Is it really even worth it for 4S owners to upgrade?

[WeegieMac]

I sold my iPhone 4, SIM free, just under two months ago and took out a contract for a 4S. I knew what I was doing when I took out the contract, so have no regrets and the 4S is noticeably smoother than the 4 in terms of the UI animations and loading speeds.

I know about the yearly cycles, knew the new iPhone was coming in September/October. When I look at the latest apps coming out, you can't help but notice that most of the games have very little optimisations for the 4S over the 4. In fact, only recently with Horn have you seen significant improvements in a title when comparing the 4 and 4S

I don't feel that the dual core A5 has been anywhere near pushed to its limit, so at this stage the 4S has far more juice left in it than the 4 did at this stage in its life-cycle last year.

iOS 6 screams on the 4S on the current beta, there's no sign of the (infamous) Apple slowdown of the outgoing model.

 

[mattopotamus]

like others said, this is a very premature thread and we have no idea what the specs are. If you are worried it looks similar, then you are not upgrading for the same reason most of us do....INTERNALS!

 

[JerseyDoug]

Too bad at least 95% of the 'iPhone 5' owners won't even have acces to LTE anytime in the near future.

But I will and that is all that matters.

 

[nostresshere]

I agree.
This is a premature thread stating that the OP is not excited about a phone that noone knows for sure what will or will not have.

Agree.

Again.

 

[mattopotamus]

But I will and that is all that matters.

same haha, I live in an area with very strong LTE coverage so that would be a deal breaker

 

[AHDuke99]

It won't be the worth the $550 AT&T wants me to pay to buy it. I suppose I will skip this generation and wait for the iPhone 6 next fall.

 

[coasterswim]

Depends on where you are. Atlanta is covered head to toe in LTE.

 

[BugBytes]

I was going to upgrade but it looks like I won't have the money to get it for a while so I actually will probably be using a junky phone for a month or two. I am upgrading (or simply selling my 4S) because I know the 4S will drop in value after the launch.

 

[215AppleGuy]

Upgrade?

I recently (May 2012) used my ATT upgrade eligibility to purchase the iPhone 4S. It has been in a OtterBox case since the second coming out of the box and is in literally perfect condition. I have got a purchase quote of $390 from Gazelle and would like to sell it and purchase the next-generation iPhone that is getting released at the end of September. Being that I recently purchased the iPhone I currently have using my ATT upgrade, will ATT/Apple make considerations for customers like me and allow us to buy the new iPhone at the discounted prices? I believe that the scenario Im speaking of has been the case in past iPhone launches... So I am hoping to get some input from you guys while praying that ATT/Apple think about the others in my shoes.. Thanks in advance!

 

[SpyderBite]

I'm sticking with my 4s until one of my lines has an upgrade available in December. Then, I like what I see with the new iPhone, I may upgrade. If I don't, I'll just stick with the 4s which is already more than adequate for my needs.

 

[ucfgrad93]

Stay tuned on 9/12 for the features before you make your decision! lol

Agreed. Without knowing what features the next iPhone will have it is impossible to judge whether or not it will be worthwhile to upgrade.

 

[daviddth]

Agreed. Without knowing what features the next iPhone will have it is impossible to judge whether or not it will be worthwhile to upgrade.

It's new, it's shiny, here apple take my money PLEASE!

Yes I am a 4S user and yes I will be getting the next phone!

 

[Sedrick]

LTE - won't be widespread on AT&T for another year

Longer screen - meh

Anything else really groundbreaking that will convince 4S owners to upgrade?

I'm not sure it's worth an upgrade from an iPhone 4. Of course the specs are better, but will it improve the quality of the use I already get out of my 4? The 4S didn't. One thing that would improve the quality of my day-to-day use is a decent size screen. Doesn't look like we're getting that either.

