iPhone 4S Gets Teardown, Only 512MB of RAM Found
iPad 2's A5 has only 512MB, and so does the iPhone 4S' A5.
With every new generation of a device, we expect improvement. At the very least, we want to see a faster processor with more memory. This is no different between new computers and even new iPhones.
With the iPhone 4S, (though some were expecting a beefed up iPhone 5) we get a much faster CPU and GPU, but what about RAM? Most new top-end smartphones these days pack 1GB, but Apple made no mention of any RAM bump in the iPhone 4S.
Thanks to a teardown at iFixit, we now know why Apple didn't boast about any upgrade in RAM – because there wasn't one. AnandTech examined the chip markings and deduced that it's the same A5 found in the iPad with its 512MB of RAM. This isn't surprising, and it makes sense, from a production and supply point of view.
Developers making apps will also have to consider the lowest common denominator, which for iOS is the iPhone 3GS and its 256MB of RAM. The original iPad also only has 256MB.
Finally, here is a die shot of the A5 from Canada-based Chipworks. It looks a lot different from the image Apple used in its iPhone 4S video.
Overall, aside from the silicon changes, the iPhone 4S is built very similar to the Verizon iPhone 4.
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Is this really a surprise?
Whaaaaaat?!!!
Probably just doesn't need any more. iOS software is lean. Hardly takes any RAM to run it, so everything else left is plenty for apps. Most tablets don't have more than 512mb.
512mb,,, pffft.
not too surprising since tom wrote this, (http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/iphone-4s-a5-performance,3051-2.html)
So wait, the iPhone 4S is a more COMPACT version of the iPad 2? Maybe when the iPad 3 comes out, we can just assume similar hardware for the iPhone 5?
I really want to know just how the hell SIRI works. Where are all of its answers stored? To be honest, I was really wanting to get a DROID very soon, but after seeing SIRI and finding out that it's superior to anything that works with the Android OS, I don't know what to do. I REALLY don't want the iPhone 4S, not just because I'm not a fan of Apple, but I'm in a 4G area, and the iPhone 4S is not 4G.
Then again, we haven't seen Android Ice Cream Sandwich, yet. Makes me wonder.
Slap a new name on it, make a few minor changes, charge 2x as much as the previous generation iCrap, and the Apple droids will flock to the stores and buy them in record numbers.... >_>
So wait, the iPhone 4S is a more COMPACT version of the iPad 2? Maybe when the iPad 3 comes out, we can just assume similar hardware for the iPhone 5?I really want to know just how the hell SIRI works. Where are all of its answers stored? To be honest, I was really wanting to get a DROID very soon, but after seeing SIRI and finding out that it's superior to anything that works with the Android OS, I don't know what to do. I REALLY don't want the iPhone 4S, not just because I'm not a fan of Apple, but I'm in a 4G area, and the iPhone 4S is not 4G.Then again, we haven't seen Android Ice Cream Sandwich, yet. Makes me wonder.
No no no no, you got it all wrong! The iPad is the one who is a bigger version of the iPhone! Remember those funny photos of Steve Jobs holding 4 iPhones holded by a masking tape back when the iPad was announced?..... yeah.
So wait, the iPhone 4S is a more COMPACT version of the iPad 2? Maybe when the iPad 3 comes out, we can just assume similar hardware for the iPhone 5?I really want to know just how the hell SIRI works. Where are all of its answers stored? To be honest, I was really wanting to get a DROID very soon, but after seeing SIRI and finding out that it's superior to anything that works with the Android OS, I don't know what to do. I REALLY don't want the iPhone 4S, not just because I'm not a fan of Apple, but I'm in a 4G area, and the iPhone 4S is not 4G.Then again, we haven't seen Android Ice Cream Sandwich, yet. Makes me wonder.
SIRI works the same way as Google's voice search. It sends what you say to a server, and the server does all the hard lifting of understanding you and giving a response. Apple just took it to the next step by adding a text-to-speech component and having it talk to you in the end.
SIRI works the same way as Google's voice search. It sends what you say to a server, and the server does all the hard lifting of understanding you and giving a response. Apple just took it to the next step by adding a text-to-speech component and having it talk to you in the end.
So wait, if you're offline, SIRI doesn't even work?! LMAO!!!
From using the iphone 4, 512MB memory is not enough if you like multitasking larger apps, especially the web browser.
While the iOS is leaner than the android OS, (and significantly leaner than the webOS, You still run into limitations with the amount of memory and the lack of virtual memory.
So.. Apple charges its idiots alot of money for about half the hardware of other phones.
Anything new to see here or was that it?
Nothing that can fit into the palm of your hand need more than 512MB RAM. Sure, it may seem better on paper, but in reality it just sucks up battery and the extra RAM would just stay unused. Nothing you can do on your iPhone would realistically suck up more than 512MB.
And both cannot use Verizons 4G LTE network.
Typical of Apple. It's more about the bottom line than it is for improving performance. Look at how long they took to update the Macbook Air line from Core 2 Duo to the Intel Sandy Bridge i-series line. Apple should not be able to get away with this insanity.
Hmm...Apple is building a product that is over-hyped and underpowered and then telling us it's the best one going just because it's the shiniest?
