iPhone 4S: all the latest details

UPDATE: You can now read TechRadar's Hands on: iPhone 4S review.

The iPhone 4S has been announced. This is the page where you'll find links to the news, our initial impressions and our hands on iPhone 4S review.

You can check out our iPhone 4S video preview, complete with a look at the new voice controlled Siri software:

TechRadar was also reporting live from the new iPhone launch - see how Tim Cook's first big launch went down.

Apple announces new iPhone 4S

Apple has announced the new iPhone 4S, offering the same dual-core processor as the iPad 2 and an upgraded level of RAM.

Read all the details in our story Apple announces new iPhone 4S.

Apple iPhone 4S UK release date announced

Apple has announced that the iPhone 4S UK release date will be 14 October, with pre-orders opening on 7 October.

Apple iPhone 4S UK release date announced

iPhone 4S UK price confirmed

The iPhone 4S UK price has been made official by Apple, with the latest handset starting at £499 for the 16GB model in black or white.

For more pricing details, read iPhone 4S UK price confirmed

iPhone 4S: our first impressions

The iPhone 4S has the A5 dual-core processor from the iPad 2, dual core graphics (like iPad 2, Apple is also claiming a 7x increase in graphics capability), 8 megapixel camera and 1GB of memory.

It's a seriously upgraded handset by any reckoning. The 3.5-inch retina display is retained as is the "metal band" design.

As per that refresh, we've got a beefed up model. The iPhone 4S has the A5 dual-core processor from the iPad 2, dual core graphics (like iPad 2, Apple is also claiming a 7x increase in graphics capability), 8 megapixel camera and 1GB of memory - the existing iPhone 4 makes do with 512MB.

Read our full iPhone 4S: first impressions article.

iPhone 4S: which networks will offer it?

TechRadar has spoken to all the UK networks to see where you can order the new iPhone 4S.

The iPhone 4S UK release date hasn't been announced yet, but when it is it will mean swathes of queues outside the Apple Stores around the country - but most people will want to know when their network will be stocking it.

For all the details, check out iPhone 4S: which networks will offer it?

Hands on: iPhone 4S review

It may not sport a bigger screen or a different design, but the iPhone 4S is certainly a step on from its predecessor, although much of the attention will be focused on just how big that step is.

Check out our Hands on: iPhone 4S review for the full lowdown.

iPhone 4S: What you need to know

Apple has announced the iPhone 4S during a press event at its HQ. Here's everything you need to know about the new upgraded handset.

Get the details in iPhone 4S: What you need to know

iPhone 4S vs iPhone 4 vs 3GS

The iPhone 4S is here - read our Hands on: iPhone 4S review - so we've taken an in-depth look at the key specs and seen how it compares to its year-older sibling, the iPhone 4 and two-year old iPhone 3GS - still going and now the budget handset of the pack.

See how the phones stack up in iPhone 4S vs iPhone 4 vs 3GS

iPhone 4S: Apple's getting Siri-ous

The internet, and the stock market, is disappointed: rather than unveil an iPhone 5, Apple merely made the world's most popular smartphone much better. It seems that our columnist Gary Marshall is in a minority: He much prefers the iPhone 4 design to any of the iPhone 5 mockups he's seen online, and every change Apple announced suits him just fine.

Read iPhone 4S: Apple's getting Siri-ous to find out why.

Will the iPhone 4S camera kill off compacts?

The improved onboard iPhone camera boasts an 8 megapixel sensor, up from the 5 megapixels on the 4 along with an f/2.4 aperture lens for improved low light shooting. An advanced hybrid infrared filter has also been included, promising to boast more accurate and uniform colours.

Will the iPhone 4S camera kill off compacts?

iPhone 4 and iPad 2 iOS 5 UK release date revealed

Yes, we have a UK release date for iOS 5. Apple has announced the iOS 5 UK release date will be 12 October, allowing all those with the latest iDevices to upgrade to the latest platform.

Read iPhone 4 and iPad 2 iOS 5 UK release date revealed for the full details.

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Below are the iPhone 4S rumours that we covered leading up to the Apple event.

The rumours are growing every day that Apple is about to launch not one, but two new phones in October: the iPhone 4S and the iPhone 5. Here's all you need to know about the feasibly forthcoming iPhone 4S.

On 30 September the existence of an iPhone 4S seemed ever more likely - but is it just a respin of the current iPhone 4? Read on for more.

But with more information emerging about a phone with 'minor updates' from the iPhone 4 emerging all the time, here's what we know about the rumoured iPhone 4S:

The iPhone 4S will be a minor update to the iPhone 4

In a similar move from the iPhone 3G to the 3GS(which saw only a slight processor improvement, video camera and compass added) the iPhone 4S will only feature slight spec upgrades, according to Jefferies and Co. analyst Peter Misek:

"According to our industry checks, the device should be called iPhone 4S and include minor cosmetic changes, better cameras, A5 dual-core processor, and HSPA+ support," he wrote.

