So, as you have probably guessed by the name, the iPhone 4S is to the iPhone 4 the same as the iPhone 3gs was to the iPhone 3g. That is, to start with, it looks almost exactly the same.
But, like the iPhone 3gs, the real improvements are hidden away inside the device.
Apple A5 processor
Its dual-core and twice as fast as the A4 processor in the iPhone 4, according to Apple. Right now, I'm betting the difference won't be an issue for most users, but maybe it will a couple in a couple of software updates time.
Dual core graphics
Seven times faster than the graphics chip found in the iPhone 4, should provide a great performance boost for those that play graphically demanding games on their device.
New antennae
The much-maligned antenna from the iPhone 4 has been modified and can now switch between transmitting and receiving automatically. The antennae takes the same shape as the CDMA iPhone 4, so for UK users this is one easy way to distinguish between the iPhone 4 and the iPhone 4s without using it. Apparently this will solve the issue of the "death grip" that some users reported on the original iPhone 4. Hopefully this will also put an end to the lame jokes about a £500 phone that can't make phone calls.
Improved 3g internet speeds
Whilst the iPhone 4 has a maximum 3g download speed of 7.2mbps (a speed you would be unlikely to ever reach anyway) the iPhone 4S boosts this to 14.4mbps. A great improvement once significant improvement to 3g coverage and speed is made by the UK carriers.
New camera
Big changes here. The camera goes from 5.0mp in the iPhone 4 all the way up to 8.0mp in the iPhone 4S. But there are more changes. The iPhone 4S adds a backside illuminated CMOS sensor for better performance in low light, ideal for taking photographs indoors. The camera supports apertures down to f/2.4. The video camera has also been given an upgrade and can now record 1080p video compared to the 720p video of the iPhone 4. Whilst this appears to be an improvement, I'm slightly skeptical. 1080p video files are HUGE and owners of the 16gb iPhone 4S model may find free space lacking. Also, unless you're planning on playing your phone recorded videos on a huge TV or monitor you are unlikely to appreciate the upgrade in size. A definite upgrade is the addition of facial recognition and image stabilisation, features often not found on smartphones. The camera is faster than most other popular smartphones with only a 1.1 second wait required before a photo can be taken. The camera also contains a "five element lens" for sharper images. White balance is improved by 26%.
Decent battery life
Don't listen to what non-users say, iPhones have always had great battery life compared to the competition. Battery life for a variety of uses can be seen in the pic below.
Siri Voice control
A cool, but maybe slightly gimmicky feature, the iPhone 4S has the ability to "intelligently" respond to verbal questions and commands. For example, ask what time it is and your iPhone will tell you. Instruct your iPhone to set an alarm and it will. Looks cool and will no doubt draw many people into buying a new iPhone, even if they already own an iPhone 4. To me, this is probably the iPhone 4S' "killer" feature. Siri can also be used to dictate, instead of typing, the user can hit the microphone button, speak and watch their words be replicated as text.
64gb
The iPhone can finally be bought in a capacity over 32gb but with a 2 year contract upfront cost of $399 in the US, this could very well cost over £700 in the UK without contract. Which would be ridiculous.
iOS 5.0
The iPhone 4S will ship running iOS 5.0 but iOS 5.0 will also be available for several other devices. The best features in iOS 5.0 can be seen here.
Come back soon to see my review of the newest iPhone!
Thanks for reading!
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