When will the 4S go away?

[AAPLinc]

I don't think the 4S will really "go away" until the 6.

After the 5S comes out, the 4S will be like the 3GS when the 4S came out. Crazy how the years just fly by.

Think about it, so many people STILL HAVE the 4, so the 4S still has some time.

 

[davenport-sr]

LTE speeds here are the same as 3G.

 

[cambookpro]

What limitation are there with 3.5"? At this point in time, the vast majority of iPhones are still 3.5". So I fail to see that as a limitation. Software wise, how is it a limitation? It can run iPhone OS 6 nicely right now and will be able to run iPhone OS 7 in the future.

The 30-pin connector is a limitation now? Please tell me how... I'm dying to know.

It is still and always be iPhone OS as the main focus of Apple has always been the iPhone. The iPad and iPod Touch grab seconds and thirds (respectively) from that OS. So, it makes no point to unify it when it is clear that the OS is thought for the iPhone.

The 3.5" screen means developers will have to support it for at least another year if the 4S sicks around. This just means some devs won't endeavour to support the newer screen and we'll be left with half-baked apps that don't utilise the rest of the space.

Same with the 30-pin connector. As soon as all current devices are on Lightning the better - it means things like iPod docks in hotels, cables that come with cars etc will be updated quicker. That's better for everybody.

With regards to iPhone OS, sure the iPhone may be the main part but does that mean we should call OS X 'MacBook OS' since the MacBook line are the most popular? OS X includes many MacBook-specific features, like gesture support and battery controls. Just because the OS is targeted for mainly one line doesn't mean it isn't unified.

 

[blerns3]

The 3.5" screen means developers will have to support it for at least another year if the 4S sicks around. This just means some devs won't endeavour to support the newer screen and we'll be left with half-baked apps that don't utilise the rest of the space.

Same with the 30-pin connector. As soon as all current devices are on Lightning the better - it means things like iPod docks in hotels, cables that come with cars etc will be updated quicker. That's better for everybody.

With regards to iPhone OS, sure the iPhone may be the main part but does that mean we should call OS X 'MacBook OS' since the MacBook line are the most popular? OS X includes many MacBook-specific features, like gesture support and battery controls. Just because the OS is targeted for mainly one line doesn't mean it isn't unified.

^that sole fact about Apple pushing last year to getting lighting connectors to all devices is exactly why I believe the 4S will be the discontinued model this year, and not the iPhone 5.

 

[davenport-sr]

I don't like the iPhone 4S because its the main reason apps aren't getting updated and I have to do apps in "widescreen".

 

[AAPLinc]

What I dont get is how people are complaining that the 4S is ruining development for the 5, but yet many many people still own the 4. I understand that they both have the 30 pin and the 3.5" screen, but the 4S still has another year or so, sorry. This is how it works. Apple decided to change the screen size and charging port, you should have seen this coming.

When the 5S is released, the 4S will take the iPhone 4's current place as the lowest model available. It's been the same cycle. You should automatically know when the 4S will stop selling.

 

[Jimmy James]

Although you wouldn't believe it from these forums, there are some of us who prefer the old iPhone form factor. Even though I will be updating my phone this year, I personally think that iPhones get a bit buggy after two years, or I should say two operating system upgrades. If apple offered a 4s sized phone with up to date specs, that would be the one I'd buy. I'll miss my 4s.

I feel the same way. A slimmer 4s form factor is my ideal.

 

[jav6454]

Agree completely, only bad thing about the 4s (as mentioned above) is not LTE

Although, if you live in an area in which AT&T aggressively rolled out HSPA+, then that should be as fast as an LTE connection (given that the 4S can achieve 14.4Mb/s theoretically)

The 3.5" screen means developers will have to support it for at least another year if the 4S sicks around. This just means some devs won't endeavour to support the newer screen and we'll be left with half-baked apps that don't utilise the rest of the space.

Same with the 30-pin connector. As soon as all current devices are on Lightning the better - it means things like iPod docks in hotels, cables that come with cars etc will be updated quicker. That's better for everybody.

With regards to iPhone OS, sure the iPhone may be the main part but does that mean we should call OS X 'MacBook OS' since the MacBook line are the most popular? OS X includes many MacBook-specific features, like gesture support and battery controls. Just because the OS is targeted for mainly one line doesn't mean it isn't unified.

