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Level 1

7 points

Wanting to Get My First iPhone

Hey-

How can I get an idea what size iPhone 4S I should get? Is there a way to get an idea not only on the processor size but also the plan type. Right off I want the biggest to accomodate all the HD videos I take for work, but I really have no idea what size and pla I will need?

I have a Mobile Hotspot 3G now but I was going to get the MIFI 4G. Does tethering do the same thing as a Mobile Hotspot does like the Verizon MIFI 4510 4G? With the new iPhone 4S can you use your MacBook Pro wirelessly by setting up the iPhone a certain way (which I assume is what is called tethering)

this might get this question knocked of of this discusion, but does the iPhone 4S work best on the ATT network since they both came at the same time and that is the network the iPhone grew-up with. 😝

If the smartphones with the dual core processor are coming out, would you wait for this phone before getting an iPhone 4S (it looks like it has some new functions like Siri and it does have a dual core chip)

thanks for the help.

Posted on Feb 23, 2012 9:59 PM

Best reply

deggie

Level 10

167,183 points

Posted on Feb 23, 2012 10:09 PM

If you take a lot of HD videos go for the largest size phone.

You can use the iPhone as a WiFi hotspot and then connect the MBP to the internet through it. You need to have a hotspot (or tethering) plan with your cell provider.

If you are going to use the iPhone as a hotspot the iPhone 4S will be faster on AT&T (HSPA+) than the CDMA phones, assuming you are in an area that AT&T has HSPA+.

Since you already said you were looking at a MiFi 4G you might want to wait for the next iPhone which will almost certainly be a 4G LTE phone.

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19 replies

deggie

Level 10

167,183 points

Feb 24, 2012 10:52 AM in response to KiltedTim

OK, just for you I will make it not speculation:

If the OP wants to wait until June - September to buy their first smartphone, and the next iPhone is not a 4G LTE device, go to AT&T or Verizon and look at other smartphones that are available at that time and pick one that is a 4G LTE phone. That is what I would be doing.

Now how is it not speculation? Would it be speculation to say the next iPhone will be a 3G iPhone that on AT&T will have HSPA+? There has been no announcement of that. The market itself puts forth the information that Apple will have to move in that direction or get out of the cell phone business.

We can discuss history: The first iPhone was EDGE only while the rest of the phone world was moving to 3G. I passed as I already had a Treo on EDGE and didn't want another phone with that technology. I waited for the next iPhone, the 3G, which finally took off in sales and put Apple in the lead on smartphones (and I realize there were other factors involved).

Now go to the current times. The iPhone 4Gs would represent the iPhone 2G as speculation was the 4Gs would be a 4G phone just like there was speculation the 2G would actually be 3G. Since Apple only releases phones on average once per year the next phone (the 3G) caught up to the market. Given the current scenario the next iPhone should be a 4G LTE phone. Going back to history if the second iPhone had been the 2Gs and was still on EDGE do you think the iPhone would be where it is today? Not bloody likely.

To present day if I used my upgrade and purchased an iPhone in July 2012 that was not 4G LTE then I am using that phone until July 2014 at 3G speeds. Unlike Apple other phone manufacturers can release phones every month if they wish so they are not caught in this conundrum.

paulcb

Level 6

19,239 points

Feb 24, 2012 11:25 AM in response to KiltedTim

And how, exactly, is this not speculation? Or are you violating a NDA agreement regarding inside information on that the iPhone will or won't have?

You know better.

Why don't you let the mods determine what's allowed, especially with an L7 user? I think he deserves a bit of leway regarding this, especially in such a gray area. Personally, I don't think he's 'speculating' since Apple has a 5 year history of annually releasing devices with updated hardware to match the market.

KiltedTim

Level 10

195,813 points

Feb 24, 2012 11:50 AM in response to paulcb

His level doesn't matter. Points don't matter. The mods will ultimately decide, obviously.

But making blatant statements that the iPhone WILL have 4G capabilities is pure speculation.

Rank and status come with responsibilities. Speculating like this is just plain irresponsible.

Apple also has a track record of snubbing 'popular' technology that isn't ready for prime time. The so-called 4G networks are a prime example.

paulcb

Level 6

19,239 points

Feb 24, 2012 12:30 PM in response to KiltedTim

His level doesn't matter. Points don't matter. The mods will ultimately decide, obviously.

Rank and status come with responsibilities. Speculating like this is just plain irresponsible.

How's the air up there... a little thin? Lighten up, it's just an internet forum, not a business contract. 😉

As Deggie suggested, logic would indicate that the next iPhone will have "4G"... that's my blatant, pure, irresponsible speculation.

Wanting to Get My First iPhone