Apple iPhone 4S, Part 1: More Horsepower, Better Hardware

[dertechie]

Eh, it's Tom's. They have a story out pretty much every weekday, which I like. I know well that to get that volume, there will be stories that I don't care about and some copy-pasta in the Best X for the Money articles.

On the other hand, it's nice to see the differences between 4 and 4S quantified. I'm still waiting until at least next year because I was damn fool enough to sign a 2 year featurephone contract 8 months ago.

 

[amk-aka-Phantom]

I have an LCD story in the system ready to go, we have a case round-up that'll be live in a couple of weeks, and the rest of the beats are firing on all cylinders

Here's the thing: Guide tackles the consumer angle. Rachel and her team aren't as concerned with benchmarks, display uniformity, Wi-Fi performance, and so on; they write about the user experience. So, we decided to add more portable device coverage to the existing content we produce, with all of the Hardware-style testing typical of our other stories.

Again, normally on the weekend, the site would be idle as we all recover from one hell of a Bulldozer-filled week. Yesterday's iPhone piece was "bonus." It really shouldn't bother anyone that much ;-)

Very nice... can't wait for all these round-ups! 😀

You're right about the Guide, BUT recently more and more stories started appearing on Hardware. So how about that suggestion to switch Guide news off for those who don't want them? This particular article is somewhat of an exception, since it indeed has a nice set of actual benchmarks (although I can't see why 4S's direct competitors such as SGS 2 or HTC Sensation were left out of the benchmarks; seriously, comparing a dual core recent chip to a single core one that's out for quite a while?).

A bonus, huh... okay, fine, you've convinced me. I won't complain about this particular article anymore (once you update the benchmarks, that is) :lol: But the amount of the PC-unrelated content really needs to go down on Hardware.

 

[cangelini]

I can certainly suggest some sort of switch to let users filter Guide/Hardware news--that's a good idea, actually. Whether or not the devs in France will actually do it...well, that's another story

We don't have a ton of phones here yet. Just as we had to start from the ground floor on tablets, so too will phones be a "process" of sorts. To that end, though, you have my assurance that I'm focused on the PC first and foremost. After all, I'm hardly able to leave my office--mobile devices don't get a ton of use around here!

Best,
Chris

 

[amk-aka-Phantom]

I can certainly suggest some sort of switch to let users filter Guide/Hardware news--that's a good idea, actually. Whether or not the devs in France will actually do it...well, that's another story

We don't have a ton of phones here yet. Just as we had to start from the ground floor on tablets, so too will phones be a "process" of sorts. To that end, though, you have my assurance that I'm focused on the PC first and foremost. After all, I'm hardly able to leave my office--mobile devices don't get a ton of use around here!

Best,
Chris

That's good enough for us PC enthusiasts Thanks for taking the time to answer the comments and I'm looking forward to more articles from you - much better than a certain notorious editor's rants about tablets or PC being dead :lol:

 

[nfinity]

I really dislike the fact that even the most objective computer sites like Tom's hardware is succumbing to this iPhone nonsense. Why are you becoming so biased and complacent to iPhone?

I have not seen you test any other phones so far? yet to you dedicate so much attention to iPhone? Why?

iPhone is done.. it's over.. it's the same old crap that is catching up to Android and same people rebuying it because they can't really buy anything else. Yes, they just released the phone so it is expected in my temporarily outperform some phones but all this will change with Ice Cream Sandwich and new Android phones.

Will you benchmark them against iPhone 4S then?

I don't understand this fascination with it.. it's getting super annoying. If you are going to be fair then review other devices as they come along and compare them to iPhone.. if you are not going to do that, then don't go playing Apple's PR bitch. Because that's what this review looks like.

