The Apple iPhone 4

How it looks

The iPhone 4 is a big change compared to the 3GS which really just boosted the internal software but kept much of the same appearance. The iPhone 4 is a complete revamp of the developers popular creation with the curved plastic back replaced by a flat, glass case. This changed is made because Apple says that glass is much more resistant to scratches and bumps than plastic is. Many would worry that this would be easy to smash but apple are providing a case with purchase that surrounds the edges with rubbed and adds another layer of protection, just in case. At first glance the device looks as if it is chunkier but when turned to the side it is thinner than the 3GS, and it feels surprisingly solid and sturdy.

Call me quick

The glass back should also help the iPhone 4 hold its network connection with steel trimmed edges to act as separate antennas, one for Wi-Fi, GPS and Bluetooth and the other for your mobile phone network. There have been complaints that the antennas on the side of the phone have caused people to lose signal when picking up the phone with their left hand but the new case that iPhone provides helps prevent any problems like this.

Another new feature of the iPhone 4 is the extra microphone which has been provided for the purpose of noise cancellation. We gave the phone the vuvuzela challenge during the world cup by calling our friend next to the television and not only were we perfectly audible but so were we.

We also found that the output of the iPhone 4's speaker was easier to hear than that of previous iPhones, and we didn't have to place it as accurately against our ears to listen to our phone calls.

Retina display

So apart from the design, the most noticeable change in our eyes is the spectacular new display and its resolution, which has 4 times as many pixels as the 3GS. The 3GS has a fantastic display, well that’s what we thought until we got the iPhone 4 which is more than noticeably better. The screen makes everything look crisper, better, brighter and not just the games. Surfing the web is a dream, with its ability to optical zoom so any small print is so easy on the eyes, the text keeps its razor sharp looks even when zoomed in as much as possible.

The new crystal clear screen actually has us excited at the idea of the iBooks app that has been brought out to handle ebooks on Apple devices. Being able to have any of your favourite books available on a handset, which looks and takes up less space than a book, is very exciting, especially for those long and boring train rides.

Fantastic 4

The camera has been improved as well, not only is it 5 megapixels, but they have also added a much needed LED photo light. Getting a decent snap shot has never been easier and the pain of not being able to take any shots in dim lighting is a welcome relief. The on-screen controls for the flash have been implemented so well it is hard to remember a time when the iPhone didn’t have a flash light. The camera is also improved with the intuitive touch-to-focus feature which provides a quick way of automatically adjusting the focus and brightness to capture exactly what you want to capture.

The phone can’t compete with top of the range cameras but for quick snaps for Facebook and personal reasons is perfect for your needs, especially considering this is just one feature of a fantastic phone. The shutter speed is improved dramatically so that taking pictures takes a fraction of a second and you never need to wait around with a steady hand to get the picture you want.

The video camera is amazing with its ability to record at 720p High-Definition means you can make brilliant videos, so why take notes in a meeting when you can review it in HD whenever you need to.


Face to Face

Not only have Apple added another microphone to the device but they have also added another front facing camera so you can make video calls, and skype the way you should to anyone in the world. The camera is smart, if you are on a video call and rotate your phone round it rotates your image to make sure you are always the right side up.

You may fear that with all these extra features the renowned poor battery life of iPhone will be even worse, but the iPhone 4 has been improved here also. Apple have published that the phone will give 7 hours of talk time and up to 300 hours of stand-by time thanks to its bigger and better battery, in its smaller and sleeker body.

Summary

With HTC nipping at Apples heels it was time that Apple responded to competition and improve their beloved iPhone, and they have. From the incredibly beautiful screen to the extra cameras and microphones it feels like Apple have responded to all their criticisms and out done our expectations. The device looks beautiful and works like a charm, it’s Wi-Fi speed has been boosted and its battery keeps up with the usage such a device demands.
The improved e-mail feature also makes this perfect for work, along with a host of hundreds of new business-centric apps available, make this perfect for the business worker as well as the everyday consumer. The iPhone 3GS is dead and we say long live the iPhone 4.

Features:

• OS iOS 4
• 1 GHz Apple A4 processor
• SMS (threaded view), MMS, Email, Push Email
• HTML (Safari)
• A-GPS support Java No  
• MicroSIM card support only
• Scratch-resistant glass back panel
• Active noise cancellation with dedicated mic
• Digital compass
• Google Maps
• Audio/video player and editor
• Voice command/dial
• TV-out

Specifications:

• 115.2 mm
• 58.6 mm
• 9.3 mm
• 137 g