Apple iPhone 4S review

[bwana]

Yes, just because Steve Jobs said nobody would want a phone with a display larger than 3.5'' - and everyone at Apple was too scared to say he's talking absolute rubbish.

I remember Bill Gates saying something similar about computer memory a few years ago.

I was taught it's never a good idea to end with a fallacy as it calls into question anything that preceded it.

 

[kingrob]

I was taught it's never a good idea to end with a fallacy as it calls into question anything that preceded it.

Most probably Bill Gates who edited the Wkipedia article.

It's fine, I'm used to the bwana troll by now.

 

[icyrus]

Is it just me or does anybody else like the 3.5" screen? Makes the phone nice and pocketable, and since it is still a very high resolution, I don't lose out on the amount of info I can see at a time (when say browsing).

It's not just you seeing as Apple's 3.5" phones outsell their competitors larger phones.

OMW that crap again

My finger has no problems reaching anywhere on a 4.3" screen using one hand.

Naturally everyone in the world has the same hand size as you.

If 3.5 was so perfect why do all and I mean all other OEM make devices with bigger screen sizes, Oh wait its because bigger screens don't sell and they are forcing people to use them.

Because all the other OEM's use the same OS and have to differentiate of features? Or maybe they need to find a unique selling point to have any chance of competing with Apple?

Which bigger screen phone has sold in the same volumes as the iPhone 4, iPhone 4S and iPhone 3GS?

Personally I believe Apple is doing this just to "force" iPad sales. Dont believe me try playing a game with 2 thumbs filling up 50% of the screen real estate. On Android you have less of an incentive to buy a tablet as you can get by with 4.3" screen most of the time.

Madness.

 

[noxibox]

Is it just me or does anybody else like the 3.5" screen? Makes the phone nice and pocketable, and since it is still a very high resolution, I don't lose out on the amount of info I can see at a time (when say browsing).

It is a good size. It's nice to have bigger screens, but there's a tradeoff. Depends how big you want your phone to be.

 

[SaiyanZ]

I'd rather stretch my thumb slightly more 10% of the time on a 4.3" screen than squint my eyes ALL of the time doing stuff on a 3.5" screen.

 

[Shayd]

Come on guys, this is simple. While 3.5' might be the perfect size for the average hand that doesn't mean there isn't a market for those who want a phone that fits their hand perfectly instead of just well enough. Making the phone for the average hand increases the potential market for your specific product especially if you only make one product per year.

Not to mention having 1 phone per year extends production run time and massively increases profitability. Apple don't make one phone because it's cool, they make one phone because it is the most profitable way to do it.

It is actually one of the major gripes I have with the other manufacturers. I would love it if Samsung made say 4 models per year.

A Galaxy ( a cheapish 3.5'+ - )
Galaxy S ( the flagship )
Galaxy specialist phone (eg Note)
Galaxy keyboard phone

And then support the hell out of them for 2 years.

Anyhow great review. It avoids all the fanboyism and just reviews the nuts and bolts as if the reviewer had barely heard of an iphone before.

 

[backstreetboy]

It's not just you seeing as Apple's 3.5" phones outsell their competitors larger phones.



Naturally everyone in the world has the same hand size as you.



Because all the other OEM's use the same OS and have to differentiate of features? Or maybe they need to find a unique selling point to have any chance of competing with Apple?

Which bigger screen phone has sold in the same volumes as the iPhone 4, iPhone 4S and iPhone 3GS?



Madness.

http://cmvlive.com/technology/gadge...till-the-top-selling-smartphone-in-the-market

"However, maintaining the title as the top selling smartphone in the market for 8 months is no easy feat. It did this by offering the consumer a larger 4 inch display."

Fact is people want a bigger screen size.

 

[sand_man]

Come on guys, this is simple. While 3.5' might be the perfect size for the average hand that doesn't mean there isn't a market for those who want a phone that fits their hand perfectly instead of just well enough. Making the phone for the average hand increases the potential market for your specific product especially if you only make one product per year.

Quite right. I don't know too many ladies that would be comfortable with 4.3"....

 

[icyrus]

http://cmvlive.com/technology/gadge...till-the-top-selling-smartphone-in-the-market

"However, maintaining the title as the top selling smartphone in the market for 8 months is no easy feat. It did this by offering the consumer a larger 4 inch display."

Fact is people want a bigger screen size.

Do you have any links to the source data on that?

 

[Elimentals]

It's not just you seeing as Apple's 3.5" phones outsell their competitors larger phones.

Outsells means iOS should have a larger market share than Android, which they dont.

Naturally everyone in the world has the same hand size as you.

But you pointed to a article that argues universal hand size not me. Larger hands have just as much problems with small screens than small hands with large ones. I for one hate typing on an iPhone as I miss press keys all the time.

Because all the other OEM's use the same OS and have to differentiate of features? Or maybe they need to find a unique selling point to have any chance of competing with Apple?

