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iPhone 4 Hands-On Reviews and First Impressions
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How many other phones possess a camera capable of video chat? How many networks currently support it? It doesn't matter if it's only iPhone 4 to iPhone 4 if everyone adopts this newest model. This will be like the cycle of iPhones we have seen in the past where the 2G dies out and EVERYONE has a 3G or 3GS. Once iPhone 4 is widely sold and becomes more prevalent in the market it won't matter. It will be a convenience of owning an Apple product to video conference with other iPhone users seamlessly. Apple aims to please and promote their campaign of "It Just Works".
The easiest way of doing this is to integrate YOUR hardware with YOUR software, not everyone else's. There is no guarantee that an HTC phone capable of video conferencing will work efficiently with an iPhone. This requires cooperation from other companies and Apple has learned from past agreements that this is an unwise business decision. (See Adobe Flash
)It is not fuzzy. Everybody likes it. It has very high resolution - much better than iPhone 3GS. Is 3GS fuzzy? iPhone's screen density is overkill. It is better than 3GS but it does not have anything on better HTC/Motorola phones. The resolution was chosen to be that high not because of "retina" BS but because Apple wanted to double the original resolution for backward compatibility with existing apps.
iPhone's screen (even 3GS) is better than EVO's one in terms of color reproduction though but I am not sure how important it is for such a small screen.
You are stating that the iPhone 4 screen is superior to the EVO's however you are referring to it as overkill. That is a semi-contradicting statement. That would be like me saying the EVO's screen is bigger than the iPhone but it is "overkill". (Which is where the EVO lovers claim their advantage) There is an obvious difference in pixel density, screen resolution when you compare all three of these models (4, 3GS, EVO). Calling something "overkill" and not important when it is visibly better is an irrelevant statement.
Agreed - two pieces of glass = double the potential calamity. And the fact the display is now laminated to the front glass means no cheap and easy fixes for a cracked or shattered screen.
I was hoping to use this new phone "naked" but it looks like I'll be doing the crummy case thing again.
the fanboyism and lack of any criticism of apple around here does get pretty scary sometimes...it's like people walk around with a blindfold on.
BUUUUUUT
this phone certainly does not disappoint. in my eyes, the 3gs was a total disappointment, but this phone is a nice step forward. looks have improved drastically, good battery life, front facing cam, no other phone can match the screen, a processor that is as powerful as any other phone, more built in storage than any other phone, and software that truly does run very well.
the issues of WiFi only camchat is an AT&T issue, not apple. and Jobs said that they'd be working to resolve it eventually. we all know at&t doesn't need any more burden on their networks because of the poor service we get in select areas already. other than that i really see nothing to complain about.
if you seriously thought that the 200 price point would be lowered then you obviously have no idea about the current tech market.
BUUUUUUT
this phone certainly does not disappoint. in my eyes, the 3gs was a total disappointment, but this phone is a nice step forward. looks have improved drastically, good battery life, front facing cam, no other phone can match the screen, a processor that is as powerful as any other phone, more built in storage than any other phone, and software that truly does run very well.
the issues of WiFi only camchat is an AT&T issue, not apple. and Jobs said that they'd be working to resolve it eventually. we all know at&t doesn't need any more burden on their networks because of the poor service we get in select areas already. other than that i really see nothing to complain about.
if you seriously thought that the 200 price point would be lowered then you obviously have no idea about the current tech market.
oh, ok everone... this guy has figured out the PERFECT RESOLUTION for any phone, so you can all stop working on it! just everyone make this one, because this guy KNOWS it's PERFECT. (do i need to add the
?)and let me guess... YOUR phone just HAPPENS to have that resolution! how lucky! you got the PERFECT rez right out of the gate! even compared to screens you've never seen! amazing!
as soon as we hit that word "readable" or "usable" however... all bets are off. it hits the grey fog of subjectivity, and everyone can just screw off at that point. you don't know what i can read on my phone, yo.
your MAMA's gonna constantly scroll...
It doesn't matter, AT&T service isn't good enough to buy the iPhone
Ultimately, it doesn't matter how great of a product the iPhone is to me. AT&T has such poor service where I live, I could never buy an iPhone. Same for many of my co-workers. I really like my MBP, iMac and iPod Touch but the iPhone is simply a no go at this point.
Ultimately, it doesn't matter how great of a product the iPhone is to me. AT&T has such poor service where I live, I could never buy an iPhone. Same for many of my co-workers. I really like my MBP, iMac and iPod Touch but the iPhone is simply a no go at this point.