Also, the 4 and 3GS which are still supported in terms of apps. So why is this an issue? You do realize that this is just the iPad v iPhone app debate right? Pointless. 3.5" is not a limitation and does not lead to half baked apps. Period. Stop using it as an excuse.

Thats in a future way far off. Why? The entire ecosystem (over 90% of it) is still the 30-pin connector. Period. That is a hard fact that won't change. Third party accessory makers still make 30-pin devices and will continue to do so for a long time.

You do realize OS X is main for Macs only. An iMac has gesture driven capabilities as well as the MacBook. So your point goes moot.

 

[betabeta]

Yeah, it's gone on the 20th, no reason to have it in the lineup with the 5c, just doesn't fit, the 4 will still be sold as the free phone.

making the 4s the free phone would take from the 5c, the 5c will most likely be $79 or $99 on contract so why would anyone pay $99 for a 4s?

4s and 5 are both going away, it will be 4 for free, 5c for $99, and 5s for $199 and that's it.

 

[Mrbobb]

So what's going to happen when there's too many phones?

Noobs will get confused what to buy.

 

[cambookpro]

Although, if you live in an area in which AT&T aggressively rolled out HSPA+, then that should be as fast as an LTE connection (given that the 4S can achieve 14.4Mb/s theoretically)



Also, the 4 and 3GS which are still supported in terms of apps. So why is this an issue? You do realize that this is just the iPad v iPhone app debate right? Pointless. 3.5" is not a limitation and does not lead to half baked apps. Period. Stop using it as an excuse.

Thats in a future way far off. Why? The entire ecosystem (over 90% of it) is still the 30-pin connector. Period. That is a hard fact that won't change. Third party accessory makers still make 30-pin devices and will continue to do so for a long time.

You do realize OS X is main for Macs only. An iMac has gesture driven capabilities as well as the MacBook. So your point goes moot.

Ok, two apps that I've used in the past week. Achtung MP and X-Plane. Both are listed as iPhone 5 compatible, yet both just have patterned black bars at the sides, making the area for gameplay 3.5". I would call these apps half baked, and these are only two examples from the past week.

Apple will also have an ulterior motive for getting everyone on Lightning, as they take a cut from royalties and licensing fees every time a 'Made for iPod/iPhone' accessory is sold. Therefore, if more people buy new Lightning docks, Apple gets more money, so it makes financial sense too.

Yes, OS X is for Macs only but that's like saying iOS is for iOS devices only?

 

[benji888]

To answer OP's question: This month.

Right now they have 3 iphones 4/4S/5. This is what I think, not discontinuing iPhone 5, there was a substantial boost in power between 4S & 5, not just an incremental update, plus 5 has LTE: these will be the 3 iPhones:

iPhone 5
iPhone 5C
iPhone 5S

I think they will simplify the iOS device lineup (they are making 2 new phones instead of 1 for a reason), no more 4, 4S, no more ipad 2...No more devices that use 30-pin connector, no more Micro-SIMs, just Nano-SIMS. All will have LTE. A6 or better processors only moving from this point on (except iPod), (anything less won't be able to support iOS 9 in future, limited support on iOS 8). ...Also, for one thing, AirDrop does not work on those devices, and I think it is something that Apple will use to sell iOS devices. This and iOS 7 overall.

I'm not sure where iphone 5 & 5C will line up as far as memory/pricing, (no more 8GB models), but, that will be the lineup. I might guess:

iPhone 5C 16GB only $50 on contract? 6 Colors
iPhone 5 16/32GB only $99/199 on contract? White/Black
iPhone 5S 32/64/128 GB $199/299/399 on contract? Graphite/Champagne/White (fingerprint sensor here only)

I've been paying more attention to iOS 7 than the new iPhones. I could have things wrong, 5 at bottom, 5C in the middle?

iPads (ship 3-4 weeks after new iPhones) 16GB only available on iPad Mini:
iPad Mini 16GB may take a lower price ($299?) still have 32/64GB
iPad 4 32GB only
iPad 5 32/64/128/256GB

I'm guessing they'll also stop making the iPod Classic.