Which bigger screen phone has sold in the same volumes as the iPhone 4, iPhone 4S and iPhone 3GS?

Remember on Android or Symbian or Windows Phone, we have choice so we dont have to settle for one OEM. I for one prefer a HTC body to a Samsung's, it does not make the Samsung a crap phone. So if we talking about screen Size we can add all the 3.5" phone and all the 3.7+ phones and we will see that people in general opt for the larger screens.

Madness.

Is it really? Then again, we will never know as Apple don't give users the option to choose, they do it for them. Stop trying to validate a decision that is forced upon you and make it as if its freedom of choice.

Remember I am not finding flaws with the OS here it has its own pro's and con's just like any other I am mearly commenting on your unique size argument.

 

[_kabal_]

I'd rather stretch my thumb slightly more 10% of the time on a 4.3" screen than squint my eyes ALL of the time doing stuff on a 3.5" screen.

this is a problem with your eyes, not the screen, go see an optometrist

 

[SaiyanZ]

this is a problem with your eyes, not the screen, go see an optometrist

The optometrist will blame the 3.5" phone for making my eyes go bad

Anyways it's like comparing 32" LCDs vs 40" LCDs. Those who have a 32" will say they're happy with it and it suits them perfectly, but those who've had a 32" and upgraded to a 40" know better. (Same viewing distance) Do people who upgrade to 40" ever go back to 32"?

 

[icyrus]

Outsells means iOS should have a larger market share than Android, which they dont.

No, outsells in that there isn't a single Android phone that can can compete directly in sales with the iPhone models. Android will always have total market share advantage as there are multiple vendors selling phones from all sizes and prices.

Is there a single Android phone that can match the any of the iPhone versions' sales?

But you pointed to a article that argues universal hand size not me. Larger hands have just as much problems with small screens than small hands with large ones. I for one hate typing on an iPhone as I miss press keys all the time.

I did not point to any article?

Remember on Android or Symbian or Windows Phone, we have choice so we dont have to settle for one OEM. I for one prefer a HTC body to a Samsung's, it does not make the Samsung a crap phone. So if we talking about screen Size we can add all the 3.5" phone and all the 3.7+ phones and we will see that people in general opt for the larger screens.

Really? Then I'm sure some sales data on this should be easy to produce?

Is it really? Then again, we will never know as Apple don't give users the option to choose, they do it for them. Stop trying to validate a decision that is forced upon you and make it as if its freedom of choice.

Who forced anyone to buy an iPhone?

Remember I am not finding flaws with the OS here it has its own pro's and con's just like any other I am mearly commenting on your unique size argument.

?

 

[icyrus]

The optometrist will blame the 3.5" phone for making my eyes go bad

Anyways it's like comparing 32" LCDs vs 40" LCDs. Those who have a 32" will say they're happy with it and it suits them perfectly, but those who've had a 32" and upgraded to a 40" know better. (Same viewing distance) Do people who upgrade to 40" ever go back to 32"?

Yeah that would be a compelling argument if people carried their LCD displays in their pants.

 

[SaiyanZ]

Yeah that would be a compelling argument if people carried their LCD displays in their pants.

Surprisingly the larger screens from Samsung actually fit better into a pocket due it being slimmer with a more tapered edge than the iphone. So the Samsung is like a new super slim 40" LCD whereas the iphone is a 32" CRT.

 

[Elimentals]

No, outsells in that there isn't a single Android phone that can can compete directly in sales with the iPhone models. Android will always have total market share advantage as there are multiple vendors selling phones from all sizes and prices.

Is there a single Android phone that can match the any of the iPhone versions' sales?

This argument is flawed purely because with Android users have choice. Simply put because of choice you can not say iPhone 4 is better than Samsung SII because iPhone 4 had more sales, purely because the Android user could like and opt for say a Motorola RAZR because he liked the Kevlar finish more. iOS does not give you that choice so they are trying to force stats to limit choice simply to try and look better.

I did not point to any article?

Sorry my bad, JStrike linked it, but you are trying to defend a view that was started with a crap theory in a article.

Really? Then I'm sure some sales data on this should be easy to produce?

Well that is more a general statement than actual fact as I look at the general size of all the phones and bar the N8 + iPhone and all of them is over 3.5" now if I look at market % and add Windows Phone + RIM touch screens(Not the QWERTY phones) + Android phones. It gives a basic picture that people opt for larger sizes

Who forced anyone to buy an iPhone?

Try reading that line again. I did not say Apple is forcing people to buy iPhones what I did say is that they force them to buy 3.5" as there is simply no other option available in a phone running iOS.

?

You keep on trying to make this an OS war, all I want to show is that 3.5" is not the be all and end all and there are some of us that would love to see iOS phones with larger screen sizes.

Oh and I for one would not have bought an iPad if I could play my games properly on a 4.3" iPhone. Simply put that 3.5" screen size sucks for me when playing a game like Dungeon Keeper 3. With my 2 thumbs on the screen I can hardly see the action on it.

