Is the new iPhone 4S good enough to make you want to upgrade?
I have a 3GS which will I know I can upgrade with the new iOS5 software available free on 12 October 2011.
The first key question is when is the iPhone 5 likely to appear?
Your guess is as good as mine but I expect if the market adoption of the 4S is strong, I would estimate at least 9 to 12 months. Of course, if Android phones look like they are catching up….who knows? (-/+)
I do not want to upgrade my 3GS to a 4S to spend 24 months in a cell phone contract if the iPhone5 appears in 6 months time – its too long to live with the 4S regretting my impetuosity.
Lets try to weigh up the pros and cons (from my perspective of course).
The hardware improvements are led by the camera, 8 mega pixels, true 1080p HD video as well as a five lens camera and clever software behind the processing, including inside the A5 chip. I am keen on photography so thats a big plus for me. (+++)
The CDMA/GSM combination is irrelevant to me. (-/+)
The iPhone4 means I would probably have to replace my morphy juice pack so thats an extra cost. (—)
The faster processor may be an issue but this will depend on how well my 3GS phone handles iOS5. Does it have the oomph to manage the enhanced operating system. If the phone slows down to the point that it gets irritating, then I think an upgrade will become essential. (-/+)
The dual core A5 processor (which features in the iPad2) is not reason in itself to change the phone. (-/+)
The 4S has two antennae over coming the major hardware shortfall of the iPhone 4 so that removes a barrier to change. (+)
The really interesting innovation in the phone is the assistant. Apple are at pains to stress that this software is still in beta but the keynote demonstration looked really exciting. While the demo would have been carefully prepared and rehearsed, the ability of contextually interpretive voice control is a real step forward and potentially quite exciting. It will be interesting to see how the software works in real life – I am sure there will be plenty of twitter comment once the phone ships – but for the moment I am positive (+++)
So on balance….I am still on the fence.
Can my 3GS handle iOS5? If it can the key question is whether I have the patience to wait for iPhone 5.
I waited for iPad2 but this might be more difficult! I actually think that the iOS5 upgrade is much more significant and exciting. Maybe I will post an Eye Piece about this if you would like me to. Let me know.
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