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iPhone 4 vs. iPhone 4S: What's the Difference?

Edited by Janet White || By Harlon Moss || Updated on October 23, 2023
The iPhone 4 is Apple's 4th-generation smartphone, while the iPhone 4s is its upgraded successor, introducing Siri and improved hardware.

Key Differences

The iPhone 4, introduced in 2010, marked a significant design shift for Apple's smartphones, featuring a flat, glass-backed design. On the contrary, the iPhone 4s, released in 2011, maintained the same design but brought about notable internal changes.
While the iPhone 4 was appreciated for its Retina display and design overhaul, it had certain reception issues due to its antenna design. In contrast, the iPhone 4s addressed this with a revised antenna system and offered better cellular reception.
A defining characteristic of the iPhone 4s over the iPhone 4 was the introduction of Siri, Apple's voice-activated personal assistant. The iPhone 4 did not have this feature, making the iPhone 4s distinct in terms of software capabilities.
The camera system of the iPhone 4s was also superior. While the iPhone 4 came with a 5-megapixel camera, the iPhone 4s boasted an 8-megapixel camera, enhancing photo quality and low-light performance.
The iPhone 4s came equipped with a dual-core A5 chip, which meant faster performance and smoother multitasking compared to the iPhone 4's single-core A4 chip.
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Comparison Chart

Release Date

2010
2011

Antenna Design

Issues with reception due to design
Revised design for better reception

Software Feature

Lacked Siri
Introduced Siri

Camera

5-megapixel camera
8-megapixel camera

Processor

Single-core A4 chip
Dual-core A5 chip
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iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S Definitions

iPhone 4

It introduced the iconic flat, glass-backed design.
The design of the iPhone 4 was a departure from its predecessors.

iPhone 4S

Boasts a dual-core A5 processor.
The iPhone 4s, with its A5 chip, offered smoother multitasking capabilities.

iPhone 4

Features a single-core A4 processor.
Despite having an A4 processor, the iPhone 4 was quite efficient in its performance.

iPhone 4S

Introduced Siri, Apple's voice assistant.
With the iPhone 4s, she started using Siri for daily reminders.

iPhone 4

Comes with a 5-megapixel camera.
He captured his first trip abroad using the iPhone 4's camera.

iPhone 4S

Retains the design aesthetics of the iPhone 4.
Though similar in design to the iPhone 4, the iPhone 4s had notable internal improvements.

iPhone 4

Notable for its Retina display.
The Retina display of the iPhone 4 made images look incredibly sharp.

iPhone 4S

Comes equipped with an 8-megapixel camera.
The iPhone 4s's camera enhanced her photography skills.

iPhone 4

The iPhone 4 is Apple's 4th-generation smartphone.
She bought the iPhone 4 right when it was launched in 2010.

iPhone 4S

The iPhone 4s is the successor to the iPhone 4.
He upgraded to the iPhone 4s a year after getting the iPhone 4.

FAQs

What size screen does the iPhone 4 have?

It has a 3.5-inch Retina display.

Which version of iOS did the iPhone 4 initially ship with?

It shipped with iOS 4.

How much RAM did the iPhone 4 have?

The iPhone 4 had 512 MB of RAM.

Was the iPhone 4 available in multiple colors?

Originally, it was only available in black, but a white version was released later.

When was the iPhone 4 released?

The iPhone 4 was released on June 24, 2010.

Was the iPhone 4 the first iPhone with a front-facing camera?

Yes, it introduced the front-facing camera for FaceTime.

Which iOS version did the iPhone 4s initially ship with?

It shipped with iOS 5.

How did the battery life of the iPhone 4s compare to the iPhone 4?

The iPhone 4s had similar battery life to the iPhone 4 but could vary depending on usage, especially because of new features like Siri.

Could the iPhone 4 record HD videos?

Yes, it could record 720p HD videos.

Which processor was in the iPhone 4s?

It was powered by the Apple A5 chip.

Could the iPhone 4s record 1080p videos?

Yes, it could record videos at 1080p HD resolution.

What was the primary camera resolution of the iPhone 4?

The primary camera resolution is 5 megapixels.

Was the iPhone 4s available in multiple colors?

Like the iPhone 4, it was available in both black and white.

Which processor powered the iPhone 4?

It was powered by the Apple A4 chip.

Did the iPhone 4 support Siri?

No, Siri was introduced with the iPhone 4s.

When was the iPhone 4s released?

The iPhone 4s was released on October 14, 2011.

What was the primary difference between the iPhone 4 and 4s?

One of the major differences was the inclusion of Siri on the iPhone 4s.

How much RAM did the iPhone 4s have?

The iPhone 4s also had 512 MB of RAM.

What was the camera resolution of the iPhone 4s?

The iPhone 4s had an 8-megapixel primary camera.

Did the iPhone 4s introduce any new features in terms of connectivity?

Yes, it introduced Bluetooth 4.0 and support for the CDMA network.
About Author
Written by
Harlon Moss
Harlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
Edited by
Janet White
Janet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.

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