Never seen them do that before. (oh wait, yes I have. Anyone look at the specs for the MacBook Air?)
Hmm...Apple is building a product that is over-hyped and underpowered and then telling us it's the best one going just because it's the shiniest?Never seen them do that before. (oh wait, yes I have. Anyone look at the specs for the MacBook Air?)
Yeah, the MacBook Air is horribly underpowered. Especially given all the better competition that's so much faster.
has anyone ran into lagitimate ram problems with ipad 2? i use one, dont own one, and i never ran into one.
and yea, its amaseing how little people know YOU DONT NEED THAT MUCH RAM, its a mobile device, more ram sucks the already crappy battery even more. its not a desktop where you can cram 16-32gb of ram into it and have very little extra power used, its a mobile device where every watt counts.
i crap i say
my samsung i-900 ominia still good for my uses! xD
i want another windows phone. our a nokia...
Just looking for something to bitch about. Typical sheeple. Good job Apple, you yet again amaze the masses with your below average hardware and AWESOME usability. Sounds like they know what they are doing.
You know they nerfed the clock-speed down to 800 mhz, too. Anyway, I will continue to enjoy my 1 GHz dual-core Atrix 4G with 1GB of RAM which I got for free with my contract and has been out for 8 months now.
The less we talk about Apple the faster they will go away.
Time to sell the stocks while its still high...
SIRI works the same way as Google's voice search. It sends what you say to a server, and the server does all the hard lifting of understanding you and giving a response. Apple just took it to the next step by adding a text-to-speech component and having it talk to you in the end.
Siri does not work at all like Google's voice search. The ignorance of people who constantly say things like "Android/Google had this for a long time" is amazing.
I thought Tom's readers were tech savvy, yet they don't understand anything about what Siri is.
As for the amount of RAM, did everyone on Tom's forget how much RAM older computers had and the very usable software that ran on them? So many modern programmers are just plain lazy and don't bother to write compact, efficient code.
Probably just doesn't need any more. iOS software is lean. Hardly takes any RAM to run it, so everything else left is plenty for apps. Most tablets don't have more than 512mb.
That's cause iOS only runs one thing at a time. If it was a true multitasker, the iP(hone, ad, od) would choke and die a horrible death.
That's cause iOS only runs one thing at a time. If it was a true multitasker, the iP(hone, ad, od) would choke and die a horrible death.
...because it only has 512mb of RAM or because its made by Apple?
...because it only has 512mb of RAM or because its made by Apple?
Biased much, last I checked on a phone a person can only interact with 1 app at a time. As long as I can switch apps and be where I left off previously (which is what you do on the other phones anyway)I am fine. Have no idea why people treat phones as if it is a general computing device. That is what computers are for.
Siri does not work at all like Google's voice search. The ignorance of people who constantly say things like "Android/Google had this for a long time" is amazing.I thought Tom's readers were tech savvy, yet they don't understand anything about what Siri is.As for the amount of RAM, did everyone on Tom's forget how much RAM older computers had and the very usable software that ran on them? So many modern programmers are just plain lazy and don't bother to write compact, efficient code.
Exactly, IPhone has had voice control like google has since the 3GS. Siri is nothing like that and for those of you use that as an argument your credibility is shot in your first sentence because you clearly have no idea what what Siri is and are just riding the same ol hate IPhone nonsense.
Just re-enforces my thinking that us that have the 4, this is so not worth an upgrade, stay clear of it.
Biased much, last I checked on a phone a person can only interact with 1 app at a time. As long as I can switch apps and be where I left off previously (which is what you do on the other phones anyway)I am fine. Have no idea why people treat phones as if it is a general computing device. That is what computers are for.
I was being truly sarcastic. There's so much ridiculous Apple hate here that many comments just don't make sense. "...If it was a true multitasker, the iP(hone, ad, od) would choke and die a horrible death."
Yeah, the MacBook Air is horribly underpowered. Especially given all the better competition that's so much faster.
Define underpowered? Macbook air was never marketed as a desktop replacement or a super fast laptop. You should look up in the websters dictionary for the word niche.
The Macbook Air is designed to be a ultra lightweight, ultra portable notebook. There is only so much hardware you can put into a device like that. CMON guys, you can hate Apple products but at least try to be reasonable.
So again, define underpowered? What baseline are you using for that statement. Underpowered would be new laptops that do not have enough hardware to run current applications or runs them poorly. No one expects to be able to run resource intensive workstation level applications on a ultra portable. They wait till they get home to do that.
Define underpowered? Macbook air was never marketed as a desktop replacement or a super fast laptop. You should look up in the websters dictionary for the word niche. The Macbook Air is designed to be a ultra lightweight, ultra portable notebook. There is only so much hardware you can put into a device like that. CMON guys, you can hate Apple products but at least try to be reasonable. So again, define underpowered? What baseline are you using for that statement. Underpowered would be new laptops that do not have enough hardware to run current applications or runs them poorly. No one expects to be able to run resource intensive workstation level applications on a ultra portable. They wait till they get home to do that.
I was being sarcastic! The MacBook Air is not underpowered at all. Its a great ultraportable in my opinion.