To say the iPhone didn't revolutionize the mobile industry would be like saying the automobile didn't revolutionize transportation. It happened. Accept it. The question is, how does this generation of iPhone compare to the slew of handsets that have since then been released? Does it hold it's lead in this industry dominated by smartphones looking to compete by differentiating, and sometimes, innovating in ways the iPhone has yet to do? Or is the iPhone 4S still the phone the beat? In this user's humble opinion, the answer is the latter.

Don't get me wrong, there have been plenty of times I've seen features on other smartphones and said to myself, "I kinda wish I had that". Yet that thought abruptly dissipates once I'm reminded how gorgeous this device looks and feels. The luxury build of this device is constantly made clear whenever I hold another smartphone. Whether it's asking my brother if I can see his Galaxy Nexus for a bit, or when I find myself browsing a carrier's retail store checking out what else is out there- that thought never seems to go away. Though my phobia of dropping this phone is as strong as ever, the iPhone 4S is still the pinnacle of design. Which says a lot considering the design hasn't really changed since the iPhone 4 was released. All that time, and the industry has yet to catch up. My opinion in regards to the display and camera of the iPhone 4S are just as strong. Granted, I haven't used every smartphone camera in the world, nor have I seen every other smartphone display, I've never felt the need or desire to. But not all is perfect with the iPhone 4S.

I've come to the realization that if I plan on spending the day in NYC (to attend a taping of On The Verge, of course) I better have some way to charge my iPhone. I also wouldn't mind a little more of what I like to call "obvious additions" to iOS 5. I mean really, how hard is it to add a Wi-Fi/Bluetooth toggle to the notification drop-down window?

Still, no matter how much nit-picks one may find in iOS, the reality is there isn't another mobile OS that can compare to both the power and ease-of-use of iOS. And that's without yet mentioning Siri. The stand-alone feature of the iPhone 4S, though in Beta, really is another game-changer. Add in the fact the App Store has never been at it's strongest and you have more than enough reasons why the iPhone 4S is still the smartphone to beat.

The pros of the iPhone 4S ridiculously outweigh the cons. It's because of this I have no doubt or hesitation in saying the iPhone 4S is the king of smartphones.