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iOS Update For iPhone 4S

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Jack Greenberg

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I have an iPhone 4S and I have never updated the iOS. I'm currently running 6.1.3. I never updated because of problems others claimed they had with updates. I like the size and feel of the 4S and really don't want to get a new phone, but several apps that I have been using over the years have been phased out in favor of newer versions. Unfortunately, the newer versions require a later version of iOS.

I guess my question is this: Does anyone have any experience with a 4S running a later version of iOS? In checking for updates, I can update to 8.4.1. Is there any way to roll back to my earlier version if I don't like the performance of my 4S after updating?

Any help/suggestions will be appreciated.

Thanks

Jack Greenberg
 
I have decades of experience with Apple products. In my experience they rarely fail or breakdown, or even die; but they all eventually slow down (from software upgrades; OS and apps). It’s easy to get attached with a friend who doesn’t die, break or disappoint. But a 4s will slow down with the latest software upgrade.

I have an old iPhone 4s that I use for playing music. I’m running iOS 9.3.5 on it at the moment. While it’s too slow for me as a daily driver, it’s fine as a backup GPS and mapping navigator, music player, and reading/organizer.

Once you upgrade, you can’t go back. As I recall, version 8.4.1 is a useful upgrade as it allows you to use the GPS while still in Airplane Mode (saving battery). You may want to double check that though.

I still use an iPhone 5s and it is a powerful and relevant upgrade. The camera and performance (speed) are WAY better than the 4s. Even new, an unlocked iPhone 5s is quite affordable depending on where you buy it. It’s slim and small. You may want to consider that upgrade.
 
Jack Greenberg said:
I have an iPhone 4S and I have never updated the iOS. I'm currently running 6.1.3. I never updated because of problems others claimed they had with updates. I like the size and feel of the 4S and really don't want to get a new phone, but several apps that I have been using over the years have been phased out in favor of newer versions. Unfortunately, the newer versions require a later version of iOS.

I guess my question is this: Does anyone have any experience with a 4S running a later version of iOS? In checking for updates, I can update to 8.4.1. Is there any way to roll back to my earlier version if I don't like the performance of my 4S after updating?

Any help/suggestions will be appreciated.

Thanks

Jack Greenberg
Click to expand...
I have a 3 year old iPhone 5s, replaced it with the SE that I am happy with, with iOS 10 supporting RAW image output from 3rd party apps.

The rumor is that Apple will discontinue iPhone SE in 2017. I have had problems sourcing the SE in the retail stores in Singapore for the last 3 months.
 
seeblue said:
...they rarely fail or breakdown, or even die; but they all eventually slow down (from software upgrades; OS and apps).
Click to expand...
That's exactly what I was told years ago and is the reason I never upgraded the OS. Thanks for the info.
 
wklee said:
Jack Greenberg said:
I have an iPhone 4S and I have never updated the iOS. I'm currently running 6.1.3. I never updated because of problems others claimed they had with updates. I like the size and feel of the 4S and really don't want to get a new phone, but several apps that I have been using over the years have been phased out in favor of newer versions. Unfortunately, the newer versions require a later version of iOS.

I guess my question is this: Does anyone have any experience with a 4S running a later version of iOS? In checking for updates, I can update to 8.4.1. Is there any way to roll back to my earlier version if I don't like the performance of my 4S after updating?

Any help/suggestions will be appreciated.

Thanks

Jack Greenberg
Click to expand...
I have a 3 year old iPhone 5s, replaced it with the SE that I am happy with, with iOS 10 supporting RAW image output from 3rd party apps.

The rumor is that Apple will discontinue iPhone SE in 2017. I have had problems sourcing the SE in the retail stores in Singapore for the last 3 months.
Click to expand...
 
Jack Greenberg said:
I have an iPhone 4S and I have never updated the iOS. I'm currently running 6.1.3. I never updated because of problems others claimed they had with updates. I like the size and feel of the 4S and really don't want to get a new phone, but several apps that I have been using over the years have been phased out in favor of newer versions. Unfortunately, the newer versions require a later version of iOS.

I guess my question is this: Does anyone have any experience with a 4S running a later version of iOS? In checking for updates, I can update to 8.4.1. Is there any way to roll back to my earlier version if I don't like the performance of my 4S after updating?

Any help/suggestions will be appreciated.

Thanks

Jack Greenberg
Click to expand...
iOS 6 was the much famed iOS for it's time!! It was fast, functional, and efficient on battery use. Post iOS6, All iOS afterwards required more resource, which in turn impaired battery life and performance forcing Apple users to upgrade! What is noticeable in the newer iOS is the "eye candy" where the user interface has been optimized and just looks better.

In your case, updating to iOS 8.4.1 makes no sense, as that version of iOS is also obsolete and will not run some modern apps. I personally would keep the phone on 6.1.3, and keep it as a MP3 player. Meanwhile get an iPhone SE, you will not be disappointed. The SE retains the smaller phone formfactor, albeit not as small as the 4s, has the performance of a 6S, and is priced exceptionally well.
 
Jack Greenberg said:
I have an iPhone 4S and I have never updated the iOS. I'm currently running 6.1.3. I never updated because of problems others claimed they had with updates. I like the size and feel of the 4S and really don't want to get a new phone, but several apps that I have been using over the years have been phased out in favor of newer versions. Unfortunately, the newer versions require a later version of iOS.

I guess my question is this: Does anyone have any experience with a 4S running a later version of iOS? In checking for updates, I can update to 8.4.1. Is there any way to roll back to my earlier version if I don't like the performance of my 4S after updating?

Any help/suggestions will be appreciated.

Thanks

Jack Greenberg
Click to expand...
Prior to iOS 8, Apple had iCloud and introduced iCloud Drive for iOS 8 and Yosemite and above. Once iCloud Drive is enabled, there is no going back to iCloud.
 
wklee said:
Jack Greenberg said:
I have an iPhone 4S and I have never updated the iOS. I'm currently running 6.1.3. I never updated because of problems others claimed they had with updates. I like the size and feel of the 4S and really don't want to get a new phone, but several apps that I have been using over the years have been phased out in favor of newer versions. Unfortunately, the newer versions require a later version of iOS.

I guess my question is this: Does anyone have any experience with a 4S running a later version of iOS? In checking for updates, I can update to 8.4.1. Is there any way to roll back to my earlier version if I don't like the performance of my 4S after updating?

Any help/suggestions will be appreciated.

Thanks

Jack Greenberg
Click to expand...
I have a 3 year old iPhone 5s, replaced it with the SE that I am happy with, with iOS 10 supporting RAW image output from 3rd party apps.

The rumor is that Apple will discontinue iPhone SE in 2017. I have had problems sourcing the SE in the retail stores in Singapore for the last 3 months.
Click to expand...
Lets hope not. I, for one, really like the size.
Member said:
--
Never buy version 1.0 of anything.
Click to expand...
 
bigley Ling said:
...In your case, updating to iOS 8.4.1 makes no sense, as that version of iOS is also obsolete and will not run some modern apps. I personally would keep the phone on 6.1.3, and keep it as a MP3 player. Meanwhile get an iPhone SE, you will not be disappointed. The SE retains the smaller phone formfactor, albeit not as small as the 4s, has the performance of a 6S, and is priced exceptionally well.
Click to expand...
A good many of the updates for the apps I use require either iOS 7xx or 8xx, but as mentioned earlier, updating the iOS would probably slow down the performance to an unsatisfactory level, so I will probably get the SE. My wife has one and I like the size as it is just slightly larger than the 4S.

Thanks for your input.
 
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