So it finally came the big day everybody was waiting for apple finally told the world what to expect from iPhone.

On Tuesday apple announced at 6pm UK time the newest addition to the iPhone family the iPhone 4S. We’ve been providing regular updates here based on the rumours over the last 12 months since the original iPhone 4 was released in June last year. After the apple event we can admit that many of the guesses were way off the mark.

iPhone 4S Design

Over the last few months we’ve reported many stories that apple’s newest iPhone was going to change significantly in design. We were expecting rounded glass and a return to the curved back. In fact we actually received the exact same phone dimensions of the iPhone 4. as a result the screen size hasn’t increased and it turns out the majority of the rumours was just that. Why did apple keep the same style? We’ll the name says it all, the iPhone 4S is simply an improved version of its current model. This is exactly the same approach Apple took with the 3G and 3GS. It makes commercial sense, this way apple gets two years of maximising on the accessories built to fit the exact shape of the iPhone 4 and production costs are kept lower as only minor changes are required to fit in all the new upgrades. We could now be looking at apples phone strategy for the next ten years with a major upgrade only coming every 2 years. (Great news for those who like to get 2 year contracts).

iPhone 4S Spec

The two big changes that we did get were the A5 chip which comes directly out of the iPad 2 and offers dual core technology, this effectively doubles the speed of the iPhone 4S VS the iPhone 4. Apple has also improved the graphics processor with a significant improvement to gaming graphics. The other big upgrade is the camera. An 8mp sensor is now in place which offers full 1080p video. The lens has also been rebuilt giving you an aperture of f/2.4 allowing for better pictures in low light and greater depth perception in the 2D images. The improvement on the camera lens was unexpected, however most rumours were expecting the camera and processor upgrade which places the iPhone in a position to contend with the Android power houses such as the Samsung Galaxy S II and HTC Sensation on a hardware level. We didn’t see a larger screen or any changes to the button layout which some of the more hopeful rumours were insinuating.

iPhone 4S Software

The surprise really came in the form of Siri, the voice activated software that we be exclusively reserved for iPhone 4S owners. Imagine having a PA who carried your phone, ask Siri to do something and she obediently performs the task in question. Want to be reminded to get a pint of milk when you drive past your local supermarket, ask Siri to set a reminder and your phone will alert you thanks to a nifty bit of GPS wizardry when you approach the local store. This is kind of difficult to illustrate the potential in words so take a look at the below video to see for yourself.

Although there aren’t any world changing enhancements to the iPhone line, what apple have done (Which they do best) is consider how you use your iPhone and improved the features that will mostly affect your experience and that’s what apple really care about. Making sure the products they supply offer you a seamless experience that actually benefits your day to day life.

The iPhone 4S should be available for pre at mobiles on the 11th of  October and on general sale from the 14th October. Any update on the iPhone 5 Rumours will be available right here