Is the S cycle the 'proper' cycle?

[marty1990]

So is it fair to say that the S cycle versions are more like the 'proper' versions of the iPhone?

Other than an outer redesign and a slight spec bump, there wasn't much difference between the 5S and the 6. All that was new was the redesign, a bit faster and Apple Pay.

The 6S however includes the redesign, even faster, double the RAM, 3D Touch, new camera, 4K video etc.

And from what it looks like, the 7 will be of a similar design, minus the headphone jack, same strengthened aluminium, same specs as the 6S, new slightly faster, more efficient CPU, potential dual camera system in the Plus model. Granted these are rumours, but would you say it's fair to say that the S cycle are what Apple intended the latest iPhone to be?

I ordered an SE to replace my 6 Plus, but cancelled it with screen size doubt.

Considering jumping into the S cycle.

 

[Gav2k]

So is it fair to say that the S cycle versions are more like the 'proper' versions of the iPhone?

Other than an outer redesign and a slight spec bump, there wasn't much difference between the 5S and the 6. All that was new was the redesign, a bit faster and Apple Pay.

The 6S however includes the redesign, even faster, double the RAM, 3D Touch, new camera, 4K video etc.

And from what it looks like, the 7 will be of a similar design, minus the headphone jack, same strengthened aluminium, same specs as the 6S, new slightly faster, more efficient CPU, potential dual camera system in the Plus model. Granted these are rumours, but would you say it's fair to say that the S cycle are what Apple intended the latest iPhone to be?

I ordered an SE to replace my 6 Plus, but cancelled it with screen size doubt.

Considering jumping into the S cycle.

It's the refined version!

But due to an issue with my 5s I ended up on the non s cycle. I pay outright so stopped buying yearly back on the 4s.

 

[BMcCoy]

Depends who you ask!

Yes, the S versions have been the best iPhones.
But many people love the new design phones, and see that as just as important as the tech improvements and refinements that come with the S models.

However, I wouldn't be surprised if we are approaching the end of that predictable tick-tock cycle...

 

[Applefan4]

Not necessarily. 5 was a great upgrade from the 4S for example. 6 series were disgraceful due to pathetic RAM not being able to hold more than 2 safari tabs in memory without reloading, 6S is amazing and will most likely be very future proof.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

That question does not make sense, as each iPhone is better than the one that came before it. If you only score X number of features, then usually the S version is better, but design is more these days when every iPhone is really fast and capable.

 

[lauramayer]

So is it fair to say that the S cycle versions are more like the 'proper' versions of the iPhone?

Other than an outer redesign and a slight spec bump, there wasn't much difference between the 5S and the 6. All that was new was the redesign, a bit faster and Apple Pay.

The 6S however includes the redesign, even faster, double the RAM, 3D Touch, new camera, 4K video etc.

And from what it looks like, the 7 will be of a similar design, minus the headphone jack, same strengthened aluminium, same specs as the 6S, new slightly faster, more efficient CPU, potential dual camera system in the Plus model. Granted these are rumours, but would you say it's fair to say that the S cycle are what Apple intended the latest iPhone to be?

I ordered an SE to replace my 6 Plus, but cancelled it with screen size doubt.

Considering jumping into the S cycle.

If you ever used a bigger phone, you can not go back. I can not use a smaller phone than iPhone 6. Its too small and I like it big screens. Wait for the next iPhone.

Greetings,
Laura

 

[maflynn]

I've always gotten the non-s version, and to my thinking, the S version has just a few features, where as the non-s typically is the major update.

 

[Abazigal]

That question does not make sense, as each iPhone is better than the one that came before it. If you only score X number of features, then usually the S version is better, but design is more these days when every iPhone is really fast and capable.

I guess one issue is that the non ”S" iphone typically comes with some hardware problems that is often rectified in the "S" update. Antannaegate with the iphone 4, Scuffgate for the 5, bendgate for the 6.

So the 1st version often feels prototypish in that regard.

 

[Andres Cantu]

Sometimes, having the "S" phone can be a bad thing. If one is the envious type, it won't be pretty when they have a 6s and someone else has a shiny new 7.

 

[0007776]

but would you say it's fair to say that the S cycle are what Apple intended the latest iPhone to be?

