# One final question: IPhone 4, or 4S?

Category: accessible Devices

## Post 1 by Remy (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Saturday, 04-Aug-2012 22:42:42

Sorry for the third topic. You've all been great.
My final question is one I've tried to research, but with a lot of mixed oppinions. Basically my wife and I can get iphone 4S for $399 (no contract)s) or Iphone 4Ses for $500. Both seem like a lot fo shell out all at once, but I think in the end it will balance out, or even save us a bit. My question is, is the Iphone 4S, with Siri, and especially the faster processor really worth an extra $200? Siri sounds very interesting, but I'm not sure if I'm sold on it alone. The better camera would likewise ben ice too, especially if it helps to read text. From a usibility and accessibility standpoint, and from a performance standpoint, what would you all recommend? This is an urgent topic because whatever we decide, we need to do so by tuesday.
Thanks everyone.

## Post 2 by OceanDream (An Ocean of Thoughts) on Sunday, 05-Aug-2012 14:23:32

Honestly, given that the new iPhone is coming out soon, I would just wait for that. there are supposed to be some major improvements made, so I would go with that if you can afford it. But if you're on a budget, the 4S will be a lot cheaper after the release of the new phone. I honestly wouldn't buy a 4 right now, unless you need a new phone imedietly.

## Post 3 by Izzito (This site is so "educational") on Sunday, 05-Aug-2012 14:58:08

If u must get a phone by Tuesday I would go with the 4s. It would handle future iOS updates.

## Post 4 by LeoGuardian (You mean there is something outside of this room with my computer in it?) on Sunday, 05-Aug-2012 17:21:42

As one who made this decision in recent months, here are my thoughts.
* taking normal human hat off and putting on Dork I.T. day job hat for a sec *
A dual-core processor in any device is a better buy, because it is two processors, or two "lines" of tasks happening, at once. On a single processor, what we have colled "multitasking" for years is really time slicing: it's one big queue where every task you're doing gets a few "moments on the floor" or ticks on the processor clock to manage one or more data sets.
So you just doubled that with two processors in one.
This is especially good on a mobile device where we're looking at a smaller footprint - just think Tokyo Train Station versus big open city square. A mobile device is like that train station, small and crowded.
* putting normal human hat back on, discarding geek hat *
Siri is an amazing tool. I was not real sure how often I'd use it, whether I could even talk to a machine (without cursing at it like many of us in my profession do on a regular basis). Siri is the personal assistant who doesn't nag, and doesn't get all offended, upset and stressed out at the male absentmindedness, but does take a note, a reminder, set an appointment, and many other things.
Also the dictate button on the keyboard really helps. I can on the fly reply to a text message by dictating a short response and send it.
I'd get the 4S as I think you'll be quite happy with its performance.

## Post 5 by Shadow_Cat (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Sunday, 05-Aug-2012 20:58:09

I agree with the others. If you have to get a phone soon, go with the 4S. As Apple comes out with future updates, less of them are likely to work as well, if at all, on the iPhone 4. It maybe a bigger outlay of money now, but I think it's better in the longer-term.

## Post 6 by forereel (Just posting.) on Tuesday, 07-Aug-2012 16:02:26

The 4 will stay upgradable, due to the way its built. You are talking 100 dollars, so the 4S is a better option, unless the 100 stresses you.
I don't think, whatever the new phone iPhone puts out will drop down to the carriers that are now offering the 4 and 4S with no contracts right away, because the large carriers have contracts, so I'd not wait for it.
Siri isn't for everyone, but the dual core, specially if you are using the services you said is the best bet.
It is tuesday as I write my opinion, so maybe late, but I thought I'd say.
Please post what you decided, and your thoughts or questions about it.
Remember, you have 15 days in most cases to like it or not. You can get that extended to 30 if you ask your carrier, so you're not stuck with your choice yet.
Last, Apple gives you 90 days of free support, and has staff trained to help you with accessibility needs. You, if you have, can simply step in to your Apple store and get as much help as you require. Making an appointment is respectful, but not necessary, they will help you as time permits, and it is one on one help.
You and your wife, if have iPhones will benefit from the free texting iMessaging as well.

