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Reviews (1)
03 July 2014
Great phone
I picked up a Verizon iPhone 4S on release day to replace my existing Verizon iPhone 4. It is an excellent, reliable device that excels in making phone calls, texting, emailing, and all the other stuff that one would expect from a smartphone. I have not had any of the battery life issues commonly reported on the web. I'm not sure if these issues are due to a bad batch of batteries or if it is a software glitch, but regardless of the cause, I have experienced no battery related problems at all.
The value of the iPhone 4S really depends on what type of phone it is replacing. For anyone with a 3GS or older or any other branded smartphone, this phone is an excellent choice. If you are in the same boat as me and already have an iPhone 4, the answer is not so clear. If I was limited to one new discounted phone every 2 years, then I would have stuck with my iPhone 4 and waited for next year's model. Fortunately, I have a family plan with multiple lines, all of which I pay for, so I am able to upgrade yearly without any pricing issues. I do not think the 4S is enough of an upgrade from the 4 to justify the upgrade if it means you will have to miss out on the iPhone 5 (or whatever it will be called) in 2012. Yes, the 4S is a little faster, Siri is pretty cool though not essential, and the camera is a tiny bit better, but other than that it's pretty much the same phone. I would wait for the iPhone 5.
Having said that, it is a great phone. The extra speed is noticeable. After owning the 4S for a month, I switched back to my iPhone 4 for a few days to see if I could notice any difference between the two phones, and the 4S is definitely faster. The camera is a bit better as far as getting less noise in lower light situations, but the 4 has an excellent camera too. I doubt switching from the 4 to the 4S is going to make a monumental difference in your pictures. If you really want better photos, save your cash and buy a book on art composition - improving your composition skills will make a much bigger impact on your photography than spending cash on a new camera.
If I could only pick one phone to have today, the iPhone 4S would be the one. But if you've got an iPhone 4, don't blow your 2 year upgrade on the 4S or you'll be kicking yourself when the iPhone 5 comes out