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Apple unveils iPhone 4

iPhone 4

By Nicole Kobie

Posted on 7 Jun 2010 at 18:40

Steve Jobs has unveiled the Apple iPhone 4, calling it the biggest leap since the original iPhone, with a new display, HD video camera and gyroscope.

Available from 24 June, the iPhone 4 will cost $199 for the 16GB version or $299 for a 32GB version on a two-year contract in the US. While pre-orders will start 15 June, Carphone Warehouse and O2 are already taking pre-registration for orders in the UK.

It will be available in five countries including the UK on that date.

Speaking at the Worldwide Developer Conference in San Francisco today, Jobs claimed it was the thinnest smartphone on the planet. Only 9.3mm thick, it's 24% slimmer than the iPhone 3GS.

The iPhone 4 is made of glass and a stainless steel band, with the latter doubling up as an integrated antenna, with half of it boosting Wi-Fi and GPS and the other half helping out GSM connectivity.

Apple iPhone 4

Jobs unveiled a new display tech for the iPhone called "retina display," which offers 326 pixels per inch, meaning the 3.5in display has a 960 x 640 resolution - four times that of the 3GS. Jobs said the new iPhone has 78% of the number of pixels of the much larger iPad "right in the palm of your hand."

The rear camera has been updated from three to five megapixels, and includes a new "backside illuminated sensor" for taking pictures in low light.

It also records HD video, taking 720 pixels at 30 frames per second, and the new LED flash will stay on during filming. To edit on the go, Apple's iMovie software will now be available for the iPhone, including themes, geolocation and the ability to add music from your own collection.

The new iPhone also features picture-in-picture video calling called FaceTime, using the new front-facing camera. FaceTime will only work over Wi-Fi this year, in order to give Apple time to sort out 3G bandwidth issues with mobile operators.

Apple has switched to a microSIM, giving more room for a bigger battery. The iPhone 4 offers seven hours of talk time, six hours of 3G browsing, and 300 on standby, Jobs said.

Apple iPhone 4

Another new feature is a gyroscope, which adds another dimension of movement for gaming.

New operating system

The next version of the iPhone OS will arrive "soon" with 100 new features and be renamed iOS4. It will arrive as a free upgrade on 21 June, will full support for the 3GS and all but the first generation of the iPod Touch. The 3G iPhone will also support the iOS4 upgrade, but won't support multitasking.

Talking about the previously announced support for multitasking, Jobs admitted the feature was a long time coming, but said Apple wanted to make sure it avoided draining the battery.

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User comments

HD Video - I'm not entirely convinced...

So Faux HD video in the form of 720p30 (strictly speaking not a format at all) Still, perhaps all the lovely developers for the App store will manage to do something interesting with it..

I've written a little blog post about it should anybody be interested in my opinion:
http://rickster.co.uk/blog/353-iphone-4g-specs-hd-
video.html

By ricksters on 7 Jun 2010

No Multitasking

What's the difficulty with multitasking.
Symbian has had it for years Android does not seem to have a problem

By langdona1 on 7 Jun 2010

Underwhelmed

I was really hoping for something ground breaking, but it was all a bit predictable. $199 on a 24 month contract will undoubtedly translate to at least £150.
The HTC desire is sounding very tempting.

By lrobbo on 7 Jun 2010

'and includes a new "backside illuminated sensor"'

Is that to help iPhone users find their Harris without a map and a torch?

By Lacrobat on 8 Jun 2010

It'll be interesting to see how apple manage the resolution change. Suddenly, a lot of iPhone apps are going to start looking very strange on the 4G. The App store is going to need to start supporting multiple versions. Do Apple only allow 4G phones to see 4G apps? In which case there won't be many at launch. Or do they allow a "sub-standard" experience by letting 4G users download old apps that just fit in the top-right corner of the screen with illegibly small text.

Finally, after a few generations, Apple are coming across all the problems Symbian, Windows Mobile and Blackberry have been facing for many years. It will be VERY interesting to see how they deal with it.

By Bassey1976 on 8 Jun 2010

Pulled along

The Main applause for Apple is how they manage to pull PC and Mobile phone companies along kicking and screaming with the latest tech.Apple launch a new product like the Iphone & Ipad.The rest of the industry then taken note of the sales of that product.Then they say.Hey i'd like some of that and hey presto they then design a me to product.Would we now have the HTC Desire/Android operating system and now other Pads if Apple had not deigned and launched it first.PS Should apple not have it's headquarters in Abbey Road NW10 :-)

By Jaberwocky on 8 Jun 2010

amazing

great phone iffffff
it hadnt already been done before. i admire the people on the iphone video. so excited about video calling. didnt we see that about 3 years ago.wow a 5 meg camera with flash. are we not up to 10-12 meg cameras now? folders-never seen that before... well not on a iphone hahahah
if this had been invented about 10 years ago then yes a great product but apple seem to be playing catch up these days. and yes i have a iphone 3gs but will soon be swapping for an htc desire. try it in a shop you will be amazed

By godber4 on 8 Jun 2010

erm...

Hate to sound cynical but doesn't it look like an LG Viewty? Still, got a 3GS and looking forward to iOS update and I'll probably upgrade to the iPhone 4 when the time comes around. Android is great but until it can be updated as and when new versions come out it won't be on my list. A friend is still on v1.5 because the update hasn't come down yet.

