Skip to main content

What’s missing from the iPhone 4S? Turns out plenty

missingBefore we can ogle the latest iThing, we need to run down the list of what’s missing. The nature of this particular iPhone event and the frenzied will-they-or-won’t-they anticipation regarding the launch has made it difficult to pin down what hoped-for features are destined for which next-gen handset. Now that the announcements have been made and Apple’s cards are on the table, we break down what’s missing.

iphone-5-concept-teardropThe iPhone 5

After listening to what was a fairly thorough lecture about the business side of things in Cupertino, we finally got to the iPhone announcement. And the biggest one is that there is no iPhone 5 just yet. Instead, we’re welcoming the iPhone 4S to the lineup, with a design that’s identical to the iPhone 4. Although there are interior updates (and disappointments) to go over, which we’ll get to. So when will you see an iPhone 5?

Recommended Videos

A new design

Apple didn’t let us get too excited about any cosmetic changes, right away showing off that very familiar iPhone 4 shape. The iPhone 4S will sport the same Retina display and glass backing as its predecessor. There’s no teardrop shape or 4-inch screen as speculation would have had us thought, but perhaps those features are destined for the iPhone 5. It will, however, be available in white right off the bat.

An LTE/WiMax iPhone

One more rumor than didn’t pan out was the LTE iPhone. Instead, Apple made a show of boasting some much-improved download speeds thanks to HSPA+ support, which should put it on the same level as other so-called “4G” devices, including the Atrix, the Thrill, and the Inspire. But all are a far cry from the speeds available on Verizon LTE 4G. The good news: iPhone 4S will be a “world phone,” meaning it supports both GSM and CDMA networks. Apple also says the iPhone 4S will intelligently determine which antenna to use, which should quell antenna-gate worries.

NFC

There was no mention of NFC technology being embedded in the iPhone 4S, which is something of a surprise as Google Wallet gears up. Again, there’s a distinct possibility that all of these missing features are destined for the iPhone 5.

facebook-app-ios-iphone-ipadFacebook integration

There was no mention of Facebook integration, a rumor that took hold more recently. Speculators said that CEO Mark Zuckerberg would possibly even take the stage to show off the long-anticipated Facebook iPad app and talk about the site’s HTML 5 Web-based app store, as well as reveal plans to work with Apple on deep, Twitter-like integration. Turns out that’s either a no-go or something destined for a future announcement.

Molly McHugh
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Before coming to Digital Trends, Molly worked as a freelance writer, occasional photographer, and general technical lackey…
EU iPhone users are getting another exclusive perk with iOS 18.4
Installing iOS 18.3 update on an iPhone 16 Pro.

The iOS 18.4 update is in beta right now, and it introduces a new option for users in the EU to set a default navigation app. This means no more pesky links opening in Apple Maps when you only use Google Maps -- but it won't be available for people in the U.S.

The EU's Digital Markets Act is forcing Apple to make various changes to its services, but unfortunately not all of these perks make it over to the U.S. Apple has made it clear that it doesn't agree with a lot of the rules the EU is setting, so a lot of the time, it only makes the changes when and where it absolutely has to.

Read more
Best Buy’s Apple Sales Event: This weekend’s best deals on iPads, iPhones, MacBooks, and more
The iPhone 14 Plus's camera module.

Apple fans, here's your chance at rare discounts on the brand's devices: Best Buy just launched a huge Apple Sales Event. With iPhone deals, iPad deals, MacBook deals, AirPods deals, and more up for grabs, you better hurry in choosing what to purchase because we think stocks are already flying off the shelves.

You can take a look at everything that's available in Best Buy's Apple Sales Event through the link below, but we've also rounded up our favorite offers to help you make a quick decision. It's important that you don't take up too much time in selecting where to spend your money, as every second wasted is one step closer to missing out on the offer you've got your eyes on.

Read more
iPhone 17 Air might make a splash as the world’s thinnest phone
Alleged Render of iPhone 17 Air.

Apple is not really a brand that goes for big hardware claims. The company is often late to the game, but serves a refined formula that is usually the best in the smartphone segment. The upcoming ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air might change that, and in quite a spectacular fashion.

Leakster Universe has shared on X that the upcoming “slim” addition to the iPhone 17 series will offer a thickness of just 5.5mm across. The post adds that save for the side profile, the iPhone 17 Air will be exactly as tall and wide as the iPhone 17 Pro.

Read more