iPhone 4 Review

Written by Ruben Reyes

June 08, 2010

Yesterday Apple announced the new iPhone 4. As usual the event was filled with words like "revolutionary", "magical", and "changes everything". A year ago I wrote my review of the iPhone 3G S. At that time we listed the new cool features but also the missing ones.

Great Engineering

The new iPhone 4 is doubtlessly a great improvement from the previous incarnation, and I think that the most impressive achievements come from the hardware and not the software.

Last year three of the big misses where the battery life, low camera mega-pixels and lack of video calls. All of them have been greatly improved in iPhone 4.

In the product video you may see the larger battery, and the tech specs show an increase of 40% in 3G calls time and 20% in 3G Internet use time, which could only be achieved by also reducing power consumption. The increase in battery life should be noticeable for most users, specially heavy data or map users that have been frustrated with battery lasting less than one day.

The iPhone 4 has an improved camera with 5 mega-pixel resolution (vs. the 3MP in iPhone 3G S) capable of shooting HD video (720p). Apple also added a LED flash and a front camera for video calls.

Video call functionality (named FaceTime) is a great addition. However, it is disappointing that it only works over Wi-Fi and between iPhones.

Retina Display

One of the most exciting improvements in iPhone 4 is the display. Apple has achieved a pixel density of 326 pixels-per-inch (ppi), the highest of any display until now. The highest display pixel density before the iPhone 4 was 311ppi in the Sony Ericsson Xperia X1. With pixel densities over 300ppi you get print definition. For the sake of comparison a 21.5" monitor with a resolution of 1920x1080 has a pixel density of only 102ppi.

Apple was able to pack more features and hardware, and still made the product thinner and more energy efficient. Those are achievements to be recognized.

Still Missing

This review couldn't end without a list of what is still missing in the iPhone. It seems that productivity applications are still low in the priority list of Apple. Here are just 3 desirable improvements:

Allow access to the file system and give users the option to save and organize files and folders.
Ability to download e-mail attachments, and create e-mail attachments from files stored in your iPhone.
Ability to receive and respond to Outlook calendar requests (.ics), and the ability to send calendar invitations to others.
The iPhone detects wherever there is an address and makes it clickable so that you can see it in the maps app... except when the address is in the "Location" field of a calendar appointment... duh!
Bluetooth file sharing, and synchronization of settings, calendar and contacts.
Ability to create folders for your photos, directly on the phone.

Comments: 5

Antenna Issues

Ruben Reyes

Wednesday, 30 June 2010 07:17

Despite denial from Apple, user's reports seem to confirm signal reception issues when holding the new iPhone. The metal band around the iPhone 4, which was presented as a design gimmick, is also the phone antenna. The band has actually 3 parts, working as 3 different antennae for cellular, WiFi and Bluetooth.

The problem occurs when touching the metal directly, which happens by holding the phone normally. Apparently the problem gets worse when touching more than one of the three antennae at the same time.

There are many videos that have surfaced on the internet showing the problem. In this one the phone goes from almost full signal to no service: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ixIHyEPO5g

Apple Denies Issues

Ruben Reyes

Thursday, 01 July 2010 07:24

Apple is denying the grave iPhone 4 antenna/reception issues, ordering personnel to not service customers complaining about the problem and to blame users for "holding it wrong".

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/mobile/06/30/leaked.apple.docs.mashable/

It is not the same as with other phones

Ruben Reyes

Wednesday, 21 July 2010 23:33

Apple continues to deny the antenna issue in the iPhone 4. They are now comparing it with the "death grip" in other phones: the fact that if you hold most phones firmly and cover it with most of your hand you will weaken signal.

The problem with the iPhone is that there is a specific spot that just by touching it will make the phone completely lose service. That is a big difference.

great phone

logan

Friday, 12 November 2010 12:18

good review. like my new 4. feels nicer, looks better, the reception is great for me. i love the facetime it helps me keep in touch with my partner and several clients who like to facetime. the processor is faster and it takes better pics and better video. love my new unlocked phones. simple to navigate around and emailing and texting isn’t too bad. my daughter and wife loves theirs for the facebook and games, also the aps are great for everyone. much better than my unlocked htc phones. the wifi and gps are great for my business and the fantasy football is easy to use. the speaker phone is loud and the touch screen is responsive. got my blackberry unlock codes and htc unlocking for free too for my wife and son. got our last couple 4′s at unlockthatphone.com 2 thumbs way up

iPhone 4 Brand New apple

Sam

Saturday, 26 February 2011 20:43

Great review, I am glad I got my new iPhone 4 at this site http://freebienetworkz.info and all I had to do was follow the directions. I actually got it for free which is the good thing so I didn't have to pay my phone company 500 dollars or more for one.

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