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What's the big deal about the 4?

Yeah definitely, from 3G -> 4 is a no brainer.

From any phone -> 4 for $199 is a no brainer

Even any phone -> 4 for $399 is definitely probably doable.

But at $599, I just can't see it. Maybe it's me, but I just can't.

But I also do feel i am definitely in the minority at the $599 price point.
 
I am the biggest naysayer and even I can't nitpick the new iPhone.
It is a true major hardware upgrade.
That display is going to make a huge difference once you see it (I bet).

On the downside, I used the new OS 4 for about a week and that is a huge letdown.
Most of the features could have/should have been available in a point release (folders, etc.) Multitasking completely app based, not OS based, and almost no upgrades to the core apps (ipod, etc.)

The unified mailbox is nice and probably the only thing I will miss now that I am back to my "Spirit" 3.1.3.
 
melman101 said:
3G -> 3GS was a huge upgrade for me. Video Recording, Camera Focus, Compass, way faster, somewhat decent battery life, etc.
Click to expand...

3GS -> 4 upgrade is the exactly the same "huge" upgrade item-for-item, but with even more. Even when underclocked (probably to 800 MHz), the A4 will be about twice as fast as the 3GS's processor which is twice as fast as the processor in the 3G.

On top of that, it has a fresh, more durable design, very much improved display, LED flash, noise-cancelling mic, 802.11 n WiFi, AND a second, front-facing camera.

Honestly, it's a bigger upgrade than even the original to the 3GS.
 
All the reasons mentioned above especially the camera and the new design.

Also if you can not afford it do not get it. I used to be poor (student) now I can afford it so why not. I do use it all bloody day.
 
What's the big deal about the iPhone 4?

Well its been a year since apple last updated the phone and during that year they've seen their competitors leap frog the hardware and to some extent the software of the iPhone.

Apple has responded by updating the hardware with a better display, better battery, front facing camera, and the gyroscrope, though I question the need for that. On the software front, apple opened up APIs to allow some level of multitasking, and it introduced iAds.

The look of the iPhone got a bit of a facelift as well.

With that said, I was taken aback by the volume/excitement of pre-ordering the phone. I mean it seems kind of crazy to wait in a long line just for the opportunity to pre-order the phone, never mind actually buy it.

If the pre-ordering was showing this much, excitement/line waiting, I shudder to think what next week will bring about when its finally available.
 
wickerman1893 said:
If your kid is like me ( 16 and a moderate data user )....go for at least 2GB....it gets sucked up fast..
Click to expand...

You're right. I should give her my unlimited plan and I'll go off and get the $15 plan for me. At least I can control myself :D Thanks!

Plus with my iPad I definitely do a lot less with the iPhone than I used to.
 
I'm going from a 3G, I held of on the 3GS, though it was hard to resist the RAM upgrade for the JB. But at 399 it wouldn't have been worth it to me. The screen and hopefully better battery life, with of course the processor and ram, and good video recording (had cycorder) nicer cam. Lots of reasons. I'm fine with ATTs service here in the Atlanta area.


I bet the early upgrades is whats causing alot of it. which kinda chaps my @$$ but whatever. I got over the 3gs shaft last year.
 
Scott6666 said:
Seems like the 4 has incremental changes.
Click to expand...
3G to 3GS was incremental, despite what many are saying - it was really just a processor upgrade. This is a big upgrade all around. It's a WHOLE NEW Iphone in every way. I guess the dock connector and headphone jack are basically the same as the previous models. Everything else? New. This is like the difference between mid-model refreshes cars get where you see some minor cosmetic changes and they may get a little boost under the hood, and the big redesign they get every 5-6 years. Is it essentially the same car? Of course - engine, four wheels, seats, doors, steering wheel, etc., but different size, new packaging, more efficient, better use of that stuff, etc. There's nothing to "not get" - it's all new, and that's exciting.
 