Agreed - two pieces of glass = double the potential calamity. And the fact the display is now laminated to the front glass means no cheap and easy fixes for a cracked or shattered screen.
I was hoping to use this new phone "naked" but it looks like I'll be doing the crummy case thing again.
Did you guys read about the type of glass in this thing? They use it on helicopters and high speed train....
while the iPhone4 has some cool features. I love how apple choose to back away from its promise to follow the standard charging ports on a phone (microUSB)
As for the microSim card things I think they did that to discourage jail breaking as no point to unlock if you can not use it on another network any how. It is not like microSim really offered anything new and useful. Size wise nothing since the internal hardware is still the same and that was what really was limiting things size wise.
No going wiht the MicroUSB can not use the size argument because the 30 pin connector is larger in every way.
As for the microSim card things I think they did that to discourage jail breaking as no point to unlock if you can not use it on another network any how. It is not like microSim really offered anything new and useful. Size wise nothing since the internal hardware is still the same and that was what really was limiting things size wise.
No going wiht the MicroUSB can not use the size argument because the 30 pin connector is larger in every way.
regular sim card can be easily cut ... for the size of mini sim card
dosent require any special knowledge ... maybe only arts and crafts class from kindergarten
Stop saying 'infinitely'.It is just so lame! You also lost the high ground to make fun of SJ's magical
the adapter argument is a load of horse****. It is far from the sprite of the agreement.
Apple can keep their 30 pin connector just put a micro USB port on the side as well.
The agreement was a way to reduce waste. All apple has done is increase waste. Apple charger only work with apple products. Compared to everyone else who's chargers work between phones. Apple iPhone only will work with an apple charger.
You are an ****** troll. Maybe you should throw one down with your buddies who said that the iPad was 'gonna be a "fail."
64 GB? Get real. It's a phone. My 16 gig 3Gs still has ample space available. Of course, I don't live in my mom's basement and I have a life.
No price drop? If 199 ducats is too much, you might want to reconsider your career path.
WiFi only and exclusive iPhone to iPhone video chat? Try Googling "network congestion" you moron.
1,000's of Gizmodo readers hate iPhone4? Do you even understand that real people in the real world could give a fat rat's ass about you and your 999 nerd buddies?
If you're 'gonna bring it to the boards, please have something intelligent to say.
A few days ago I was thinking I might switch to White.
Not Now, that thing looks like a bar of soap.
Not Now, that thing looks like a bar of soap.
Well placed.
Very well articulated comment on the "state of the union" as things currently are in cell phone land.
You rase a lot of good points and I think what most people are missing here is the different ways people use phones, this is brought out by the different parallels of the different operating systems. With that said, I will clearly state at the beginning I have not used a modern droid phone; with that said I also have not used an iPhone 4.
For me my "mac epiphany" (waiting to be called a fan boi, its going to happen, but I digress) occurred for me in University. I was a geek to be sure, a hard core gamer. Not a programer mind you, but I built my own PC's and I was obsessed with "features". I was the kind of guy who could play a game fine with the rig I had but would switch out graphics cards and ram and over-clock a system to its limits and beyond just to say I ran a higher test score than one of my buddies. It didn't make my experience any better, but it gave me bragging rights.
The local computer shop in the Uni sold macs and some other PC's. I had always scoffed at the macs, they didn't have the features, there spec sheets didn't match they were slower by the numbers and just different. They didn't conform to what I thought I should be buying a computer for. But something struck me about the design of the 12" Powerbook. There were other nice features in the 15" like the back lit keyboard etc, but I needed portability so wiht some research the 12" became my choice and after literally spending days picking it up and rotating looking at its aluminum frame. I decided to pounce. I ended up getting apple care for free, which to me made it a good deal to spite the premium over similar specced PC based laptops. The original plan was to get multiple batteries so that I could run the thing for days (I traveled alot for university). I ended up never having more than one. Sure they got replaced as they drained. I have had a total of 2, and guess what they wern't cheep around 100 even thought I had to install it myself? Weir eh?
I used my Powerbook alot, it went all over the world and I still use it today when I travel. As other posters here have said, it works. I no longer am obsessed with what can make my hardware better or what can do more, the user experience is better. Thats not to say PC's dont have their place. Im out of the PC gaming scene now, consoles and my iPhone do well enough for me now.
