Mobile Technology

Jobs: iPhone 4 is the biggest leap since the original

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iPhone 4 or 2001 obelisk?
iPhone 4 dock connector
iPhone 4 in white and black
iPhone 4 in white
iPhone 4 in black
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As expected, Apple today pulled the wraps off the fourth generation iPhone at the WWDC conference in San Jose. While the phone didn't receive its expected iPhone HD monicker, it's certainly as HD as a phone is likely to get any time soon, with a 960 x 640 resolution equalling a whopping pixel density of 326 pixels per inch. Read on for the rest of the new features.

  • 5 megapixel camera with LED flash
  • Same A4 processor as the iPad
  • Second microphone for noise cancelling
  • 720p (30 frames per second) video recording with tap to focus
  • 802.11n Wi-Fi
  • Quad-band HSUPA (7.2Mbps down, 5.8Mbps up)
  • "FaceTime" video calls (Wi-Fi only)
  • 960 x 640 "Retina" display
  • 3-axis gyro in addition to the accelerometer for PS3-style 6-axis motion control
  • Seven hours 3G talk time, six hours 3G web browsing, 10 hours video playback
  • 9.3mm thick
  • iOS 4.0 with multitasking and folders
  • iMovie app for $4.99
  • iBooks app (free)
  • Official Apple case for $29

Apple is also touting a new and improved build quality, claiming its chemically strengthened aluminosilcate glass is 30 times harder than plastic, and more scratch resistant than previous models. The stainless steel band around the rim is an alloy forged to be five times stronger than "standard" steel.
The iPhone 4's closest competitor is Sprint and HTC's flagship EVO 4G, which debuted on June 4th. At a whopping 4.3 inches, the EVO 4G offers official Wi-Fi hotspot support, micro-HDMI output, and (you guessed it) 4G network connectivity - though early reports claim battery life is the device's Achilles' heel.

The iPhone 4 will be available in the US, UK, France, Germany and Japan on June 24, and in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland by the end of July.

Unfortunately we can only tell our US readers the pricing details right now: $199 for the 16GB and $299 for the 32GB model, with that unfortunate two year AT&T contract. For the budget-conscious, an 8GB iPhone 3GS will be available for $99.

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8 comments
Mary Panjari
I want this.
Vijendra Narain
iPhone 4G !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
cwolf88
Is it AT&T 4G compliant? Or will that be next gen Iphone?
Chris R
AT&T\'s 3G network is, according to experts, about as fast as Sprint & Verizon\'s 4G networks, due to the methodology employed. Don\'t know if this is totally true but I have a basic understanding of cell phone technology and can understand that this could be true. Regardless, I want one - - - - -in white please - - -32Gb
Facebook User
Verizon! ;) The iProblems at the intro of the iPhone 4 were funnier than when original Windows 98 did a BSOD at its intro. Gates handled it better, quipping \"That must be why we\'re not shipping windows 98 yet.\" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6b9ToIRbgM&feature=related
Adam Carter
@cwolf88 The only smartphone I know of that has support for either 4G services(wimax or LTE) is the Android powered HTC EVO. Sprint is the first provider to start rolling out 4G and will be soon followed by Verizon. From what I\'ve heard AT&T will be one of the last large US service providers to upgrade, so don\'t get your hopes up.
John in Brisbane
Looks great but i just got an htc desire so i have gone with android. Stupid name, great device. I appreciate apple\'s design and ergonomics focus but they are making more profit than god - almost - and their intentional limiting of expandability etc is not for me.
Mrk
Great IF you can get one but the release of the iPhone 4 in NZ has been a complete joke. According to Vodaphone these phones are not going to be available untill September.