 

[freddyr_123]

[citation][nom]The Greater Good[/nom]I stopped reading right there. Can you site...[/citation]

I stopped reading right there too

 

[programit]

If any other manufacturer released a minor upgrade like this then it would be simply overlooked or marked as v2.
The iPhone has finally reached the point where Samsung, HTC and others were 12 months ago, IE a dual core and 8 meg camera. Whooppee!
It offers no extra features as such, like interfaces, usb, hdmi etc etc.
It offers no better value, and still has the same (actually more) restrictions than its predecessors.
Apple are cashing in on Jobs passing, and AGAIN offering very little to entice newcomers.
At least all the Apple die hards will again pay $$$ for minor updates that should have been included in the original.
Apple may claim selling millions of iPhones, but they don't boast that many of them are sold to existing owners of iPhones. not new customers.
Dear Apple owners, how many iPhones do you own? 4, 5, more? Apple rely on the fanatics rebuying minor updated products, not the tech enthusiast looking for high tech.

 

[Guest]

I have an Iphone 4 bought after much investigation cause the 4 looked soo much superior benchmark wise to anything else.....which I now discover is cra.....not the case. I realise now only apple phones get compared to Android ones when A) they are faster in that particular benchmark, and B) when the Android phone is a sub model of the Apple one.

If an Iphone/ipad is slower in a discipline...it gets washed over or the Android ver gets omitted from the results.....Just bought a Galaxy Tab and I can vouch, it is as good if not better than my wifes Ipad 2, try finding those statistics anywhere...especially not here.

Come on Thoms, get objective here, if you want to do a "consumer" angle....then do ALL the consumer products, not just the ones you guys are biased towards.

 

[Guest]

I will stick with my HTC sensation! It is the best smartphone I have ever had! I have played with the 4s, and it is the best iPhone ever made no doubt, but it does not have a handle on the Sensation, HTC have nailed the sense gui over android, it is super smooth and awesome in functionality! The only thing I dislike about the sensation is the crappy speaker, which in all honesty, is absolute pants, but I now carry around a small portable in my laptop case for when I need better sound.

Off topic, but following the "what should be written for TOMS HARDWARE ..."

I honestly do not mind tablet and phone news, it is a part of the changing landscape, and your hardware reviews are always good. But honestly, If I want low down in depth nitty gritty impartial reviews, I go to Anandtech! If I want somewhat opinionated (By the Reviewer) but technically sound and revealing reviews, TOMS works, or if i want the review to be fun to read and want it to give me the feeling of excitement, GURU3d is the only place to go for that!

If there is a product launch I am looking at buying for myself, Anand gets first read, for someone else, its a draw, for gaming fun, GURU3d!

Lastly,please please stop with all the wolfgang, pc is dead/not dead, iphone is yes/no crap opinion articles, get him on some proper hardware reviews for a change!

 

[gnesterenko]

LOL, so many fanboys and anti-fanboys out today. I'll preface this with the statement that I am not an Apple fanboy, except when it comes to iPods. Why? The very same reason I'm getting the iPhone 4s (my first smartphone ever) instead of an Android - and a reason all the Apple haters ignore. Accessory market.

Here is the kind of products that are made to support Apples iDevices:
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car/Stage4/CD-Players/DEX-P99RS

Were talking an audio headunit with a L/R Independent 31-band digital EQ paired with an 32-bit auto-EQ and time-alignment DSP. More importantly though, the head unit has a direct digital bit pipe from the iDevice to the DSP and DAC - with no DAC and ADC in between (like most other 'direct digital connection' devices) - meaning I can have bit-for-bit accurate reproduction of all iDevice media on the go. Please, show me ONE Android device that can do the same and the peripheral for it with similar features.

Point being, Apple sells a platform, not specific devices. And the platform together offers an experience more compelling then the sum of the individual parts could possibly achieve, especially in a massively fragmented market that is the current state of Android phones. Microsoft gets this, as is evidenced by Windows 8 being a ubiquitous platform for all devices - computers, tablets, phones, fridges, and hopefully car and home audio. Android however has no central point of control for the platform, and hence will always be a step behind such cross-platform connectivity and functionality. I'm sure it will get there, maybe in 2 years when my contract is up for renewal. Until then however, I'll stick with what works without any headaches or obstacles with my existing investments. After spending well over 4 figures on high-end gear, debating the difference between paying $200 or $300 for a phone, and the excruciatingly minute differences in functionality between the options, seems like a spectactular waste of time to me.

