Apple plays it safe with iPhone 4S, targets iPhone 3GS owners

We have all read the news on the new iPhone 4S and enjoyed the Great Debate with myself and Jason Perlow and see that Apple once again shows the world that the iPhone is not about the latest and greatest in wireless technologies. Apple is focused on the iPhone upgraders at this point and I think this iPhone 4S is really intended for the iPhone 3GS owner looking to make their 2-year upgrade.

The first iPhone launched without 3G at a time when 3G phones were available and rolling out. This time, we have cutting edge technologies like fast HSPA+ (42.2 Mbps on T-Mobile), LTE, NFC, and 3D displays and yet the new iPhone 4S doesn’t include any of these. it is a safe and solid upgrade to the iPhone 4, but there is no real compelling reason for a current iPhone 4 customer to upgrade to the device.

Apple waits to put these newer technologies into their iPhone products until after they are proven and tested by others. I imagine we will see LTE and faster data support in 2012, but a big drawback at this time with these fast networks is the major hit in battery life. Apple will likely make sure this is addressed before jumping on this technology. NFC is cool, but there are not many reasons for using it yet and when Apple supports it they will tell us why it is the coolest thing since sliced bread.

Apple will likely still sell millions of the iPhone 4S, shoot I may get one myself, but the competition is much more fierce than it was when they rolled out the first iPhone in 2007. if you want the latest and greatest in technolgies, then the Android platform is the place to look.

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