News Analysis: The iPhone 4S is undoubtedly popular, but it's the iPhone 5 that is still very much in the minds of many Apple customers. Many Apple customers won't be happy until they can finally put their hands on what they thought was going to arrive Oct. 4: an iPhone 5.
On Oct. 17,
Apple
announced that it sold 4 million iPhone 4S units during the device's first
weekend of availability. At that level, the company more than doubled the
number of the iPhone 4 units it sold during that device's first weekend of
availability last year when sales reached 1.7 million units. It was an
impressive showing from Apple and one that proved that the company has a clear
understanding of what consumers want with each new device they buy.
However, prior to the launch
of the iPhone 4S, rumors suggesting the company would also launch the iPhone 5
were everywhere one turned. According to those rumors, the iPhone 5 would be a
major update over the iPhone 4 and set Apple on a new path of potential greatness
in the mobile space.
But now, with the iPhone 4S
on store shelves featuring only small updates over its predecessor, many folks
are left to think about what the iPhone 5 could have meant to them. Perhaps
most importantly, they're left to wonder when the iPhone 5 might launch. As
much as Apple tries, the company can do nothing to make the consumer space
forget about the iPhone 5.
Read on to find out why:
1. That edge-to-edge display sounded fantastic
Prior to the announcement of
the iPhone 4S, rumors cropped up saying that the iPhone 5 would come with an
edge-to-edge display. Although the iPhone 4S is almost there, the reports said
that the front of the iPhone 5 would be nearly all (if not entirely) made up of
a touch-screen. The idea sounded fantastic, and it made many consumers around
the globe hope to see it. And yet, they didn't.
2. A bigger screen
Aside from its unique look,
the edge-to-edge display that was expected to come with the iPhone 5 would have
given users more real estate to tap around on. In fact, some reports said that
the iPhone 5 would come with at least a 4.3-inch display, but possibly a screen
that was bigger. The iPhone 4S, on the other hand, keeps the iPhone's 3.5-inch
display. It's a disappointment. And it's something that Apple customers are
planning on the iPhone 5 to address.
3. The iPhone 4S contains few improvements
Let's face it: the iPhone 4S,
while
nice in its own right, doesn't deliver so many improvements that consumers
around the globe will want to jump for joy. In fact, when compared with the
iPhone 4, Apple's latest smartphone adds a dual-core processor, an 8-megapixel
camera, a better antenna and Siri support. Other than that, there isn't
anything major that would make customers get so excited about technological
enhancements in the iPhone 4S. That alone could be making people desire the
iPhone 5.
4. A Google Wallet competitor was on its way
Before the iPhone 5 ended up
a no-show at Apple's Oct. 4 iPhone event, there was speculation that the device
would come with near-field communication (NFC) capabilities, allowing customers
to pay for products from the smartphone. Unfortunately, Apple didn't even
discuss that. But considering Google Wallet is starting to gain some traction
in the marketplace, it would be nice to see Apple respond. The company will
likely do so with the iPhone 5-and some customers know that.
Email
Print
