You would recall an Apple - built smartphone would be one-time chapeau by now . After all , this is the fourth consecutive summer Apple will attempt to capture our kernel , idea , and disposable income with a brand fresh speech sound . Surely , after the first couple launch , we should fairly much know what to expect .
Credit to Apple , then , for keeping the mystery story and excitement active . The iPhone 4,unveiled Monday by Steve Jobs at the Worldwide Developers Conference , is nothing like a well - worn subsequence to Apple ’s former smartphones . rather , Jobs bills it as “ the biggest leap since the original iPhone . ” And after catch some face time with the iPhone 4 , we ’re inclined to agree .
What makes the iPhone 4 so special ? How is it unlike from other iPhones ? And how on the button can you get your paw on one ? We take on all these subjects — and more — so that you ’ll have all the answers to your iPhone 4 motion in one commodious spot .
What’s new about the iPhone 4?
There are a telephone number of unexampled features in Apple ’s in vogue iPhone — Steve Jobs ’s proclamation that it ’s a big leap over its predecessor is n’t just merchandising whirl . result the changes in this expiration is the eminent - resolution 960 by 640 pixel “ Retina display , ” which boasts four time as many pixels as the iPhone 3GS . Other marquee features admit the ability to record high - definition 720p telecasting with the build - in camera on the hind end ; a second front - facing camera primarily geared toward telecasting chatting ; and faster , 802.11n wireless networking .
All of that sounds intensive. Surely it takes a hit on battery life?
In fact , Apple claims that the iPhone 4 has better stamp battery sprightliness than its predecessor , as the company was capable to find the room for a high - capacity bombardment pair off with the more zip - effective A4 processor power the iPhone 4 .
The glasses on the iPhone 4 call for up to seven hours of 3 yard talk time , 14 hours of 2 G ( EDGE ) talk clip , 300 hour of understudy , six hours of 3 gee cyberspace use , ten minute of Wi - Fi net enjoyment , ten 60 minutes of video playback , or 40 hours of audio playback . Just for the interest of compare , an iPhone 3GS call up to five hours of 3 G talk time , 12 hours of 2 G talk metre , 300 time of day of understudy , five hours of 3 gm Internet usage , nine hours of Wi - Fi surf , ten hours of television playback , and 30 hour of audio playback . So to summarise , iPhone 4 users can expect to talk for two more hours , graze for 1 more time of day , and listen to ten more hours of music than someone using an iPhone 3GS .
Do I have it right that there’s now glass on the frontandback of the iPhone?
Yep . Apple ’s using what ’s called aluminosilicate glass , which it aver is what you ’ll find on whirlybird and in high spirits - stop number train windshield . It ’s purportedly 20 time squiffy and 30 times heavy than plastic , and features a fingerprint - resistant oleophobic coating . Which means it should actually belesssusceptible to chafe than the original iPhone ’s metal back .
You mentioned two cameras. Is either one better at taking pictures?
Apple has made a routine of alteration to the camera organization on the iPhone , both in ironware and in software package . The iPhone ’s primary photographic camera — the one mounted on its back — now has a 5 - megapixel sensor , up from the 3GS ’s 3 - megapixel detector . However , Jobs made a point of saying during his tonic that megapixels are n’t everything when it come to take pictures . For one thing , Apple kept the pixel size of it the same as before , rather than trying to jam more pixels into the same amount of outer space . The company also built in something called a “ posterior illumination sensing element ” that Jobs enunciate get more of the circuitry behind the sensor , allowing the sensing element to snaffle more wakeful — which should result in good word picture , specially in low light . And for those multiplication when you really demand them , there ’s now an light-emitting diode jiffy and a 5x digital soar , as well .
The front - facing photographic camera on the iPhone 4 , however , is just VGA quality—640 by 480 pixels — but it should still be handy for ego - portraits and the iPhone 4 ’s FaceTime video - confab feature ( see below ) .
And one of those cameras also takes better video now too, right?
Yes . The iPhone 4 ’s rear - facing camera can germinate 1280 - by-720 - pixel video — also known as 720p HD — at up to 30 frames per second , compared to the iPhone 3GS ’s 640 - by-480 pel .
Won’t shooting such larger videos eat up all the free space on my iPhone?
It will unquestionably take up a safe amount of room , although Apple has n’t say just how much . But , for representative , if the iPhone 4 ’s HD telecasting were to use the same data pace as the 720p movies and TV shows Apple offers on the iTunes Store , that TV would require less than 2 GB per hour of footage . ( If you ’re shoot that much footage on your iPhone at a time , you might want to invest in a stand - alone video recording camera of some sort . )
So what will I do with my movies after I’ve shot them?
Just as you could now , you ’ll be able to copy them to your computer , or trim and share them from the iPhone itself . But Apple is also release a $ 5 interlingual rendition of its iMovie consumer video recording - editing coating for utilization on the iPhone 4 . Christopher Breengoes into more depthon how that ’ll work , but suffice it to say , you ’ll have more redaction controls than the trimming features currently available to iPhone 3GS videographers .
Who can I talk to using the FaceTime video-chat feature?
At the mo , the only people who will be able to practice FaceTime are iPhone 4 users . former iPhones wo n’t tolerate the lineament , and Apple has n’t indicated compatibility with other TV - confabulation systems such as Skype or iChat . However , the company has said it plans to make FaceTime an open standard , which would allow other French telephone manufacturers and makers of other devices to implement the feature .
Can I use the new FaceTime video-chat feature anywhere on AT&T’s network?
