iPhone 4s or wait for the 5?

A

AQ_OC

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That is the question. I'm almost certain I want to try to live with an iPhone for the next two years.
 
might as well wait if you're going to keep it around for two years unless you need the phone ASAP. That way you're only behind one generation on your next upgrade instead of two. Plus you get the latest and greatest (hardware and OS)
 
dr.stevil said:
might as well wait if you're going to keep it around for two years unless you need the phone ASAP. That way you're only behind one generation on your next upgrade instead of two. Plus you get the latest and greatest (hardware and OS)
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This is wise advice...but I'm jonesing for something new. I had to reset / reload my DINC last Sunday to get around the low-memory problem. Now with the full GB OS on there the phone is working much better, but the problem is only solved temporarily. Also, my battery is getting iffy (3500 mAh Seido). I could still limp through to summer....
 
Same with every tech upgrade; if you can wait, wait, if you can't, then buy the current product you like. There's always going to be a next best thing. If you like the iphone 4s and iOS, then im sure you can last 2 years with it. Theres no telling when the iphone 5 will come out, if its anything like the last update then it'll be 18 months (i think) from last october which would be over a year from now.
 
You could buy one and then sell it. iPhones keep their resale value so extremely well. You should just get one.
 
try and wait for the 5, if rumors are correct it will be a better phone, but meh get a new one now if you cant wait :D
 
Shamrock said:
You could buy one and then sell it. iPhones keep their resale value so extremely well. You should just get one.
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This is very true. Forget what you know about used Android phone prices. Go look at prices on a used iPhone 4 (not 4s) and be astounded what the "old" phone still fetches.

You will take a hit if you absolutely love the 5 and have to have it, but it is going to be awhile...

Your other option is to buy something cheap-ish used (e.g, a DINC 2!) that has already dropped significantly in price and hold out for the 5 and you should be able to resell for maybe $50 less.
 
I too am contemplating what to do. I think I'm going to grab a 4s now and see what Apple releases next fall. As already stated, iPhones retain their value, while Android phones become cheap commodities.
 
lodingi said:
I too am contemplating what to do. I think I'm going to grab a 4s now and see what Apple releases next fall. As already stated, iPhones retain their value, while Android phones become cheap commodities.
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I see iphone 4s 16GB going for $400 on craigslist all the time (actually got mine for $350 mint without box). The iphone 4 16GB can easily be had for around $250ish these days. I predict the resale value of a iphone 4s 16GB will be slightly under $300 when the iphone 5 arrives late summer (probably even less if the iphone 5 is a redesign since the market is completely flooded with the iphone 4 and 4s design). Thus an upgrade to iphone 5 will most likely cost you around $350-400.

As for the galaxy SII, I predict the resell value to hover around $200 this late summer.

The point is, its is foolish to think any mass marketed tech will hold it value especially in a market where the devices prices are artificially deflated with contract subsidies. As apple products become more main stream and thus reach saturation, they're just going to deflate as fast as any other electronic devices (Heck, iphones are already losing 50-60% of their value in a year).
 
After reading all of the posts in this thread and thinking about what I feel I need, I think I'm going to go for the 4s. Part of the reason is that just don't think 4G is going to be that important to me. I mostly use my phone as a gadget that I can make calls on from time to time. If I could get a 4G plan with true unlimited data, that would make it worthwhile to wait on the iPhone 5. I use WIFI at work and at home and that seems to serve my needs. Thanks, folks.
 
AQ_OC said:
After reading all of the posts in this thread and thinking about what I feel I need, I think I'm going to go for the 4s. Part of the reason is that just don't think 4G is going to be that important to me. I mostly use my phone as a gadget that I can make calls on from time to time. If I could get a 4G plan with true unlimited data, that would make it worthwhile to wait on the iPhone 5. I use WIFI at work and at home and that seems to serve my needs. Thanks, folks.
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That's pretty much the same way that I looked at it when I was considering getting a 4S. I didn't really care about 4G one way or the other, but if I had to give up my unlimited data plan to get a iPhone 5 w/4G plan, they can piss off lol

However, at the end of the day, since I also have an iPad 2 that uses the same internals, I just couldn't justify getting a 4S when the 5 will be out in 6-7 months. I'm hoping that 4G doesnt make it to the iPhone5 or at the very least, it's an optional service plan.

