Camera Upgraded from 5 to 8 Megapixels

With rumors of an iPhone 5 announcement swirling, the decision to unveil only the visually unchanged iPhone 4S has left many feeling disappointed. Indeed, Apple's stock dropped 5% after the announcement. However, hidden beneath the lack of external change, the internal upgrades are significant enough to impress even current iPhone 4 users.

The most significant improvement is the camera. Image quality has been greatly enhanced, moving from 5 to 8 megapixels, and the optical system has also been refined. It features a custom lens composed of five precisely ground elements that adjust light and sharpen the entire image. The brighter f/2.4 lens captures more light, resulting in even clearer images. The A5 chip's advanced image signal processing capabilities enable smoother tap-to-focus and exposure control, while also reducing shutter lag. Face detection, now common in digital cameras, has also been newly added.


The iPhone 4S's operating system, "iOS 5," also brings changes to camera operation. Basic editing functions like cropping and correction, which previously required apps like "Photoshop Express," can now be performed directly within the pre-installed Photos app, previously used only for viewing. Another welcome change for a more camera-like experience is the ability to use the volume button as a shutter release. These updates will also be available to existing iPhone 4 and 3GS users who upgrade to iOS 5, which will be released for free on October 12th (US time).

Official Release on au Also Announced

The most talked-about new feature is the voice assistant, "Siri." While unfortunately not yet supporting Japanese, it can respond to everyday spoken queries, such as asking "What's the weather tomorrow?" to launch the weather app and display the forecast, or initiating appropriate app launches and actions.

The A5 chip also boosts graphics performance up to seven times faster. Users can expect a dramatic difference in responsiveness, application startup times, web browsing, and gaming. Improved power efficiency also leads to longer battery life.

While not yet confirmed for Japan, the US pricing of $199 (approximately ¥15,000) for the 16GB model is a significant topic. Considering the iPhone 4 was over ¥40,000 at launch, this price point for such improved functionality is exceptional. Perhaps most importantly for Japanese users, it will also be available from au. While this poses a threat to SoftBank, increased choice for consumers is a positive development. Despite the lack of external changes, the latest iPhone appears poised to be a landmark model in Japan.