iPhone 4 or 4S?

Cheetah Designs · 26 Aug 2012 at 12:54

I've only ever owned a 4S but had to sell it to....I now have the money to move back to iPhone and i'm wondering if I actually need the 4S or could I just get a 4?

Is the speed difference noticable or do you only notice it on certain applications if at all?

uchuff · 26 Aug 2012 at 12:57

I have a 4 and it runs iOS5 great, not in the iOS6 beta but I know it's missing out on some things like the new 3D maps.

Not interested in waiting for the new iPhone? Should be announced on the 12th.

Cheetah Designs · 26 Aug 2012 at 12:58

uchuff said:
I have a 4 and it runs iOS5 great, not in the iOS6 beta but I know it's missing out on some things like the new 3D maps.

Not interested in waiting for the new iPhone? Should be announced on the 12th.

Announced yes, but released - no probably not for a few months....no point waiting

TONY · 26 Aug 2012 at 13:05

Cheetah Designs said:
Announced yes, but released - no probably not for a few months....no point waiting

Apple usually announce products when they are ready to release them.

theheyes · 26 Aug 2012 at 13:10

As an iPhone4 owner, I would say there is more value in getting a 4S out of the two for a couple of reasons - forward compatibility, and the camera is miles better.

Memphis · 26 Aug 2012 at 13:11

Cheetah Designs said:
Announced yes, but released - no probably not for a few months....no point waiting

If it's announced on the 12th, it will be available by the end of the month.

ectraz · 26 Aug 2012 at 13:12

the 4s is duel core / 4 is only single
the 4s has 8mp camera / 4 is only 5mp
the 4s has Siri / 4 does not

prashantnew · 26 Aug 2012 at 13:18

I'd say get the 4s, when the new iphone comes out, do you really want to be two models behind?

lamboman · 26 Aug 2012 at 13:35

Out of the two, definitely the 4S. The 4 will be quite a way behind the 4S by the time iOS 6 comes out. The speed difference between the two, trying both of them side by side, was definitely noticeable, not to the point where the 4 felt really slow, but to the point where I could imagine it getting frustrating if you are used to a 4S then have to move back down.

However, on the broader scale of things, I wouldn't pick either of them now, unless you're going for a second hand device. With the 5 just round the corner, it'll be better value than going for the current models.

R4z0r · 26 Aug 2012 at 15:08

I would wait, I expect the new one to be available mid to late September. If you really have to get it now, then go with the 4S.

Cheetah Designs · 26 Aug 2012 at 15:20

Are we really talking a month until I can have an iPhone 5 in my hands?

How long after the iPhone 4S was announced was it released?

theheyes · 26 Aug 2012 at 15:52

Cheetah Designs said:
Are we really talking a month until I can have an iPhone 5 in my hands?

How long after the iPhone 4S was announced was it released?

You're also assuming it's actually any good. At least the 4S is a known quantity.

mame · 26 Aug 2012 at 17:35

I think the only way you could answer this question properly is if it had some prices.

lamboman · 26 Aug 2012 at 18:19

mame said:
I think the only way you could answer this question properly is if it had some prices.

True, to an extent. However, I think that we can safely say that the 5 will be introduced at the same price points as the 4S, with the same storage options, in the worst case scenario.

And the 5 won't be any worse than the 4S, merely because the OS will be the same, and the hardware will of course be largely similar (in terms of size and feel, not in terms of the SoC inside).

Of course, waiting for prices to come down is the best bet. Do older models (not the new 8GB versions of the old models) become available on cheap contracts for a short period when the 5 is released? I presume this would be the case?

DIABLO · 27 Aug 2012 at 21:37

You'd be crazy to buy a 4 or 4S now, end of story.

Tute · 27 Aug 2012 at 21:41

theheyes said:
You're also assuming it's actually any good. At least the 4S is a known quantity.

When has any modern smartphone ever been worse than the model preceding it?

sarge78 · 27 Aug 2012 at 22:11

The Desire HD.

theheyes · 27 Aug 2012 at 22:27

Tute said:
When has any modern smartphone ever been worse than the model preceding it?

My iPhone4 wasn't that brilliant tbh! Great phone, yes, but by no means perfect. "Pound for pound" I think my 2G iPhone was more reliable even though it was a first generation product.

The 5 has a new form factor, screen, connector etc. Plenty of scope for things to go awry in my opinion. It might be a cynical point of view but it sounds like the OP wants a phone sooner rather than later, and you can't deny that the 4S is a known quantity.