To spite what is turning into a longish rant the point I am trying to make is this. Apple products have never been about spec sheet performance. They arn't about ticking boxes for features of having more of this. Apple is wholly, across all its platforms obsessed with user experience. Its not customizable and their hardware is never the best and is always more expensive. Cost comparisons be dammed its true. But the aggregate down what I have always thought to be a fabulous user experience. Sure I can't switch out keyboards and maybe the screen should have gone to 3.7 or 4". Ultimately I don't care, when I get right down to its the user experience I want. I dont use half the features my iPhone 3g offers. I can honestly say that save one time to try it I have never used picture SMS. My girlfriend has an 3gs and I can honestly say we don't shoot video. Does that mean I don't want that in a phone. No its nice to have the option, even more so if it is well executed. But what I can tell you is that the Apple experience on any i-device and even their computers is always polished.
The Evo might be heads and tails above the iphone its bigger faster expandable replaceable battery it has 3g video calling all that jazz. But sliding around it I would bet is just not the same. The ultimate challenge for me is if my parents can pick up a device and use it. Every device from apple we have integrated into their lives I have never had an issue with, other devices, cell phones, remotes, land line phones... their son the tech support gets the phone call.
But I know when my iphone is sitting on my kitchen table and I tell my mom to look at a photo or check something for me she is able to pick that device up and do it. Could she do it on a dorid phone? Maybe, but Im not nearly as confident in that as I am in iPhone 4.
So is the evo a better phone at a better price with a better carrier in the us with more features and better options and more choice? Yes I would probably say it is. Is the iphone a more polished user experience? For me it just works... out of the box with little fuss or fan fare. I don't have to google to find the newest this or the best way to do that, its intuitive. It also just seems to work with everything; my old Mac powerbook, new iMac, 2 iPhones very little config, not one failure for me yet. And these all expanded peice by piece fitting in.
I think my choice is made. Its probably not the best, but it is going to work best for ME. My end experience is not measured in GHZ and MB but how a device and I interact... I think apple understands that and I think their product reflect that understanding. Maybe it doesn't aggregate down as well for others... they long to have something to tinker with and improve. I think the jailbreaking subculture for then iphone suits those kind of people. But for me I unbox turn on sync and it works until I buy a new one, which Im going to do as soon as it comes to Canada in July.
Very well articulated comment on the "state of the union" as things currently are in cell phone land.
You rase a lot of good points and I think what most people are missing here is the different ways people use phones, this is brought out by the different parallels of the different operating systems. With that said, I will clearly state at the beginning I have not used a modern droid phone; with that said I also have not used an iPhone 4.
For me my "mac epiphany" (waiting to be called a fan boi, its going to happen, but I digress) occurred for me in University. I was a geek to be sure, a hard core gamer. Not a programer mind you, but I built my own PC's and I was obsessed with "features". I was the kind of guy who could play a game fine with the rig I had but would switch out graphics cards and ram and over-clock a system to its limits and beyond just to say I ran a higher test score than one of my buddies. It didn't make my experience any better, but it gave me bragging rights.
The local computer shop in the Uni sold macs and some other PC's. I had always scoffed at the macs, they didn't have the features, there spec sheets didn't match they were slower by the numbers and just different. They didn't conform to what I thought I should be buying a computer for. But something struck me about the design of the 12" Powerbook. There were other nice features in the 15" like the back lit keyboard etc, but I needed portability so wiht some research the 12" became my choice and after literally spending days picking it up and rotating looking at its aluminum frame. I decided to pounce. I ended up getting apple care for free, which to me made it a good deal to spite the premium over similar specced PC based laptops. The original plan was to get multiple batteries so that I could run the thing for days (I traveled alot for university). I ended up never having more than one. Sure they got replaced as they drained. I have had a total of 2, and guess what they wern't cheep around 100 even thought I had to install it myself? Weir eh?
I used my Powerbook alot, it went all over the world and I still use it today when I travel. As other posters here have said, it works. I no longer am obsessed with what can make my hardware better or what can do more, the user experience is better. Thats not to say PC's dont have their place. Im out of the PC gaming scene now, consoles and my iPhone do well enough for me now.
