The idea that consumers were disappointed in the iPhone 4S has been tossed around quite a bit since Apple took the wraps off its latest smartphone last week. Looking beyond knee-jerk reactions, we thought it was pretty peculiar to suggest that that the iPhone 4S was disappointing, and we said the numbers would soon do the talking. The numbers have spoken, of course, and the iPhone 4S will be Apple’s biggest iPhone launch yet when the handset becomes available on Friday. In fact, pre-orders have now sold out from all three major U.S. carriers that offer the new iPhone. Despite the phone’s popularity right out of the gate, however, it looks like there are still a substantial number of consumers who were hoping for more out of Apple’s fifth-generation iPhone. Read on for more.

According to Retrevo’s survey of more than 1,300 U.S. consumers, 71% of smartphone owners said they were not disappointed in the iPhone 4S while 29% were disappointed to some extent. 7% of those disappointed in the phone wanted it to have a larger display, 11% wanted a new design and 17% were hoping for a 4G-enabled iPhone. Respondents were able to indicate more than one area of disappointment.

More interestingly, perhaps, 47% of current iPhone 4 owners said they were disappointed in Apple’s new iPhone 4S following its unveiling. 12% were hoping for a bigger display, 21% were sad the new iPhone didn’t feature a revamped design and 29% wanted 4G.

“Although some expressed disappointment in the lack of ‘iPhone 5’ features it appears that interest is high and demand will be strong for iPhone 4S especially among current iPhone owners,” Retrevo’s Andrew Eisner wrote on the company’s blog. “It also doesn’t appear likely that you’ll see many customers camping out in front of Apple stores around the country like we have for products in the past.”

Retrevo’s survey also found that of those respondents who plan to purchase the iPhone 4S, 44% are iPhone 3G or 3GS owners, 42% are iPhone 4 owners, 24% currently own BlackBerry handsets and 12% own Android smartphones.