After notably refusing to recommend the iPhone 4 last year due to antenna issues, Consumer Reports has now released their overview of the iPhone 4S, including their recommendation of the device.
In their updated smart phone ratings, Consumer Reports says that the iPhone 4S performed well in their tests, and does not suffer from any of the reception or antenna issues that affected the iPhone 4.
Unfortunately, CR also claims that the iPhone 4 continues to exhibit antenna issues even in new samples of the phone, and still refuses to recommend the device, contrary to many observations suggesting the problem had been lessened or repaired entirely.
Further, despite giving their recommendation to the iPhone 4S, and noting its strong performance, battery life, and of course Siri, the organization continues to favor Android-based devices:
These pluses were not enough, however, to allow the iPhone 4S to outscore the best new Android-based phones in our Ratings,” the group said. “Those top scorers included the Samsung Galaxy S II phones, the Motorola Droid Bionic, and several other phones that boast larger displays than the iPhone 4S and run on faster 4G networks.
I find it strange that a supposedly consumer-oriented publication would consider larger screens and battery-sucking 4G support more important than overall build quality and continued software support. I guess that’s one of the many reasons why Consumer Reports continues to lose trust among consumers.