 months after the 3GS
3. The snapdragon has only been out ~6 months, and the Apple 4 STILL beat it.

Your post is 100% full of flawed logic and reasoning. The iPhone 4 is very much a superior piece of technology.

 

[tuatha]

Wow are you my father? Because i don't think you get to tell me what i can and can't do And what's wrong with the Anandtest? Oh i know it's giving the results that you don't want! So it must be wrong then

http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/mobilephones/0,39050603,62200389,00.htm

And you can use google for the rest of them. I don't get paid to do your research. And BTW where is your proof that the A4 is underclocked? And i mean proof from a real source not an anti-apple source who would provide fake benchmarks

I've seen the linpack results for the hummingbird and the snapdragon. The snapdragon results jump as high as 40-50 with Froyo installed btw (higher for overclocked models). Haven't seen any results for Hummingbird with FroYo yet but I assume they're out there and probably marhinally better.

But it's your claims re: the A4 that I'm interested in. Where's the A4 benchmark? I've already googled it and found nothing.


Re: anandtech - read my post. A Nexus One with FroYo runs rings around the A4 in the iPad in that exact same sunspider test.

So if you're genuinely offering up that test as a way of measuring the CPU, then you'll have to accept that the A4 is slower!

Luckily for you, the test is flawed and is OS/browser dependent so it doesn't offer any meaningful comparisons.


As for the underclocked iPhone, would macrumors constitute an unbiased source?

https://www.macrumors.com/2010/06/2...3gs-and-slower-than-ipad-in-early-benchmarks/

Both run A4s, so why would one be slower? Hmm?

 

[tuatha]

uhhhh what?

http://www.anandtech.com/show/3633/apples-a4-soc-faster-than-snapdragon

Read my last two posts on this thread. The Snapdragon in an N1 with FroYo beats the A4 in the same sunspider test.

This doesn't necessarily mean that the Snapdragon is faster. It means that the test results are skewed by software.

 

[drjsway]

Re: anandtech - read my post. A Nexus One with FroYo runs rings around the A4 in the iPad in that exact same sunspider test.

The fact that Nexus One can jump so much in performance PROVES it's all about software, NOT the speed of the CPU.

As for the underclocked iPhone, would macrumors constitute an unbiased source?

https://www.macrumors.com/2010/06/2...3gs-and-slower-than-ipad-in-early-benchmarks/

Both run A4s, so why would one be slower? Hmm?

Did you even read the Anandtech review or just look at the charts? Since the iPad and iPhone run different OSes, it is impossible to tell whether the iPhone is underclocked or if iOS 4 just uses more resources.

 

[tuatha]

The fact that Nexus One can jump so much in performance PROVES it's all about software, NOT the speed of the CPU.

Did you read my post? This is EXACTLY the point I'm making. Read the next two lines for christ's sake. It's not that hard.

This is why these tests cannot be used as evidence that one CPU is faster than another - unless they're running the same software. edit: probably also other mitigating factors in there too, but identical software with an identical test is about as close as we can get for now.

 

[woosah]

Nice selection of answers on the poll... It starts with average/adequate and only goes down.

 

[Ronnoco]

Nice selection of answers on the poll... It starts with average/adequate and only goes down.

That is why I commented, but didn't vote...choices were teh suck...it's like asking "do you 'hate' the new iPhone hardware or just 'strongly dislike it'"...LOL

 

[beamer8912]

Read my last two posts on this thread. The Snapdragon in an N1 with FroYo beats the A4 in the same sunspider test.

This doesn't necessarily mean that the Snapdragon is faster. It means that the test results are skewed by software.

Do you have a link to that? I'd be interested in reading that article.

edit: nvm i found some

As for the iPhone 4 being underclocked, if you want to compare the speeds at which the CPU is actually running at, you must also compare battery life times. Apple could certainly have fully clocked the A4, sacrificing battery life as a result. It's relatively easy to chuck in a fast processor and not worry about battery life or overheating.

The fact that we even need to debate the A4 vs snapdragon means the processors are very much on par with each other. Point is, the OP's argument is baseless. He bases his opinion on incorrect information (the A4 vs snapdragon), and Apple's ability to compete with future products.