Posting from work, so need this disclaimer:
"The views expressed here are mine and do not reflect the official opinion of my employer or the organization through which the Internet was accessed."

 

[scoobydooX64]

I thought i have seen rip offs !

 

[halcyon]

If any other manufacturer released a minor upgrade like this then it would be simply overlooked or marked as v2.
The iPhone has finally reached the point where Samsung, HTC and others were 12 months ago, IE a dual core and 8 meg camera. Whooppee!
It offers no extra features as such, like interfaces, usb, hdmi etc etc.
It offers no better value, and still has the same (actually more) restrictions than its predecessors.
Apple are cashing in on Jobs passing, and AGAIN offering very little to entice newcomers.
At least all the Apple die hards will again pay $$$ for minor updates that should have been included in the original.
Apple may claim selling millions of iPhones, but they don't boast that many of them are sold to existing owners of iPhones. not new customers.
Dear Apple owners, how many iPhones do you own? 4, 5, more? Apple rely on the fanatics rebuying minor updated products, not the tech enthusiast looking for high tech.

The iPhone gets as much attention as it does because no other single phone has the same market share. Android has more as a whole but that's spread over how many different devices? I don't care whether its good or bad, but I think this is why the iPhone get the attention it does. I just can't get all excited about a phone, iPhone or any of the plethora of android devices.

 

[gametstr]

Too bad there is no galaxy S2 in the mix up. Would 've loved to see some real competition with the world's fastest smart phone.

Also doesn't seem fair how the other devices are still running iOS4.
Would be interesting to see how they perform if all of them were running iOS5.

 

[flip_x]

[citation][nom]gametstr[/nom]Too bad there is no galaxy S2 in the mix up. Would 've loved to see some real competition with the world's fastest smart phone.Also doesn't seem fair how the other devices are still running iOS4.Would be interesting to see how they perform if all of them were running iOS5.[/citation]


i posted some benchies with alot of the new ones.. guess what ur worlds fastest phone is still slower! look at page 2 all the way to the bottom..

 

[Guest]

One improvement that everyone seems to miss is the 4s has a SIGNIFICANTLY louder speaker/ring!! That was a very happy surprise!

 

[zybch]

[citation][nom]sceen311[/nom]I bet the save a bunch of money by using the same body style as the iPhone 4. Not really sure why you need a new body every year anyways, if it ain't broke why fix it?[/citation]
Well they fixed the bad antenna problem (that wasn't a problem according to apple). But its certainly NOT innovative or revolutionary in ANY way at all. Its slightly evolutionary but thats really the best you could say of it.

 

[peterg2]

I normally admire Toms Hardware's reviews and, with another unnamed site, is normally my first "go to". That being said, I am extremely disappointed in that you used a speed test with dslreports (a site I have been a member for years) to compare the iphone 4 and 4s. I have an iphone 4 and the antenna is flawed without a case and I have no doubt that the 4S improves the situation greatly.

But why would you choose a test that relies on your network connectivity at some instant in time? First of all, as you know, one's cellphone carrier's bandwidth can vary quite a fair bit even though the signal strength may be high. That is the first point. Then of course there is your carrier's connectivity to the internet and dslreports.com. There are too many variables for anything approaching accuracy.

A far superior test which many have been doing is simply to dial *3001#12345#* which gives you the signal strength (granted with updates somewhat crudely every 10 or so seconds) in dBm. That with give a more accurate reading of the signal attenuation under various scenarios with the 4 and 4S

 

[tmshdw]

[citation][nom]jimmysmitty[/nom]My only question is why is it only being compared to competition in the form of tablets? Why is there no Droid Bionic or the Galaxy SII?Are we to think the iPhone 4s is equal to a tablet? Especially considering the Bionic has a faster dual core (1GHz Core), more RAM (1GB), Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread) and is a phone, like the iPhone.Honestly this review is lacking since it doesn't compare actual phones from other companies (be it Android or WP7) and instead compares it to tablets.[/citation]


Probably because droid phones could not register bars large enough to scale on the graph. The xoom tablet, which has more power than android phones, is pathetic by comaprison to the iphone 4s. Apple leaves the competition in the dust indeed!

