I guess from a marketing perspective, going with the name "4S" hasn't really hurt Apple. They seem to be selling just fine. I still wonder why they didn't just go with the name iPhone 5 though. After all, it is the fifth generation iPhone, and there are significant improvements over the iPhone 4.

Not really. It's the same m.o. as the iPhone 3GS was. Take the iPhone 3G, add a newer processor, better camera. Same thing for the 4S. Take the iPhone 4, add a newer processor, better camera. Same case design style, so it fits with their previous operating model. I think they reserve the full number jumps for actual physical changes, e.g., the change from metal back to plastic back as well as a new form factor from the iPhone to the iPhone 3G/S, then from the plastic backed, curved form factor of the 3G/S to the flat glass backed, aluminum encased iPhone 4/S. I think we'll see a new form factor in the iPhone 5, that probably relates to the thinner iPhone and teardrop design that the case manufacturers went nuts with right before the 4S launch.

When you relate it to how the iPhone 3GS was developed, that makes sense. I figured the newer processor and features like Siri would be enough, but it must be that they want a different physical design to change the number. I suppose having a distinct look to go with a new number might make it easier to market the iPhone5 to those who don't get a 4S.

I agree. I also think it is a psychological thing as well. I think a lot of iPhone 4 owners would be upset that an iPhone 5 came out so soon. But calling the phone iPhone 4S even though the specs are pretty much what everyone expected the iPhone 5 to be, makes people think it's just a minor upgrade.

I think a lot of iPhone 4S owners are going to be upset anyways, because they'll probably return to the June/July announce/release window -- which means a new phone will be coming out less than a year after they bought their 4S's..... I could totally be wrong though!

Originally Posted by n1ckn4m3

I think a lot of iPhone 4S owners are going to be upset anyways, because they'll probably return to the June/July announce/release window -- which means a new phone will be coming out less than a year after they bought their 4S's..... I could totally be wrong though!

I think that's a good point. The iPhone 4 has already been out for over a year, so people may have been less upset about the release of an iPhone 5 at this point in time. Then again, it seems like many are willing to upgrade very often if there are significant improvements. I never thought people would change phones so often, but that's the way it seems to be these days.

so next iPhone will be iPhone 6? And will be released in June/July?
These two ideas early keeping me away from upgrading to 4S!

More likely the new iPhone in June/July will be the iPhone 5

I kind of wondered why it was named iPhone 4S, too. Well, it almost makes me wonder if I should have held out for the iPhone 5, which I am sure is coming soon.

Originally Posted by n1ckn4m3

I think a lot of iPhone 4S owners are going to be upset anyways, because they'll probably return to the June/July announce/release window -- which means a new phone will be coming out less than a year after they bought their 4S's..... I could totally be wrong though!

If you are wrong, then I am probably wrong, too. I kind of have the same feeling. I really don't think the changes between the iPhone4 and iPhone 4s are significant enough to merit calling it the iPhone 5. Also, (conspiracy theory to follow) perhaps they knew that the phone was going to have battery issues and released it anyway due to some pressure (unknown to me). You could let a new model of 4 flop, but if it is the 5 it better be spot on, right?