Apple iPhone: Do You Really Need the New 4S?

Oct. 15, 2011 — -- Consumers looking to buy a new iPhone now have three choices. Use this guide to help determine which phone fits best for your carrier, usage habits and budget:

• iPhone 3GS

Summary: Released in June 2009, the iPhone 3GS had a better camera than its predecessor, faster processor and longer battery life. However, no flash means that low-light situations are no-gos for the 3-megapixel camera. The 3GS also had some new features now taken for granted in smartphones: Copy and paste, video, search, basic voice controls and a compass.

Get this iPhone if: You're not an early adopter, but want to get your first smartphone. The iPhone 3GS was considered a top-notch smartphone just two years ago. And while the tech world has moved on to nicer touchscreens, better cameras and faster processors, the 3GS will provide a solid smartphone experience — for free.

Cost: Free with two-year contract

Wireless carrier: AT&T

Capacity: 8 gigabyte flash drive

Weight: 4.8 ounces

Display: 3.5-inch

Battery: talk time is up to 5 hours on 3G, up to 12 hours on 2G. Internet use is good for up to 5 hours on 3G and up to 9 hours on Wi-Fi

Video recording: up to 30 frames per second with audio, no HD

Video calling: None

3-megapixel camera

No dual-core processor

• iPhone 4

Summary: Released in June 2010, the iPhone 4 featured a slick redesign, higher quality display and a power-efficient processor that increases battery life. The 5 megapixel camera takes solid pictures and an LED flash helps in low-light situations. FaceTime video calling between iPhone 4 users on Wi-Fi is also a boon for those enamored with video-chatting.

Get this iPhone if: You will be a serious iPhone user. The A4 processor chip will load web pages faster and keep your phone running longer. The phone's improved camera and flash make it easy to take good quality photos. The retina display makes text sharper than the 3GS, making reading more pleasurable.

Cost: $99 with two year contract

Wireless carriers: AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint

Capacity: 8 gigabyte flash drive (Apple is no longer selling the bigger versions)

Weight: 4.8 ounces

Display: retina display, 3.5-inch

Video recording: high-definition (720p — comparable to an older-model flat panel TV) up to 30 frames per second with audio

Video calling: Facetime

Battery: Talk time is up to 7 hours on 3G and up to 14 hours on 2G. Internet works for up to 6 hours on 3G and up to 10 hours on Wi-Fi. Up to 10 hours of video playback.

5-megapixel still camera

A4 processor, not dual core

• iPhone 4S

Summary: The new iPhone wasn't quite as revolutionary as originally predicted, but a much faster processor, better camera and interesting new "virtual assistant" called Siri sparked record pre-orders.

Get this phone if: You need to have the latest iPhone and don't mind the extra $100 you'll have to plunk down.

Cost: Starting at $199

Wireless carriers: AT&T, Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel

Capacity: 16 gigabyte model for $199, 32 gigabytes for $299 and 64 gigabytes for $399

Weight: 4.9 ounces

Display: retina display, 3.5-inch (diagonal) widescreen multi-touch display

Video recording: high-definition (1080p — comparable to the resolution of a 40-inch flat panel TV) up to 30 frames per second with audio

Video calling: Facetime

Battery: talk time is up to 8 hours on 3G, up to 14 hours on 2G. Internet works for up to 6 hours on 3G, and up to 9 hours on Wi-Fi, one hour shorter than the iPhone 4. Up to 10 hours of video playback.

8-megapixel camera

Dual-core A5 processor (which is twice as fast, and renders graphics 7 times faster than the previous model's A4 processor)

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Contributing: Charlie Szold and The Associated Press