a) It amazes me that so many people say the 3GS wasn't worth it. It was the first iPhone I bought and going back to my friends' 3Gs (plural) felt like I was stuck in slow time.

b) Mostly upgrading for the nicer camera (I find myself using it more recently) and the screen. And the fact that trading in my 3GS paid for it.
 
malnar said:
3G to 3GS was incremental, despite what many are saying - it was really just a processor upgrade. This is a big upgrade all around. It's a WHOLE NEW Iphone in every way. I guess the dock connector and headphone jack are basically the same as the previous models. Everything else? New. This is like the difference between mid-model refreshes cars get where you see some minor cosmetic changes and they may get a little boost under the hood, and the big redesign they get every 5-6 years. Is it essentially the same car? Of course - engine, four wheels, seats, doors, steering wheel, etc., but different size, new packaging, more efficient, better use of that stuff, etc. There's nothing to "not get" - it's all new, and that's exciting.
Click to expand...

Apple needs to start making cars. :rolleyes:

2015: The Apple iCoupe, iSport, iVan, and iTruck series....all powered by Apples A6 Engine :D
 
Scott6666 said:
I guess I might be surprised at how many people kept their 3G and skipped the 3GS. That would explain a lot of it if true. It would also explain why the 3GS launch did not feel as frothy.

So upgraders, what model are you upgrading from to get 4?
Click to expand...

Going from 3G to a 4. At the time, I didn't think the 3GS was that much better than the 3G to warrant an upgrade.
 
This ain't the year to year refresh of your typical automobile.

This is the every 5 year re-design of it.
 
For me it was the upgraded camera and HD Video. I use my iPhone camera all the time and get irritated at the not so great pics. I had a Nokia N97 before the iPhone and it had a 5 MP camera that took awesome pictures.

Also the new screen, better battery, faster processor are all great upgrades in my opinion. I'm hoping the new antenna system will prove to have better reception, but that is yet to be seen. The front facing camera isn't anything to me. I think it is a gimmick.

My wife however doesn't seem to care about the upgrades and is happy with her 3GS. She said she'll wait for the iPhone 5.
 
Scott6666 said:
I guess I might be surprised at how many people kept their 3G and skipped the 3GS. That would explain a lot of it if true. It would also explain why the 3GS launch did not feel as frothy.
Click to expand...

People who bought the original iPhone - at full price - could upgrade to the 3G. The 3G was the first subsidized iPhone in the US, and required a 2-year commitment. When the 3GS came out all those folks - like me - who bought the 3G were in the middle of their contracts, and couldn't upgrade, unless we wanted to spend a LOT of extra money.

So, we waited...

And the iPhone 4 is head and shoulders above the 3GS in terms of upgrading from the 3G.

So you have new iPhone folks, wanting the iPhone 4, and a huge pent-up demand from early 3G buyers looking to upgrade.

Scott6666 said:
So upgraders, what model are you upgrading from to get 4?
Click to expand...

Will be upgrading from my 3G sometime next month.

:apple::apple:
 
safetyobc said:
For me it was the upgraded camera and HD Video. I use my iPhone camera all the time and get irritated at the not so great pics. I had a Nokia N97 before the iPhone and it had a 5 MP camera that took awesome pictures.

Also the new screen, better battery, faster processor are all great upgrades in my opinion. I'm hoping the new antenna system will prove to have better reception, but that is yet to be seen. The front facing camera isn't anything to me. I think it is a gimmick.

My wife however doesn't seem to care about the upgrades and is happy with her 3GS. She said she'll wait for the iPhone 5.
Click to expand...

Score!!! My wife wants one as badly as I do. :)

I don't know, I'll reserve judgement on the processor increase when my wife gets hers :).
 
Everyone has their own reasons of how an iPhone 4 will benefit them. I'm coming from a 3G...

