Made it through one week without an iPhone 4S

Despite the hype and 4 million other people who got one, I’m still happy with my iPhone 4

iPhone4S black 73867 Made it through one week without an iPhone 4S photo

iPhone 4S

See that picture of an iPhone 4S?

For all you know it could be an iPhone 4 because they look the same.

In reality the iPhone 4S is not a new model, just a minor tweak on last year’s phone.

Despite all the media hype and peer pressure, somehow, I didn’t upgrade my iPhone 4 last week.

Buy one in memory of Steve Jobs, they said.

Right, like Steve Jobs cares if you buy one of his phones now.

I almost pre-ordered but held back.

On Launch Day, I almost went to Future Shop and got in the line. But like gas, it passed.

When my step son’s wife got Siri working, I thought “Dang, shoulda” but then she said it didn’t work in Canada.

He had a reason to get a new phone. He dropped his Blackberry overboard.

No, I resisted the emotional pull and will hold out for a new phone that is bigger, faster and better.

Forget same size and a few new features like Siri that don’t work in Canada.

Size matters

Did anyone tell Apple that bigger screens are easier to read? The iPhone 4S with a 3.5″ screen doesn’t cut it in a world of 4″ plus screens like Samsung Galaxy II, the new Galaxy Nexus at 4.65″ or the Motorola Razr at 4.3″.


Motorola Droid RAZR – bigger and faster

Speed speed speed

The iPhone 4S has a dual processor running 800 Hz. How passe.

Everyone is 1 GHz and dual processor.

A faster processor is no help when Apple insists 3G is cool.

Hello Apple, 4G wireless networks are now in more than half of the cities in Canada. 4G is much faster. Soon we’ll move to 4G LTE.

Other than loyalty, I don’t get why Apple brought out a new premium phone at last year’s specs.


Galaxy Nexus with Android 4 and 4.65″ display

Oh yes I remember – this is the old Apple. Get people hooked on the religion and then deliver substandard products at premium prices.

Chant after me “Apple is our Mother. Apple will save us.”

I’m going to upgrade but only when the screen is bigger, the processor faster and the network 4G.

  • http://cfyves.com Yves

    Nice write up. I think so many of these upgrades are only based on the connection we seem to have with Gadgets.

    I had an iPhone 3G and then went without a mobile phone for a number of months. It had been years since I went without. I then got a cheap pay as you go for about a year.

    Last summer, I decided I would get a smartphone again. I simply love having a phone, calendar, camera, banking…etc..etc.. in my hand.

    I debated with myself about the iPhone 4. But I tried to keep an open mind about other smart phones. I liked the iPhone, but some of the tech specs, as you mention, simply weren’t as good dollar for dollar.

    I ended up taking a chance on an Android phone. I have to say that I love it.

    Sometimes I think we (and I am speaking from “my” experience) get attached to brands a little bit too much.

  • Stephen Pate

    Thanks for the comment. I think you’re right. There is both attachment to brands like the iPhone and peer pressure. A lot of the pressure comes from the media, including social media. There were 3 journalists on CNN last week who admitted they couldn’t help themselves by being objective about Apple. It Walt Mossberg WSJ raved on about Apple they would be left in the cold by not adopting a party line and promoting Apple as well. The Consumers Union pan of the iPhone 4 was the first major break in the almost worship of the brand. Of course, the media herd reported that too.

    Right now the Android phones are growing in leaps and bounds but they lack the one phone brand Apple has. In my opinion, both iOS and Android are at risk of being eclipsed by Windows 8 which promises takes the smartphone to the next level with HTML 5 and a live surface versus icons/apps. However, MS execution on the technology is not a guarantee. Then I could be completely wrong.