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iPhone 4 review

HD video recording, gorgeous display - but can it justify the price?

Our Score 4.5

Last reviewed: 2011-04-01April 1st

the-definitive-apple-iphone-4-review

The definitive Apple iPhone 4 review

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Update: find out whether we think the iPhone 4 is the best phone in the world.

Apple's launch of the iPhone 4 has seen the greatest excitement for a new phone ever - and with HD video recording, a super high-res screen and ridiculously slim dimensions, it's not hard to see why.

But things are a little different now - not only was the iPhone 3GS something of a non-update to the iPhone range, but there are finally decent alternatives in the smartphone market, with the HTC Desire and Samsung Galaxy S leading the Android fight right to Apple's door.

You can check out our iPhone 4 video review:

Add to that the first major leak of an Apple product a couple of months before launch, and suddenly the iPhone 4 has a lot to do to impress.

Apple iphone 4 review

At least Apple has unleashed the big guns for this effort - before we get into the headline specs, the design itself is a massive talking point on its own.

Jobs' chats on stage to unveil a new iPhone might have got a little repetitive (best this, magical that etc) but this is the first time since the first iPhone way back in January 2007 that we've seen a variation on the standard iPhone design.

Apple iphone 4 review

Gone is the traditional curved back and plastic exterior with slightly chunky dimensions; in is a chassis that's only 9.3mm thin at its thickest point and a new stainless steel and glass industrial design.

Apple iphone 4 review

If you're an iPhone fan, there's a good chance you won't like the look of the iPhone the first time you pick it up - it's the same weight as the iPhone 3GS at 137g, but it's a lot smaller, with dimensions of 115.2mm x58.6 mm x 9.3mm, so it feels like a much weightier and compact model.

The edges are stainless steel, apparently forged by winged unicorns in an iceberg (or something) to be 10 times stronger than 'normal' steel.

Apple iphone 4 review

The front and back of the phone are made of glass, which has also been treated to be a lot stronger than the normal variety we're used to seeing through and drinking out of.

This claim holds up - not only did we feel the need to drop the phone onto the floor a few times to test, someone nameless of the TechRadar team also knocked it out (an admittedly low level) window onto concrete - and not a scratch.

If you're the protective type, then you can buy an official 'Bumper' for the iPhone 4, which encases it in a small ring of rubber, if you haven't bought the handset only for its slim lines.

Apple iphone 4 review

The chassis shape isn't the only different thing with the iPhone 4 - the whole ethos has been tweaked. For instance, no longer is there a slightly plasticky rocker switch to control volume on the left-hand side, as it's now two discrete metal buttons with '+' and '-' written on.

The volume silencer rocker switch is above too, but that has also undergone the uber-metallic treatment.

Apple iphone 4 review

The top of the phone still holds the headphone jack, and the power/lock key. However, the 3.5mm port is now flush to the chassis, and the power button feels much nicer to hit than before.

There's also a separate microphone for noise cancelling next to this as well - we imagine a few people will be pushing paperclips in there before they realise that it's not for the SIM card slot.

Apple iphone 4 review

The right-hand side of the chassis is still blank - no camera button sadly, which would have been nice given the extra effort Apple has clearly put into overhauling the photography system.

Still, sleek is clearly still 'in' at the Cupertino HQ, and we can't say we blame the designers when you look at the lines.

Actually, that's not true - the micro-SIM slot is hidden away here, rather than on the top. It's the same pokey key thing/slot system as before, but this time the SIM card is much smaller - Apple says to make more room for stuff inside, we say it's just to shake things up a little bit. Either way, we bet micro-SIMs become the norm before very long in all phones.

Apple iphone 4 review

The bottom of the phone has the familiar Apple connector for charging and connecting and docking etc, and is flanked by another more microphone-y looking microphone slot and the speaker.

The front still has that one iconic button, which is much nicer to press in the new chassis, it has to be said.

Apple iphone 4 review

Overall, the design might not impress some people the first time they pick up the phone - a number of people we showed the phone to grimaced a little bit the first time they handled it.

It's a sharp and weighty-feeling phone, make no mistake - and it doesn't sit as comfortably in the hand as well as other iPhones of the past have.

But it feels premium, and at up to £600, it had better - that's a lot to pay when you consider you could get a 42-inch 1080p LCD for £200 less these days.

