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.”
Read the full review →Heads up! A newer version of this product is out!
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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Critic reviews
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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...
Read the full review →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...
Read the full review →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.
Read the full review →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...
Read the full review →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...
Read the full review →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...
Read the full review →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.
Read the full review →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.
Read the full review →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...
Read the full review →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.
Read the full review →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.
Read the full review →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.
Read the full review →I love my iPhone. I hate AT&T. The phone itself works as described. I get decent battery life and when I have service it works great. The problem is I can have full bars and no service. I blame AT&T for that one.
Read the full review →I absolutely love the iPhone. I've been with Apple since the 3GS, and have never stopped loving them. Their phones are easy to use, and look phenomenal. The only problem that I have with this phone is not actually the phone, it is the carrier. I made the switch to Sprint from AT&T, and I can...
Read the full review →Stunning device. No 4G-LTE but the phones on the market when this came out were not winning kudos for outstanding battery performance and had this died after 1-2 hours of LTE use the uproar would have been epic.
Read the full review →Design: Industry leading by a wide margin. I only have a few issues with the design. 1. It doesn't slide into your pocket as easily as all previous iPhone's despite being thinner. 2. The plastic between the glass and metal bands seems to be the weak point and is more apparent on the white model....
Read the full review →For now nothing yet just got it... Then I'll will update the real review over time
Read the full review →Loved my iPhone 4S the downfall was my service (Sprint) the data was unbearably slow. My speed test averaged about under 0.50 Mbps up and down. The fastest results i saw where about 1.4 Mbps. Overall great phone I prefer the iPhone on AT&T even thought it's more costly plan wise it is the...
Read the full review →I love my iPhone and can't imagine switching to anything but next year's model.
Read the full review →How it stacks up
Instantly compare the Apple iPhone 4S side by side with some of the top devices on gdgt!
Compare these-
Apple iPhone 4S 94 $49 on contract -
HTC One (2013) 96 $199 on contract -
Apple iPhone 5 96 from $199 -
LG Nexus 4 (Mako, E960) 86 $199 on contract -
Samsung Galaxy S 4 92 $199 on contract
Other Apple cellphones
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Apple iPhone 5 96 from $199 -
Apple iPhone 4 91 $49 on contract -
Apple iPhone 3GS 90 from $237 -
Apple iPhone 1st-gen 83 -
Apple iPhone 3G 86 from $149
Don't forget to check out these other devices by Apple, you might find something good!