## Post 7 by Remy (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Saturday, 18-Aug-2012 0:53:34

Apple store? hahahahaha, not where I am.:)
Thanks very much for the tips. I'm reading that last message much too late, but I went with all your suggestions anyway. I got the 4S. So far I'm having a turbulent relationship with my Iphone, but it's mostly pretty awesome. I really like how accessible and simple most things are, but as a huge fan of the Eloquence synthisizer I'm not at all a fan of voice over's default language. It's barable though, and a step above some other screen readers default voices (NVDA and Narrator definatley come to mind).
It's great to finally be able to text message and have a contact list I can actually use after ten years of having no accessible phone. But I almost find it's come about four years too late, because Most of the people I used to talk to I've sort of lost track of.
I'm very overwhelmed by the tons and tons of apps, most of which seem to be slight variations on one another. I can't get over how many different "to do list" apps there are! I'm using the applevis website to try and narrow things down. It's helped, but I'm still a little overwhelmed. I really do find the touch screen quite easy and quick to navigate. The same can not be said for typing and text editing. As one who is used to typing 55+ words a minute and constantly editing, both voiceover and the touch screen typing are NOT at all my friends. I tried Flecksy happy typing, but I actually found that to be more frustrating, both due to the keyboard, and because you need to be in its app, write, then get it into a different app to make it matter. I finally splurged and spent $75 on an apple bluetooth keyboard. It hurt my wallet, but life is now soooo much simpler. it's like having a wee laptop in my pocket. I have found though that making the switch from a PC screen reader/text editer to a MAC one is quite a learning curve, even on the keyboard. I'm slowly getting there, but I won't lie when I say I really miss CTRL and arrow keys reading paragraphs and words. I guess I'll get used to it eventually though.
I am curious about one thing at the moment. I want a good text editer. I want something that will read (and not butcher the formatting of) my .doc files, that has good voice over accessibility, and that has spellcheck and other editing features. Can anyone recommend me one? I've seen pages on the app store. But it's $9 - not much, and I'll definatley pick it up if people say it's worth it. But one thing I've learned is that when you come across a good looking paid app, chances are reasonable that there's a free one out there that does the exact same thing.

## Post 8 by Shadow_Cat (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Saturday, 18-Aug-2012 7:24:17

I'm glad you got an Apple bluetooth keyboard. I absolutely love mine. Portable, quiet to type on, and makes me a much happier iPhone user. It really is like having a laptop in your hand. In fact, I often think of the iPhone as a baby laptop, that happens to include a phone. In truth, one of the iPhone's worst features is the phone itself. But I still use it for a ton of things.
I can't recommend a good free text editor, or even say much about Pages, since I don't have it. I'd be interested to hear other people's opinions and experiences. All I can say is that the several friends of mine who do have Pages like and use it.
I'm also glad I'm not the only one who isn't on the Fleksy bandwagon. They've had it on sale for the past 48 hours or so, and I finally tried it. I'm not very thrilled with it, unlike most people.

## Post 9 by Remy (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Saturday, 18-Aug-2012 11:27:42

Honestly I'd rather just get the word typed write the first time and save myself the trouble of scrolling through options.

## Post 10 by BryanP22 (Novice theriminist) on Monday, 20-Aug-2012 1:51:02

Well I probably can't upgrade for at least another year, having signed and then cancelled a contract with a former girlfriend (which if I have anything to say on the matter I will never do again). But anyway having gotten back on more or less the same contract I had originally I probably have at least another year if not a bit longer. And as long as my IPhone 4 continues to work as it has (and there's been no indication that it won't), I'll just get whatever version of the phone is current by the time my next upgrade rolls around. And anyway my current phone does everything I really need it for. Yeah SIRI would be nice but it's not necessary.