Key questions about iPhone 4S

— -- Apple this week unveiled the iPhone 4S, which goes on sale Oct. 14. Pre-ordering begins this Friday. Along the way, Apple introduced major discount pricing ($99 with a new two-year contract) for the previous model, the iPhone 4, and for the first time ever, a free offering — the two-year-old 3GS iPhone. Consumers have a lot of questions about the new phone, the old ones, and how it will all work. USA TODAY's Jefferson Grahamoffers some answers.

Q: So what's the deal with the iPhone 4S? Is it really a big upgrade?

A: The iPhone 4 was presented as a major iPhone rethink with a new design, and that got consumers really excited. The iPhone 4S wasn't presented that way, but a quick look at the specs of the new phone, shows a lot of extra power under the hood. The processing chip from the big iPad 2 tablet is now in the iPhone 4S, which means that web pages and videos open much quicker. The camera gets a big boost, with an 8 megapixel sensor, for sharper and crisper photos, and should perform much better in lower light. To top it off, there's Siri, the personal talking assistant. Hit the home button on the iPhone, and ask the computer female voice to find you the weather, directions, set a meeting or place a phone call to one of your contacts.

A: Siri sounds great. Will I get it with next week's iOS 5 software update?

Q: Only if you buy the 4S. It's not available on the other two models Apple still sells, the iPhone4 or 3GS. But the iOS 5 operating system upgrade is for all three models.

Q: Should I consider a free iPhone, perhaps as a gift for my kids? How bad is it, compared to the iPhone 4S?

A: Here's what you don't get on the iPhone 3GS: Siri, the talking assistant; or the sharper picture of the retina display. Plus the 3GS has a slower processor and poor camera. But you do get a phone, and access to the Internet, e-mail, games and all those apps.

Q: I want to sell my old iPhone and get a new one. How much can I get?

A: Many online vendors buy used goods to resell. Nextworth.com, a popular website, is offering $200 for iPhone 4's in good condition, and $135 for good condition iPhone 3GS models.

Q: Why didn't Apple call it the iPhone 5?

A: Apple has ducked that question. Analysts guess that since there wasn't a hardware redesign, like the 3G to the 3GS, Apple felt it should wait on the 5.

What does the 'S' stand for?

Apple won't say, but there is a new feature only available in the iPhone 4S and it's called Siri.

Q: I want to get the iPhone with an unlimited data plan. Who offers that?

A: AT&T and Verizon no longer offer them; Sprint currently offers unlimited data, but hasn't announced iPhone pricing. Sprint's unlimited data plan, with 450 minutes, starts at $69.99. AT&T's comparable plan, with 4 GB of data, is $85 monthly, to Verizon Wireless's $89.99 with 450 minutes and 2 GB of data or $109.99 with 5 GB.

Q: How can I pre-order an iPhone? Does this mean I won't have to stand in line on Oct. 14?

A: Apple says the carriers will begin taking pre-orders on their sites beginning Friday. (Don't bother trying now. The phones are advertised, but the orders don't go through.)

The online orders should eliminate having to stand on line when phones go on sale Oct. 14. When pre-orders were taken last year for the iPhone 4, consumers got the devices mailed to them, sometimes even a day or two before they went on sale at retail.

Q: Even with the pre-orders, will the lines to buy at Apple Stores be as long as they were for the iPhone 4?

A: The $64,000 question. Historically, new Apple devices produce long lines on launch day. But when Verizon added the iPhone to its arsenal earlier this year, lines were shorter and managable. So now with three carriers selling the device, plus the Apple Stores, expectations are that there will be shorter lines for the iPhone 4S. But you never know.