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Side By Side Photos of iPhone 4S and iPhone 4

The only issue with it looking the same is in selling the phone. Some scammer could easily sell a 4 off as a 4S, the only thing that could be an issue is if they try to pull up Siri.

The other improvements won't be noticeable on the phone itself. The A5 will be faster, but they won't have anything to compare it to as the iPhone 4 is already fast. Then there is the camera, which you aren't able to see the photo resolution until you take the pictures off the camera. Same with video.

Not really an issue for someone who knows what they are looking for, but for a first time iPhone buyer looking to buy used it could be an issue.
 
jclardy said:
The only issue with it looking the same is in selling the phone. Some scammer could easily sell a 4 off as a 4S, the only thing that could be an issue is if they try to pull up Siri.
Click to expand...

You can tell the difference by all 3 easily, If it has the bands like the gsm one it is gsm 4, if it has the cmda bands but the sim slot and the fcc stuff it is the 4s, if not then it is the 4 cmda.
 
Puzzled

Hmmmm...now im confused

I have just bought a Switcheasy Rebel in readiness for the 4S as it states on their website that it will fit both the 4 and the 4S. After looking at these pictures and comparing the phones to my girlfriends GSM 4, it looks as though the mute rocker has slightly moved on the 4S.

I am now wondering how their cases will fit both?

We shall see when I get them both together.
 
So the 4S antenna is the exact same as the Verizon CDMA iPhone 4 antenna, right?

Does this mean that the "antenna fix" they did was software based?

On a side note... what the heck. 16 months for a Verizon CDMA iPhone 4 with an A5 chip in it and an 8MP camera. Not even an intensive internal upgrade as the 3G to 3GS was.
 
AIP5 said:
So the 4S antenna is the exact same as the Verizon CDMA iPhone 4 antenna, right?

Does this mean that the "antenna fix" they did was software based?

On a side note... what the heck. 16 months for a Verizon CDMA iPhone 4 with an A5 chip in it and an 8MP camera. Not even an intensive internal upgrade as the 3G to 3GS was.
Click to expand...

  • The 4s has separate send/receive antennas. I don't believe the CDMA model has this.
  • Totally new chip (A5).
  • New 8MP camera, backlit CMOS and also a lens redesign with added fifth element.
  • 1080P HD video from 720p, and added image stabilization (via a DVP chip in the A5).
Seems that this is a pretty substantial update just like the 3 => 3GS was.

Neurobit
 
Neurobit said:
  • The 4s has separate send/receive antennas. I don't believe the CDMA model has this.
  • Totally new chip (A5).
  • New 8MP camera, backlit CMOS and also a lens redesign with added fifth element.
  • 1080P HD video from 720p, and added image stabilization (via a DVP chip in the A5).
Seems that this is a pretty substantial update just like the 3 => 3GS was.

Neurobit
Click to expand...

Actually, it'd have to change a LOT more on the internals for it to equate to a 3G to 3GS upgrade.

For reference you can quick read these two articles about the 3G to 3GS upgrade: Engadget and other differences.

But otherwise, you pretty much nailed it: all that was upgraded was the chip and camera. As for the chip... I don't think it's as big of a leap forward as 3G to 3GS was. 3GS introduced the all new Cortex A8 chip, which served as the base architecture and framework for the A4, and now the dual core A5.

I'm still not sure about the antenna part... I'm inclined to believe it's a software thing... but I can't wait for the guys to tear it up and see what else is new.
 
I thought the ATT salesman was strange when he was trying to push the new iPhone 4S cases on me...as the dimensions and camera ports are identical, iphone 4 cases should work. Or am i missing something.


PS: The iP4S cases had a larger cut out for the new lens. Required?
 
toddybody said:
I thought the ATT salesman was strange when he was trying to push the new iPhone 4S cases on me...as the dimensions and camera ports are identical, iphone 4 cases should work. Or am i missing something.


PS: The iP4S cases had a larger cut out for the new lens. Required?
Click to expand...

You can answer your own question by reading and looking at the photos in the article that you've commented on.

Notice the buttons are higher up on the GSM (AT&T) iPhone 4? So any cases with holes that line up with GSM iPhone 4 buttons won't work on the 4S.
 
accidental said:
You can answer your own question by reading and looking at the photos in the article that you've commented on.