These claims of 'better cameras' have been corroborated by leaked images of the new cameras from Apple.pro to be used in the next version of the phone - the iPhone 4S will reportedly have a separate flash from the main sensor.

The iPhone 4 has the flash built directly into the camera unit, so the new design could herald an even thinner iPhone 4S too.

Some sites even go so far as to say that you can use the same cases and bumpers with the new handset.

On 3 October it was revealed that the iPhone 4S name has been used in the latest beta of iTunes, casting yet more doubt that the iPhone 5 will launch this week.

A screenshot from the beta makes several specific mentions the "iPhone 4S", offering both black and white colour variations.

iPhone 4S construction

Photos of what is supposedly the iPhone 4S were published in July showing a familiar-looking handset with a plastic casing in place of the iPhone 4's glass finish.

It's almost impossible to tell if these photos are the real deal; they could easily be of a regular iPhone 4 onto which an enterprising fraudster has transplanted into a plastic casing - or simply a pasted a matte cover - but it would go a long way to removing the possiblity of Antennagate again, plus would bring down the cost of building the device to help make it a truly budget iPhone.

iPhone 4S screen

Conflicting reports in August suggested the next Retina Display in the new iPhone will remain at 3.5-inches.

A leaked prototype LCD display component uncovered by the MacPost website fits exactly the same form factor as the iPhone 4.

That discovery could be interpreted in two ways. The first is that the iPhone 5 design will remain unchanged.

Secondly, it could add credence to rumours that Apple will launch a second tier 'iPhone 4S' that sticks to the iPhone 4 design.

The iPhone 4S is just a developer's version of the iPhone 5

The nickname iPhone 4S could just represent a devloper's version of the forthcoming iPhone 5, in order to stop the final hardware being leaked.

A select few games devs reportedly received a new iPhone in April, to help them prepare the best titles possible for the iPhone 5 launch.

9to5Mac reports that the new handsets feature Apple's super-nippy A5 chip, allowing developers to create the fastest and best-looking mobile phone games yet possible.

9to5Mac's source claims that the "iPhone 4S" is almost identical to the current iPhone 4, apart from the inclusion of the newer, faster processor.

The iPhone 4S replaces the faulty iPhone 5

Rumours of delays have dogged the upcoming iPhone 5 for months now, and rumours persist the device may be held back until early 2012.

The reason behind the hold-up, sources say, is the dual-core A5 processor that Apple is intending to use has been overheating - presumably this is a space issue in the thinner device, given the iPhone 4S is supposed to run with the same chip.

Many have speculated that this will see Apple waiting until the A6 chip is available, which won't be until the beginning of next year.

If true, this could mean we will see a slightly updated iPhone 4S launch in autumn (another recurring rumour), with a more major upgrade made public after Christmas.

A Vodafone leak shows three memory varieties launching of the iPhone 4S, which may mean we see a new 64GB model joining the 16GB and 32GB line up.

That, or we'll see a cheaper 8GB model swell the ranks.

Gizmodo (who else?) Brazil managed to sneak into the Brazilian Foxconn factory and nab snaps of hardware that looks almost exactly like an iPhone 4 and, interestingly, a document that includes the model number – N90A.

...or the iPhone 4S will launch with the iPhone 5

This one seems a lot more credible, with the iPhone 4S coming as an upgraded iPhone 4 to sit alongside the iPhone 5 on shop shelves.

Images have emerged of what is said to be components of the iPhone 5 as well as the insides of a re-tooled version of the iPhone 4, likely the iPhone 4S.

The images show a re-jigged A5 chip inside what is believed to be the iPhone 5, as well as a bigger battery capacity.

Alongside that are purported images of components inside something that looks like an iPhone 4 - showing off a plastic white casing and a dual core A5 chip.

Credit: MacPost

And more innocuously, Al Gore - a member of the Apple board - recently outed 'new iPhones' in a speech, which led to speculation of more than one model emerging.

Gore apparently told a leadership conference in South Africa: "Not to mention the new iPhones coming out next month. That was a plug."

It remains unclear whether Gore meant that there would be multiple models or many of the same new model. The source, Stuff Magazine South Africa's Editor Toby Shapshak, says Gore did not clarify.

Later on Twitter, Shapshak followed up by saying "I clearly heard "iPhones". I recorded it. Double checked. Clearly plural but could be millions of one model."

iPhone 4S release date

If an upgraded iPhone 4 does launch with the iPhone 5, then it's highly likley the two devices, running iOS 5, will be launched at the same time, with reports of an iPhone release date between the 10 and 20 October seeming the most likely at this stage.

It will be interesting to see whether Apple does indeed bring out a dual-core model of the iPhone 4 - if so, then surely the company has big plans in store for the more powerful devices, so we should probably all get pretty excited at the possibility of all new applications being able to take advantage in the huge ramp up in power.

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Liked this? Then check out iPhone 5: all the latest details

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