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
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