The iPhone 4′s launch date is rapidly approaching (July 14th), with pre-orders already underway. So is it worth shelling out $199 (minimum) and signing up with AT&T for another two years to get the new phone? Here’s a look at the best features of the iPhone 4.
It’s Thinner
The iPhone 4 is nearly 25% thinner than the iPhone 3GS, which measures 0.48 inch. At 0.37 inch, the trim iPhone 4 is “so thin it’s almost mind-boggling,” as Engadget has said.
Better Screen Resolution
The iPhone 4 boasts Apple’s Retina display, giving the device a 960×640-pixel resolution, four times that of the iPhone 3GS (480×320) (The new HTC Evo 4G, by comparison, has a screen resolution of 800×480-pixels). Steve Jobs made the (disputed) claim that the Retina display “offers higher resolution than the human eye does,” his rationale being that there are so many pixels that the human eye cannot perceive them all. The high resolution certainly does make lines appear smoother and details richer. Gizmodo says of the screen, “The quality and density of information of the 960-by-640-pixel screen is as good as most printed magazines.”
New iOS4 Multitasking
A major perk of Apple’s new operating system iOS4 (originally called iPhone OS 4.0) is the ability to run multiple third-party apps simultaneously. Apple has outlined seven multitasking services that will be available with iOS4: background audio streaming, Voice over IP, background location, push notifications, local notifications, task completion, and fast app switching. However, the iPhone 4 doesn’t have an exclusive on multitasking: Of course, Android devices are no stranger to multitasking, and rather than shell out for a new phone, you will be able to upgrade your iPhone 3GS (as well as some more recent iPod Touches) to the new iOS4.Some earlier iPhone and Pod Touch models will not be eligible for upgrade, however.
A Front-Facing Camera
In addition to the rear-facing camera, Apple is also including a 5-megapixel front-facing camera. Both are equipped with LED flash and record HD video (720p), and also offer photo and video geotagging as an added perk.
Video Chatting With Apple’s FaceTime
No one will call it FaceTime, they’ll say “let’s video chat” but either way it’s a great function. Despite hiccups during its initial demo at WWDC, Apple’s video calling feature FaceTime is already a favorite among critics. Laptop Mag says of FaceTime, “we were charmed by Apple’s elegant execution, and by how easy the app is to use.” Laptop Mag adds, “Apple has designed not just a phone that’s capable of smooth video chat, but has also taken the software experience into its own hands so that it’s an integral part of the OS, and is as easy to use as any other feature in iOS 4.”
The iPhone is hardly the first phone to offer video chatting, but early reviews suggest that it’s easier to set up and use than alternatives, such as the HTC Evo 4G. The picture-in-picture call feature takes center stage in one of Apple’s new iPhone ads.
Longer Lasting Battery
The iPhone 4′s new, longer-lasting battery promises up to 7 hours of 3G talk time, 6 hours of 3G web-surfing, 10 hours of web browsing over Wi-Fi, 10 hours of video playback, 40 hours of audio playback, and 300 hours of standby time. By comparison with the HTC Evo 4G and Droid Incredible, the iPhone 4 boasts the longest standby time.
Easier AT&T Upgrades
Many were disappointed to learn that the iPhone 4 would be tethered to AT&T, notorious for its spotty service and recent move to kill unlimited data plans. While it remains to be seen whether AT&T’s service will improve any (we’re not holding our breath), the company is offering what Apple calls a “generous” offer: if you’re an AT&T subscriber and eligible for an upgrade any time in 2010, you will allowed to purchase the iPhone 4 on launch day (instead of waiting for your upgrade date to roll around) at the subsidized $199 or $299 price (provided you renew your contract, of course).
It’s Very Fast
The iPhone 4 comes with the same A4 processor as the iPad, which promises to make the iPhone snappier than ever. “As for speed, the iPhone 4 is fast,” Ars Technica observes. “It’s hard to perceive the differences between an iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS, but it’s definitely on the speedy side, on par with the iPad.”
It Has A Gyroscope
The iPhone 4′s multi-axis gyroscope, which allows the phone to measure not only velocity, but also orientation, should make for more engaging, more realistic gaming. The above video demonstrates the precision that the gyroscope will bring to the new iPhone.
LoopInsight explains how the gyroscope could affect the phone’s features:
When the output of the iPhone’s gyroscope is paired with the output from the accelerometer, iPhone developers will now be able to create applications that can sense motion on six axes – up/down, left/right, forward/backward, combined with rotation around three perpendicular axes – pitch, yaw, and roll.
So what do you think? Are these new features worth taking the plunge with the new iPhone? And AT&T’s notoriously spotty service? Let us know if you’re upgrading or buying for the first time on Twitter, just mention us @edudemic!
