Apple unveils iPhone 4S with A5 CPU and 4G-like data speeds - Page 12

If you already have an iPhone 4 why would you like to upgrade it anyway? is it that bad?

I hope the sarcasm was obvious. Like I said before, I think it is a nice new phone. The main issue people have is the fact that the form factor stayed the same making it more difficult to show off their new phone. And I for one am happy that there is no Facebook integration... the last thing I want is even more Facebook.

this is awesome,now i can get a nice case and unlike when ip4 was announced and there were no
protective otterbox cases till way late
i can get a case and order my ip4s

will you go to the telecos and buy, be put on preorder list
or

order from apple and work a deal
and what size

now we know that every 2 years for major design change and speed bump ios upgrade each year
3g 3gs 4 4s

Sure would be nice to be able to post a page to my FB profile directly from Safari or YouTube. It would be nice to be able to upload photos directly from the camera app. That's not asking a lot, really.

Yeah, I doubt it highly. We won't get into what would happen if you tried though. Needless to say, you've proven what you're about here today. Two words for you, anger management. You're angry because you have the mistaken belief that Apple owes you something. My 5 year old son has tantrums that make more sense than yours. If you get this mad about a cell phone I can only imagine what you're like when something important goes wrong.

The upgrade is a significant improvement. Nonetheless, I am disappointed. The iPhone 4 in the family works great. I can get iOS 5 for free and benefit from most of the improvements.

I am vain, but I am not going to tie myself to a 2 Year Contract to have a phone that looks identical to the current one. I want other people to be as excited by my purchase as myself. Nobody will even know I bought a new phone.


I was going to buy a new iPhone to replace the aging 3Gs in the household. Instead, I will buy my friend's iPhone 4 that he will not need anymore as he is going to Sprint. I will unlock that.

What Mr. Cook needed, what Apple needed,and what users wanted are not the same.

Mr. Cook needed something that would really blow the socks off the press just to show that Apple could out do Apple without Mr. Jobs. That did not happen. Mr. Cook will take a lot of grief over that.

Apple needed a reasonable and prudent upgrade to an already excellent market leading product. It needed to show it was moving forward with the latest technology. Most would say Apple got that.

What users wanted varies all over the spectrum as demonstrated by the responses to the upgrade in this thread. Whether enough users will be satisfied with the internal-only upgrade to buy millions of the new phones remains to be seen. In the long run that, and Apple's other products, will dictate long-term market trends not initial reaction to today's presentation.

Personally, I wanted both a new form factor and the internal upgrades. When I buy something new, I don't want to be asked if it is the old model. However, that first generation Verizon Blackberry Storm of mine is, well, crap.

But it looks the same! Whaa! None of the baristas at starbucks will know I've got the latest apple toy! They'll all think I've got some 99 dollar piece of shit!

Ah, nothing like an Apple hardware release, people coming out of the woodwork and registering just to explain how big a fail it is, Android fans smirking and spec gobbling, whatever Apple does being found pointless and trivial compared to what everybody knows they should have done.....

Just out of curiosity, what's the big hardware update that people would have wanted? I have to guess "bigger screen" is pretty much the whole of it, since cosmetics can't really be that big of a deal.

Thinner? Sure, I guess.

Anyway, for my money the much faster system hardware, much better camera, A5 only Siri stuff plus various iOS 5 enhancements are a great upgrade and are all much more desirable than random cosmetic changes or a slightly bigger screen.

Folks dismissing Siri as "voice command" or "voice dialing" and who think that Android "already does that": no, it doesn't. It's a pretty big deal, an AI based voice interaction system that parses natural English and attempts to discern what you "mean", not just match a phrase to a library.

I get asked if my iPad is an iPad 2 all the time. Que sera sera.

After seeing the new iPhone 4S, I have one thing to say: no thanks. Except for the upgraded CPU/GPU, 8 megapixel image sensor, and the combo CDMA/GSM chipset, it's to the iPhone 4 what the iPhone 3GS was to the iPhone 3--an incremental improvement.

This is going to make HTC and Samsung smartphones that run Android 2.3 (and soon 4.0) and Windows Phone 7.5 ("Mango") look really attractive in comparison.

