The iPhone 4S is here. After months of rumors and speculation, a longer wait than typical, and some disappointment that we didn’t actually get the iPhone 5 we were dreaming of, Apple’s latest smartphone finally goes on sale today.
Though it’s practically identical to the iPhone 4 on the outside, the 4S does pack some compelling upgrades. If you’re moving up from a 4 or 3GS, you should feel a considerable speed boost, as one of the most notable improvements is the new dual-core A5 processor, which is the same chip that powers the iPad 2. Another hardware boon is the souped-up 8-megapixel rear-facing camera with five-element lens, larger f/2.4 aperture, improved flash, and full HD 1080p30 video capture. Also exclusive the 4S is Siri, Apple's voice-controlled personal assistant that serves up calendar reminders, weather reports, restaurant recommendations, and more.
With the iPhone 4S, Apple also rolled out iOS 5, the latest version of its mobile operating system with more than 200 new features. Highlights include iCloud integration with wireless syncing, an improved notification system, Apple’s new messaging client, and Twitter integration. The 4S comes pre-loaded with iOS 5, but iPhone 4 and 3GS users can upgrade to iOS 5 for free.
The Apple iPhone 4S is available now in black or white, in 16GB ($199), 32 GB ($299), or 64GB ($399) capacities, on AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon Wireless. An unlocked 4S will be available later this year. You can pick up the phone at an Apple Store, or individual carrier stores. If you order it online from Apple or your carrier, you're looking at a wait of at least two weeks in most cases.
Hit the slideshow below for a close look at the 64GB iPhone 4S for Sprint and what's inside the box. For more, see PCMag's full review of the iPhone 4S.