Notice the buttons are higher up on the GSM (AT&T) iPhone 4? So any cases with holes that line up with GSM iPhone 4 buttons won't work on the 4S.
Click to expand...

Camera is identical.
The difference is the mute button. The CDMA model's is about 1-2mm lower than the GSM model.
Some mfgrs make universal cases tha account for this with a larger opening.

Neurobit
 
Neurobit said:
Camera is identical.
The difference is the mute button. The CDMA model's is about 1-2mm lower than the GSM model.
Some mfgrs make universal cases tha account for this with a larger opening.

Neurobit
Click to expand...
This is the correct answer.

How do you know if a given case will work with the iPhone 4S? Well, one way is to visit the case manufacturer's website and see if the cases differ.

Example: If you go to Incipio's website and look at the Dermashot silicone cases for the iPhone 4 (regular), iPhone 4 (Verizon), and iPhone 4S, you will note that they all have the same manufacturer's model number (IPH-500). Thus, the case is universal.
 
AIP5 said:
I'm still not sure about the antenna part... I'm inclined to believe it's a software thing... but I can't wait for the guys to tear it up and see what else is new.
Click to expand...

It's both. Internal physical connections are different and software has to intelligently switch.
 
Wait until someone actually has the device in their hand and can tear it apart to see the internal differences.

We already know the external part: the antenna looks exactly the same as the Verizon CDMA iPhone 4. Like someone else said above, only a tear up will reveal if the connections are different on the inside.
 
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goobot said:
You can tell the difference by all 3 easily, If it has the bands like the gsm one it is gsm 4, if it has the cmda bands but the sim slot and the fcc stuff it is the 4s, if not then it is the 4 cmda.
Click to expand...
YOU can, but maybe not the average Joe/Jill on the street who doesn't MacRumors.

----------
AIP5 said:
Wait until someone actually has the device in their hand and can tear it apart to see the internal differences.

We already know the external part: the antenna looks exactly the same as the Verizon CDMA iPhone 4. Like someone else said above, only a tear up will reveal if the connections are different on the inside.
Click to expand...
According to the keynote, full receiving and sending diversity, with intelligent automatic switching, none of which were present in the previous models. With any luck, this will also improve battery life for the people who were having reception problems. Of course, for those of us who weren't "holding it wrong", there may be little noticeable difference.

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Shrink said:
[/B]

Just wondering why? :confused:

As long as you have all the improvements, why is it important for the new phone to look different? (Aside form wanting others to know you have the latest and greatest.)

(This is, of course, ignoring the issue of whether the new phone should have had a whole new form factor - that horse is dead.)
Click to expand...
Unfortunately, vanity is a factor in some people's desire for an iPhone.
 
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parapup said:
No offense, but I might as well use this phone instead of using *that* case atop iP4.

Image

Alternatively buy insurance and use the iPhone like every other man would - bare :D
Click to expand...

I used to use the iPhone Bareback, until realising the camera lens was an easy target for scratches, resulting in a useless camera.
 
Neurobit said:
Camera is identical.
The difference is the mute button. The CDMA model's is about 1-2mm lower than the GSM model.
Some mfgrs make universal cases tha account for this with a larger opening.

Neurobit
Click to expand...

Not only is the mute bottom lower, but so are the volume buttons. For many cases, this shouldn't be a problem. However, for those cases cut exactly, it could be an issue. We'll see...
 
sorry, but what's with the camera? Wasn't the aperture supposed to be way bigger? pfff.... it's the same size!
 
randfee2 said:
sorry, but what's with the camera? Wasn't the aperture supposed to be way bigger? pfff.... it's the same size!
Click to expand...

Yes the aperture is larger in iPhone 4S, f/2.4 vs f/2.8 found on iPhone 4, but wider aperture has usually very little to do with the fysical size of the camera, and in this case, nothing.
 
randfee2 said:
sorry, but what's with the camera? Wasn't the aperture supposed to be way bigger? pfff.... it's the same size!
Click to expand...

By aperture they refer to the maximum aperture that the lens can achieve at wide open, which on the new camera is f/2.4 from f/2.8, or a half stop difference (Lower is better. The bigger the aperture, the more light that will reach the sensor).
 
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So since there is now one phone model for GSM and CDMA it is possible to take the same phone with you from AT&T to Sprint or Verizon? I suppose that's a win.
 
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