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Apple iPhone 4S vs Apple iPhone 5

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

AppleiPhone 4SAppleiPhone 5
Overview
ReleasedOctober 2011September 2012
Display
Screen size3.5″4″
Resolution960 × 6401136 × 640
Sharpness330 pixels per inch326 pixels per inch
PanelLCDLCD
Refresh rate60 Hz60 Hz
Peak brightness500 nits500 nits
Display typeRetina display; 3.5-inch (diagonal) widescreen Multi-Touch displayRetina display; 4-inch (diagonal) widescreen Multi-Touch display
Pixel density326 ppi326 ppi
Brightness detail500 cd/m² max brightness (typical)500 cd/m² max brightness (typical)
Screen protectionFingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating on front and backFingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating on front
Display features800:1 contrast ratio (typical)800:1 contrast ratio (typical)
Performance
ChipA5A6
Memory512 MB1 GB
Storage8 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB
CPUDual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9 (GSMArena); 512 MB of LPDDR2 RAM (iFixit)Dual-core 1.3 GHz Swift (GSMArena); 1 GB of Elpida LPDDR2 RAM (iFixit)
GPUPowerVR SGX543MP2 (GSMArena)PowerVR SGX543MP3 (GSMArena)
Cameras
Main camera8 MP8 MP
Ultra wide cameraNoneNone
Telephoto cameraNoneNone
Optical zoomNoneNone
Front camera0.3 MP1.2 MP
Main camera8-megapixel camera with autofocus, tap to focus, face detection in still images and LED flash8-megapixel iSight camera with autofocus, tap to focus, face detection and LED flash
Front cameraVGA-quality photos and video at up to 30 fpsFaceTime HD camera with 1.2MP photos
Video recordingHD (1080p) up to 30 fps with audio; video stabilisationHD (1080p) up to 30 fps with audio; improved video stabilisation
Front video–HD (720p) up to 30 fps
Camera featuresPhoto and video geotaggingPanorama; photo and video geotagging
Battery and charging
Battery1,432 mAh1,440 mAh
Video playback (maker's claim)Up to 10 hoursUp to 10 hours
Wireless chargingNoneNone
Battery life detailTalk time up to 8 hours on 3G or 14 hours on 2G (GSM); standby up to 200 hours; internet use up to 6 hours on 3G or 9 hours on Wi-Fi; video playback up to 10 hours; audio playback up to 40 hours; 3.7 V, 5.3 Wh, 1,432 mAh (iFixit)Talk time up to 8 hours on 3G; standby up to 225 hours; internet use up to 8 hours on 3G or LTE and 10 hours on Wi-Fi; video playback up to 10 hours; audio playback up to 40 hours; 3.8 V, 5.45 Wh, 1,440 mAh (iFixit)
Wired chargingCharging via USB to a computer or power adapterCharging via USB to a computer or power adapter
Design
TypeStandardStandard
Weight140 g112 g
Thickness9.3 mm7.6 mm
Height × width115.2 × 58.6 mm123.8 × 58.6 mm
MaterialsGlass front, glass back and stainless steel frame (GSMArena)Anodised aluminium body with diamond-cut chamfered edges and glass inlays
ColoursWhite, blackBlack & Slate, White & Silver
SensorsThree-axis gyro; accelerometer; proximity sensor; ambient light sensorThree-axis gyro; accelerometer; proximity sensor; ambient light sensor
Software
Operating systemiOSiOS
Software at launchiOS 5, with SiriiOS 6
Connectivity
Mobile networkWorld phone; UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz); CDMA EV-DO Rev. A (800, 1900 MHz)GSM model A1428: UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA, GSM/EDGE and LTE (bands 4 and 17); models A1429: UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA, GSM/EDGE and LTE (bands 1, 3, 5, plus 13 and 25 on the CDMA model)
SIMMicro-SIM (GSMArena)Nano-SIM (GSMArena)
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11b/g/n (802.11n 2.4GHz only)Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n (802.11n 2.4GHz and 5GHz)
BluetoothBluetooth 4.0Bluetooth 4.0
USB30-pin dock connector; 3.5 mm stereo headphone minijack; video mirroring and video out up to 1080p with the Apple Digital AV Adapter or Apple VGA Adapter (sold separately); AirPlay Mirroring to Apple TV at 720pLightning connector; 3.5 mm headphone jack (GSMArena); video mirroring and video out up to 1080p through the Lightning Digital AV Adapter and Lightning to VGA Adapter (sold separately)
PositioningAssisted GPS; digital compass; Wi-Fi; cellularAssisted GPS and GLONASS; digital compass; Wi-Fi; cellular

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