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Is the iPhone 4 still worth buying in 2013?

M

mjmarayag

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 5, 2013
11
0
So, like the title says, is the 4 still worth buying in 2013?

I've been using Android phones for more than a year, and I want something new. I don't want an iPod Touch 5 as many others have suggested simply because I don't want to. My choices are limited to the 4 and 4S (the 5 is just too freakin' expensive right now).

These are the things that I would mainly be doing on the phone (in no particular order):

Take and edit pictures for use on Facebook & Instagram
Use chat apps such as Viber and KakaoTalk
Play music
Call and text
Browse the web via Wi-Fi (I never use 3G as I'm almost always within Wi-Fi range anywhere I go)
Very casual gaming (the likes of Temple Run *not TR2; I hate that sequel* and Angry Birds. I have a desktop, and I do most of my gaming on it)

I rarely used any sort of maps or navigation in my previous phones, and Siri is practically useless where I live (Philippines). The 8MP camera, I noticed, doesn't really make a huge difference with regards to my needs (posting photos on FB and IG is all I ever do).

Another thing that I consider a HUGE deciding factor is the price. Most second-hand iPhone 4's start at around $270, while the second-hand 4S's cost around $370.

Is $100 worth it for the 4S with regards to my needs, or should I just stick with the almost-3-year-old iPhone 4? Will I really experience a big change in speed for $100? How "future-proof" is the 4 compared to the 4S? I want to get the 5 as soon as prices drop below the $400 line, but I'm afraid that that won't happen until after the 6 is released.

Also, with regards to the speed and smoothness of the iPhone 4 on iOS 6.x.x, I've found that information varies. Some people say that their 4's stayed as fast as the day they bought it, while others say that their phones became annoyingly sluggish. I think this has to do with how the iPhone was updated (OTA or iTunes), but I don't know what to believe.

I'm asking for help because this is going to be the first iPhone I will ever purchase. It's a big thing for me, and I don't want to kick myself in the butt later for making the wrong decision. I'm no expert, so I really would appreciate any help that I can get.

Sorry for the long post. Thanks a whole bunch in advance!
 
The iPhone 4 is still a great phone for the budget-minded, non-power-user customer. Just keep in mind that Apple's voice-guided navigation doesn't work on the 4 (Google's does) and the 4 does not have Siri or voice dictation. I would pony up for the 4S personally. The added speed and improved camera and voice dictation are really nice. If you can hold out until the 5S is released then the prices on the 4S should drop a bit. Otherwise the 4 will do everything else you're thinking of using it for.
 
mjmarayag said:
Take and edit pictures for use on Facebook & Instagram
Use chat apps such as Viber and KakaoTalk
Play music
Call and text
Browse the web via Wi-Fi (I never use 3G as I'm almost always within Wi-Fi range anywhere I go)
Very casual gaming (the likes of Temple Run *not TR2; I hate that sequel* and Angry Birds. I have a desktop, and I do most of my gaming on it)
Click to expand...

It will do all of those things fine. The only issue (well, two) I see is that you might end up wanting to do more with the phone, so it might not be powerful enough. Like better games or something. Also 8GB is really problematic IMO. Someone in the family has an 8GB iPhone 4, and it has 1-2 apps, no music, etc ... and there is only about 700MB free with about 250 pictures and small videos taken. The phone works fine for the person's needs though - email, internet, phone, messaging and the occasional picture. The only problem is the memory, like I said, and it shows up as only 6.4GB available to use.

The iPhone 4 is plenty fast for the things you want. The iPhone I mentioned earlier, I just upgraded it from iOS 5 to iOS 6 a few days ago. I would say that it works better, if anything.
 
I'd say no. My 4 was used for pretty much everyday tasks, few apps here and there, it slowed down and there was a noticeable lag. Also as you use it you'll add more apps, more info, more memory will be used, even if you keep it minimal. So it won't really be future proof as much as the S. There are some overall improvements too, antenna, camera, for example. But mainly you'll appreciate the additional speed. I found it 'freed' up my iPhone experience.
 
I'm still using my iPhone 4 (on iOS 4.x even) and it really does all that I need. I use the camera a lot for snapshot purposes. I actually have some very expensive pro still and HD video gear, but I mostly use the iPhone because it's always with me and "good enough" for posting stuff on the web.

I'm not much of an app-person though and just use a few of the older ones. Not interested in games. If I were, then I'd probably want a 4s or 5.

I think you should be fine with the 4. My daughter has a 4s though, and I will say that the camera seems a little better. Son in law also has a 4 and is happy, although he was the one who called my attention to the camera difference.

Here in the US I think we can get the iPhone 4 for free if we sign a 2 year contract. Maybe that isn't the case where you live though.
 
iPhone 4 isn't sluggish in any way, but I don't think it's worth buying in mid-2013 ...
The minimum requirement is an iPhone 4S ...
 
Tough one.

Buy the most u can afford. Don't even go "future-proofing" if ur considering the 4, just be happy u got a smartphone.
 
I use a 16GB iPhone 4 as my daily driver. And outside if games, I consider myself a power user of the phone. And I have no compelling reason to upgrade yet. Performance is fine on the latest OS.
 
Last couple of days my 4s freezes at nytimes. U know they are always making sites ever more complicated. Like me Mum used to say, is not that we don't trust your driving, is the other wackos on the road we worry about.
 