I don't have inside information, just intuiting. But, I'm pretty sure Apple will just drop 30-pin connector devices by end of this year completely.

----------

Another thing: they have 2 form factors for iPhones right now 4/4S & 5. Adding the 5C makes for a 3rd form factor. They just won't do this, not practical from a business perspective, so 5/5S and 5C will be the 2 form factors.

 

[jav6454]

Ok, two apps that I've used in the past week. Achtung MP and X-Plane. Both are listed as iPhone 5 compatible, yet both just have patterned black bars at the sides, making the area for gameplay 3.5". I would call these apps half baked, and these are only two examples from the past week.

Apple will also have an ulterior motive for getting everyone on Lightning, as they take a cut from royalties and licensing fees every time a 'Made for iPod/iPhone' accessory is sold. Therefore, if more people buy new Lightning docks, Apple gets more money, so it makes financial sense too.

Yes, OS X is for Macs only but that's like saying iOS is for iOS devices only?

Just because two apps don't have full compatibility doesn't make them half-baked. It means, they cater to the majority, which in this case, is the people with iPhones on a 3.5" screen.

So the 30-pin isn't proprietary? Silly, me here I thought Microsoft got those royalties of the 30-pin!

There is a difference. OS X was made for the computer space (desktop or laptop). Not a specific computer.

iPhone OS was made for the iPhone and it was stripped of features for the iPod Touch. When the iPad came along, it was just modified to account for the different pixel density of the iPad and extra real estate. In other words, it was graphically optimized and slightly tweaked. In essence the same iPhone OS. Seems contradictory to call it iOS as it's still the iPhone's OS which is just ported around.

 

[cambookpro]

Just because two apps don't have full compatibility doesn't make them half-baked. It means, they cater to the majority, which in this case, is the people with iPhones on a 3.5" screen.

So the 30-pin isn't proprietary? Silly, me here I thought Microsoft got those royalties of the 30-pin!

There is a difference. OS X was made for the computer space (desktop or laptop). Not a specific computer.

iPhone OS was made for the iPhone and it was stripped of features for the iPod Touch. When the iPad came along, it was just modified to account for the different pixel density of the iPad and extra real estate. In other words, it was graphically optimized and slightly tweaked. In essence the same iPhone OS. Seems contradictory to call it iOS as it's still the iPhone's OS which is just ported around.

I appreciate what you're saying, but surely if Apple got everyone to 4" screens as quick as possible it would give a better experience to everyone, not just to people with the 4/4S. Yes, I would call them half baked as they advertised support for iPhone 5.
The 4S is still a great phone, but I just don't think that it fits into Apple's lineup anymore.

Of course Apple get 30-pin royalties as well, but many people already have 30-pin docks. If they get everyone onto a new, standardised connector, surely they'd then have a bigger opportunity for revenue.

The thing with the iOS naming is that it just seems a little silly. Sure it was originally for the iPhone, but people don't call OS X 'OS 9 10.8' or whatever. iOS is just its name - no two ways about it.

 

[AAPLinc]

Going by Apples record, the 4S will be the lowest model for sale after 5S release. Why is everyone predicting the 4S and 5 will stop selling? According to the pattern the 4 will stop selling.

 

[LithePanther]

It makes sense to drop the 4S with the new releases.

Apple will have the 4S, 5, 5C, and 5S.

Out of the 4 phones, only the 4S has the smaller screen and 30 pin connector. By taking the 4S out, they're unifying their product line to match.

There is no reason to support the old hardware (old screen, old connector) when you have a multitude of phones supporting the new hardware.

 

[AAPLinc]

It makes sense to drop the 4S with the new releases.

Apple will have the 4S, 5, 5C, and 5S.

Out of the 4 phones, only the 4S has the smaller screen and 30 pin connector. By taking the 4S out, they're unifying their product line to match.

There is no reason to support the old hardware (old screen, old connector) when you have a multitude of phones supporting the new hardware.

Until no one owns a 4 or 4S (1-2 more years) there will be support for old hardware.

I can't believe iPhone 5 owners are complaining that our 4 and 4S are ruining your experience lol.

And people are so confidently predicting the moves Apple will make. We will see if they do in fact stop selling the 4S. I wouldn't 100% bet on it.