Unfortunately , no . The iPhone 4 ’s FaceTime video - chat feature presently works only when both iPhones are connected to the cyberspace via Wi - Fi , though Apple did say it was hop-skip to expand the feature to cellular connections in the future . ( For the purposes of this give-and-take , “ the future tense ” stand for “ sometime after 2010 . ” ) You ’ll also necessitate to be capable to place a regular phone call — to initiate the link — so we take for granted that you ’ll need to have a cellular data signal , as well .
Why is there a second microphone on the top of the iPhone 4?
That secondly mic , near the headphone diddlyshit , pull twofold tariff . It ’s used for FaceTime video calls , but it also works with the chief mike on the bottom to ply racket cancellation ( or , as Apple calls it , noise suppression ) to deaden background disturbance while on telephone call .
I like playing games—is the new iPhone for me?
In add-on to the accelerometer found on previous iPhone models , the iPhone 4 sports a three - axis gyro . That should provide for better question sensing of user quickening , angulate speed , and gyration pace . And that should make for secure game , although developer will ask to do some work on their games to take advantage of the gyroscope / accelerometer goodness .
When does the iPhone 4 go on sale?
Apple says that the phone will be available on Thursday , June 24 , in the United States , Japan , Germany , France , and the United Kingdom . customer in those five countries will also be able to pre - order the phone from Apple ’s Website — or the Website of each country ’s respective carriers — start on June 15 . Sales in extra countries will be rolled out in wafture throughout the summer , with the iPhone 4 scheduled to be useable in 88 nation by the end of September . Starting on June 24 , you ’ll be able-bodied to buy the iPhone 4 in Apple and AT&T ’s retail and on-line stores , as well as in Best Buy , Wal - Mart , and ( apparently)RadioShackstores .
How much will the new iPhone 4 cost me?
The 16 GB model costs $ 199 and 32 GB model costs $ 299 . You ’ll require to agree to a two - year armed service contract with AT&T to get an iPhone 4 for those prices .
But I already own an iPhone. Does that affect the price?
It could . AT&T client can take reward of the $ 199/$299 pricing if they ’re eligible for an acclivity . ( There ’s also an $ 18 upgrade fee . ) But it ’s possible you might qualify only for what AT&T calls an “ Early Upgrade”—most likely if you ’ve bought a Modern telephone set sometime within the past few months . In that vitrine , you ’ll pay a steep amount alongside re - up your AT&T deal for two more years : $ 399 for the 16 GB model or $ 499 for the 32 GB model .
How can I find out if I’m eligible for an upgrade discount?
you may check your upgrade availabilityusing the AT&T Wireless Website , but the well-fixed path is to air an empty text subject matter to * 639 # ( * NEW # ) ; within a few proceedings you ’ll meet a textbook content from AT&T explaining your eligibility . ( If you ’re eligible , the message will read , “ As a treasure client , we can offer you an raise with a young 2 - yr dedication and an $ 18 rising slope fee ” or something similar . ) Both text message are complimentary .
Maybe I don’t want to sign a contract. What then?
In that case , you ’ll want to opt for AT&T ’s no - dedication pricing — meaning you do n’t have to signalise a two - year contract bridge . You ’ll pay the full , unsubsidized cost of the phone : $ 599 for the 16 GB model or $ 699 for the 32 GB modeling .
I heard AT&T changed its data plans recently. How does that affect the iPhone 4?
New customers will choose between a programme that provide 200 MB of data for $ 15 per month , or a 2 GB plan for $ 25 per calendar month . If you ’re an be iPhone customer , you’re able to opt for one of the newfangled plans , but AT&T says you’re able to rather choose to stick with your current design — the one giving you inexhaustible datum for $ 30 a month — even if you upgrade to the iPhone 4 . These rates are only for data point , and are in add-on to what you pay for vocalisation and text - message help . For more data , jibe out our frequently asked interrogative on AT&T ’s new data plan .
Can I give my old iPhone to a friend or family member?
Sure , although the usual caveats apply : if he or she wants to habituate it as a headphone , that person will have to signalise up for AT&T service ( or , in other countries , with a compatible carrier ) . Otherwise , your friend or kinsperson member wo n’t be able-bodied to to make phone calls , send or invite text substance , or use cellular data service . mark that , calculate on where you currently are in your AT&T declaration , your old - iPhone recipient role may be require to sign a contract with AT&T to get service .
Will my existing accessories work with the iPhone 4?
Cases in spades wo n’t conform to — the iPhone 4 is minute and thinner than the iPhone 3GS — but most audio and top executive accessories that link up to the iPhone ’s bobtail - connexion port should put to work . supplement makers will likely provide , in the coming weeks , more selective information about compatibility , and we ’ll of row be test various accessories as soon as the iPhone 4 is available .
What will the actual upgrade process be like?
If thing mould the way they have in the past , you ’ll just link your novel iPhone to your reckoner and go through the setup process for transferring an existing phone bit . AT&T and Apple are likely to have more selective information as we get closer to the iPhone 4 ’s ship day of the month .
Will I be able to transfer my existing iPhone data, like saved games and files, to the new phone?
Most likely . When you sync your iPhone with iTunes , a backup of all your mise en scene and data are made . you may commonly restore this backup onto a Modern gadget . However , since the iPhone 4 will postulate an updated interlingual rendition of iTunes , make certain you download iTunes 9.2 and then sync your subsist iPhone with your estimator one last fourth dimension before the transposition , to check that you ’ve backed up the most late version of all your information .
16GB iPhone 4 (GSM, AT&T)
32GB iPhone 4 (GSM, AT&T)
