Apple iPhone 4S - 8GB Unlocked Smartphone
Apple's 2011 classic with a 3.5-inch Retina display, dual-core A5 chip, 8MP camera and Siri. Network unlocked, professionally tested, and backed by a 12 months Reboot IT warranty. Please read the network note below before buying.
Key Benefits
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Wi-Fi device, not a working AU phone - Australia shut down its 3G networks in 2023-24. This handset is 3G-only, so it cannot make calls or use mobile data here. Over Wi-Fi it works fully.
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3.5-inch Retina display - 960x640 at 326ppi - still genuinely sharp, and tiny by modern standards.
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Dual-core A5 chip - The same silicon as the iPad 2, comfortable with light apps, music and video.
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8MP camera with 1080p video - A capable shooter for its era, with a backside-illuminated sensor.
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Siri built in - The 4S was the first iPhone to ship with Apple's voice assistant.
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Genuinely pocketable - 140g and 115mm tall - far smaller than any phone sold today.
Performance in Use
The iPhone 4S was a landmark handset: the glass-and-steel design, the first Retina display generation, the A5 chip and Siri. As a piece of hardware it is still well built and pleasant to hold, and it runs its final iOS release smoothly for what it was designed to do.
The critical thing to understand is the network situation. The 4S supports 2G GSM and 3G only. Telstra, Optus and Vodafone completed their 3G shutdowns between December 2023 and September 2024, and none of them run 2G. That means this phone cannot register on any Australian mobile network - no calls, no SMS, no mobile data, and no emergency calling.
What it does do is work completely over Wi-Fi. It is a capable music and video player, a camera, a clock and alarm, a photo frame, and a device for older iOS apps. It is also a sound choice as a collector's piece, a prop, a spare parts donor, or a first device for a child where you actively do not want cellular connectivity. Buy it for those uses and it is excellent value; buy it expecting a working phone and it will not be one.
Tech Specs
| Processor |
Apple A5, dual-core 1GHz |
| Storage |
8GB |
| Display |
3.5-inch Retina, 960x640 (326 ppi) |
| Rear Camera |
8MP, 1080p video |
| Front Camera |
VGA |
| Operating System |
iOS 9.3.6 (final supported release) |
| Mobile Network |
2G GSM and 3G only - NOT usable on Australian networks (3G shut down 2024) |
| SIM Type |
Micro SIM |
| Wireless |
Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS |
| Colour |
Black |
| Weight |
140g |
| Warranty |
12 months - Reboot IT (30-day battery warranty) |
Is It Right for You?
| Best For ✓ |
Not For ✗ |
| Wi-Fi-only use - music, video, photos, older apps |
Anyone who needs a working mobile phone in Australia |
| Collectors and enthusiasts of early iPhone design |
Anyone needing mobile data or SMS |
| A supervised first device for a child, with no cellular |
Modern app users - iOS 9 is well past app support |
| Spare parts, repair practice, or props |
Anyone needing emergency calling |
| A dedicated camera or media player on Wi-Fi |
Buyers wanting current security updates |
Condition Grades
| Grade |
Description |
| A - Excellent |
Minimal cosmetic marks. Battery 70%+ capacity. Fully tested and functional. |
| B - Good |
Light wear, minor scratches or scuffs. Battery 50-70% capacity. 30-day battery warranty. Fully tested and functional. |
FAQ
Can I use this as a phone in Australia?
No. The iPhone 4S is a 3G handset, and all three Australian carriers completed their 3G shutdowns by September 2024. It cannot make calls, send SMS, use mobile data, or place emergency calls on any Australian network. We state this plainly because it is the single most important thing to know about this device.
So what can it actually do?
Everything that does not need a mobile network. Over Wi-Fi it browses, plays music and video, runs older iOS apps, takes photos and video, and works as a clock, alarm or remote. It is a fully functional iPod touch equivalent with a better camera.
What iOS version does it run?
iOS 9.3.6 is the final release Apple shipped for the 4S. Most modern apps and many websites will not work on it, and it no longer receives security updates.
Is the battery new?
No. This is an original battery in a device from 2011, so expect substantially reduced capacity. Grade A units hold 70%+ and Grade B units 50-70%, and both carry a 30-day battery warranty.
Is it really unlocked?
Yes - it is not locked to any carrier. That said, being unlocked does not help in Australia given the 3G shutdown. It may still register on 3G networks in countries that still operate them.
What shipping options are available?
Free standard shipping is included Australia-wide on this item. Orders are dispatched from our Melbourne warehouse, professionally packed for safe transit.
12-Month Warranty - Reboot IT
Every unit sold by Reboot IT is professionally tested, cleaned, and graded before dispatch. We have been refurbishing IT equipment in Melbourne since 2001 and back this unit with our standard 12-Month Warranty on hardware. Free standard AU shipping is included with this item. Visit reboot-it.com.au for more.