First Look review: Apple iPhone 4S has a sharper camera and is a great conversationalist

The Apple iPhone 4S arrived in stores this morning, and Consumer Reports' secret shoppers were among the first in line (at 3:30 am) to buy them. The new iPhone, which looks nearly identical to the iPhone 4, boasts a faster dual-core A5 processor, an 8-megapixel camera, and an intriguing voice-activated feature called Siri that accepts and responds to verbal commands in a conversational manner previously possible only in science fiction.

Our engineers have confirmed in their initial, informal tests that the phone launches apps and performs other routine tasks faster than the iPhone 4. Camera performance has also improved noticeably. Our initial tests found that the iPhone 4S is able to take better photos in low-light conditions. We also found that the Siri interface, which has a synthetic-sounding feminine voice, is remarkably good at following complex orders—at least most of the time.

The iPhone 4 S comes with Apple's latest mobile operating system, iOS 5, which is available to all iPad versions, all iPhones from the 3GS version onward, and third-generation and newer iPods touches. With iOS5 comes an improved notification system (you no longer have to deal with annoying pop-ups or unlock the phone screen to see who e-mailed you), a new texting service called iChat iMessage, and access to Apple's new iCloud services, which enable users to back up virtually all device data—from apps, documents and device settings to music, messages, and photos, over Wi-Fi or a mobile data connection—and share it with up to 10 iOS devices linked to that account.

We'll have more on our experiences using the iPhone 4S on iCloud next week, as well as our findings on the phone's display, voice quality, battery life, and any reception issues. In the meantime, here are our first impressions of the phone after a few hours in our labs.

It's fast. Our engineers found that the iPhone 4S is faster than the iPhone 4, particularly when it comes to launching applications and Web pages. Graphics appear smoother, as well.

It's smart and chatty. Holding the Home button down for a second summons the Siri voice-activated command, which proves to be remarkably good at understanding and executing requests spoken in plain English; she responds in English, too.

For example, when I asked Siri, "Get me directions to Al's Deli," she immediately replied, "There are four Al's Delis in your area. Please select the one you want."

"What is the temperature in Athens, Greece," I asked. Her response: "It is now 63 degrees in Athens, Greece."

Siri sometimes demurs from speaking when you ask her questions involving calculations, such as, "Convert 42 pounds into ounces." But she's smart enough to consult Wolfram Alpha, a search engine devoted to numerical computations, to show you the correct answer of 672 ounces on her display.

Siri can even handle playful requests, such as "Where should I take my wife for dinner?" She'll suggest local eateries in your area. But we did encounter some imponderables. For example, when I asked Siri to open the Contacts list, and then to launch Facebook, Siri responded both times, after a pause of 4 seconds, "I'm not allowed to do that."

It's sharp. The iPhone 4S has an improved camera that Apple promised would make photos sharper, with better color balance. While we haven't yet completed our full battery of imaging tests, our engineers found the that pictures taken with the iPhone 4S, especially under low-light conditions, do have more natural and accurate color with less noise than pictures taken with the iPhone 4.

All iPhone 4 and 3GS owners who upgrade to iOS 5 will get better camera controls, though. For example, you can now launch the camera from a locked screen by just double-pressing the Home button. Once in camera mode, you can snap pictures by pressing the Volume Up button on the side of the phone.

Other improvements include tools for removing red-eye effect, a one-button enhance feature. You can also crop and rotate your photos, which used to require a separate app, and add a grid over the display to make sure your pictures are straight (a feature also available on Android phones including the HTC Amaze). All these features worked flawlessly on the iPhone 4S as well as on our iPhone 4 models.

Bottom line: With its improved camera, faster processor, and Siri, the intuitive voice-activated control, the iPhone 4S is more like a smart assistant than a smart phone. We'll keep you updated on other aspects of its performance as it runs though our battery of lab tests.

The Siri interface, at left.

—Mike Gikas