Of course other phones in the future will be better than the iPhone 4. Apple will introduce the iPhone 5 in a year to one up those phones. The mobile phone is about perpetually one uping your competitor. Its the same with all technology markets.

 

[JohnnyQuest]

Well first of all, your poll makes absolutely zero sense, since there is no option for those who are satisfied. The iPhone is about the entire experience, having everything integrated into one awesome device, plus the entire multimedia aspect of it. It's a great device and Android, IMO, is not a pleasant experience, and the hardware that uses the OS is absolute crap compared to the iPhone.

 

[spinedoc77]

I think the guys who say the hardware doesn't matter are absolutely 100% on the money, who cares if you have the most advanced proc/gpu, etc if it runs what you want it to run. That's the main reason I'm not upgrading to the ip4. My 3gs runs just as fast with ios4, I don't see a huge difference in camera/video and I would still carry my Sony camera for real pictures anyhow, the retina display is totally overblown marketing hype, and I have yet to encounter a program that requires the 512mb, even imovie has been ported to the 3gs.

 

[dark1x]

The A4 isnt faster than snapdragon, which is on the market for quite a while, and its successors will come up soon.

You know, all that CPU speed doesn't mean **** when general OS performance is still much slower than iPhone. Android OS simply doesn't run as smoothly.

The simple act of scrolling around a web page or a map reveals this immediately. The iPhone updates everything at a smooth 60 frames per second while Android devices are stuck with 30 fps. The Froyo update smooths out some issues (home screen is smoother), but it still isn't on par.

The iPhone4 is powerful enough where it counts. The user experience is smoother and faster than Android and app performance seems faster as well. I've yet to see a 3D Android game run as well as the best iPhone titles. The PowerVR GPU in the iPhone also seems to run rings around every Android phone thus far when it comes to rendering 3D (or even accelerating 2D).

I don't care if can you run tests and produce faster results on an Android phone when the real world results are still in Apple's favor. I think the iPhone4 is actually a great balance. The user experience is extremely smooth and optimized feeling while battery life has improved even further. The i4 battery life absolutely murders the Nexus One, for instance. It's all about balance and Apple seems to have nailed it with their newest phone.

It's actually the opposite when talking about the computers, though. Mac OS simply can't match Windows when it comes to 3D performance. The release of many titles on Steam proves as much. Games like Portal run at 1/3 of the speed on Mac OS.

 

[QCassidy352]

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The specs are at the high end of what's available right now. More to the point, specs is the wrong thing to focus on. Who really cares what the processor benchmarks at? If the phone "scrolled like butter" with a 400 MHz CPU, would that be a problem? If it stuttered like a driver just learning a stick shift but it ad a dual core 1.5 ghz processor, would that be ok?

 

[fizzwinkus]

comparing specs like this is akin to comparing a hummer to a lotus and saying the lotus is underpowered and the hummer is a better ride.

which it may be for you, but that's hardly a consensus opinion in use.

 

[army91c]

Not really, it doesn't offer me anything over my 3gs except maybe the better camera. Otherwise it looks like it goes backwards in a lot of ways, worse reception, scratches more, and the god awful ugly 90's candy bar exposed screws styling.

OMFG here we go again. Hey hero.... take a look at the bottom of your freakin 3gs. What do you see.

It doesn't offer YOU anything over your 3gs.... Of course every one who actually lives in reality knows that your statement is pretty ignorant. All you need to do is go here: http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_iphone/family/iphone?mco=OTY2ODA2OQ to see that more than just a "better camera".

This is my experience, I was just in the Apple store today and put my 3gs next to a ip4. After reading these forums I was expecting the 2nd coming of Jesus, but all I saw was a sharper screen but IMO not a big deal in the least. At the end of the day it's still a small screen, and both phones looked pretty much the same, just one sharper. Just reminds me how incredibly smart Apple's marketing department is.

