This review is based on my using an iPhone 4 for a little over 48 hours. I have aimed to keep it different from all other iPhone 4 reviews out there, and only focus on hardware (not iOS 4).
A very brief background of Apple: it likes to make gorgeously designed hardware and software.
A perfect case in point, its latest phone in its 4th incarnation since 2007, called iPhone 4. It was released in the US today 48 hours ago (June 24, 2010).
How and why did I get it on launch day?
Why do people like to watch a movie on the first day, first show? A combination of slick marketing and irrationality of people (in this case, movie buffs). There is, however, an additional potent incentive for the iPhone in the US. Radioshack (a US chain store better known for selling cables and yes, radios) has an ongoing offer that lets you turn in your old iPhone for $100 – $200 off (depending on your model) for a new iPhone 4. Consider the price of a new iPhone 4 is $199, and with a $100 discount, you can get it for $99. That is a GREAT deal for an iPhone. Gadget sites like Gazelle also give you good money for your used phones, but after 4-6 weeks of your shipping the phone to them. The early adoption incentive here is that the money you get for turning in your old phone will go down as more old phones are exchanged (simple demand-supply). So the longer you wait, the more your iPhone 4 will cost. A brilliant tactic on part of Apple, AT&T and resellers to saturate their target audience with iPhone 4 as quickly as possible.
Any early adopter advantages?
Apart from several envious looks in the subway, and being mobbed by a group of people at a long line outside the Indian embassy in NY (presumably techies), not much. Some geek cred on gadget sites like Gizmodo, Engadget and the NY Times Technology blog. A lot of the apps in the App Store haven’t been updated/ optimized for iOS 4 yet. This will take at least another week.
The vaunted Apple design
Absolutely does not disappoint. The phone is basically a slab of high quality glass surrounded by a stainless steel band. As minimalist as it gets. When I first saw the design, I was very apprehensive that now both the front and back will be fingerprint magnet. To my great surprise, both sides were much less smudge-prone than the 3G. I tested this at a Brazilian BBQ, so I am pretty confident! The glass is supposed to be tougher and more scratch resistant than the plastic back of the 3G/S. I haven’t tested this yet, and hope not to for a long time to come!
The phone feels like a precious, alien thing in your hand. There is no plastic that you touch, just smooth glass and steel. It is vaguely reminiscent of the high-end, ridiculously priced Nokia 8800 series 3 years ago, which was made of stainless steel and glass. The iPhone 4 is a tad heavier than the 3G (2 ounces more), but thinner. The 3G definitely felt better in the palm because of its shape. You can feel the edges of this phone immediately if you are used to the 3G. But I am happy to say it is growing on me. The surface area of contact with your hand is lesser on the iPhone 4, so if you are the kind who drops phones- especially if you dropped the iPhone 3G, you will more likely than not drop this one too! (If you do, please contact me and I will put your experience as a ‘shatter test’ of the iPhone 4 glass!!).
The back is shiny and flat. It can be used as a mirror in a pinch. There are no distinguishing features or makings between the 16 GB and 32 GB models. The only way to know the capacity is through the phone settings and/ or iTunes. The front has the same, classic iPhone look. There is a front facing camera, which is part of a major software feature of the iPhone 4, called FaceTime. This enables video calling to another iPhone 4 over WiFi. I have not tried this yet, but the reviews seem impressive.
The new display on the iPhone 4, called a Retina Display by Apple, delivers great results while reading text. The pixels around the letters disappear, and it looks just like crisp, high quality magazine print. This is absolutely marvelous, and has to be seen in reality (not in an image) to be believed. Pictures on this display, although excellent, did not seem overtly improved compared to the old iPhone display. This is probably because of the smaller screen size of the iPhone. The iPhone 4 uses the same IPS (in-plane switching) display technology of the iPad providing clear images from even high viewing angles (look the the icons in the second and third image in this post). If the Retina Display goes to the iPad in its next version, I will happily stand in line for that too.
Can you hear me now?
As a phone, the voice quality is superb. I tested this on a call walking through a busy construction zone in Manhattan’s upper east side, near cranes loading gravel on trucks and concrete mixers. I could hear very well through the phone. My better half on the other end described what she thought was just some light traffic in the background! Later at night, I called from a fairly loud restaurant in the village with music and a large party. Again, the other person could hear me clearly. Even I was surprised at how clear and loud her voice was to me. The reason here is a second noise canceling mic that has been added to the top of the phone. This seems to be very effective in cutting down background noise for the incoming and outgoing voice streams. The speakerphone is also clearer. Voice quality is better than the iPhone 3G and possibly the best I have heard over a wireless phone!
The camera
The iPhone 4 sports a 5 MP camera with flash on its back. 5 megapixels is sufficient to give upto 8 x 6 inch prints. The photos from this camera are quite impressive (I will show a collection of these photos in subsequent posts here), but it will not replace your favorite pocket point-and-shoot. What it will replace is your pocket camcorder. It shoots 720p (hi-def) video. The iPhone 4 really shines in video recording, and with a $5 purchase of the iMovie app, in mobile video editing. I would say that the iPhone 4 video quality is at par with 720p video shot by my $1000+ Nikon D90 dSLR! The flash can be kept on for shooting video in low-light situations too. I am happy to see that instead of cramming megapixels, Apple seems to be focusing on improving the image sensor, having used a backside illuminated sensor on the iPhone 4 to capture more photons coming through the lens. The sensor signal-to-noise ratio is precisely where technology should be used to improve pictures. The flash is ok, for a flash. I don’t like on-camera flashes anyway, so I prefer to use it as less as possible. The inimitable Joe McNally said, “Straight flash is disaster light. Use it at 3 am, with bodies on the highway, and nothing to bounce off”. I agree.
:: writelights :: 