In the box

At least Apple has remained consistent when it comes to the packaging - apart from a new graphic on the front to make the new iPhone 4 look more mysterious, there's not a lot different to the older iPhones.

So that means: a simple Apple USB cable, a three-pin plug adaptor and some headphones. The latter is the same old set from the year before: hands free and a function button on the cord, but slightly poor quality compared to a range of other buds on the market.

Apple iphone 4 review

Oh, you also get that little tool for removing the micro-SIM card as well - but Apple should just save itself some money and stick a paperclip in there, as 99.99% of people will lose that little thing, panic, then improvise anyway. Well, we have. Twice.

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Your comments (30) Click to add a new comment

fisher9060


June 25th

30. I have got a iphone 4 i have had it for 9 months and had problems with it keep going into recovery mode so. It had to go to apple bullring a hours drive for me got it sorted no problem just problem of traffic and the roads.That was last month 3 days ago the battery went flat so i plugged it in the socket to charge it up, nothing came up on the screen so i through it much be flat went back to it after an hour still dead after 3 days of keep trying it still nothing.I rang apple customer services up they said (try resetting it) So i did still nothing they then said (ok it has it been dropped damaged or any water damage)I said No they then said (I have made you a appointment with apple bullring today thay with give you a direct replacement)So i left my home a to make the 1 hours drive there.I got there seen the adviser he checked my phone over and said (its got water damage and is void of warranty) I said (its never been dropped or been in water at all) the thing is its never mistreated dropped or been in water.I then seen the manager was not helpful at all we was fighting shouting in the shop for over 1hour he said the phones power connector was rusty due to water. I then told him he was wrong but he then offered a replace at a discounted price of £139.In the end there was security all around he as i was making a scene in the shop full of people with more problems.In the of the day the manager said it was damaged due to body sweat i have never heard of much a thing in my life iam 20 years old and 10 stone.So don't buy a iphone4 they cant stand up to body sweat they are nothing but trouble so know i have not got a phone at all thanks apple What a rip off

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matty2503


June 16th

29. I have had an iPhone for 6 months and i havn't had many problems with it. The technology behind this phone is unbelieveably good and anyone who is looking to purchase this will not be disappointed. The only disadvantage to this is that it's extreamly fragile! I had dropped it once (very light fall) and the screen smashed into little pieces. If this phone is taken proper care of then it would be an ideal gadget to always carry around with you!

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drhaidar


April 11th

28. I have an i-Phone4. I am facing problem with internet connectivity. When I switch on the phone then I only get internet connection. But after one minute (after auto -locked)I don't get internet connection.

When I was using i-Phone3s, I did not get this problem.

Is there any solution for this problem for i-Phone4?

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eugenelynch1118


February 23rd

27. I just got the iPhone 4 and coming from the blackberry storm everything about this phone is great just too bad they are dropping a new phone like every month

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dachaidh


February 1st

26. Researched them... all mobile phones do the same thing you call and someone answers. So it's about extras.

5 mega pixel camera is so 2009

No FM transmitter

It plays music - but not on your car speakers = [Motorola £59.99]

Not on your home speakers either = [I trip £39.95]

Only 32 Gb and can't be increased [No micro SD]

No SATNav [TomTom £49.99]

However, the gorilla glass screen is great important cos your grubby little fingers will be all over it. And the resolution is so good that the human eye can only really detect a diffence below 200 ppi

Already expensive plus £150.00

I nearly bought one.

"Knowledge dispels fear"

But if you're so vain and it must look good then that's the phone for you, think about it... most of the time it will be in your pocket.

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randorolian


January 1st

25. There is no doubt that the iPhone 4 is a fantastic piece of technology. For me, the main attraction is the Retina Display.

I just don't think it's the best phone on the market. I will admit, the signal issues were blown way out of proportion, but there were issues. For any Smartphone, let alone the iPhone, a signal issue is a bit pathetic.

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Product Summary

iPhone 4

For

>

Great screen

>

Top notch 5MP camera

>

Much-improved design

>

Gyroscope gaming

>

Improved call quality

>

Overhauled iOS 4

Against

>

Reception issue in left hand

>

High price

>

No home screen widgets

>

No social networking integration

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