 

[ucfgrad93]

I'm not sure it's worth an upgrade from an iPhone 4. Of course the specs are better, but will it improve the quality of the use I already get out of my 4? The 4S didn't. One thing that would improve the quality of my day-to-day use is a decent size screen. Doesn't look like we're getting that either.

I skipped the 4S as it wasn't enough of an upgrade from my 4. I'll wait to see what the new one has before I make that decision.

 

[Big.Mac.Daddy]

hmm, lets see, larger higher quality screen, LTE, unibody design, gorilla glass 2, metal back, thinner, faster, nfc, and a better dock connector. I've already sold my iPhone 4S in anticipation, cant wait.

Sure I'll play along. Even though there's not a chance in hell of all of this being included:

Longer screen = Meh

Higher quality screen =

LTE = mainly a waste since LTE won't be ubiquitous with AT&T till end of 2013

Unibody design = iPhone 4S already has one

Gorilla glass 2 = Easier to scratch than the first version of GG

Metal back = 4S glass back can be replaced for $20, while metal back could be stuck w/ scratches & scuffs

Thinner = iPhone 4S is plenty thin. I don't want it so thin my iPhone snaps in my pocket

Faster = iPad 3 already has heat issues with the A5x chip. I shudder to think what will happen to the new iPhone when your using it on a sunny day

NFC = So now theives can not only steal my phone but use it to buy things afterwards. Great

Better dock connector = Huh? What are you even talking about? Why would a different dock connector be "better"? Does it somehow magically give you increased features than the 30 pin dock connector?

 

[Applejuiced]

Sure I'll play along. Even though there's not a chance in hell of all of this being included:

Longer screen = Meh

Higher quality screen =

LTE = mainly a waste since LTE won't be ubiquitous with AT&T till end of 2013

Unibody design = iPhone 4S already has one

Gorilla glass 2 = Easier to scratch than the first version of GG

Metal back = 4S glass back can be replaced for $20, while metal back could be stuck w/ scratches & scuffs

Thinner = iPhone 4S is plenty thin. I don't want it so thin my iPhone snaps in my pocket

Faster = iPad 3 already has heat issues with the A5x chip. I shudder to think what will happen to the new iPhone when your using it on a sunny day

NFC = So now theives can not only steal my phone but use it to buy things afterwards. Great

Better dock connector = Huh? What are you even talking about? Why would a different dock connector be "better"? Does it somehow magically give you increased features than the 30 pin dock connector?

Trying to make yourself feel better for not upgrading or not being upgrade eligable?

 

[pear21]

Well seeing the iPhone 4s came out last year, no you wait until next year to get a phone, I don't understand why people buy unlocked phones for like $600.

 

[irDigital0l]

Sure I'll play along. Even though there's not a chance in hell of all of this being included:

Longer screen = Meh

Higher quality screen =

LTE = mainly a waste since LTE won't be ubiquitous with AT&T till end of 2013

Unibody design = iPhone 4S already has one

Gorilla glass 2 = Easier to scratch than the first version of GG

Metal back = 4S glass back can be replaced for $20, while metal back could be stuck w/ scratches & scuffs

Thinner = iPhone 4S is plenty thin. I don't want it so thin my iPhone snaps in my pocket

Faster = iPad 3 already has heat issues with the A5x chip. I shudder to think what will happen to the new iPhone when your using it on a sunny day

NFC = So now theives can not only steal my phone but use it to buy things afterwards. Great

Better dock connector = Huh? What are you even talking about? Why would a different dock connector be "better"? Does it somehow magically give you increased features than the 30 pin dock connector?

Good thing you'll be staying with iOS because with your expectations I can't imagine Android with these...

I mean they've had 4G phones with NFC, and quad-core turbo boosted infinity x processors

----------

Well seeing the iPhone 4s came out last year, no you wait until next year to get a phone, I don't understand why people buy unlocked phones for like $600.

Either some people have money to blow in this economy or their just plan crazy.

Either way its their choice.