But that's not what Apple does - giving too many options. And they are doing well with that approach, noone can argue that.

This makes sense for me. For iPhone 4 users it is anyway too early to upgrade. This is for 3Gs and 3G users and for them, difference will be significant.

I was hoping for case redesign - have seen a few 4 with cracked rear glass and I'm personally not finding it that good looking anyway... but everything else is in line with my expectations.

So except for the ENTIRE EFFING PHONE it's the same. Got it.

They're all incremental improvements. What you're saying is that you're too superficial to see past a case change so you can hold the positional good over others. I guess that's okay, if that's how one wishes to buy products, but I prefer to look at the device itself. This is a major change for the future of the iPhone whether and others want to believe it or not.

I'm trying to remember if people reacted this way to the 3GS. It looks identical to the 3G after all. The interesting part is that most people keep their iPhones in cases anyway. You'd be hard pressed to tell the difference between any of them in a case really. Do people really think that other people are that observant or really care which phone you carry? I owned the 3GS and never felt the need to clarify that it was not the 3G. Doesn't it matter much more that it does what you need and want it to do? If I was Apple and I read a lot of these posts I'd be tempted just to redesign the case every year and not waste time and money on making the damned thing work better!

Really what Apple should do is stop having these big events to announce upgraded existing products. Clearly people get way out of whack with their expectations because of them!

I think this explains most of the consternation out there. People want to have the "new hotness" that is distinguished from last years "new hotness". With so many 4's in the world no one would know you have the 4S from look at the phone itself.

I could give a rats ass myself.

I'd never asked for higher resolution on phone screen, but larger screen would make small text easier to read even with same resolution... like when you want to fit whole web page width on a screen without left-to-right scrolling.

But like I said in my previous post, I didn't really expect that. Only saying it would be nice surprise.

You're right. It's not the same as the old model. It has worse battery life.
I'm still using a first generation iPhone. It lasts all weekend on a charge. I'm not sure any of the newer models would do that for me, and this thing is 4 years old. Every time an update has been announced I've been like 'meh.' I was really hoping this would be the update that would have enough goodies to pry my hands off the old trusty, almost rusty, first gen. No such luck. \

Toss me in disappointed camp. I actually have a 4, but I have to slap the hell out of it for anyone to be able to hear me. So yea, I was thinking new phone, yay! But it feels like they upgraded the wrong areas
2x faster processor. My 4 doesn't seem sluggish in the least as is.
7x better gpu. For what, one game? On a 3.5 inch screen? Um-k
Voice commands. This one is pretty nice. I know android already has it, but I expect Siri will be really polished.
'4g' like speeds if you're not in the US :/
updated camera. This one was needed I guess, but some of the people that got hands on said it didn't seem very much better.

I guess after all this time I expected a lil more phone stuff.. Bigger screen, real 4g, etc. I'm kinda hoping this next nexus will have native active sync

But I think some die-hards around here should stop assuming that anyone not blown away by today should stop assuming it's all apple hate. Some of it is, but you can tell the difference

Honestly, camera meg pixels do not equate to better image quality. Many camera enthusiast sites were nervous about Apple ditching its current camera for the 8 meg pixel camera because most if not all 8 meg pixel cameras perform(ed) poorly in low light. Sony supposedly developed some technology to improve upon that, but whether it was successful is debatable. When introducing the original iPhone 4, Jobs talked about the mega pixel issue and mentioned Apple wasn't going to focus on mega pixels, but instead camera quality. By all accounts, the iPhone 4 Camera is excellent for a camera phone. The jury is out on whether Apple scarified image quality to be able to advertise more mega pixels with this update. My point is just because somethings specs are higher does not mean it is better. That is what some marketing folks want you to think.

As far as Google Voice demo goes, the technology is completely different, and not as advanced as what Apple is offering. Perhaps that isn't apparent in the marketing. Apple's current phone offers limited voice command abilities. This will be significant improved. For example, it was really cool in the Apple demo today how the voice commands interacted with the GPS on the phone to do things such as remind you to call somebody once you leave work. I can see this being really useful. For instance, let me know when I approach the next Tim Hortons. It also can be integrated into Apple's locate friends and family members features. For example, "Give me directions to dad." Further, I imagine Apple will integrate this command technology with iCloud to allow you to better remotely control other devices synced to iCloud. Google's website shows limited support for voice recognition. It is way less sophisticated then what Apple is doing. Apple is also licensing Nuisance's voice recognition software, which is the best.