 

[droidx]

No, outsells in that there isn't a single Android phone that can can compete directly in sales with the iPhone models. Android will always have total market share advantage as there are multiple vendors selling phones from all sizes and prices.

To me it only makes sense that a product/brand with a wider variety won't sell as much of a single model than a product with only one option.
Add to that the fact that android users have multiple brands to choose from and multiple models within a brand, so it is hardly a comparison that can be made.

Just an observation and nothing to do with iPhone vs whatever.

Do you think the stats would be the same if the sgs2 was the only available android phone for those who prefer the os?

 

[sand_man]

Well that is more a general statement than actual fact as I look at the general size of all the phones and bar the N8 + iPhone and all of them is over 3.5". It gives a basic picture that people opt for larger sizes

Or are being forced to buy larger screen devices. You can't get a top end droid with less than 4.3" and that for me is as much of a deterrent as a 3.5" screen is for you.

all I want to show is that 3.5" is not the be all and end all and there are some of us that would love to see iOS phones with larger screen sizes.

Agreed but where would one draw the line??? For me it's at 4".... And what is the cut off point for smart phone manufacturers?? And there is a cut off point. For me a 5" smart phone is as about as practical as a 20" laptop....

 

[Elimentals]

Or are being forced to buy larger screen devices. You can't get a top end droid with less than 4.3" and that for me is as much of a deterrent as a 3.5" screen is for you.

Fair point, you will struggle to find a top end Android phone with lower than 4" screen size. Lucky for me 4.3" is perfect and most phones come in around that size.

Agreed but where would one draw the line??? For me it's at 4".... And what is the cut off point for smart phone manufacturers?? And there is a cut off point. For me a 5" smart phone is as about as practical as a 20" laptop....

Well if people are buying them who are we to argue. Personally I think people are nuts going for the Galaxy Note at 5" or the HTC Titan(Windows Phone) at 4.7" but thats the thing about choice I rather have them than being limited to only one size fits all.

 

[Nicko]

No, outsells in that there isn't a single Android phone that can can compete directly in sales with the iPhone models. Android will always have total market share advantage as there are multiple vendors selling phones from all sizes and prices.

Is there a single Android phone that can match the any of the iPhone versions' sales?
*snip*

The reason there isn't a single Android phone that can complete directly in Sales with one of the iPhone models, is because iPhone releases a phone once every year, so everyone who is on Apples bandwagon would buy that phone.

However, companies that make Android phones are constantly innovating and release new phones every couple of months so there is a lot more choice for the customers and as a result individual phone sales are less. Even with this, the sales of the Samsung Galaxy S2 have been phenomenal and put Samsung to lead the smartphone spot in sales. Source: http://www.asymco.com/2011/11/17/the-global-smartphone-market-landscape/

One thing that annoys me beyond belief is when people blindly follow a brand and it seems like the biggest culprits are Apple fans. For instance for every single version of the iPhone that has been release, every time for these guys it is the best phone ever made and they can never fault anything about it. I certainly agree that the first iPhone was the top of the market and nothing even competed with it, but since then other companies have been hard at work, while Apple have been sitting on their asses They have since taken over them in most regards and this latest release has been a perfect example. After an entire year, all they could produce was this mediocre phone, that afford barely any improvements. While on the other hand Samsung and HTC have made not one but a couple of spectacular phones this year.

I have to admit Apple is actually an amazing company, not for their products but with what they have managed to achieve through brand loyalty and as a business student I am in awe of them. Through extensive advertising, they have taken brand loyalty to a new level; it has almost become a religion to some. This, I don't think, has been achieved by any other company. There is a joke, that holds a lot of truth in it. If a fault is ever found with a iPhone it was the users fault. Another evidence of this, is with this new screen size debate. I'm sure you guys all "believe" that 3.5'' screens are the perfect size, and all the other sizes are bulky and uncomfortable. But how many of you actually tried to use one before coming to that conclusion, as oppose to having made up before hand and just tested other phones to re-affirm your belief.

I am actually quite surprised by the number of Apple fans in South Africa. Europe seems to be very clued up on the choices available in the smartphone world and thus Apple doesnt have much of a hold there. But South Africa seems to have followed in American's footsteps and Apples have somehow gotten hold of a lot of people here. Which is surprising as there hasn't been that much advertising here (If you exclude all the product placement Apple does in shows/movies). It makes even less sense that it is "popular" (this is relative as bbm is a huge success) as it is exorbitantly expensive compared to other choices. Where in America the price difference isn't as bad. What is even more shocking is the support shown for Apple on a technology forum, seeing as the main attraction of an iPhone is that it is simple, and is designed for people who aren't technology savy (e.g the older generation who weren't brought up with phones).

Basically to summaries my entire long post. Apple is an exceptional proof as to the affects of advertising, and once made innovative and worth while products. However, this is not the case any more.