Iphone 4S, a let down? Really?
Wednesday, October 5, 2011 
A lot of Tech reviewers are commenting that Iphone 4S is a big let down.
Why? Because it's not a new form factor? Because it's Specs are incremental over the iphone 4 (Stolen from Engadget):
iPhone 4S |
iPhone 4 |
| Price (on contract) | $199 16GB, $299 32GB, $399 64GB | $99 8GB |
| Processor | Dual-core Apple A5 | Apple A4 |
| Display | 3.5-inch IPS 960 x 640 | 3.5-inch IPS 960 x 640 |
| Primary camera | 8 megapixel AF with flash and f/2.4 aperture | 5 megapixel AF with flash |
| Secondary camera | VGA at 30fps | VGA |
| Video recording | 1080p at 30fps, optional iMovie | 720p at 30fps, optional iMovie |
| Cellular | Hybrid GSM / CDMA "World Phone", Bluetooth 4.0 | Quadband GSM, pentaband HSPA |
| WiFi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11b/g/n |
| Orientation sensing | Accelerometer, digital compass, gyroscope | Accelerometer, compass, gyroscope |
| FaceTime video calling | Yes | Yes |
| SIM standard | Micro SIM | Micro SIM |
| Battery life | Up to 8 hours talk time on 3G 14 hours talk time on 2G Up to 6 hours data on 3G Up to 9 hours data on WiFi Up to 40 hours audio Up to 10 hours video |
Up to 7 hours talk time on 3G, 14 hours on 2G Up to 10 hours data on WiFi Up to 40 hours audio Up to 10 hours video |
| Weight | 140 grams / 4.9 oz | 137 grams / 4.8 oz. |
| Dimensions | 115.2 x 58.6 x 9.3mm | 115.2 x 58.6 x 9.3mm |
This incremental increase, actually could be a good thing for consumers, as the Iphone 4 isn't going away, it's price dropped to $100 on 2yr contract. Also both the Iphone 4 and 4S are going to be available on Verizon, AT&T and now for the first time: Sprint. Also the 3GS will be free on AT&T, but I would strongly recommend not looking at this SKU, as it's already over 2 years old.
So if you are looking for new Iphone, it really comes down to those minor feature differences, personally I would still go 4S, not for dual core CPU or 1080p video recording, but for Siri the voice interface personal assistant that includes voice dictation features.
I know... Big whoop... Android, and now Windows phone 7.5 (Mango) already has those features. Wrong! Mango doesn't have dictation built into every keyboard function, and the latest gingerbread update on Android phones seems to have made the Voice Keyboard in operable (at least on my Evo 4G and a Droid X I've seen)
I guess, it's all in the eye of the Beholder... I personally was disappointed in a lack of new Ipod announcements (a white Ipod touch, is not a new Ipod). And the price drops were more like a "duh" yeah, tech gets cheaper over time.
But as for the Iphone 4S goes... I think it's going to be success, a third Cell provider in the US, that will carry both the new 4S and the 4 is going to be awesome for consumers. Also I don't believe the difference between the 4 and 4S will be nearly as painful as the differences between the 3G and 3GS. A 1GHZ CPU seems to be just enough for almost all functions on a Smart Phone, a Dual Core CPU is great for when you want to turn your smart phone into a gaming console.
What do you think?
~Graham
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