I see iphone 4s 16GB going for $400 on craigslist all the time (actually got mine for $350 mint without box). The iphone 4 16GB can easily be had for around $250ish these days.
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maybe it's a regional thing, but in my area, the 3Gs's are still going for 200+ on craigslist. The iPhone 4 is selling anywhere from 300-450 and the 4s is selling from 450 (used) all the way up to 850 (new, unlocked 64gb). Better deals do come around occasionally but they usually don't last very long
 
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Doesn't matter what you get, it will be outdated too soon because it's Apple... TBH I still find my 3GS more than enough for my needs.
 
dr.stevil said:
That's pretty much the same way that I looked at it when I was considering getting a 4S. I didn't really care about 4G one way or the other, but if I had to give up my unlimited data plan to get a iPhone 5 w/4G plan, they can piss off lol

However, at the end of the day, since I also have an iPad 2 that uses the same internals, I just couldn't justify getting a 4S when the 5 will be out in 6-7 months. I'm hoping that 4G doesnt make it to the iPhone5 or at the very least, it's an optional service plan.
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For me, an iPad 3 with higher resolution screen is much more important than whatever will be in the iPhone 5. I use the iPad to lecture with and it excels there. I also read lots of PDFs with equations and math symbols, so the higher resolution screen would be a big plus. I'm sure others will have different needs than I do...and TBH, my DINC is good enough (well, except for low memory bug will eventually return and force me to do a hard reset -- I want to get free of that hassle) for my needs, but it feels old and banged up.

Also, I have the unlimited plan with Verizon...I understand that I should not be forced to give it up, but I'm not sure I believe that. Unlimited is not really unlimited...and that really sucks.
 
LinkinMcOwnage said:
Doesn't matter what you get, it will be outdated too soon because it's Apple... TBH I still find my 3GS more than enough for my needs.
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Yes...actually, its already outdated. But the iPhone 4s has one feature going for it that I feel I need...a decent camera. I like having a pocket camera with me all the time, so I think the 4s will basically serve that purpose well. {The Canon elph300 i have got damaged just by putting it in my brief case...it has very soft thin metal around the lense and could not take even the slightest pressure against it.}
 
AQ_OC said:
Yes...actually, its already outdated. But the iPhone 4s has one feature going for it that I feel I need...a decent camera. I like having a pocket camera with me all the time, so I think the 4s will basically serve that purpose well. {The Canon elph300 i have got damaged just by putting it in my brief case...it has very soft thin metal around the lense and could not take even the slightest pressure against it.}
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Yea, I say go for the 4s! Everything gets outdated fast. The 4s camera is really nice. On par or sometimes better then point and shoot cameras.
 
Everything is "outdated" the second you buy it.

Wait as long as you can, thats the rule.
 
lodingi said:
I too am contemplating what to do. I think I'm going to grab a 4s now and see what Apple releases next fall. As already stated, iPhones retain their value, while Android phones become cheap commodities.
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^This.

My dad was kind enough to finally get me a smartphone (I had been using a cheap-o texting phone for the past 2+ years) so I picked up a 4S about a month ago. In order to cover the cost, he sold his 3GS for about $150 (probably could have gotten more), so if you want to look at it that way then he only paid $50 for my 4S.

There's no definite word on the release date for the 5 yet (or even any pics/specs/anything), and I expect that you'll still be able to sell the 4S for a pretty penny in a year or two. If you really want to wait then go ahead, but considering how little concrete information there is on the 5 so far I'd say just upgrade already.
 
My 3G was killing me with laggy performance, but I was able to successfully downgrade it to 3.1.3 IOS and it's working well enough now that I think I'll be able to hold out for the 5.

I think the 5 is going to have more going for it than just 4G speed. 4" or bigger screen, thinner, rounded edges, 28 or 32 chip which will give it better battery life and faster processing.

I'm hoping for July release, but doubt it.

The only thing that is really holding me back on the 3G is the crummy camera.
 
AQ_OC said:
That is the question. I'm almost certain I want to try to live with an iPhone for the next two years.
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Buy it now, then when the new iphone comes out buy that one too.Infact you should buy one of every product Apple makes as soon as they become available. Steve would of wanted it that way.
 