Max(IT) said:
iPhone 4 isn't sluggish in any way, but I don't think it's worth buying in mid-2013 ...
The minimum requirement is an iPhone 4S ...
Click to expand...

It can be a bit sluggish playing games and stuff, actually. Especially games like Scramble. It's totally functional and I use mine everyday, but it's pretty far out of date at this point and if I were going to be laying some cash down for one today it wouldn't be the 4.
 
ZombiePete said:
It can be a bit sluggish playing games and stuff, actually. Especially games like Scramble. It's totally functional and I use mine everyday, but it's pretty far out of date at this point and if I were going to be laying some cash down for one today it wouldn't be the 4.
Click to expand...

This is a pretty good point. I posted above how my iPhone 4 still suits me just fine and that I currently have no complelling reason to upgrade, but if I had no iPhone and were buying today, assuming the price difference was not an issue, I would probably not get anything less than a 4S. Actually, I might get a Nexus 4, but that is another argument altogether.
 
Thanks for all the feedback, guys!

Wow, even after all these things considered, I still can't decide whether I should get the 4 or go ahead with the 4S. The hundred-dollar difference is just too much for a phone. Then again, it's not just a phone; it's practically my life in my hands. Maybe I'll just get the 4 first, and if I don't like it, I'll sell it and get a 4S. What do you guys think?
 
Go with the 4S if you can afford to do so, it is 5x the phone the 4 is. The A5 is world changer compared to the dying A4. I have an iPhone 4 and compared to a friend's 4S it is no contest, nonetheless when using it alongside my A6X iPad 4.
 
mjmarayag said:
Thanks for all the feedback, guys!

Wow, even after all these things considered, I still can't decide whether I should get the 4 or go ahead with the 4S. The hundred-dollar difference is just too much for a phone. Then again, it's not just a phone; it's practically my life in my hands. Maybe I'll just get the 4 first, and if I don't like it, I'll sell it and get a 4S. What do you guys think?
Click to expand...

That is certainly one approach, but it may wind up costing you $25-$50 more if you end up with the 4S. But if the 4 is good enough for you, you save overall.
 
I see second hand iPhone 4 models 16-32GB selling for $200-$280 on local classifieds but if you are planning to get second hand be careful as lots of people selling blacklisted (banned iPhones) that cannot be used on any GSM/SIM-Card based provider in USA (meaning they are completely 100% useless in USA). Most of the time these iPhones will not come with accessories and/or box (thats just 1 clue).

I think the iPhone 4 is a great device personally as I have many family (most actually) still on the iPhone 4...only few of us are on the 4S and 5...Amazing thing about the iPhone 5 is that even after 2.5 (Almost 3) years it is selling second hand $200-$280+....Most people that got it on contract from AT&T in the past actually end up making money on the device if they kept it in good condition...basically a $200 rebate or essentially a FREE device...
 
mjmarayag said:
Thanks for all the feedback, guys!

Wow, even after all these things considered, I still can't decide whether I should get the 4 or go ahead with the 4S. The hundred-dollar difference is just too much for a phone. Then again, it's not just a phone; it's practically my life in my hands. Maybe I'll just get the 4 first, and if I don't like it, I'll sell it and get a 4S. What do you guys think?
Click to expand...

It is a waste of money that way ...
It's almost impossible to re-sell an iPhone 4 today at a decent price.
Just buy a 4s and be happy with it
 
warriorz said:
I'd say no. My 4 was used for pretty much everyday tasks, few apps here and there, it slowed down and there was a noticeable lag. Also as you use it you'll add more apps, more info, more memory will be used, even if you keep it minimal. So it won't really be future proof as much as the S. There are some overall improvements too, antenna, camera, for example. But mainly you'll appreciate the additional speed. I found it 'freed' up my iPhone experience.
Click to expand...

Amount of apps you download takes up storage.

RAM is not affected by it.

RAM is through affected by the number of apps you have.
 
There is a huge power difference between single and multi core CPU. The 4 will be outdated in oct of this year as it will be the last supported single core device, it might actually not get an update. Buying the newest iPhone is guaranteeing 3 years of updates( new galaxy S4 will not get newest droid os), 3 years of no compatability problems. If you can hold out wait for the 5 to drop in price.
 
I would like to suggest you to buy iPhone5. Because it is an updated version as well as some new things have been added. So, my point is that, if you want to spend a lot of money to buy iPhone, then why shouldn't go with the latest thing?
 
The 4S is much better then the 4... It has a dual core processor, a much better system, much better rear camera and the most important things is, it will be supported longer by Apple with software updates, so I think is better to get the iPhone 4s, though the device is a little more expensive.
 
irDigital0l said:
Amount of apps you download takes up storage.

RAM is not affected by it.

RAM is through affected by the number of apps you have.
Click to expand...

I'm stating them as separate issues:

More applications will be added.
More information will be added.
More memory will be used.
 
Thank you guys.

Thanks for all the help, guys!

I went ahead and ordered an iPhone 4. I'll be getting it in a week. I'll be posting a review in a separate post (and possibly a video showing a comparison between a 4S and a 4) for other people who are considering either this or the 4S. I had trouble finding information on the 4's performance on iOS 6.1.3, and I don't want others to go through the same thing as I did. So with that review, I hope to help other people in making their decision as you guys have helped with mine.

See you after a week. Cheers!
 
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