The Upgraded Hardware is Mostly Minor Upgrades of iPhone 3GS
Apple stament that the iPhone 4 with iOS4 is a great advancement since the original model’s introduction into in 2007. Is this true? Let’s compare a few of the key differences between the upcoming iPhone 4 and last year’s iPhone 3GS.
The higher resolution of the screen, five megapixel camera, and 720p video recording are among the main features that distinguish the new iPhone 4 with the 3GS. Although these slightly upgraded features are nice, they are hardly groundbreaking for existing 3GS owners and are not essential.
The addition on the gyroscope will add an extra dimension to the iPhone’s ability to detect movement. This feature may be used in games, but not much beyond that.
The improved battery life, which provides a few more hours of talk and music, and the slightly smaller dimensions aren’t significant enough to warrant an upgrade.
iPhone Users Are Still Stuck With their contract
iPhone users love their iPhones. According to the CFI group, 92% of iPhone users say that they own “their ideal smartphone.” however most of them are stuck with their contract.
FaceTime Has A Couple of Limiting Features
Without a doubt, FaceTime is the iPhone 4′s most exciting new feature, and Apple is pushing this as video calling finally becoming a reality.
However, there are many limitations to this “perfectly seamless” method of video calling. For instance, the feature only works from one iPhone 4 user to another. If the person you’re calling has anything other than an iPhone 4, then forget it.
Also, the feature doesn’t work using 3G. It is currently crippled through WiFi only, which makes the feature feel a bit unfinished. Are they planning on saving a 3G-ready FaceTime for the next iPhone? This makes the “perfectly seamless” statement sound slightly less than perfect. If you want to have video chat using wi-fi Access, there are numerous ways that are more convenient and affordable to do so, like through Skype.
Another iPhone Will Come Out Next Summer
Let’s take a look at the release dates of the past iterations of the iPhone:
- The original iPhone was released on June 29, 2007.
- The 3G was released on July 11, 2008.
- The 3GS was released on June 19, 2009.
- The iPhone 4 will be released on June 24, 2010.
Just like all electronic devices, there will always be an upgraded model available after a short period of time, and it’s foolish to constantly try to keep up with the latest technology. According to the past history of the iPhone’s release dates, Apple releases a newer, “better” iteration of their platform every year during the summer. Jealous of your friends who are getting the iPhone 4 this year? They’ll be feeling the same way when you purchase the iPhone 4S (or whatever it’ll be called) next year.
Your iPhone 3GS is fine for now, if you have one.
So save your money–at least for another year?
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