To spite what is turning into a longish rant the point I am trying to make is this. Apple products have never been about spec sheet performance. They arn't about ticking boxes for features of having more of this. Apple is wholly, across all its platforms obsessed with user experience. Its not customizable and their hardware is never the best and is always more expensive. Cost comparisons be dammed its true. But the aggregate down what I have always thought to be a fabulous user experience. Sure I can't switch out keyboards and maybe the screen should have gone to 3.7 or 4". Ultimately I don't care, when I get right down to its the user experience I want. I dont use half the features my iPhone 3g offers. I can honestly say that save one time to try it I have never used picture SMS. My girlfriend has an 3gs and I can honestly say we don't shoot video. Does that mean I don't want that in a phone. No its nice to have the option, even more so if it is well executed. But what I can tell you is that the Apple experience on any i-device and even their computers is always polished.
The Evo might be heads and tails above the iphone its bigger faster expandable replaceable battery it has 3g video calling all that jazz. But sliding around it I would bet is just not the same. The ultimate challenge for me is if my parents can pick up a device and use it. Every device from apple we have integrated into their lives I have never had an issue with, other devices, cell phones, remotes, land line phones... their son the tech support gets the phone call.
But I know when my iphone is sitting on my kitchen table and I tell my mom to look at a photo or check something for me she is able to pick that device up and do it. Could she do it on a dorid phone? Maybe, but Im not nearly as confident in that as I am in iPhone 4.
So is the evo a better phone at a better price with a better carrier in the us with more features and better options and more choice? Yes I would probably say it is. Is the iphone a more polished user experience? For me it just works... out of the box with little fuss or fan fare. I don't have to google to find the newest this or the best way to do that, its intuitive. It also just seems to work with everything; my old Mac powerbook, new iMac, 2 iPhones very little config, not one failure for me yet. And these all expanded peice by piece fitting in.
I think my choice is made. Its probably not the best, but it is going to work best for ME. My end experience is not measured in GHZ and MB but how a device and I interact... I think apple understands that and I think their product reflect that understanding. Maybe it doesn't aggregate down as well for others... they long to have something to tinker with and improve. I think the jailbreaking subculture for then iphone suits those kind of people. But for me I unbox turn on sync and it works until I buy a new one, which Im going to do as soon as it comes to Canada in July.
Hilarious...the display's better obviously, it looks WAY better, it's thinner, sleeker, etc. The only thing you could maybe say is that it has 4G but Sprint sucks if I left AT&T Verizon would be the only place I would go. No price drop??? How much do you think AT&T will subsidize this thing, it's got everything in a phone we could want and it's the same price.
If you didn't notice, people are quick to hate something when they haven't seen it (aka YOU), and from the first hand reviews I'm gonna say many many people who didn't like the Gizmodo leak will like it in person. Sometimes Apple lets us down a bit, but not this time...this thing's sexy and functional (and your video chat thing is not on Apple, it'll come when the network can handle it).
If you have Sprint and live in Philly or some 4G city (I just know Philly cause it's the closest city with it to me) then the Evo might be for you...but to say Apple disappointed is ridiculous...did you make terroristic threats against Steve or Phil Schiller when he announced the 3GS, which actually was a huge disappointment? Sure you're entitled to your opinion, but just try to sound intelligent bc the only legit argument is that there's no 64GB option yet, but last I heard the iPod touch 64GB had 2 32GB chips. Where do you suppose they fit that in a phone that's the world's thinnest smartphone and still manage to increase battery life? Maybe it could have been done, but most people aren't gonna pay $399 anyway. For now, I'll be happy with the reviews and the specs I've seen...I'm pumped for this phone as I'm sure many ppl on this forum are.
How many other phones possess a camera capable of video chat? How many networks currently support it? It doesn't matter if it's only iPhone 4 to iPhone 4 if everyone adopts this newest model. This will be like the cycle of iPhones we have seen in the past where the 2G dies out and EVERYONE has a 3G or 3GS. Once iPhone 4 is widely sold and becomes more prevalent in the market it won't matter. It will be a convenience of owning an Apple product to video conference with other iPhone users seamlessly. Apple aims to please and promote their campaign of "It Just Works".
The easiest way of doing this is to integrate YOUR hardware with YOUR software, not everyone else's. There is no guarantee that an HTC phone capable of video conferencing will work efficiently with an iPhone. This requires cooperation from other companies and Apple has learned from past agreements that this is an unwise business decision. (See Adobe Flash
The Japanese phone makers and cell carriers where able to get it to work. My friend was on DoCoMo using a Sony Ericsson and I on AU using a Sharp phone. It worked flawlessly.
Mine is pretty thrashed, dropped, skied over, etc so it will be a backup since I am traveling for a year.
iPhone 4 looks great, pre-ordering on the 15th...