iPhone 4S Revealed... No Regrets!

[drexappeal]

Although I appreciate technology, regardless of the brand, I've also never been a huge fan of Apple or Mac. I must admit, prior to Android really starting to hit its stride, I really did have iPhone envy (when I was stuck in the mudd with Windows Mobile). That is until the EVO was released on Sprint. Not only was it a transition from not having a physical qwerty keyboard phone, but also a taller and wider phone (w/ less thickness). That was all that I needed to take away my phone envy. Now, after over 1 year using Android (EVO and MoPho), I'm completely happy that the iPhone didn't get released earlier on Sprint. I really couldn't afford to change to ATT or Verizon due to Sprint being the only cell provider with strong signal/service in my area, so moving over was never an option.

It's funny because, despite the strong showing of Android, the media eats up Apple's "announcements" like they're the best thing since sliced bread, especially with regards to anything iPhone. I don't blame them because the general consumers eat it up. The only thing that could ever turn me away from Android at this point is Google completely messing up future OS versions, making the phones non-productive.

 

[novox77]

It's all about the marketing. I wouldn't count out the 4S solely on specs. I expect it to do insanely well regardless of the lack of "5" in the name. iPhone users tend to be very satisfied with the device, and iOS does present a lot of new features (regardless of where those features originated). Meanwhile, the marketing engine is going to suck in a lot of new customers thinking about going from featurephone to smartphone.

 

[drexappeal]

It's all about the marketing. I wouldn't count out the 4S solely on specs. I expect it to do insanely well regardless of the lack of "5" in the name. iPhone users tend to be very satisfied with the device, and iOS does present a lot of new features (regardless of where those features originated). Meanwhile, the marketing engine is going to suck in a lot of new customers thinking about going from featurephone to smartphone.

Great point and I definitely agree. Apple's marketing really does a great job of sucking those in that have never owned a smartphone before. The popularity and support is already there, so they don't really need to build up the name or reliability. Apple has the advertising dollars that other manufacturers may not necessarily have, which plays to their advantage as well.

 

[Yeahha]

It's all about the marketing. I wouldn't count out the 4S solely on specs. I expect it to do insanely well regardless of the lack of "5" in the name. iPhone users tend to be very satisfied with the device, and iOS does present a lot of new features (regardless of where those features originated). Meanwhile, the marketing engine is going to suck in a lot of new customers thinking about going from featurephone to smartphone.

You make a good point. With the zombie like following apple seems to have they could sell iTampons to single men. The iPhone has also become a "standard" for smartphones so people on the cusp of making the jump to smartphones are likely to go iPhone unless they have a prior issue with Apple or are more inclined to use Linux and are drawn to the openness of Android.

I don't want to give the impression I think it isn't a good phone it certianly is, may not be the best out there (IMO) but really only one phone is the best out there and to each person the best can and will be different. I don't see this drawing users away from Android and really for Android anyone deciding to go to a smartphone regardless of brand is a good thing, the more people using them the better it is for the industry as a whole.

 

[Medion]

I would think that with Bluetooth and other standard connectors, you wouldn't need a device to be physically the same size as an older device for it to work. With BT, you don't need to physically plug your device into a slot that is perfectly snug. If you look at car mounts for phones, they make universal ones that fit many different phones of different sizes. I have one that fit both my old phone and my new phone and they were from different manufacturers.

Got any Bluetooth compatible cases, charger cases, or screen protectors you can link to me?

The iPhone is notorious for getting a large quantity and quality of case manufacturers due to the fact that they can move volume, and the cases don't have to be redesigned from one generation to the next every time. Cases made for the first iPhone in 2007 still fit the iPhone 3Gs being sold today. That means less money spent on redesigns, and larger savings in volume. We don't get this variety with any Android handset, not even the Galaxy S line.

That's not necessarily true. I think accessories (like speaker docks) that worked with the older iTouches don't work with the current gen iTouch because Apple has moved pins around.

Speaker docks made for the first iPhone (2007) still work with the iPhone 3Gs sold today in 2011. That's outstanding. The iPhone 4 was the first major redesign. This new design is supposedly compatible with most of the same accessories, but we'll see.

The thing is that Apple is aiming to just maintain with this device. Sure, it's a nice handset. It's not nicer than anything else on the market. Both WP7 and Android have devices out there that are the same or better and inside of 6 months, it'll be an underpowered device compared to what is on the market.

