Apple iPhone 4S, Part 2: Battery, Camera, And Display Quality

[acku]

Despite the fact that it looks identical, the iPhone 4S is significantly different from its predecessor. To begin, it offers better performance without a big battery life penalty. Plus, we uncover display differences that Apple didn't bother to mention.

Apple iPhone 4S, Part 2: Battery, Camera, And Display Quality : Read more

 

[compton]

If the display really is improved, then I think I'm going to have a hard time resisting the 4S (not that the 4's display was anything but great to me, but it's just more icing on the S cake). Good displays of any kind are rare in some (many) segments, but mobile devices wouldn't have great displays now had not Apple has pushed the market forward to IPS (and other higher quality type) panels in tablets and phones. If only they could do the same for laptops...

 

[rhangman]

From what I have read there are two different displays, one colder, one warmer. According to this review the warmer one is better, but people seem to prefer the blue screen.

I believe the 4 also came with yellow/blue screens, if so the screen is nothing new.

 

[mayankleoboy1]

Siri is more of a mixed bag. It's useful, but by no means smart.

you want a human comparable AI running inside a phone?
of course siri is basic. and so is all other AI.

 

[deputc26]

"It's more flexible under a wider range of lighting conditions and benefits from higher pixel density." Benefits from higher pixel density??? A camera sensor? I assume you mean photosites rather than pixels. Except that the smaller photosite... the worse they are not the metter. I think you should say it "benfits from higher resolution and does not lose per-pixel detail due to the increased quantum efficiency of the new sensor"

 

[Kamab]

Maximum white luminescence and max contrast ratio are going to have a direct correlation, aren't they? I think the reason they didn't mention a display upgrade is because there isn't one. They simply got their LCD panels from a different vendor (probably cheaper). I can see the camera upgrade being handy though.

The IP4S to me feels like an attempt by apple to lower expenses by leveraging existing architectures (IP4) and components (processor from iPad2) to drive profit margins.

The only reason someone with an IP4 should upgrade to an IP4S is that due to extreme demand you could probably sell back your IP4 for 350-400$ and know that your 4S will retain value for a long time as well.

 

[acku]

Maximum white luminescence and max contrast ratio are going to have a direct correlation, aren't they? I think the reason they didn't mention a display upgrade is because there isn't one. They simply got their LCD panels from a different vendor (probably cheaper). I can see the camera upgrade being handy though.

The IP4S to me feels like an attempt by apple to lower expenses by leveraging existing architectures (IP4) and components (processor from iPad2) to drive profit margins.

The only reason someone with an IP4 should upgrade to an IP4S is that due to extreme demand you could probably sell back your IP4 for 350-400$ and know that your 4S will retain value for a long time as well.

Yes and no. I dialed back luminance for some other lab testing and we certainly still saw a difference in color temperature and gamma. This kind of goes back to the yellowing issue seen on some iPhone 4s (plural not 4S), which may be possibly related, but the replacements that Apple sent out were suppose to have their yellow tint fade away over time. At least that was the story... The bottom line is that there is a difference between the two models.

I suppose one could argue that its a cheaper panel. The one thing that the microscope shows is that it definitely is a different panel. This isn't just a weird chemical film that's plaguing a batch of Retina displays. This is actually a different panel at the subpixel level, because the subdomain structure has also changed.

7200 K is closer to the standard 6500 K, but without proper color calibration though, I'd say blue looks more natural. That's also reflected in the "standard calibration" most manufacturers use on their LCD displays.

I don't know about the only reason to switch. There certainly are many reasons not to use an iPhone, and I would be remiss to recommend one to everybody. In the US, the real problem is the inflexible carrier plans and the requirement to buy a data plan. Of course, this is a problem with all smartphones, so not just applicable to the iPhone.


Cheers,
Andrew Ku
TomsHardware.com

 

[assassin123]

hmmm.. . . . . . . . . . . . . Apple iPhone 4s hah sounds good

 

[lordstormdragon]

Nobody cares. Review something important, Tom & Co.

