IPhone 4S Review

There probably isn't a more highly acclaimed phone from its users than the iPhone. The 4S is of course, the most recent incarnation of Apple's hallowed device and uses the last generations shape, but some new innards and a lot of new technology to get the job done. So, how does it stand currently, especially in a world of quad core phones and will it stand up when you look at which mobile plan to choose?

Design

Apple's new flagship device is nothing we haven't seen before. In fact, aside from the additional S on the font on the back and the slightest cosmetic changes to the aerial, it is pretty much exactly the same aesthetically - and frankly, that's no bad thing at all, especially when you compare phones and see some of the less attractive ones.

The glass on aluminium body of the device is as attractive of phone as there is anywhere, or almost ever was. It's glassy look and minimalist style, as well as familiar rounded home button and balanced in the hand feel are to be expected but still admirable. It's also a slight little device and weighs only 140g and is a mere 9.3mm thick. Samsung's Galaxy S3 and HTC's One X do undercut it in these terms but they are newer and also have more flat area to place components having 4.8 and 4.7 inch screens respectively, as opposed to the Apple's 3.5inch display.

Screen

Apple's device had really been threshed through the rumour mill before it turned out it was the 4S and not an iPhone 5. Hear 'say suggested the Apple would have a 4inch screen to contend with the 4.3inch devices of the day - yet , Apple kept the same form factor to ensure the device still comes with 3.5inches of screen and you know what it still looks great.

The 4S is using a retina display, now entering middle age in tech terms and we would say that the 326PPI screen still looks amazing. It's clear, bright and until now it really has been unparalleled for reading text from. Video is fluid and it's among the best displays in the great outdoors.

One notable improvement has been the addition of an 8mp camera, which is a 3mp increase on the previous device. Add to this a new and improved sensor and lens and you have a far better quality of image for your snaps. There are some slight issues with ghosting, but it is a notable improvement on a formerly lacklustre area.

Video has also gotten better and Apple's added full 1080p HD - ideal for those TV video sessions as well as anti-shake, which we noticed really aided those coffee jitters related video moments. There's also the option to install iMovie, if you wish to pay a price.

Power

We've mentioned quad core processors in the HTC and new Samsung, but we'd also mention that in most cases such power is currently to future proof the devices - meaning really it's a little bit of overkill in power terms. The iPhone 4S comes with an A5 dual core processor, which though not as powerful works brilliantly with IOS to create a smooth, beautifully balanced experience, when using the phone. Other changes come in the GPU, which is claimed to be seven times faster than the iPhone 4s and of course the perfect addition to those who want to do a bit of handheld gaming.

To be honest, there were no problems with lag and though we'd love to say we see a significant difference between the beefier quad cores and the A5 chip - we don't really. However, the latest IOS operating system does come with and includes a number of great software changes.

Apple's IOS 5 is the latest incarnation of the famed operating systems and comes with such new additions as iCloud backup, full Twitter integration and a number of security fixes. It's also PC and Mac free in its setup and has significantly improved notifications- akin to the Android pull down and drop menu. It's just a big leap from the previous version and gets rid of all the little irks and annoyances and it's clear Apple's done its homework. When compared to Android, it may be a little less free, but what it loses in customisation it makes up for in attractiveness and aesthetics.

Calling is the same as it always was, though the dual antenna prevents any of the antennagate issues of iPhone 4. The addition of iMessaging to IOS5 is also a welcome plus and one that allows IOS users to speak among themselves - very cosy.

Browsing has also improved and the new dual core makes for ease of use and increased tasking as well as a lack of slowdown. Of course, the beautiful retina screen, dual core chip and the iPhone 4S's nice aesthetics come together to make a very pleasant web experience. 

Of course, the most notable leap and one obvious to anyone who's seen an Apple advert in the last 6 months was Siri. Frankly Siri is good and still a lot better than any alternative - Samsung's S Voice included. There is a certain requirement to speak the Queen's English to get the most from it, but that said it's accurate and fun to use - even if generally unutilised by most iPhone users. Essentially, it's a well thought out, very cool gimmick. 

One thing that isn't a needless, albeit fun gimmick is the battery life and there is a slight improvement on the notoriously poor iPhone 4 in this area. You'll still have to charge each night, but sensible usage should get you through a day's worth. The iCloud is also a nice addition and a necessity in this day and age of smart phones and it backs up all those important files and bits and bobs of information to a 5GB iCloud account automatically and wirelessly - very useful. The biggest issue is to decide what's necessary to upload and what's filler as 5B isn't a lot of room.

Conclusion

In conclusion the iPhone 4S is like the wheel's leap from rubber to pneumatic tyres. It's a smoother, nicer, easier to use transitions that will be appreciated by those who upgrade and accepted as the best way to travel by those that have never travelled before.

It's a lovely phone and even in the face of the new quad cores and made better with price reductions on phone deals. There really offers an element of substance over plain largess. Essentially, it's the Ancient Greece to HTC and Samsung's big, brash exciting 1950s America.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

The Article is written by Cormac Reynolds at www.MobilePhoneDeals.ie which lists and compares mobile phone deals and mobile broadband deals in Ireland.  Compare O2 Mobile Phones, Vodafone Mobile Deals, Meteor.ie Mobile Phones and Three.ie Deals.  Visit http://www.MobilePhoneDeals.ie for more information. Copyright information. This article is free for reproduction but must be reproduced in its entirety, including live links & this copyright statement must be included.