94

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Conclusion: We like it

The iPhone 4S may not have the bigger display, faster processor, and access to high-speed data networks that come with the new iPhone 5. However, recent discounts mean that last year's iPhone -- and a former gdgt Must-have cellphone -- is now available for as little as $99 with a two-year contract. That's a great price for what's still one of the best smartphones ever made. While the iPhone 5 is our current top Must-have cellphone, if you've had your eyes set on an iPhone, and you're looking to save some cash, you won't be disappointed with the 4S.

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90-Day Price History

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Critic reviews

8.6
13 reviews
  • Reception and call quality
    8.0
  • Display
    9.1
  • Battery life
    7.6
  • Camera
    9.2
  • Ease of use
    8.7
  • Design and form factor
    9.0
  • Portability (size / weight)
    9.2
  • Media support
    8.8
  • Durability
    8.0
  • Ecosystem (apps, accessories, etc.)
    9.6

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User reviews

8.9
432 reviews
9.0
Macworld Oct 11, 2011

The iPhone 4S has speed, a great camera, some cool voice-recognition features, and the same beautiful industrial design that was introduced in the iPhone 4. It’s destined to be immensely popular. The S, in this case, seems to stand for “sure thing.”

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9.0
New York Times Oct 11, 2011

Android phones seem to come out every Tuesday at 3:45 p.m. Apple updates iOS and the iPhone only once a year. So Apple had a lot of catching up to do, even some leapfrogging. There are some rough spots here and there; for example, every now and then the 4S’s camera app gets stuck on its startup...

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9.0
TechCrunch Oct 11, 2011

I’m happy that Apple decided not to change the form factor even though they had to know there would be some backlash from a certain segment of the population (read: idiots). Instead, Apple focused on the other thing they do best: refining already great products to make them better. The iPhone 4...

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8.0
Wired Oct 11, 2011

The iPhone 4S looks exactly the same as its predecessor - but who cares? If it was shaped even slightly differently or came in a new color, people would still go nuts over the stuff that’s more important anyway: the insides. And both inside and out, this is a magnificent smartphone.

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8.0
AllThingsD Oct 11, 2011

The iPhone 4S is one of Apple’s less dramatic updates, but, when combined with the Siri, iOS 5 and iCloud features, it presents an attractive new offering to smartphone users. Some may be content to skip the new hardware and just enjoy the software and cloud features with older models. But those...

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9.0
SlashGear Oct 11, 2011

There will undoubtedly be smartphones with faster processors, or more megapixels to their cameras, or high-speed 4G connectivity, or bigger, better resolution displays, but it’s difficult to imagine any of them competing with the joined-up ecosystem Apple now offers. Challenging the iPhone isn’t...

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8.0
The Guardian Oct 11, 2011

Siri, the high quality and ultra-fast camera, 30 fps 1080p HD video, globally available voice recognition and the introduction of two antennae (the phone seamlessly switches between whichever is getting the strongest signal) are features that make the 4S irresistible; what is more, the unchanged...

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8.0
Imaging Resource May 9, 2012

Though it's still not as good as a dedicated digital camera for taking photos, the iPhone 4S camera and its ability to snap and share images quickly with the help of thousands of photo apps, makes it the new champ of iPhoneography and a clear Dave's Pick for smart phone photographers.

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9.0
Bloomberg Oct 11, 2011

The 4S is the first phone you’ll ever be tempted to ask for the secret of life. Go ahead -- you’ll get an answer, too. It isn’t from “Star Trek,” though science-fiction readers will recognize, and get a chuckle from, the response.

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9.0
The Telegraph Oct 11, 2011

Overall, the iPhone 4S is a good upgrade to a very good phone. It retains the stylish design of the iPhone 4 and gives it a substantial boost. It's certainly not cheap when you consider some of the alternatives but it feels like a luxury product and it's an absolute joy to use. If you own the iPhone...

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9.0
The Loop Oct 11, 2011

You can look at each of the items that Apple will release in conjunction with the iPhone and be amazed with how innovative each one of them are. When you put them all together in one product like the iPhone 4S, you have an incredibly successful product that other companies just can’t compete with.

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8.0
BGR Oct 17, 2011

This is the best phone Apple has ever made, and there isn’t another company in the world that could deliver all of these features in such a beautifully designed, tightly integrated, and enjoyable packages.

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8.0
USA Today Oct 11, 2011

Apple concedes that Siri isn't a finished product; she is in beta. But even with her blemishes, Siri is pretty darn cool. And she helps make the iPhone 4S pretty darn cool, too.

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10
carlheng carlheng

No other phone I've had even comes close. Just a few minutes with it, and you will be blown away. It never lags, it's smooth and well polished. Siri is useful, and very fun to show off. Beautiful design and brilliant simplicity. 100% satisfied.

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10
Mayaram Mayaram

This is my first iphone and am absolutely wowed by the experience. A great product that makes me a happy customer. Thumbs up!

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9.0
froSTed1030 froSTed1030

And here we go with my third iPhone! The first (the original iPhone) was amazing. The 3Gs was fast and reliable, and now, the 4s... Well, as always, Apple produced the one phone everyone compares themselves to. The antenna has been re-engineered to work better than the iPhone 4's but over all,...

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9.0
mykem mykem

It's my first smartphone. I decided from the onset that it'll be black, unlocked and an iPhone. It's not cheap but it doesn't feel cheap which makes it really good in my book. The hardware is only half the story- the other half is obviously iOS 5 and despite the fact that I've never used a...

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