- What the New iPhone 4S Offers
- Clarifying iPhone-Related Terminology
- Meet Siri, Your New Virtual Assistant: An iPhone 4S Exclusive Feature
- The iPhone 4S Fully Utilizes iOS 5
- How to Upgrade to the New iPhone 4S from an Older iPhone Model
- Should You Upgrade to the iPhone 4S?
How to Upgrade to the New iPhone 4S from an Older iPhone Model
If you're an existing iPhone user, even if your two-year service agreement with your wireless service provider hasn't yet expired, your current wireless service provider may allow you to upgrade from your existing iPhone model (or another cell phone or smartphone) to the iPhone 4S. To determine if you're eligible to upgrade your iPhone, follow these steps:
- Visit Apple's website and click or tap the Check Eligibility link.
- Click or tap the logo for your current wireless service provider.
- When prompted, enter your wireless phone number, billing ZIP code, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your billing password (if applicable). The website will inform you if you qualify to upgrade to the iPhone 4S right away, or will display at what point you will quality.
- If you qualify to upgrade, you can order an iPhone 4S directly from the Apple website or from your wireless service provider. You can also visit any Apple Store or authorized Apple reseller to purchase and activate the new phone.
If you qualify to upgrade from your existing iPhone to the iPhone 4S, you'll have the option to modify your wireless service plan. However, you can opt to keep your existing iPhone service planwhich may be advisable, especially if you're "grandfathered" with an unlimited wireless data plan through AT&T Wireless, for example (this option is no longer offered).
To view current iPhone wireless service plans available from AT&T Wireless, Verizon Wireless, and Sprint PCS within the United States, visit Apple's iPhone plan comparison.
Even if you opt to keep your wireless service plan, the cost to upgrade to the iPhone 4S is $199 for the 16GB model, $299 for the 32GB model, or $399 for the 64GB model. (The numbers refer to the memory capacity of the iPhone 4S.) A contract-free version of the iPhone 4S (called the Unlocked iPhone 4S) is also available as of November 2011, priced between $649 and $849, depending on memory capacity.
When upgrading to the iPhone 4S, you can choose between black or white casings. All versions of the iPhone 4S come with iOS 5, along with more than 20 preinstalled apps, including Phone, Mail, Safari, Contacts, and Calendars. You'll be required to update your service contract with your wireless service provider, extending it for an additional two years.
You'll also have the option to acquire insurance for the new iPhone. In conjunction with the release of the iPhone 4S, Apple introduced AppleCare+ for the iPhone ($99 for two years), which includes unlimited technical support, plus repair coverage (a deductible applies for each repair). Note that this policy doesn't cover the loss or theft of the iPhone. For this type of coverage, you'll need to acquire third-party iPhone insurance, from a company like Worth Ave Group or SquareTrade.