Moreover, Google's voice command technology relies on sending your voice to a server somewhere, which processes the commands. Without the Internet, it doesn't work. Further, the only reason Google offers that technology is to capture voice commands to use for other purposes. Apple processes the voice commands on the phone, which has several advantages, such as not needing the internet, and not giving somebody your conversations.

I am a little disappointed in this update mostly because I wanted some limited cosmetic changes, however, the performance of the hardware has been improved in every manner. At this point it isn't enough to make me upgrade, but this is strictly vanity speaking. I want people to know I have the latest and greatest. Who knows, once I see the full extent of the voice command potential, I might change my mind.

Except for the slightly shallow need to show off that "my gadget IS the new one," (which I admittedly share), I totally agree with your post.

+3

As I said, I am vain. In truth though, it is not all my vanity. There are some iPhone knockoffs that I think are beautiful mostly because of the larger screens. They are easier to read. I understand there is a fine balance that has to be struck with the phone fitting comfortably in most people's hands, but I think upping the screen size slightly would have been good enough to satisfy both my vanity and an improvement I think many would like to see.

A agree with that. Every update is an incremental improvement, including going from the 3Gs to the 4. Maybe Apple should have just called this the iPhone 5. \

When I get my 4S I'll let people know that it's the iPhone 5 with the 5" screen. They'll be in awe...

That I want to say actually in defense of those not happy with this upgrade. Apple really can't expect to have things both ways. If you build up hype to the degree you do for your "magical" products, you have to expect this kind of backlash when you underwhelm people. No question that the media overhypes these events all on their own. But Apple also encourages it. Frankly I found most of today's event as boring was watching paint rust. We've all heard Apple pat themselves on the back time and time again and in my opinion too much time was dedicated to that today. I do, however, obviously think that the iPhone 4S will end up being a huge success.

If they had it would have quelled many, not all, but many that feel it's not good enough to radically overhaul the entire internal design. The problem with that is when you do change up the casing you lose some marketing edge by simply going from iPhone 5 to iPhone 6 in the next round.

My biggest wish was for a new button on the side that could access Assistant instantly. I hate having to hold the Home Button or my headphone cable button for several seconds before I can start use Voice Control.

But it didn't take Apple 16 months to announce the 3GS, a iPhone 4S announced in June would've received adulations but most assumed a 4 month delay meant a new form factor and are thusly disappointed.

Wow. A lot of hate for a phone you don't have to buy. Would you have responded similarly if Apple had released the 4S today and called it "iPhone 5?". Or would that have made it amazing?

They haven't updated the Macbook Pro's outward appearance (significantly) in 3 plus years. We keep on buying them.

They could skip iPhone 5 and go directly to 6. There was never an iPhone 2.

iPhone
iPhone 3G
iPhone 3GS
iPhone 4
iPhone 4S

Maybe using numbers was a mistake. Maybe they should have stayed with the simple naming scheme they've used with their computers for years.

Why?

Apple has addressed two very important issues...and many of you probably don't get it...

1. They now need only build one SKU. This addressed the distribution side of getting the iPhone4s into as many carriers (world-wide...China anyone?) as possible WITHOUT the need to manufacturer two different SKU's. The effect of this will markedly improve manufacturing efficiency and lead to even higher margins. This has Tim Cook's operational excellence finger prints all over it...WELL DONE SIR!

2. They continue to leverage their costs by making essentially the previous generation iPhone. Costs associated with bringing out a new form factor are mitigated.

These two issues will make the iPhone4s even more profitable.

For Apple shareholders like me, today's 'lackluster' announcements are of little concern.

For those who just wanted flames and confetti to shoot out of the "iPhone5", don't let the door hit ya' on the way over to Android.

Apple will be at 500 before July 2012.

You heard it here first.

Mode make'n enemies... Pity!

