iPhone 4S: How Much Has Really Changed Since The iPhone 4?

iPhone 4S: How Much Has Really Changed Since The iPhone 4? After a long wait, and a lot of speculation, Apple has finally announced the latest upgrade to the iPhone range with the iPhone 4S and iOS 5. But was it worth waiting for, and does it add much to the current model? Keep reading to find out more.

Design
The first thing you'll notice about the iPhone 4S is that the design hasn't changed since the iPhone 4. It has the sleek glass finish, the same 3.5 inch screen, the same weight and the same 960x640 resolution. Some may be disappointed that these specs haven't improved.

Camera
The camera has been improved to 8MP, which brings it up to date with some of the top smartphones currently on the market. It's a noticeable upgrade from the 5MP camera of the iPhone 4, and it can now record video in 1080p.

Processor
A processor upgrade is always nice to see, as it means that apps and games run a lot faster. The iPhone 4S makes use of a dual-core 1GHz processor,  the same Apple A5 chip as the iPad 2. The RAM has also been upgraded to 1GB.

iOS 5
Buying the iPhone 4S isn't the only way you'll be able to experience iOS 5 – this operating system will also be made available to owners of older iPhones, iPod Touches and the iPad. Some of the key improvements include a less intrusive notification system, an app that allows iPhone users to message each other for free, the ability to own an iPhone without needing to connect it up to the PC, and access to Apple's iCloud that'll keep photos, music and multimedia in sync between devices.

Battery Life
The iPhone 4S comes with 8 hours battery life using 3G to talk. This is an improvement but a very minor one over the 7 hours of the iPhone 4.

Siri Voice Recognition
This is the upgrade that Apple were emphasizing the most: users can control the iPhone 4S with natural voice commands. This isn't just for basic menu items, though: you can use it to compose a text message, or ask your phone to give you directions to the nearest Chinese restaurant.

Is The iPhone 4S Really Worth Buying?
Many were hoping for the release of the iPhone 5, making the smaller upgrades of the iPhone 4S a disappointment to some. That said, new features such as the dual-core processor and voice recognition system are enough to get many excited about the phone again. If you have an old iPhone, however, then you may want to wait a while and just take advantage of the iOS 5 upgrade instead.

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