What, no iPhone 5? No, but the iPhone 4S is here. Aside from its cost, there are several improvements and some very good reasons why you would want to upgrade from an iPhone 3GS or an iPhone 4.
iPhone 4S
Typically, I would suppose that there is no need for dedicated iPhone users to ask for advice about whether or not to upgrade to a new iPhone. The simple fact that Apple has a new iPhone may be reason enough to wait in line and spend at least $200 for the privilege of owning a new iPhone 4S right away. However, in this specific case, even the most enthusiastic iPhone owners may be confused as to why they should upgrade. In the end, the new iPhone 4S looks like the regular iPhone 4 and basically works like the iPhone 4, especially with the iOS 5 upgrade that delivers new cloud and iTunes options.
You could try to convince yourself of the need to upgrade by realizing that upgrading from the iPhone 4 to the iPhone 4S is slightly more significant than the jump from the iPhone 3G to the iPhone 3GS (which is still available and is now being given away for free with a two-year contract). Furthermore, you could rationalize that you really need the new A5 dual-core processor, which is, according to Apple, seven times faster than the previous single-core A4. But then you know that most games run well on the A4 anyway, and you could wait a few more months or even another year until applications have caught up with the dual-core chip. Or, you could argue in favor of HSDPA 14.4, which makes download data speeds on the iPhone 4S about twice as fast as on the iPhone 4's 7.2. However, the educated user also knows that there are bandwidth constraints and, unless you live in an environment with few other HSDPA 14.4 users, those super-fast download speeds are more theory than reality.
Yet there are perfectly good reasons why an upgrade could make sense for some users.
1. Sprint
The iPhone 4S is different internally. One of the most significant changes is that it has become a world phone by combining CDMA and GSM capability. Also, the iPhone carriers in the United States have expanded from only AT&T and Verizon to now include Sprint as well. Pre-orders begin on October 7; the phone will be available one week later (October 14).
Sprint has remained silent about the data plans it will offer, but there is no reason why the company would not market its $99 all-you-can-eat plan (unlimited voice and data, or $79 with only 450 minutes) for the iPhone 4S. If you are trying to avoid potentially costly data caps, the Sprint plan can be much more attractive to users than plans from AT&T or Verizon that are $10 to $15 cheaper per month as long as you stay below 2 GB of data usage. However, this method of marketing would restrict the way the iPhone 4S is really meant to be used. If you want an unlimited data plan, it's a good idea to consider the Sprint iPhone 4S sooner rather than later.
2. The Camera
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This one is a bit subjective, but if the iPhone 4S's camera is as good as Apple claims, and if it can really replace your snapshot camera entirely, it is a compelling argument to upgrade.
In addition to the 8-megapixel camera, the great new feature is a reduced delay time between shots. According to Apple, the device can take the first picture after 1.1 seconds and the second one after half a second. Apple promises a lens that delivers 30 percent more sharpness, better color accuracy and uniformity, and most importantly, backside illumination. This delivers increased light to the sensor (which is the reason for decreased capture time) and should result in superior overall picture quality.
We have been waiting for a cell phone camera that could produce pictures with quality equivalent to entry-level snapshot cameras. This one could come close (while we recognize that dedicated DSCs are likely to always produce better pictures than smartphones, simply because of their ability to integrate better sensors). Of course, the iPhone 4S also does 1080p video recording.
3. Siri
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I have to admit that this one truly impressed me. Given that Siri is still in beta, Apple seems to be pulling a Google on this round. Yet there is little doubt that Apple will use Siri in its commercials, and this will be the feature most users will be attracted to: natural voice recognition.
Siri enables the user to talk to the phone and ask questions without having to remember special commands. Siri will try to figure out what the user is asking and then provide answers and possible options. For example, you can tell Siri to set a wakeup call; ask Siri if you will need to bring an umbrella tomorrow; ask Siri to remind you to call your wife when you leave work (via a geofence feature); or ask Siri if you have appointments on a certain day, and if so, can you schedule a lunch with someone accordingly. At least in Apple's demo, Siri worked flawlessly and put the icing on the smartphone cake. Based upon the impression from this first demonstration, Siri will be selling the iPhone 4S all by itself – and Apple should be commended for the powerful integration. There is no question that this is the must-have feature in the new iPhone 4S.
On a downside, remember that this is a voice recognition feature. Voice recognition will always be, by default, a data input option that will only complement all other data input options. It is unlikely that we will all suddenly start mumbling into our phone every place we go. Just think about the privacy problems voice recognition holds, and the limitation of Siri is somewhat clear. However, if Siri is as capable as Apple showed it yesterday, this one may be the most compelling reason why you would spend at least $200 for this new phone.
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