 

[bestbuildpc]

I just got the iphone 4 few months ago. I had Nokia before. Then I took Samsung S8000G JET and I couldn't be more dissapointed. At the end, I got my iphone 4 and from now I will never be able to go back. iphone 4 is the best phone in the world. iphone 4s is another piece of gold. u will never be able to regret. I love it! It is just my opinion guys.

wwww.bestbuildpc.net

 

[halcyon]

[citation][nom]bestbuildpc[/nom]I just got the iphone 4 few months ago. I had Nokia before. Then I took Samsung S8000G JET and I couldn't be more dissapointed. At the end, I got my iphone 4 and from now I will never be able to go back. iphone 4 is the best phone in the world. iphone 4s is another piece of gold. u will never be able to regret. I love it! It is just my opinion guys. wwww.bestbuildpc.net[/citation]

I had a similar experience with the Evo 4G in the summer of 2010. I won't say the iPhone is the best, but its a nice phone. Android is more flexible and they're have a different android phone for just about every day of the year. Some think that's good (lots of choices), some think that's bad (potentially confusing)... The SGS II, the new RAZR, and of course, the new Galaxy Nexus are nice phones in their own right, but if you like what the iPhone has to offer, which is simplicity (many people don't want the equivalent of a PC in their phone), then the 4S is great great choice.

...but do yourself a favor, don't believe its the best out there unless you've tried EVERYTHING else.

 

[deedward9]

I just went from HTC Evo to iPhone 4s and quite frankly the battery life in the iPhone is epic compared to the Evo, and this is with 4g off. As someone pointed out the way the OS simply works with the phone surpasses any experience I've had on an android handset. I know with my Evo, sometimes even going back to the home screen the phone would chug and the display jitter. Apps would randomly suffer from slowdown without any clear reason as to why. During the last month I had the phone, the audio playback developed an odd occasional skip that I never was able to sort out.

Yes, many things in the Android OS are better and I kinda miss them. But I wouldn't trade any of it cos now I'm not always thinking about the battery and looking for a wall outlet or open USB plug to sip on some juice.

 

[amk-aka-Phantom]

I just went from HTC Evo to iPhone 4s and quite frankly the battery life in the iPhone is epic compared to the Evo, and this is with 4g off. As someone pointed out the way the OS simply works with the phone surpasses any experience I've had on an android handset. I know with my Evo, sometimes even going back to the home screen the phone would chug and the display jitter. Apps would randomly suffer from slowdown without any clear reason as to why. During the last month I had the phone, the audio playback developed an odd occasional skip that I never was able to sort out.

Yes, many things in the Android OS are better and I kinda miss them. But I wouldn't trade any of it cos now I'm not always thinking about the battery and looking for a wall outlet or open USB plug to sip on some juice.

Blame Apple for bad battery life. They introduced the retarded concept of making phones thinner and I despise every other phone manufacturer for following it. Gimme a fatter phone, with more battery and features.

 

[halcyon]

[citation][nom]amk-aka-phantom[/nom]Blame Apple for bad battery life. They introduced the retarded concept of making phones thinner and I despise every other phone manufacturer for following it. Gimme a fatter phone, with more battery and features.[/citation]

Your point is taken but your opinion is probably quite unique. You may be the only person that feels this way...or close it. Many people want thinner and lighter when it comes to phones because they already have computers to do heavier lifting. ...otherwise all the manufacturers would just me making little bricks, but the bricks would do a lot.

 

[amk-aka-Phantom]

Your point is taken but your opinion is probably quite unique. You may be the only person that feels this way...or close it. Many people want thinner and lighter when it comes to phones because they already have computers to do heavier lifting. ...otherwise all the manufacturers would just me making little bricks, but the bricks would do a lot.

Gimme a break... all pre-iPhone phones were bricks, but they had good battery life and they weren't heavy.

Oh, also, here's a good video for you! Superior build quality much? 😀

 

[halcyon]

Gimme a break... all pre-iPhone phones were bricks, but they had good battery life and they weren't heavy.

Oh, also, here's a good video for you! Superior build quality much? 😀

How many people do you know that want to go back to the pre-iphone era?