 

[\-V-/]

Verizon LTE is literally the only reason I need to upgrade. Everything else is just a bonus.

Well seeing the iPhone 4s came out last year, no you wait until next year to get a phone, I don't understand why people buy unlocked phones for like $600.

Because they have better jobs than you or they just don't want to wait another year or whatever for an upgrade. It's only a few hundred dollars more. Not really a large amount of money...

Or people are stupid and spend money they don't have on shiny new Apple products.

 

[daviddth]

Well seeing the iPhone 4s came out last year, no you wait until next year to get a phone, I don't understand why people buy unlocked phones for like $600.

Because I can then use a cheap Pre-Paid plan of $30 a month which gives me all I need for the phone, and when the next one comes out I can sell my unlocked phone for only a few hundred less than I paid for it and upgrade.

A plan may be slightly cheaper in the long run, but limits me to 1 company (I'm talking outside the USA here where we have a decent choice), means the iPhone is usually locked to the provider (Although they will usually unlock it free or for a small fee), and here we dont get early upgrade options like the USA so I'd have to buy the next iPhone outright anyway, or be stuck with the phone for 2 years and that is not going to happen!

After doing all the sums, outright phone purchases are the only way to go for me.

 

[djransom]

I recently (May 2012) used my ATT upgrade eligibility to purchase the iPhone 4S. It has been in a OtterBox case since the second coming out of the box and is in literally perfect condition. I have got a purchase quote of $390 from Gazelle and would like to sell it and purchase the next-generation iPhone that is getting released at the end of September. Being that I recently purchased the iPhone I currently have using my ATT upgrade, will ATT/Apple make considerations for customers like me and allow us to buy the new iPhone at the discounted prices? I believe that the scenario Im speaking of has been the case in past iPhone launches... So I am hoping to get some input from you guys while praying that ATT/Apple think about the others in my shoes.. Thanks in advance!

The only consideration that would make for you would be in November when you hit the 6 month mark and then you pay the subsidized price plus $250 and of course the $36 upgrade fee. Aside from that, your options are pretty limited. I purchased mine back in April, but I have 4 other lines eligible in Oct. I 'll use one of those lines and then give one of my children my 4S.

 

[Garrett67]

Verizon LTE is literally the only reason I need to upgrade. Everything else is just a bonus.


Because they have better jobs than you or they just don't want to wait another year or whatever for an upgrade. It's only a few hundred dollars more. Not really a large amount of money...

Or people are stupid and spend money they don't have on shiny new Apple products.

That is great if you live in an LTE area. I'm 12 miles south of Battle Creek , Mi that just enabled 4G and I don't get any of it. Its great if/when I go up there but at home, I get minimal 3G from Verizon. The wind needs to start blowing in a different direction , I tell you.

 

[takeshi74]

Is it really even worth it for 4S owners to upgrade?

As always, worth is subjective no matter what the topic.

LTE - won't be widespread on AT&T for another year

Longer screen - meh

Anything else really groundbreaking that will convince 4S owners to upgrade?

You seem to be confusing "me" with "4S owners". You don't speak for all 4S owners.

 

[Big.Mac.Daddy]

You don't speak for all 4S owners.

Wow what great knowledge you bring to the table takeshi... make sure to also tell people more obvious points such as the oceans consist of water, the world is round, and that the current year is 2012

 

[joec1101]

It depends on the price and features. All the rumored specs are just that...rumors. We won't really know until it's announced/released.

Right now, I'm very satisfied with my 64 Gb ATT 4S with unlimited data. The HSPA+ data speed is more than adequate for me for a smartphone and LTE probably isn't going to be available for quite a while on any carrier in my area anyway. Most certainly, the data prices will increase for LTE and I'm not so sure it's really worth it.

A slightly bigger screen doesn't make much difference to me. The metal back is kinda nice, but there are actually aftermarket replacement back plates for the 4S that can be found online.

I don't know, I guess time will tell...