Apple has today launched the next version of their popular handset, the iPhone 4.
Featuring the iPad’s A4 processor, a new 5 megapixel camera with flash, and a better battery than before, the new iPhone is poised to take the world by storm. Again.
Evolution or Revolution?
While Steve Jobs has called this the “the biggest leap since the original iPhone”, the features on the newest iteration of the iPhone aren’t revolutionary in the same way that they were in past generations.
New additions such as the 5 megapixel camera, LED flash, and high definition video recording function bring it closer to what current iPhone competitors offer, but it’s really the user experience where things get interesting.
The new 3.5 inch display uses what Apple has labeled “Retina” technology, producing four times as many pixels as the iPhone 3GS has. The new technology makes text, images, and video look “sharper, smoother, and more realistic than ever before on an electronic display.”
The size of the iPhone has changed a little too. It’s now thinner at just 9.3mm with a new design and a new strengthened glass that makes up the front and back. An oil-resistant coating sits on the screen to keep it clean while a new stainless stronger-than-steel band encircles the handset providing strength and the phone’s antenna.
Apple’s use of the accelerometer has even improved a combined 6-axis motion sensor to allow movements from nearly any direction, angle, pitch, and roll. With this development, creators of iPhone games can push the already excellent control further in more directions.
The big upgrade for iPhone users comes in the form of the already announced iPhone OS 4, renamed to iOS 4. One of the 100 new features is multitasking, a very much asked for upgrade by Apple’s users. This addition lets users switch between applications while keeping battery life in check.
Speaking of that, a better battery is something Apple has worked hard on. The new iPhone 4 provides 7 hours of talk time on 3G and up to 6 hours surfing the web while you’re out and about. Planning to just use it to make the occasional phone call while jamming along to your music? You’ll get up to an amazing 40 hours of audio playback and up to 10 hours with video.
So when can I buy one?
The only bad part about the iPhone 4 is the wait time. Australians will have to wait until the end of July to see it released.
If you need an iPhone today, we’re suggesting you wait at least until July to see what the different telcos offer. The new iPhone certainly looks like something special. We’ll have more for you when we get one in our hands, which hopefully will be soon.
