Without knowing what Apple would unveil last October 4, my brother-in-law declared without hesitation during dinner the previous night that he would buy whatever iPhone model Apple will announce. His decision is a relative no-brainer, as he was using a 2-year old Nokia E-Series QWERTY Smartphone. He then asked me the inevitable question, “Are you getting one?”
With the benefit of having watched the keynote, will I upgrade to the iPhone 4S from my iPhone 4?
What’s Different with the Hardware?
Figuring out if I want to upgrade is a tough choice, considering both will benefit from the upgrade to iOS 5 on October 12 and not much has really changed on the surface between the iPhone 4S and the iPhone 4. The size is the same, the weight is a smidgen heavier, and it looks the same — except for the metal band around the side, which has a slightly different configuration.
Having said the above, let’s round up the new features that got me considering an upgrade:
The processor. The 4S has been upgraded to the 1Ghz dual core A5 chip, the same one found in the iPad 2, which Apple claims is 2x more powerful (it is a dual core chip after all) and up to 7x faster graphics performance. Initial hands-on reviews from Engadget indicate that everything feels zippier. Also, the iPhone 4S’s faster A5 chip is needed to run Siri, the iPhone 4S’s built-in natural voice controlled personal assistant, which I think is the killer feature of the iPhone 4S.
The antenna design. While no real world tests exist yet, Apple claims the dual antenna design will allow the iPhone 4S to switch between the 2 antennas, resulting in better call quality and data streaming capability. As a Globe user who has trouble finding and maintaining a useable call and data signal along stretches of EDSA and large parts of Makati and Fort Bonifacio (both largely controlled by Globe’s parent Ayala), you can appreciate how this claim can catch my attention.
Camera. Megapixels aside (of which the iPhone 4S has 8-megapixels), Apple claims the iPhone 4S is quicker – capable of taking pictures within 1.1 seconds from launching the app and 0.5 seconds after the first picture is taken; 30% sharper; captures 73% more light, has a hybrid IR filter for more accurate colors and uniformity, and boast a larger f2.4 aperture lens than the iPhone 4. Plus, it takes 1080p video! This is quite possibly the one and only camera a casual photographer needs to carry on a daily basis.
Other changes are highlighted here:
|
|
iPhone 4S |
iPhone 4 |
|
Processor |
Dual core A5 chip with up to 2X more power and 7x faster graphics | Single core A4 chip |
|
Memory |
16GB 32GB 64GB (new) |
8GB – all other models are no longer listed on Apple’s US website. |
|
Cellular and Wireless |
World Phone UMTS / HSDPA / HSUPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 Mhz); GSM / EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 Mhz); and CDMA EV-DO Rev A (800, 1900 Mhz) |
Choice of either: UMTS / HSDPA / HSUPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 Mhz); GSM / EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 Mhz); or CDMA EV-DO Rev A (800, 1900 Mhz) |
|
Wireless |
Wifi – 802.11b/g/n Bluetooth 4.0 |
Wifi – 802.11b/g/n Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR Wireless |
|
Camera – Photos |
Back: 8 megapixels with 5 element lens and face detection; Front: VGA |
Back: 5 megapixel with four element lens; Front: VGA |
|
Camera – Video |
1080p at 30 fps and video stabilization | 720p at 30 fps |
|
Size and Weight |
No change in size 140 grams |
No change in size 137 grams |
|
Battery Life |
Talk Time: up to 8 hours on 3G and up to 14 hours on 2G Standby: up to 200 hours Internet: up to 6 hours on 3G, and up to 9 hours on wifi Video: up to 10 hours Audio: up to 40 hours |
Talk time: up to 7 hours on 3G and up to 14 hours on 2G Standby: up to 300 hours Internet: up to 6 hours on 3G, and up to 9 hours on wifi Video: up to 10 hours Audio: up to 40 hours |
|
Unlocked iPhone? |
A contract less iPhone 4S is available but per the Apple website, “will not work with CDMA-based carriers such as Verizon Wireless or Sprint”. | Available on GSM version only. |
As an aside, there truly is an iPhone for every budget now, allowing Apple to compete against Android:
|
|
Top of the line |
Mid-range |
Low-end |
|
|
iPhone 4S |
iPhone 4 |
iPhone 3GS |
|
Price with 2-year contract with a US carrier |
16GB – $199 32GB – $299 64GB – $399 |
8GB – $99 | 8GB – Free |
The Verdict
If the above changes are enough to compel you to upgrade from the iPhone 4 to the iPhone 4S, or you just have to buy the latest and the greatest, then go for it!
As for me, I went to sleep last night more excited about finding out when iOS 5 will ship than for the new hardware, having read all the rumors that the more design revolutionary iPhone 5 will be a no-show in favor of a more evolutionary iPhone 4S. In retrospect, this strategy makes sense because the old iPhone 4’s design still had room to run, in my opinion, and its logical for Apple to milk the design further.
With that in mind, put me in the “Wait for the next greatest from Apple” camp. My only regret is the inability to use Siri, which is a shame, since it rocks and promises to make the iPhone that much more convenient to use! At any rate, its probably 12 months to go till the next iPhone, which I hope will sport a larger screen in a body that is both thinner and lighter, and really go a full day without charging. I can’t help but feel a bit of envy whenever I look at the Samsung Galaxy S II’s 4.3 inch display. Imagine the amount of information that can be displayed on a larger screen while maintaining the 326 ppi resolution? Wow! For me, this would have made an upgrade truly compelling.
Related Articles:
iPhone 4S announcement
Meet Siri
iPhone 4S complete specifications
