Apple Unveils iPhone 4S
Linked by Thom Holwerda on Tue 4th Oct 2011 19:03 UTC
Apple I'm down with the flu at the moment, so I wasn't really looking forward to doing a detailed write-up of all the awesome stuff Apple was going to show off today. So, Tim Cook, thanks for talking about nothing for almost two hours straight. The only mildly interesting thing is a slightly specbumped iPhone 4, dubbed the iPhone 4S, which has a faster processor and graphics chip, better camera, and a few other improvements here and there to bring it in line with Android phones launched earlier this year. Sadly, Apple insists on the teeny tiny 3.5" screen, which is too small even for my girly fingers (I'm not kidding, I have to buy gloves in women's clothing stores). For the rest, it was a long rundown of iOS5 features we already knew, and improvements to voice recognition - which is something WP7, Android, and every other self-respecting mobile operating system does already anyway. They do claim it will sport a more natural feel to it, but only time will tell how well it'll work outside of pre-recorded and widely tested on-stage demos.
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Thom_Holwerda
Member since:
2005-06-29

What phone is 'current' but your standards?


Since this is Apple's flagship model, I expect it to be better than the competition. It isn't. Number one request: bigger screen - 3.5" is far too small, even Jobs himself admitted as such when talking about 7" tablets. 512 MB RAM is very little. Dual-core 1 Ghz is very little compared to current dual-core 1.5 Ghz (with quad-core arriving any day now in new phones). Software-wise, it's all just catch-up to what the competition has to offer.

Of course, you may find iOS more pleasant to use. I find it cumbersome and chaotic, especially compared to the consistent and logical interface of WP7 (I'm getting my first Android phone next week, Galaxy SII white, so I'll be able to say something about Android too then).

Reply Parent Score: 2

kristoph Member since:
2006-01-01

I do agree that the WP7 interface is the best of the bunch. Lots of people like the simplicity of the iOS screen (it's dead simple) but I personally prefer the live tile metaphor of Windows.

I disagree on the screen size. I don't have any problems typing and I would actually prefer my smart phone to be a bit smaller rather than bigger. I very much hope Apple does not go bigger in the future (or at least offers it as an option).

That Galaxy S2 your buying has a dual core 1ghz chip and that's the Samsung flagship so you think that's outdated too or is just about the screen ;-)

I don't actually know what RAM the iPhone 4S has but it's not an apples to apples comparison. If you've ever done ANY development on Android you know that memory is a huge/huge problem. We had to jump all sorts of hoops to handle image manipulation functions even on the S2 where the same operations worked 'out of the box' on a 3GS. That's why Android devices pack more RAM in there; they need it.

Reply Parent Score: 3

Thom_Holwerda Member since:
2005-06-29

No, the SII has either 1.2 ghz dc or 1.5 ghz dc.

Reply Parent Score: 1

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RE[5]: People are disappointed
by Beta on Tue 4th Oct 2011 23:12 in reply to "RE[4]: People are disappointed"
Beta Member since:
2005-07-06

That Galaxy S2 your buying has a dual core 1ghz chip and that's the Samsung flagship so you think that's outdated too or is just about the screen ;-)


I think the S2 is outdated, its been kicking around for more than half a year now. There’s a new Nexus coming, and well, it sounds like it’ll have a 720p screen. yummy.

That's why Android devices pack more RAM in there; they need it.

Because they have true multi‐tasking, you’re right!

Reply Parent Score: 3

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JAlexoid Member since:
2009-05-19

If you want access to more memory, you use off-heap memory(in short, don't use Java heap for big image manipulation because it has a hard limit). And iOS is not without it's problems either.
In addition, Android has more processes actually running concurrently.

Reply Parent Score: 2

Dryhte Member since:
2008-02-05

I also disagree on the screen size. 3,5" is not tiny at all, I currently have a phone with a 3,2" screen (LG P500 Optimus One) and am contemplating buying the SE Xperia Mini Pro (3" and physical keyboard).

If I can live with the 3,2", and the millions of users worldwide can as well, small is still a valid option for smartphones.

Of course, that might mean that on Android, smaller screens are still usable and on iOS they aren't ;)

Reply Parent Score: 1

henderson101 Member since:
2006-05-30

"What phone is 'current' but your standards?


512 MB RAM is very little. Dual-core 1 Ghz is very little compared to current dual-core 1.5 Ghz (with quad-core arriving any day now in new phones). Software-wise, it's all just catch-up to what the competition has to offer. "

I dont know. The processor and RAM don't seem to hurt the iPad 2. The graphics performance for GL is supposedly way better for iPad 2 compared to 1.5Ghz dual core devices, so one could assume the 4S might have a similar bump. Who knows?! It's not something I'd be speculating wildly about. The proof will be in the pudding.

Reply Parent Score: 2

RE[4]: People are disappointed
by leos on Wed 5th Oct 2011 01:49 in reply to "RE[3]: People are disappointed"
leos Member since:
2005-09-21

"What phone is 'current' but your standards?


Since this is Apple's flagship model, I expect it to be better than the competition. It isn't. "

Depends how you define better I guess.

Number one request: bigger screen - 3.5" is far too small


3.5" is fine for me. Given that millions can type fine on it, I don't think it's as big of an issue as you make it out to be. Is the iPad better than the Samsung Tab because it has a bigger screen? No, it's just different.

512 MB RAM is very little. Dual-core 1 Ghz is very little compared to current dual-core 1.5 Ghz (with quad-core arriving any day now in new phones).


You're falling into the techy trap of thinking that faster hardware is actually better or that anyone cares. The only thing that's important is how fast the thing is to the end user.

Haven't you learned anything from the Xoom?

Software-wise, it's all just catch-up to what the competition has to offer.


Actually iCloud is a huge advantage that no one else has. The voice recognition looks far more sophisticated than what I've used on Android (VLingo). The rest is catch up, I agree.

Reply Parent Score: 2

haakin Member since:
2008-12-18

bigger screen - 3.5" is far too small


I like to carry my phone in my jeans pocket. A bigger screen would made that pretty impossible. In fact, sometimes I would like my phone to be smaller.


Dual-core 1 Ghz is very little compared to current dual-core 1.5 Ghz (with quad-core arriving any day now in new phones).


Speed is always good, but I think that having a longer battery time is better for a phone. I'm ready to have a not-so-fast phone and not have to plug it all the time because it's running out of power.

Reply Parent Score: 1

Thom_Holwerda Member since:
2005-06-29

I like to carry my phone in my jeans pocket. A bigger screen would made that pretty impossible. In fact, sometimes I would like my phone to be smaller.


My 4.5" HTC HD7 fits in jeans pockets just fine. In fact, it's not THAT much larger than the iPhone 4.

Reply Parent Score: 1

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konrad Member since:
2006-01-06

Your anti apple/iPhone campaign is getting tiresome.

Reply Parent Score: 1