Harry1969 said:
Buy it now, then when the new iphone comes out buy that one too.Infact you should buy one of every product Apple makes as soon as they become available. Steve would of wanted it that way.
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Apple bashing, it never gets old. :rolleyes:

Personally, I'm not a big fan of apple, but I would wait for the 5 if I was in the market for an apple phone. It looks like there are going to be a bunch of improvements, including LTE and screen size, so this may be the time when those older apple devices don't hold as much value as they used to. Without trying to be mean spirited, Apple products are often status symbols. Its no different than other products like Android based phones, etc. The Galaxy s2 and Note commercials play off of that very well. My point is, if Apple releases a phone with a larger screen, it will be visibly different from the 4 and 4s. There will be a LOT of people jumping ship with a lot of iphone 4s's (whats the plural of 4s? 4ssss?) on the market, so at that point you will most likely have the option of a shiny new iphone 5, or a much more economical used 4s.


(I am waiting for the Galaxy Note, despite the embarrassing commercial for it during Super Bowl.)
 
Several Asia sources are now reporting that the 5 will be released in July this year (FWIW).
 
I thought about buying an iphone 4s from craigslist today, but I believe the seller is just jailbreaking an iphone 4 and installing siri and pretend it's an iphone 4s.

There are much exterior differences.

So I'd wait for the iPhone 5...
 
Definitely waiting for iPhone 5.. I am rocking an older 4 right now.

It is not like the 3GS -> iPhone 4 change.
 
If you keep your phone for two years, for sure is best to wait for the iPhone-Next. Supposedly this will be the big update everyone expected last year. Larger screen, LTE, all new iOS6. A lot of rumors point to it being released in Summer again, like the first four releases. That would make it only like 4+ months away. The iPhone5 or whatever they call it, will make the 4S look really dated.

At least wait until June see what the news is around that time.
 
Zorachus said:
If you keep your phone for two years, for sure is best to wait for the iPhone-Next. Supposedly this will be the big update everyone expected last year. Larger screen, all new iOS6. A lot of rumors point to it being released in Summer again, like the first four releases. That would make it only like 4+ months away.

At least wait until June see what the news is around that time.
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actually, I've heard just the opposite recently (that they're going to keep their fall schedule for the time being) due to their record breaking 4th quarter. A few more months wont hurt though. I just hope they have enough stock to prevent 3-6 week waits.
 
dr.stevil said:
actually, I've heard just the opposite recently (that they're going to keep their fall schedule for the time being) due to their record breaking 4th quarter. A few more months wont hurt though. I just hope they have enough stock to prevent 3-6 week waits.
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Makes sense I guess. The top two smartphones released around the same time. iPhone in October and Nexus in November. But would not be surprised if Apple goes back to the summer release, a shit load of iPhone4 owners will have their contracts up come this Summer, and in need of a new phone. Apple would be smart to have a new phone out for those iPhone4 owners, or they might look elsewhere.
 
Zorachus said:
Makes sense I guess. The top two smartphones released around the same time. iPhone in October and Nexus in November. But would not be surprised if Apple goes back to the summer release, a shit load of iPhone4 owners will have their contracts up come this Summer, and in need of a new phone. Apple would be smart to have a new phone out for those iPhone4 owners, or they might look elsewhere.
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thats a really good point actually. I hope they made it a summer relase.
 
dr.stevil said:
thats a really good point actually. I hope they made it a summer relase.
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I have a lot of family that own the iPhone4, they did not feel compelled to get the 4S, but all have said they would like a new phone once their contract is up this Summer.
 
quite frankly i wouldn't be surprised if it were a summer release (checked grammar on that 'were'). the iphone 5 was rumored to being in the final phase at the launch of the 4S.

But it's going to be a A5X SoC instead of the A6. The A6 is coming next year for the iPhone 5S... Sounds like Apple, eh?
 
I think there will be no real concrete info on whether the release is Summer or Fall until like June. In June we will know if the release is very near, or a few months off still. It is way too early to speculate in February.
 
CHANG3D said:
quite frankly i wouldn't be surprised if it were a summer release (checked grammar on that 'were'). the iphone 5 was rumored to being in the final phase at the launch of the 4S.

But it's going to be a A5X SoC instead of the A6. The A6 is coming next year for the iPhone 5S... Sounds like Apple, eh?
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If the A5X is Cortex A15 based, it will be just as fast or faster than quad core A9s like Tegra 3. I'm completely happy with that.
 
Creasty said:
but,do you know when will the Iphone5 will be launched?
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I would say its 50/50 between either July or October. But is pointless speculating now in February. We won't really have a good feel for the release date until like June. So anything you read between now and June for release timeframe is BS.
 
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