 

[radium69]

Full zoom no flash Is that a Crucial m4 ? Hehehe

 

[jecastej]

Great review with plenty of images to show the differences in display and camera quality. The iPhone 4S really shows better definition under regular and more extreme light conditions and also the white shows a better balance. Also I can distinguish better color saturation on the "S" that maybe helped by the higher resolution. Siri shows to be based on a set of commands, but in the end the user will speak comprehended logical commands. It is not that fun as a real companion but we may get there someday.

 

[Guest]

Got my 4S yesterday ... Upgrade from 3GS, so a huge difference to me in every aspect. I don't care about the camera much; better screen and performance are big for me.

So far....WOW!

As for Siri; better than you may have indicated. "Conversing" is cute...for about 30 seconds. For me, being able to say "remind me to call Bill when I get home" or "what's on my calendar next Thursday" and get a good, if not perfect result is the takeaway for Siri.

Overall, this is an awesome device.

 

[acku]

Full zoom no flash Is that a Crucial m4 ? Hehehe

Yuppers. Very good eye for detail this one has.

Cheers,
Andrew Ku
TomsHardware.com

 

[Guest]

Does anyone know if they leave the screen on while doing the battery testing or do they allow the device to lock and shut the screen down.

 

[acku]

[citation][nom]Mark22202[/nom]Does anyone know if they leave the screen on while doing the battery testing or do they allow the device to lock and shut the screen down.[/citation]

Which part of the battery test?

 

[Maziar]

good review
as for Siri,well its still in BETA,thats why it always may not work great

 

[Guest]

Curious, Which version of the iPhone 4 was used for the comparison? Verizon or AT&T?

 

[acku]

[citation][nom]nj[/nom]Curious, Which version of the iPhone 4 was used for the comparison? Verizon or AT&T?[/citation]
AT&T on both fronts.

Cheers,
Andrew Ku
TomsHardware.com

 

[AbdullahG]

Hey Andrew, does the sound volume really affect battery life? I'm wondering why 50%? If it makes no difference, why not 100%?

 

[nerdbird3]

Still, no comparison with ANY Andriod devices...Of course newer generation SUPPOSE to be better than previous one. OR, are you suggesting there is a chance that our technology might go backwards? As a consumer, I demand head to head phone comparison which Andriod VS Apple if iPhone 4s is that good. I'm sincerely to say, before you do this head to head comparison and BM, I will stay away from apple because I found Andriod phones are more appealing to me.

And what is that promise you stated at Part 1 review that you will included other Andriod devices? What a BIG disappointment! Lucky, I'm the only one who actually catch your word!

Matt

 

[Vladislaus]

[citation][nom]mayankleoboy1[/nom]you want a human comparable AI running inside a phone?of course siri is basic. and so is all other AI.[/citation]
The AI of siri is not on the phone. The phone only relays what you've said to apple servers and then get a response.

 

[akula2]

It's an awesome phone for sure. But, only complain would be if Apple released iPhone 5 within the next 6 months then I would feel bad! Also, my pals from Australia are pissed off with Apple because they end paying $1,000+ AUD for the phone with minimum accessories. That really sucks. Long live America!! Huh?

 

[kartu]

You dare not compare them to competitor's offering, do you? Like Samsung Galaxy (be it I or II) with amoled screens that would wipe the floor with Apple's products? (which, by the way are again using Samsung's screens, but just poorer technology)

 

[dstigue]

Anyone notice on the 4S subpixel image Andrew stamped his name... LOL

 

[rosen380]

[citation][nom]AbdullahG[/nom]Hey Andrew, does the sound volume really affect battery life? I'm wondering why 50%? If it makes no difference, why not 100%?[/citation]

Sound volume does make a difference. More amplification = more power. I'd guess 50% to be in the neighborhood of real-world usage?