By onegin101 on 8 Jun 2010

Quad band at last

and a decent upload speed, finally worth considering

By daveandrews1 on 10 Jun 2010

Not it doesn't :)

erm: No I don't think it look like an LG Viewty. It's much sleeker, it has only one control on the front and the side buttons are more hidden. It doesn't have that rounded bottom either, but is more homogeneous in its design. Further, I think it really gives a exclusive high tech vibe. This is the first iPhone that interest me, so I a definitely coming customer.

By friend29 on 10 Jun 2010

amazing iphone 4!

I have to say this is so cool! multitasking is what Im waiting for long time!
Well, Apple is amazing!
steve jobs! you are the man!!!
I'm still shocked at how much the ipad can do...and now this? how do you do it!
good job!
Before the new iPhone released, I have read many reviews about it, it totally stunned me, such as this one listed the most impressive features of it:
http://www.ifunia.com/iphone-column/a-review-of-ap
ple-iphone-4g-hd.html

By Jane55 on 10 Jun 2010

Not it doesn't :)

erm: No I don't think it look like an LG Viewty. It's much sleeker, it has only one control on the front and the side buttons are more hidden. It doesn't have that rounded bottom either, but is more homogeneous in its design. Further, I think it really gives a exclusive high tech vibe. This is the first iPhone that interest me, so I a definitely coming customer.

By friend29 on 10 Jun 2010

Making video calling a reality?

I know that the technology has been around for a few years now, but for my money no-one seems to have implemented it well enough. That's one of Apple's great strengths IMHO; the ability to make technology simple to use, accessible and fun. That's when people truly benefit from it. Apple may have just opened up a new market for their iPhones: Grandparents. Many have WiFi and broadband at home and Skype is just too much hassle.

By tomkitch on 10 Jun 2010

Technology on the drip.....

nuff said I think and you are all guinea pigs

By schildy on 10 Jun 2010

Design is the key

There are no new ground breaking technologies in the iPhone4. However, what Apple have done in their inimitable way is to design a beautifully engineered product, which is also very well made and extremely stylish. It sets a benchmark in other words.

By rmarriott3 on 10 Jun 2010

HD video...

HD Video...not convinced about that (but the same could be said for a lot of other manufacturers), so will wait and see how that pans out !!!

Lots of jabs from Windows fans about multi-tasking, so I guess we won't start an argument about mutli-lingual support on their big brother OS's :-)

By stuartrattray on 10 Jun 2010

eh!

You still cannot watch a video on the BBC home page!!!!!

By delturner1 on 10 Jun 2010

iHover

If Apple brought out hoverboots there would be comments here like this.

Half hearted attempt at flying I really hoped for something revolutionary.

There is nothing new here, I get better big air with my pogostick.

If only it would run flashwheels I might get them but I'm sticking with my XT56 skateboard.

Who actually needs them I've got a car and I can walk. I just can't see the point.

By Mayburys on 10 Jun 2010

meh

While I can definitely say I am looking forward to the new OS I am happy to accept that others have done it before. I got an iPhone 3GS because I felt it the best option overall for myself as a smartphone, and having bashed my head against the wall that is my dad's Blackberry Bold 9700 and played around with the HTC's I am still very happy with it.

I am not knocked off my feet with the look of the 4G but like I said I am looking forward to the new OS.

You cannot criticise Apple for giving their customers something that others already have. In fact, you could if they flat refused to. I have no doubt that Apple will have spent time to ensure everything works properly from the start.

I just hope that with the ability to choose your own wallpapers comes the ability to choose your own text (sms) tone!

By mr_scary_wasp on 10 Jun 2010

iHover

If Apple brought out hoverboots there would be comments here like this.

Half hearted attempt at flying I really hoped for something revolutionary.

There is nothing new here, I get better big air with my pogostick.

If only it would run flashwheels I might get them but I'm sticking with my XT56 skateboard.

Who actually needs them I've got a car and I can walk. I just can't see the point.

By Mayburys on 10 Jun 2010

Looks good..

video calling ? Hmm I been using that for the past year or so using HTC Touch HD. Multitasking, been using that for years too. Dual cameras.. wow, had that for LONG time! However, I'm sure that Apple will bring the Video calling to the masses as I haven't seen anyone else using it. Probably because it is pretty much a waste of money most of the time. Someone said it looks like the LG Viewty? Look again is all I can say. I am looking forward to this one and it may finally bring me to use an Apple device. For me Android hasn't shown me anything to tempt me over. All the apps I have seen for Android look cheap and tacky in comparison to the iphone equivalents, and every single demo of an Android device is always the same - someone flicking between the 100 home screens you can have.. gee wow. I will leave Android to mature a bit more. It is based on Linux and for that reason alone is enough for me to leave it longer. Lets just see what ridiculous prices the UK companies offer iphone4 for.

By a_ds17 on 11 Jun 2010

Looks good..

video calling ? Hmm I been using that for the past year or so using HTC Touch HD. Multitasking, been using that for years too. Dual cameras.. wow, had that for LONG time! However, I'm sure that Apple will bring the Video calling to the masses as I haven't seen anyone else using it. Probably because it is pretty much a waste of money most of the time. Someone said it looks like the LG Viewty? Look again is all I can say. I am looking forward to this one and it may finally bring me to use an Apple device. For me Android hasn't shown me anything to tempt me over. All the apps I have seen for Android look cheap and tacky in comparison to the iphone equivalents, and every single demo of an Android device is always the same - someone flicking between the 100 home screens you can have.. gee wow. I will leave Android to mature a bit more. It is based on Linux and for that reason alone is enough for me to leave it longer. Lets just see what ridiculous prices the UK companies offer iphone4 for.

By a_ds17 on 11 Jun 2010

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