So basically you're saying every one that is happy with their i-4 and thinks it is superior to their 3gs was dooped by apple's "smart marketing department"? Just because YOU don't think it's worth upgrading doesn't mean those, that actually own one, don't feel different. I think my i-4 is head and shoulders above my 3gs. How about you actually buy one and THEN have an opinion. (that is educated and not just you talking out your 4th point of contact.)

 

[spinedoc77]

OMFG here we go again. Hey hero.... take a look at the bottom of your freakin 3gs. What do you see.

It doesn't offer YOU anything over your 3gs.... Of course every one who actually lives in reality knows that your statement is pretty ignorant. All you need to do is go here: http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_iphone/family/iphone?mco=OTY2ODA2OQ to see that more than just a "better camera".



So basically you're saying every one that is happy with their i-4 and thinks it is superior to their 3gs was dooped by apple's "smart marketing department"? Just because YOU don't think it's worth upgrading doesn't mean those, that actually own one, don't feel different. I think my i-4 is head and shoulders above my 3gs. How about you actually buy one and THEN have an opinion. (that is educated and not just you talking out your 4th point of contact.)

It doesn't offer ME anything over my 3gs. This is not an ignorant statement, it is fact for my personal situation, not too hard to understand. I don't speak for you, I speak for myself.

The pictures the camera takes make very little difference to my eye, it IS a better camera according to the benchmarks, but I don't see a huge difference. Now if I put them next to pictures taken from my Sony camera I see a huge difference, and that's what I choose to carry around and take pictures for me. Once again it's what works for ME and I'm not speaking for you, only for myself.

We are all "doped" by companies marketing products on a daily basis. I can't tell you the amount of gadgets and non-gadget produces I've purchased over the years because of marketing. Yes I think many have bought into the marketing hype, but that's your business and your money, not mine, once again I'm only commenting on MYSELF and why I think the ip4 is a waste of money. And I don't need to buy one to make an opinion, I spent a good 20 minutes playing with one at the store comparing it to my 3gs. You know if the ip4 had the same shell or something modern like the 3gs I probably would buy it, so it's not entirely the lack of progress that is keeping me from buying it.

In the end it's only a phone and no need to get hostile or upset about a simple friendly discussion on an internet forum. You like the phone and thought it was worth buying, I don't like it and don't think it's worth buying. Simple enough.

 

[hobsgrg]

I certainly dont think the hardware is low end, everything is as good as anything else out there or very close to it, and it has the best screen on a smartphone full stop. The screen is so amazing it's a real joy using it. I think the hardware is excellent

 

[spob15]

I think you'll find that many people on here own phones and computers made by other manufacturers. That doesn't disqualify us from following this issue or finding it interesting.

I don't disagree...It is just the comments from people just because they don't like Apple products...As a Yankees fan it feels like the same argument I always here from haters...Oh the Yankees buy the best team...well duh. I guess, that although with the exception of my work PC I am a fully converted "fanboy". Since I had my first gen iPhone I have fallen in love with the Mac experience and have bought an iMac, MB, iPad, and other gens of the iPhone...I also don't go to "droidrumors" to say oh you and your choice of product sucks... Perhaps I am not as big a fanboy as I once thought. I AM A FANMAN!!!!

 

[spinedoc77]

I don't disagree...It is just the comments from people just because they don't like Apple products...As a Yankees fan it feels like the same argument I always here from haters...Oh the Yankees buy the best team...well duh. I guess, that although with the exception of my work PC I am a fully converted "fanboy". Since I had my first gen iPhone I have fallen in love with the Mac experience and have bought an iMac, MB, iPad, and other gens of the iPhone...I also don't go to "droidrumors" to say oh you and your choice of product sucks... Perhaps I am not as big a fanboy as I once thought. I AM A FANMAN!!!!

Yeah but it gets weird when people point out legitimate points about Apple products, they are instantly labeled Apple haters. I can say the ip4 is just ok, overly marketed with some good improvements, but other aspects are steps backwards and I'll get instantly flamed as an Apple hater because I am not curled up into a little ball with my ip4 next to me. No one is saying the ip4 sucks or that Apple sucks, but it's not Jesus in a box either. I love some of their products and own several of them, but I don't just buy blindly, I'll buy whatever suits my needs and that may be another company/product.