Is this one reason why 4S is the same as 4?

[sneaky butcher]

I do.

Outwardly it looks the same, but inside it is substantially different.
Look at MacFixIt.

the verizon iphone 4 is near identical to the 4s inside. This shows they did a revision which is used in both. Much cheaper.

They also still have the same 3.5inch screen saving them a wedge on screen costs. The iphone 5 is rumoured to have a bigger screen but they released the 4s instead.

 

[Sedrick]

Apple got on this 2 year design cycle when they were the only game in town. Most people were surprised, with all the competition, that they didn't introduce a complete redesign last year, but Apple still sold a billion phones (not to me though). With that kind of loyalty, Apple could keep the same design for another 2 years (and just may).

 

[PracticalMac]

the verizon iphone 4 is near identical to the 4s inside. This shows they did a revision which is used in both. Much cheaper.

They also still have the same 3.5inch screen saving them a wedge on screen costs. The iphone 5 is rumoured to have a bigger screen but they released the 4s instead.

Verizon does not have the SIM slot, and different antenna.

the screen is also used in iPod Touch.

The A5 system-on-a-chip (SoC) processors is size significantly different from the A4, likely the pinout is also different. When you work on something as small as a cell phone, these have huge impact on design.

I have some experience on PCB design at our company, and have dealt with PCB design issues regularly.

While I am not an expert in the field, I can safely say Apple is not saving all that much by keeping the same form factor.

Oh, even the parts shipping containers are rarely reused, not likely a factor their.


Now, if you have some knowledge of small PCB, or even basic PCB manufacturing like I do, please enlighten us.

 

[sneaky butcher]

Verizon does not have the SIM slot, and different antenna.

the screen is also used in iPod Touch.

The A5 system-on-a-chip (SoC) processors is size significantly different from the A4, likely the pinout is also different. When you work on something as small as a cell phone, these have huge impact on design.

I have some experience on PCB design at our company, and have dealt with PCB design issues regularly.

While I am not an expert in the field, I can safely say Apple is not saving all that much by keeping the same form factor.

Oh, even the parts shipping containers are rarely reused, not likely a factor their.


Now, if you have some knowledge of small PCB, or even basic PCB manufacturing like I do, please enlighten us.

no but i watched this youtube video lol http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lhw5Vkb-cuY "The verizon iphone 4 is near identical to the AT&T 4S"

your still not counting the savings on a bigger screen