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Apple iPhone 4 review

8.3/10 AVG.
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Apple iPhone 4
Apple iPhone 4
Apple iPhone 4
Apple iPhone 4
Apple iPhone 4
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8.3/10
Informr score
The Apple iPhone 4 currently has an Informr score of 8.3 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 42 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

The Apple iPhone 4 came onto the cell phone scene in 2010. When the iPhone 4 was introduced, the improved physical design was immediately evident, and the list of updates was impressive.

To begin with, the iPhone 4 has a more stylish and hi-tech look than the earlier iPhone models. Both the front screen and back panel are constructed with super strong aluminosilicate glass, the same glass used for windows on helicopters. A band of brushed stainless steel that wraps all around the phone is the antenna.

The iPhone 4 comes with a 5 megapixel camera on both the front and the back, no more shooting photos of yourself in front of a mirror, the camera easily switches from front screen to back screen view. With added 5x digital zoom, and a flash that can be turned off, this is one of the best phone cameras on the market today.

The video recording is now HD, and combined with Apple's iMovie or another app, high quality videos are at your fingertips. Another feature of the front screen and back screen camera option is Face Time, video conferencing that is as easy as making a phone call.

At the basis of all these improvements is Apple's move to the powerful and energy-efficient Apple A4 chip. The new IOS 4, which Apple calls "the most advanced mobile operating system in the world" brings with it several upgrades. These include multi-tasking, which, when combined with the faster app switching, makes every application on the iPhone easier to use. The added gyroscope feature offers all way motion sensors- the best thing in the world for gaming. iPhone 4 comes with folder options that are easily organized, re-organized and updated. Enhanced mail features along with many other features, big and small are included.

Saving the most awesome improvement for last, we come to the Retina Display. This updated display is super bright, crisp and completely pixel free. With 326 pixels per inch, the human eye is not capable of distinguishing pixels from any angle. The contrast is at a whopping 800:1 ratio, four times higher than previous iPhones.

This is the world's best selling smart phone for a reason.

Need to Know: Apple iPhone 4

1. A Retina Display provides amazing visuals, the crispest images on any cell phone. (The Good)

2. A 5 megapixel camera, with available flash and 5x digital zoom. (The Good)

3. Powered by what Apple calls "the world's fastest mobile processor". (The Good)

4. A 16GB model costs $649. Ouch! (The Bad)


iOS
Operating system
Operating system
iOS
1 GHz
Processor
Processor
1 GHz
3.5"
Screen Size
Screen Size
3.5"
5+ MP
Camera
Camera
5+ MP
1420 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


Cnet
Cnet

At a hefty cost, the Virgin Mobile iPhone 4 delivers an unlimited plan without a contract -- just don't expect blazing-fast data speeds.Other than pricing, data speeds, and call quality, Virgin's iPhone 4 is pretty much the same as all the others. You still get all the expected essentials, like the...

- Lynn La, Cnet
Top Ten Reviews
Top Ten Reviews

Just when you think there isn't much more that can be added to a cellular device, Apple again proves you wrong. With video-chat capabilities, a 5MP main camera, HD video-recording capabilities and iPod functionality built into the Apple iPhone 4, you have all the multimedia features you need to meet...

- Top Ten Reviews Team, Top Ten Reviews
Recombu
Recombu

Every iPhone elicits strong reactions from the fanboys on one side and the detractors on the other. Picking your way between the hype and the hate, there's no doubt that iPhone 4 is a hugely impressive smartphone. It corrects key flaws in the previous model – particularly the battery life – and is o...

- Hannah Bouckley , Recombu
NDTV
NDTV

In-spite of being a year late, the iPhone provides a sublime smartphone experience. On paper, one would think that the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S 2 and LG Optimus 2x would walk all over it due to their superior hardware but that was clearly not true. The iPhone matched them punch for punch and in...

- Sahil Mohan Gupta, NDTV
Computer Shopper
Computer Shopper

The iPhone comes with a one-year limited warranty and 90 days of toll-free telephone support. An extended AppleCare warranty will cover your iPhone for two more years; it costs $69 extra. That cost was not factored into the price of our test unit.After our testing, the question we were left with is...

