Apple Reveals iPhone 4S for AT&T, Verizon and Sprint
Well, here it is. After months of rumors, leaks and whispered secrets from anonymous sources, the new iPhone has arrived.
The Apple rumor mill has been churning out iPhone rumors for the last eight months, and now the wait is over. Well, nearly. Launched today at a special event at Apple's Cupertino HQ, the iPhone 4S will be available from October 14 (with preorders starting Friday), will be available through AT&T, Verizon and Sprint, and will cost between $199 and $399, depending how much space you need. It'll be available in back and white and in 16GB ($199), 32GB ($299) and 64GB ($399) capacities. For those wondering, no, there's no iPhone 5.
So, now you know how much it costs (on contract, at least), where to get it, and when to get it, you're probably wondering what's inside that sleek, glass exterior we know so well. As previous iPhone 5 rumors suggested, Apple has indeed gone with the dual-core Apple A5 CPU for the newest iPhone, as well as dual-core graphics, which the company says is up to 7x faster than the previous iPhone. To deal with all this added power, Apple has increased the battery life -- it now offers eight hours of 3G talk time, 14 hours of 2G talk time, six hours of 3G browsing, nine of WiFi browsing, 10 of video or 40 of music.
The company has also revamped the antenna system, which caused so many issues in the summer of 2010. It now has two sets that it will switch between to ensure call stability. While we're on the topic of antennas, it might interest you to know that this is the first ever worldphone from Apple. Whereas before we had a GSM model for AT&T and a CDMA version for Verizon, this time Apple has a dual-mode radio for both GSM and CDMA into the same HSPA+ handset, which means you can take your iPhone with you as your roam the world.
Apple has also upgraded the camera, which now packs an 8-megapixel sensor, a hybrid IR filter, apertures down to f/2.4, and the ability to shoot video in 1080p. It needs only 1.1 seconds to snap the first shot and half a second for every shot after.
The phone will run on Apple's iOS 5, which will be released for other users on October 12. Other than that, the iPhone 4S feature Apple seemed most excited about was Siri, an intelligent personal assistant application that can answer questions about the weather, stocks, set your alarm, find restaurants nearby, give directions and remind you to do certain things. The voice-controlled app can also schedule your meetings, inform you of double-bookings, and reply to emails and texts for you. It will work right out of the box but Apple says it will learn and get used to the user over time. Available in US and UK English, as well as French and German, more languages will be added at a later time.
As far as international launches are concerned, the iPhone 4S will hit Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan and the UK on Friday, October 14 and 22 more countries by the end of October, including Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
So that's it. No iPhone 5, though the iPhone 4S does have several of the rumored iPhone 5 features (such as the 8-megapixel camera and HSPA+). Who's planning on upgrading? Any Sprint customers ready to sign a two-year contract for this puppy? Let us know why or why not in the comments below!
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Get in line suckers
im lining up. Initially I was very disappointed. But I realized that is is everything I wanted from the new iPhone, minus a new look. And looks are probably the least important thing.
I'm skeptical of the Voice stuff, the new camera looks sweet though, and the power is good. The iPad 2 destroys the droid dual core tabs in the benchmarks, so I assume this phone will do the same to the droid phones.
My 3GS is finally gonna get upgraded
Before the iphone, I was with Sprint for many years and loved the call quality. I never had issues with signal either in my area around and in New Orleans.
I shall return now! Woo hoo!
Same screen size though (3.5")... Google's Nexus Prime is rumored to have a 4.6" screen with a similar retina-esque resolution...
Might wait till next week to see what the Nexus Prime looks liek before I make any decisions.
Ouch....
ya, it's gonna be interesting to see what the prime with droid 4.0 brings.
personally I don't want much bigger then a 3.5", but that's just personal preference.
The sheeple shall line up!!!
You makes the no sense.