I'm sorry, but this is incorrect. On the WP7 front, MS's hardware certification is ridiculously backwards. The highest powered devices they have slated to come out this year are based on the 1.5ghz single-core Snapdragon paired with an Adreno 205GPU.

As for beating Android, that's debatable, but you are more correct than incorrect. In terms of the CPU, the iPhone 4S uses a dual-core Cortex A9 at 800-850mhz (most likely, but definitely not over 1ghz). The fastest Android phones out today use either a 1.2 ghz Exynos/OMAP4 (Cortex A9), or 1.5ghz Snapdragon (Scorpion), both of which are faster than the A5. As for RAM, Android devices are typically launching with 768MB or even 1GB today. Apple didn't announce the RAM for the 4S, so I'm guessing 512MB-768MB (512MB most likely). So, what's left? The GPU. The PowerVR SGX543 in the iPhone 4s is faster than any other mobile GPU out today. The fastest proven GPU for Android today is the SGX540 (If you think the Mali 400 is faster, scroll up). That's a generation behind what Apple secured.

So, you're right, Android phones are currently ahead of the iPhone today (I didn't even mention 4G or their other benefits). But, if I wanted a gaming phone, the iPhone 4s is the device to beat. I suppose every device has its perks

 

[A.Nonymous]

It's all about the marketing. I wouldn't count out the 4S solely on specs. I expect it to do insanely well regardless of the lack of "5" in the name. iPhone users tend to be very satisfied with the device, and iOS does present a lot of new features (regardless of where those features originated). Meanwhile, the marketing engine is going to suck in a lot of new customers thinking about going from featurephone to smartphone.

I would disagree with you on that. I think they'll sell mainly to people who are already iPhone users. Aside from Siri, there's nothing there that you can't find on another platform and many of the aspects of Siri can be found on other platforms.

 

[left4dead]

Say what you want about Apple.....but the iPhone 4S will still sell MORE units than any Android smartphone.

The truth hurts sometimes.

 

[Yeahha]

I would disagree with you on that. I think they'll sell mainly to people who are already iPhone users. Aside from Siri, there's nothing there that you can't find on another platform and many of the aspects of Siri can be found on other platforms.

But is the average consumer going to do the research and look at specs, remember the average consumer isn't posting on tech forums discussing specs they are using the phone as a phone with some other perks.

For people that have been using a feature phone since they first came out and are now deciding to jump into the smartphone market they would likely get an iPhone for several reasons..people know the manufacturer, they are very popular among consumers and the media, the carriers seem to want to push them (I can't tell you how many emails I have received from VZW asking me to switch to the iPhone, I can tell you how many I've received about going to a different android phone...none), the UI is very easy to learn and doesn't require much effort...

overall Apple want's to have the starter smartphone because once you lock in one user and get them buying some apps it is harder to go to a different platform because that is money lost.

 

[AustinTech]

But, if I wanted a gaming phone, the iPhone 4s is the device to beat. I suppose every device has its perks

Really? Gaming on a 3.5 inch screen?

Good points on the rest of the stuff, but specs mean very little to the iSheep. They want what everyone else has.

 

[ari-free]

Say what you want about Apple.....but the iPhone 4S will still sell MORE units than any Android smartphone.

The truth hurts sometimes.

Good, let them have their 3G all to themselves.

 

[Bnice]

Say what you want about Apple.....but the iPhone 4S will still sell MORE units than any Android smartphone.

The truth hurts sometimes.

Oh really, the Samsung GS2 is right up there(might even top it). Apple don't ever give the single sale for their models, they combine the sale from the original iphone to present..

And thats the truth.

 

[Slow Eddie]

So really no 4G on Verizon? I live in a 4G market and that is a deal killer for me. What is HSPA+? My wife currently has ATT but she was going to switch to Verizon when her contract was up and get a new iphone. But if it will not get 4G speeds on verizon she may as well stay with ATT?? What is ATT versions of 4G, HSPA+?

 

[Sixel]

That's just an iPhone 4 with voice command. Big deal.

 

[DEA8574]

I must admit I am both happy and sad about todays announcement. I am very glad that the Galaxy S2 I bought last month is still one of the best phones available. But I am also disappointed that apple didn't raise the bar. Most people here might hate apple, but technology has advanced in many ways because of the innovation that has come from them. When apple comes out with a Great product it only pushes the android world to come out with even better. And that is a win for everyone.

 

[vikingjunior]

Say what you want about Apple.....but the iPhone 4S will still sell MORE units than any Android smartphone.

