iPhone 4S (2011)

 

iPhone 4S

The iPhone 4S was a smartphone released by Apple Inc. in 2011. It was the fifth generation of the iPhone and was introduced as the successor to the iPhone 4. Here are some of its key features:

• Operating system: iOS 5 (upgradable to iOS 9.3.6)
• Display: 3.5-inch (diagonal) widescreen Multi-Touch display with a resolution of 960 x 640 pixels
• Processor: Dual-core Apple A5 chip
• RAM: 512 MB
• Storage: Available in 8 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB, and 64 GB models
• Rear camera: 8-megapixel insight camera with autofocus, LED flash, and 1080p HD video recording
• Front camera: VGA-quality photos and video at up to 30 frames per second
• Battery life: Up to 8 hours of talk time on 3G, up to 14 hours on 2G (GSM), up to 6 hours of internet use on 3G, up to 9 hours on Wi-Fi, up to 40 hours of audio playback, and up to 10 hours of video playback
• Other features: Siri, a voice-controlled personal assistant, was introduced with the iPhone 4S.

Overall, the iPhone 4S was a significant upgrade over its predecessor, offering a faster processor, improved camera, and the introduction of Siri, which was a major innovation at the time. However, its hardware and software are now considered dated, and it may not be compatible with some of the latest apps and operating system updates.

• Design: The iPhone 4S retained the same basic design as the iPhone 4, with a glass front and back, stainless steel band around the edges, and a 3.5-inch screen. It was available in black or white color options. One notable change was the addition of a second antenna, which helped improve call quality and reduce dropped calls.

• Siri: One of the standout features of the iPhone 4S was Siri, a voice-activated personal assistant that could perform a variety of tasks, such as making calls, sending texts, setting reminders, and answering questions. Siri was able to understand natural language and context, and could even respond with humorous or sarcastic comments in some cases.

• Camera: The iPhone 4S featured an 8-megapixel rear camera with autofocus, LED flash, and face detection. It was capable of capturing 1080p HD video and included image stabilization to reduce camera shake. The front-facing camera was VGA-quality, which was lower resolution than the rear camera but sufficient for video calls and selfies.

• Performance: The iPhone 4S was powered by a dual-core A5 processor, which was faster and more efficient than the A4 chip used in the iPhone 4. It also had 512 MB of RAM, which was double the amount in the iPhone 4. These upgrades resulted in smoother performance, faster app loading times, and improved gaming capabilities.

• Battery life: The iPhone 4S had a built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery that offered up to 8 hours of talk time on 3G, up to 14 hours on 2G (GSM), up to 6 hours of internet use on 3G, up to 9 hours on Wi-Fi, up to 40 hours of audio playback, and up to 10 hours of video playback. The battery was not user replaceable, so if it started to degrade over time, the phone would need to be taken to a professional for repair.

• Software: The iPhone 4S originally shipped with iOS 5, which introduced several new features such as I Message, iCloud integration, and Notification Center. It was also the first version of iOS to include Siri. The phone was upgradable to later versions of iOS, up to iOS 9.3.6, which was released in 2019. However, some newer apps and features may not be compatible with the phone due to its older hardware and software.

Overall, the iPhone 4S was a popular and well-received smartphone at the time of its release, thanks to its improved performance, camera, and the introduction of Siri. While it may now be considered outdated compared to more recent iPhone models, it remains a fondly remembered device for many people who used it during its heyday.

Price & Full Review

Price:

The iPhone 4S was released in 2011 with a starting price of $199 for the 16 GB model on a two-year contract with a mobile carrier in the United States. The 32 GB and 64 GB models were priced at $299 and $399, respectively. Today, the iPhone 4S is no longer sold as a new device, but it can be found refurbished or used for around $50-$100, depending on the condition and storage capacity.

• Design:
• The iPhone 4S has a sleek and elegant design, with a glass front and back and a stainless steel band around the edges. It measures 4.5 x 2.31 x 0.37 inches (115.2 x 58.6 x 9.3 mm) and weighs 4.9 ounces (140 grams). The 3.5-inch Retina display has a resolution of 960 x 640 pixels and offers clear and vibrant visuals, although it may feel small by today's standards. The phone is available in black or white color options.

• Performance:
• The iPhone 4S was powered by a dual-core A5 chip and 512 MB of RAM, which was a significant upgrade over the iPhone 4's A4 chip and 256 MB of RAM. This resulted in faster app loading times, smoother performance, and improved gaming capabilities. However, compared to more recent iPhone models, the iPhone 4S is noticeably slower and may struggle with some resource-intensive apps and tasks. It runs on iOS 5, which was the latest operating system at the time of its release, but it can be upgraded to iOS 9.3.6. While the phone can still handle basic tasks like making calls, sending texts, and browsing the web, it may struggle with more demanding tasks like video editing or running multiple apps at once.

• Camera:
• The iPhone 4S features an 8-megapixel rear camera with autofocus, LED flash, and face detection. It can shoot 1080p HD video at 30 frames per second and includes image stabilization to reduce camera shake. The front-facing camera is VGA-quality and can record video at up to 30 frames per second. While the camera was impressive at the time of the phone's release, it may not compare well to more recent iPhone models or dedicated digital cameras.

• Battery Life:
• The iPhone 4S has a built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery that offers up to 8 hours of talk time on 3G, up to 14 hours on 2G (GSM), up to 6 hours of internet use on 3G, up to 9 hours on Wi-Fi, up to 40 hours of audio playback, and up to 10 hours of video playback. The battery is not user-replaceable, so if it starts to degrade over time, the phone will need to be taken to a professional for repair. The battery life may feel short by today's standards, but it was considered decent at the time of the phone's release.

• Other Features:
• One of the standout features of the iPhone 4S was Siri, a voice-controlled personal assistant that could perform a variety of tasks, such as making calls, sending texts, setting reminders, and answering questions. Siri was able to understand natural language and context, and it could even respond with humorous or sarcastic comments in some cases. The phone also featured iCloud integration, which allowed users to automatically sync their data and content across multiple Apple devices.

Overall, the iPhone 4S was a popular and well-regarded smartphone at the time of its release, thanks to its improved performance, camera, and the introduction of Siri. However, compared to more recent iPhone models, it is now considered outdated and may not be compatible with some of the latest apps and features. If you're looking for a basic smartphone that can handle basic tasks like calls, texts, and web browsing, the iPhone 4S may still be a viable option at a relatively low price point. However, if you need more advanced features or performance, you may want to consider a more recent iPhone model or a different smartphone altogether.