Apple doesn't accidentally release phones that aren't what they intended it to be. Whatever the current latest model is, S or not is what Apple intended the latest model to be. Apple targets two different groups with the models. The non S versions are for people who feel that a new design is the most important feature and who cares if it has similar specs to the last one and the S is for the people who care more about the specs. Both are good depending on your perspective, and both are what Apple intends to be the latest iPhone when they are released.

 

[ABC5S]

Sometimes, having the "S" phone can be a bad thing. If one is the envious type, it won't be pretty when they have a 6s and someone else has a shiny new 7.

But many here are not envious, because they upgrade every year

 

[mattopotamus]

The "S" is the better phone IMO, but if you want a new design the non-S cycle is the way to go.

 

[bodonnell202]

I've always gotten the non-s version, and to my thinking, the S version has just a few features, where as the non-s typically is the major update.

In my way of thinking the opposite is true, for example the 6 was a shiny new design with bigger screens (which admittedly is a big deal for many people) but only introduced Apple Pay and had a slightly faster CPU than the 5s with the same amount of ram, same camera etc. Whereas the 6s got a much faster cpu, double the ram (and faster ram), 3D Touch, better front and rear facing cameras with 4K video, 2nd gen Touch ID and upgraded casing materials to make the phone stronger. The non S cycle phones are more about new designs and screen improvements/size changes, whereas the S cycle is all about specs, performance and introducing a signature feature. The performance improvements are more important to me but I understand that design may be more important to others.

 

[Azzurro]

Yes. Non-s versions are just plain beta. Just look at the now obsolete iPhone 6 trampled by the SE. #iphoneracist

 

[mattopotamus]

Yes. Non-s versions are just plain beta. Just look at the now obsolete iPhone 6 trampled by the SE. #iphoneracist

I do not think they are plain beta, but the main focus is design and the new OS.

 

[eyoungren]

If you care only about specs over design, then yeah, the 'S' cycle is for you.

If you care about refresh in design, then the numbered cycle (the one I prefer) is for you.

The bonus is that short of any new color or specific physical feature that the 'S' model introduces you can't tell which is which.

But if you lay down a numbered model next to an 'S' model it is IMMEDIATELY apparent who has WHAT!

 

[Andres Cantu]

But many here are not envious, because they upgrade every year

That's the best solution!

 

[BenTrovato]

Non-S performs better than the previous model and looks newer than the previous model. S performs better than the previous model. No need to complicate it further.

 

[Closingracer]

I guess one issue is that the non ”S" iphone typically comes with some hardware problems that is often rectified in the "S" update. Antannaegate with the iphone 4, Scuffgate for the 5, bendgate for the 6.

So the 1st version often feels prototypish in that regard.

LOL bendgate...... My iPhone 6 plus has yet to bend or even brake and I have been pretty rough on it.


Also never had an issue with antennagate either on the 4

 

[0007776]

Non-S performs better than the previous model and looks newer than the previous model. S performs better than the previous model. No need to complicate it further.

Usually the non S version is only a minor performance update, other than screen size and design there was little difference in the hardware between the 5S and the 6. So yes there is a small performance jump in the non S models, but it is an exaggeration to imply that they both get the same treatment in performance upgrades.

 

[Abazigal]

LOL bendgate...... My iPhone 6 plus has yet to bend or even brake and I have been pretty rough on it.

Also never had an issue with antennagate either on the 4

Well, either way, Apple saw it fit to revise the antennae design for the 4s and use a harder aluminium variant for the 6s. And I am sure these changes came about as a result of the observations of the previous generation products.

Flaw or no, we are better off for it either way.

 

[Skika]

In my opinion the number release is the beta or light version and the S is the full version.

 

[BenTrovato]

Usually the non S version is only a minor performance update, other than screen size and design there was little difference in the hardware between the 5S and the 6. So yes there is a small performance jump in the non S models, but it is an exaggeration to imply that they both get the same treatment in performance upgrades.

While you might say the the performance increase on the 6s over the 6 is greater than the 6 over the 5S, I wouldn't come close to saying there was little difference in the hardware. That would be an exaggeration in the opposite direction.

 

[12vElectronics]

I'm on the Numbered cycle. Have been that way since the beginning. I have never owned an 'S', but I do think the S cycle phones are better.

 

[Fried_Gold]

Originally I was on the number cycle but skipped the 5 due to saving money at the time, I then jumped on the 5S and have upgraded yearly since then.