The truth hurts sometimes.

Android has never been or never will be about one device. It's about different shapes, sizes, price points and manufactures.

Android is about choices.

Some of us like choices and not hard up on having the IN device.

 

[xmr405o]

It's all about the marketing. I wouldn't count out the 4S solely on specs. I expect it to do insanely well regardless of the lack of "5" in the name. iPhone users tend to be very satisfied with the device, and iOS does present a lot of new features (regardless of where those features originated). Meanwhile, the marketing engine is going to suck in a lot of new customers thinking about going from featurephone to smartphone.

I agree somewhat, it'll sell but not like the other releases. Even the media and Wall Street, isn't too impressed. With the weaken economy, the extinction of the 1 year contract option, tiered data plans and more competitive devices has already affected smartphone sales in the US. And I doubt the Iphone 4s will be unaffected. People are willing to wait before making their choice, including die hard Apple fans. I see more of them waiting for the Iphone 5.

This can be the window of opportunity to take more Iphone fans especially the impatient ones.

 

[Lars]

Well the 4S is a world phone. That will leave all our 4G wonders with no signal outside Verizon's sandbox. Only a few phones can claim both like the Photon or the Tmo/Att's GSM HSPA offerings. Lots of compromises in our world.

 

[ari-free]

Oh really, the Samsung GS2 is right up there(might even top it). Apple don't ever give the single sale for their models, they combine the sale from the original iphone to present..

And thats the truth.

The other truth: expect more lawsuits from Apple

 

[Shocky]

The fastest proven GPU for Android today is the SGX540 (If you think the Mali 400 is faster, scroll up). That's a generation behind what Apple secured.

Wait, what? scoll upto what exactly? allot has been posted already and I'm not reading it all.

How is the Mali 400 MP not proven tech? Did you not read the Anandtech review? It's the fastest GPU currently available for Android.

 

[Gmash]

I think this could help put Sprint out of business. They basically bet the company on the iPhone. Let's hope they have enough cash to keep them afloat until 2014 when they will turn a profit IF everything goes right. Plus, if you think Sprint 3g is slow now, wait till all these iPhones start hogging that unlimited data.

 

[Jeat1968]

I jumped the apple ship a couple of weeks ago to a HTC Sensation. A huge shock.....But I am glad I didn't wait for the new Iphone release because my android is amazing. For all the suspense and inuendo about what might have been the iphone 5.........very dissapointing!!

 

[Mostly Harmless]

You know Apple is reaching when they use "Cards" as one of there features to show off to at an event. $2.99 to send a picture? I could email someone or print it out on Snap fish for just pennies.

But I am not going to harp on Apple too much until I see what Google/Samsung is bringing to the table with the Nexus Prime. I remember not too long ago Google pulling a similar stunt with the Nexus S (which was an upgrade to the N1 but not by much). The Nexus series of phones should be about the absolute latest and greatest tech out there. I hope Google sets the standard again like it did with the N1 a few years ago.

Also, were Apple's numbers correct? 43% of mobile platforms are running iOS while only 33% are running Android? I thought Android surpassed iOS a while ago.

 

[Shocky]

The Nexus series of phones should be about the absolute latest and greatest tech out there. I hope Google sets the standard again like it did with the N1 a few years ago.

Should be but they've never been in the past, the Nexus One was basically a HTC Desire and Nexus S is basically a Samsung Galaxy S with curved screen.

The Nexus Prime is a bit of an unknown, great screen and processor but still using the somewhat dated SGX540, The iPhone 4S uses the updated multicore version the SGX543MP2 which is more than twice the performance of the SGX540..

 

[admob]

Say what you want about Apple.....but the iPhone 4S will still sell MORE units than any Android smartphone.

The truth hurts sometimes.

what does sales figures have anything to do with a quality product sitting at the top table of smartphones, next you'll be going on about share price and apples market value, bigging up the fact the apple have so much money mainly due to the fact that they persuade naieve punters to pay top whack for good not great handsets...

when you're using your 4s, and are blown away by the 'innovative' notification pull down bar, and various other things that android users had along time ago, console yersen with the fact that its ok that uve bought an already out dated handset because millions of others have done the same thing...

 

[EarlyMon]

Shocky - Please, each of the Nexus phones raised the bar in unique and perhaps significant ways, and naturally they were based on existing platforms.


It takes more than a graphics core to judge a total package - a phone.

I'm sure some will care about that on a small screen - but how many?