- Jonathan Rougeot , Computer Shopper


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions


Apple iPhone 4 prices will vary depending on retailer, age, special offers and whether or not it's purchased with a service plan. If purchased with a 2 year service contract for example, you would likely pay much less for the phone itself up front. Apple's suggested retail price is $450.00. You can compare iPhone 4 prices from around the web here on The Informr.


We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Apple iPhone 4 user manual here.


Apple backs up the iPhone 4 with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.


If your iPhone 4 has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Apple support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Apple's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.




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Quick view

Screen Size
3.5"

The Apple iPhone 4's screen size is 3.5 inches with x pixels resolution.

Processor
1 GHz

There is a Apple A4 1 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on proprietary operating system firmware.

Camera
5+ MP

You can take photos or capture video with the phone's onboard 5+ MP camera.

There is also a secondary front facing camera with VGA (640 x 480) resolution.

Storage
16/32 GB

Internal memory is 16/32 GB. No external card slot is available for expansion.

Battery
1420mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 1420 mAh battery. Apple's performance ratings are 12.5 days standby time, 840 minutes, 600 minutes Wi-Fi surfing.

iPhone 4 Specs

Overview
Release Date June 7, 2010
Regions Available USA, Canada, United Kingdom
Operating System No

Compare iOS Smartphones

Processor Apple A4 1 GHz
Internal Storage 16/32 GB
RAM 512 MB
Hearing Aid Compatible Yes
TTY/TDD Yes
Noise Cancellation Yes
SAR Head: 1.17 W/kg
Body: 0.43 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Data Cable, Headset, Manual, Standard Battery
Cellular
Networks
GPRS, EDGE, HSDPA 7.2, HSUPA
Mobile / Cellular Data
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling No
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) No
SIM card size
Yes
variations
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Micro-USB 2.0
USB OTG Support No
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth 2.1
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, HFP, HSP
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Mobile Hotspot No
Memory Expansion Slot No
Expansion Slot Info
NFC No
Data Tethering Compatibility Yes
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
5+ Megapixels
Zoom
5x digital
Flash
Yes (LED)
Additional Rear Camera Info
Auto focus, Geotagging
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4
Video Recording Parameters
HD (1280 x 720 pixels), 30 fps
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
VGA (640 x 480)+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
No
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD (TFT)
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution x pixels
Pixel Density 326 pixels
Size 3.5 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Digital Compass
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features Capacitive touch screen
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 1420 mAh
Removable Battery No
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging No
Video Playback Time Up to 600 minutes
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 600 minutes
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Talk Time Up to 840 minutes
Standby Time Up to 12.5 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Bar
Material Plastic
Colors Black, White
Dimensions [H x W x D] 11.4 x 5.9 x 1.0 cm (4.5 x 2.3 x 0.4 in)
Weight 136 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers No
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key Yes
Home Key Yes
Input / Keyboard Type Touchscreen
Navigation Type Touchscreen
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
More
Additional Information Messaging: SMS, MMS
Multi-Use Smart Phone / PDA: Yes
Graphics: Wallpapers
Themes: Yes
Backlit Illumination: Yes
Zoom / Magnification: Yes
Mute Key: Yes
Predictive Text Entry: Yes
Voice Commands: Yes
Keypad/Screen Lock: Yes
Multiple Numbers Per Contact: Email address, Other fields
Contact Groups: Yes
Voice Activated Dialing: Yes
Photo Caller ID: Yes
Web Browser: Yes
Email Client: Yes
Email Protocols: POP3, IMAP, SMTP, Microsoft Exchange
PC Synchronization: Yes
TV Out Info: HDMI
Audio Formats: MP3, Protected AAC, AAC, Audible, Apple Lossless, AIFF, WAV
Video Playback Formats: 3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4
Streaming Video: Yes
Custom Ringtones: No
Vibration Alert: Yes
Downloadable Ringtones: Yes
Ringer ID: Yes
Speakerphone: Yes
Data Tethering: Yes
Viewable document types: DOC, DOCX, HTML, PDF, PPT, PPTX, RTF, TXT, XLS
Games: Downloadable
Apps: Downloadable
Included Software / Apps: -
To-Do / Task List, Calendar, World Clock, Alarm, Stop Watch, Timer, Calculator, Currency Converter, Weather, Stocks, Maps, NotePad, Voice Memos / Recorder

Other Names (AKA): iPhone HD
Related Links Manual (PDF)
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