Nilay Patel for The Verge:
On Tuesday, Apple issued the iOS 5.1 software update, and with it came a small but hugely symbolic change: the AT&T iPhone 4S data indicator now reads “4G.” Owners of the iPhone will notice no difference in performance or data transfer speeds; the device will not magically connect to AT&T’s shiny new 4G LTE network. It will simply receive a deceptive labeling change that allows AT&T to market the iPhone as a 4G device against competitive phones from Verizon — including, perhaps most importantly, Verizon’s own 3G iPhone 4S. It is a triumph of marketing for AT&T, and a rare acquiescence to a poor and confusing user experience for Apple.
The problem here is that “4G” as used here is marketing speak that doesn’t jibe with the actual technical standard. I agree with Patel, though – Apple made a mistake here that’s bound to leave a sour taste in users’ mouths.
(Thanks to David Nanian of Shirt Pocket for pointing us to the 4G definition.)
Anyone in Canada upgrade their iPhone 4S to 5.1? Does Rogers HSPA+ show 4G? If Apple was going to do this it should be consistent across providers.
Still says 3G
The problem is, depending on the implementation, HSPA+ *can* be real 4G. AT&T’s implementation tends to not be, but in and of itself, HSPA+ is currently capable of being a true 4G network.
You guys are all missing the point here. Apple is merely noting the network your phone is running on or capable in that area. This is very important, especially for non tech savvy folks. When the next iPhone is released this fall, folks will easily know if they can upgrade to a 4G LTE version because their existing iPhone will tell them that 4G is available. It’s a brilliant foreseeing marketing move by Apple!
International 3G services that are marketed as 4G, such as Telstra’s HSPA+ network don’t show “4G”, which suggests that this is probably purely a marketing move on AT&T’s part.
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=1879885&p=2&#r33
Other unscrupulous carriers may jump on the “3G as 4G” bandwagon soon, but currently are being much more honest with their customers.