Sprint customer for years , Still waiting for Samsung launch
I guess they have not yet solved the issue of short battery life an a 4G network. Without an extended battery, I can't see the iPhone lasting through the day on 4G. I'll stick with the Bionic.
This is disappointing
I'm getting one on release day! I am a tool that must follow the most current trends to feel any self worth or risk embarrassment and depression. I cannot wait to get raped with the high price and terrible data plan, my anus quivers with anticipation!
P.S. Should I play it safe and have a Starbucks coffee with me or be daring and hold a Caribou?
Apple is by definition "big news" in the same way that people like the Kardashian sisters are "celebrities"
What about speed? AT&T gets HSPA+ while Verizon is still on 1.4MB 3G?
Really not happy about the fact that Apple still hasn't integrated LTE antennas into the phones. Especially since the technology was out (and being used) prior to the iPhone 4. What is taking them so long?
3.5 inch screen. Are they serious? LOL, what crap, LOL
Really not happy about the fact that Apple still hasn't integrated LTE antennas into the phones. Especially since the technology was out (and being used) prior to the iPhone 4. What is taking them so long?
so they can sell you NEW iPhone 4LTE next spring!
What will the AT&T pricing scheme be for those of us who bought the iPhone 4 at the beginning of its cycle in June 2010 and are less than 16 months into the 2 year contract?
apple fanboys got SHAFTED
lawl
What will the AT&T pricing scheme be for those of us who bought the iPhone 4 at the beginning of its cycle in June 2010 and are less than 16 months into the 2 year contract?
They're good about allowing a "full upgrade discount" for renewing your 2 year contract, despite the fact that your current contract isn't up.
Wonder if these are unlocked since it can be used on both networks?
Still...3.5" screen is so last year :-)
At which point every iPhone prior to 4S will slow to a crawl. Would not be surprised if they pulled that again.
Trolls please return to your room.
Inefficient Android phones with projector-sized screens + sitting next to a wall socket all night = Basement dweller match made in heaven.
iPhone is for cool people who get laid.
Blackberry is for stuffy CEOs.
Android is for dateless wonders.
Asking questions to your phone, hmm. I like the idea, it needs to work flawlessly though to be anything other than a one use gimmick.
Other than that, nothing impressive or worth the media hype.
No thanks Apple. You're not the latest and greatest mobile operating system anymore. You used to be. But not anymore. There're now viable options. The andriod operating system is almost just as impressive while not as flashy. Microsoft's mobile operating system is also very much impressive just the same and in my opinion, the best so far. Siri is indeed interesting. I for one cannot wait until voice controlled ai's invade every facet of my life i.e. being able to tell my lights to shut-off instead of "flicking it" off. However I'm tempted to wonder if this technology is truly ready and viable for everyday use. There are still kinks in voice recognition that still make it very inefficient-the reason it still has not invaded every single facet of my life or everyone elses-so I don't think Siri is worth me passing up on other offerings. HTC's Titan or Samsung's new Focus S are two that are looking quite irresistable at the moment. Oh, so many great options and choices; I heart it
Some recession we're in huh?? Yea, okay. haha
I think I'm switching from Android (EVO 4G currently) for this one...
Why are people complaining about a 3.5" screen? If anything, a bigger screen means easier to crack and takes up a bunch of space in your pocket. I'm planning to switch from my Galaxy S to this when it's available.
So no 4G on Sprint or Verizon yet, fail...
So no 4G on Sprint or Verizon yet, fail...
What exactly is the definition of 4G? Does one even exist? I've always wondered about that.
They claim the 4s will hit 14mbps, which is 1.75 MegaBytes/second. This seems damn good to me, and if it's not "4g" then so be it. It's still more than good enough for a cell phone.
The design of the iPhone 4 or 4S is nice, but I question the durability. I skipped the 4 after seeing one that was attached to a security tether and had a snapped glass corner. I've dropped my 3GS plenty of times and there has never been concern over snapping plastic or it shutting off permanently.