I can appreciate how some of Apple's hardcore fans might be disappointed by the 4S. Putting aside for a moment that Steve Jobs is not there to wow the crowd, Apple delivered a solid upgrade to an already great smartphone. Apple, like most companies, has limited development resources and cannot always re-invent their latest products. I know that this will make no difference to some people, but for the vast majority of consumers, the 4S will more than suffice. Those who find this lacking have a multitude of Android-based alternatives. Yes, it's getting harder and harder for Apple to live up to the hype, but they have delivered a significant upgrade to an already great product. YMMV...

You think so? The same thing happens every time they upgrade anything no matter how long they take from what I've seen. But as I said earlier, they are largely to blame for the crazy expectations anyway.

Word

"OK! New iPhones... new iPhones... gotta be some iPhones around here somewhere. Ah, here we go! Aaaaaaaaaaaaand... nothing!?"

Here's an idea, since making iPhones is difficult--why don't you just keep using THIS iPhone. Same one. And I can just... watch you use it. Yes. That sounds much easier." -Tim "Wheatley" Cook

As a fellow Apple shareholder I couldn't agree more.

This pretty much sums it up.

-ios runs fast enough on a single core
-GPU was fine already. if devs start making games just for the 4s then we'll see 'FRAGMENTATION'
-4g-like speeds made me laugh. they'll be the same speeds as the iphone 4. it'll take quite a while before it reaches it's full potential. and even then we're seeing Android phones that top out at 21mbps HSPA+, not 14. They could've put LTE in it so easily. Not sure why on earth they didn't
-Voice commands? It take just as much time to go through the menus as it does talking out loud to your phone, waiting for it to recognize the command, and then having it perform the task. Let alone using this in public. I can't wait to laugh at the first person using this feature
-ios5? A mix of Android, Windows, and Blackberry features with heavy twitter integration. Nothing new here. Still a wall of icons for your background and no dynamic content
-updated camera? 8mp is very standard for newer flagship phones. We're going to see some more 12mp phones with more carl zeiss optics lenses too. 1080p is also standard on newer phones

but hey, if you're using the 3GS, it's a good upgrade. People will be able to see what Google has to offer here soon on the 11th

Why don't you, and others experiencing 50% failure rates, stop buying Apple products if they are so defective.

It sure would be easier, for all of us, than the constant whinging about it on Apple forums... Or is that your real agenda?

Had to make an account to agree with this point. Here is my whole problem with the release-
Would I have loved the same form but a slightly bigger screen, sure.
Would I have liked NFC, sure.
But that's not important. The bottom line is:

THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RELEASED IN JUNE!

That's why people SHOULD be upset. Before people say the extra 4 months were so Apple could make everything "right"- let me counter. Apple had OSX Lion, ok. Apple had iCloud. Ok. Apple had iOS 5. Ok.

But apple is the 2nd largest company in the US. This is what makes apple great- doing the impossible. Making a roll out like that in a year- oh yeah guys, and while I'm at it I'm gonna introduce a new phone, the iPhone 4S this June too w/ iOS 5 and iCloud. BOOM. that's unexpected.
Instead, we get what is expected. Not apple like, sorry. Not one person thinks "wow"... They think "ok". That's the problem.

And for the average consumer, who held onto their iPhone 3GS, and waited for the extra few months, are the upset ones. Otherwise, they could have been using FaceTime, retina display, and the A4 for almost a year.

Just my opinion.

Ah, that would explain why I can't find my name here when I search. They're all changing it to make fun of me because they don't have positions of their own to support.

ⓐⓝⓓ ⓦⓞⓤⓛⓓⓝⓣ ⓣⓗⓔ ⓐⓓ⊝ⓗⓞⓜ ⓢⓗⓡⓘⓛⓛ ⓑⓔ ⓦⓐⓡⓡⓐⓝⓣⓔⓓ ⓞⓝⓛⓨ ⓘⓕ ⓘ ⓣⓨⓟⓔⓓ ⓛⓘⓚⓔ ⓣⓗⓘⓢ?

Or something equally annoying?

Where are your facts to back this up as being feasible? Where is your evidence that the quad-band GSM/quad-band UMTS(HSUPA,HSDPA,HSPA+/dual-band CDMA/dual-band CDMA2000 world mode chip was ready for in terms of HW and firmware development? How about all the other radical changes made to the device.