The
good: Apple's iPhone 4S has a faster processor and an upgraded
camera, all the benefits of iOS 5, and a useful and immensely fun voice
assistant. Call quality on the Sprint model is admirable, and the data speeds,
while certainly not 4G, get the job done.
The
bad: It's about time we get a larger
screen.
The
bottom line: The iPhone 4S isn't the king of cell phones, but it's part
of the royal family nonetheless. Even without 4G and a giant screen, this
phone's smart(ass) voice assistant, Siri, the benefits of iOS 5, and its
spectacular camera make it a top choice for anyone ready to upgrade.
For the first time since the iPhone was born four years
ago, a new model didn't arrive in June this year. The wait set the iPhone 5 rumor mill frothing to overflow, so when the
iPhone 4S arrived as an incremental upgrade, fanboys commenced an Internet-wide
rending of garments. Some critics grumbled that they didn't get more, and I
sympathize...kind of. Yes, the lack of 4G is disappointing. And yes, a totally
new design would have been fun. But this is hardly the first time that Apple has
chosen to make a subtle upgrade. Remember the iPhone 3GS?
The truth is that the 4S brings healthy improvements to
an already excellent device. iPhone owners finally get a 64GB model and a better
camera, the dual-core processor delivers more speed, and Siri, the iPhone 4S'
personal assistant/robot friend/gofer, adds a new and sassy experience. iOS 5
also trots out changes big and small, and we're glad to see Sprint join the
Apple family with a true world phone. So while the iPhone 4S isn't the Jesus
phone, it's quite enough for plenty of other people-- more than a million, actually.
Not everything impressed me. I'd prefer a slightly
larger screen and my list of iPhones misses remains hefty. Performance on the
Sprint model is satisfactory. We encountered slower 3G data speeds than on the
Verizon phone, but Sprint has a slight edge in call quality. Remember that there
will be a discernible difference between the 4S versions (just like we found
with the AT&T and Verizon iPhone 4S) so it's important to choose your
carrier wisely.
In the end, the decision to buy an iPhone 4S will depend
on your current carrier contract. If you aren't eligible for an upgrade with a
rebate, I don't think the new features are worth paying full price (at least
$500). But if you can upgrade with a discount, or if you're a Sprint customer
waiting to get your hands on the iPhone for the very first time, there is enough
here to warrant a switch. Sure, there's the chance that a better "iPhone 5" will
come next June, but that's a long time to wait. Besides, in the cell phone
world, something better is always around the corner.
Design
As I said, the iPhone 4S is indistinguishable from its predecessor. For the most part, that's fine with me. Having lived through the thin phone craze started by the Motorola Razr, I'm not aching for a slimmer device. Granted, the 4S can feel bulky at times, but I continue to enjoy its solid feel in the hand (something that's not always there with skinny phones). I don't have any problems with the handset's general aesthetics, either. A thinner phone may be prettier, but it's what's inside that really counts.
As I said, the iPhone 4S is indistinguishable from its predecessor. For the most part, that's fine with me. Having lived through the thin phone craze started by the Motorola Razr, I'm not aching for a slimmer device. Granted, the 4S can feel bulky at times, but I continue to enjoy its solid feel in the hand (something that's not always there with skinny phones). I don't have any problems with the handset's general aesthetics, either. A thinner phone may be prettier, but it's what's inside that really counts.
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