Speed/Memory - My phone is starting feel sluggish and current speed won't allow me to multitask in iOS4

Better Camera with Flash - This would probably come close to replacing my point and shoot. 3G doesn't even offer "touch to focus". Being able to rely on the iPhone 4's pictures will mean more photos geotagged.

720p Video - As a videographer/editor, I rarely sit at my computer at home and edit (it feels like work). Casually shooting/editing on the phone sounds like fun, though!

New design - I don't really care for the design of the 3G. My 2G was broken and I needed to upgrade. I really like the industrial look. A lot. :)

Retina Display - While it's not something I would have said I wanted, it can't hurt. The hands on reviews have me excited to see this thing in person.

Front Facing Camera - While I may only use this feature once a month, when I do, it will most likely be with my kids while stuck at work. WIN.

Compass/Gyro - As a techy, I'm excited to play with new apps that are even more "device-aware". I also geocache, so the compass will be very helpful.
 
Scott6666 said:
I don't quite understand the mania going on with iPhone 4. It doesn't seem to do that much more than my 3GS. If I stick with that I still get all the new software goodies. I'm guessing the hardware will be able to handle the new software. Seems like the 4 has incremental changes. Worthy of getting some day but can anyone explain to me the mania on this one?
Click to expand...
Great post!

I participated yesterday out of curiousity. In the past I've avoided anything to do with launch day mania. This time I just happened to have the day off so I decided to see what all the excitement was about.

Regarding the new model, the only aspect of it that really appeals to me is the new form factor. I find the old shape slippery and hard to hold when using the landscape keyboard, unless one uses a skin or other type of covering. I prefer not to, therefore the shape is very important. The flat back and sides of the 4 will make it much easier to grip, at least that's my take on it. So for me, that makes it a worthwhile upgrade.
 
WHM said:
Because it's new. This will be my 4th iPhone and I have only laid out cash for the original. I have been able to sell my phone each time a new one comes out for at least as much as the prior one cost. I hope Apple never leaves A.T.&T. because there is a lot of demand for the iPhone without a contract. If more carriers picks up the iPhone the price of new ones will fall! A.T.&T. works great in my area and I have a happy camper to get a new one every year
Click to expand...

My sentiments exactly.
 
viggen61 said:
People who bought the original iPhone - at full price - could upgrade to the 3G. The 3G was the first subsidized iPhone in the US, and required a 2-year commitment. When the 3GS came out all those folks - like me - who bought the 3G were in the middle of their contracts, and couldn't upgrade, unless we wanted to spend a LOT of extra money.

So, we waited...
Click to expand...

Now I understand. I am off-cycle from most of the original fanboi's. I held onto my original 2G and skipped the 3G phone and waited for the GS.

So while ATT is nice enough to offer me an upgrade, it's mostly the 3G folks who are justifiably frothing at this one.

I kind of feel sorry for those who were stuck with the 3G for that extra year. They are going to LOVE the 4.
 
I'm on the every other plan right now, and that seems to be working out..

I went:

Edge --> 3Gs

So I'll probably hang on until next year to upgrade -- (and hope in the meantime, some other carrier is allowed to start selling the phone).
 
Scott6666 said:
So upgraders, what model are you upgrading from to get 4?
Click to expand...

I'm upgrading from an original iPhone. I was hesitant to go from $20/month data plan including 200 texts to $30/month + $5 for 200 texts. In looking at my data usage, I can get by with the low end data plan so my $15 data + $5 texts puts me on par for cost other than hardware - I'm happy about that. And I'm so excited to have a much faster phone!! :D
 
Scott6666 said:
I guess I might be surprised at how many people kept their 3G and skipped the 3GS. That would explain a lot of it if true. It would also explain why the 3GS launch did not feel as frothy.

So upgraders, what model are you upgrading from to get 4?
Click to expand...

I did get the 3gs, but I bought it refurbished last december for $50, added a new line and cancelled so only cost roughly 225. not bad for a 3gs off contract and it's still worth more now
 
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