I’ve been using the my new iPhone now for about 10 days, and have some thoughts on the device:
Hardware
The screen is fantastic, a huge improvement on the 3GS. No question, this is one of the best, if not the best screen on a phone today. It’s the same size as previous iPhones, and still LCD technology, but it’s as clear and bright as I can imagine wanting it to be.
The redesign is radical, and edgy. It’s also not as comfortable in the hand, tho I’m sure I’ll get used to it. The curved back and sides of the previous models fitted my hand very nicely. This doesn’t do so well.
The external steel antennas wrapping around the new phone have apparently caused some users issues with reception, depending on how they hold the phone. I have’t been able to duplicate the issues myself. Maybe my body electricity is a little different, but for me, the reception has been great.
The downside of the glass and steel design may be that it is more vulnerable to damage. Most of the photos I’ve seen of cracked screens or backs have shown the damage radiating from a corner. Dropping onto a corner may be a great way to spider-web the glass with cracks. Certainly dropping it so the glass strikes a sharp rock, etc. is likely to crack it. The glass may be harder, but harder can also be more fragile, more breakable. Time will tell.
I dropped my 3GS several times, in several different situations, with no problem. I dropped the new 4 twice yesterday, and my heart was in my throat when I reached down for it, but so far, lucky. No damage.
Camera
The camera is great! Access to a flash is way overdue, and the quality is vastly improved. Touch focus and zoom are very nice features, but I wish I could zoom video as well. Maybe next model. At least the flash can be used as a video light. As it is, photos taken with the new iPhone 4 are sharp enough to make an 8×10 as crisp and clear as anything you could ask for.
Phone
There’s been a lot of noise about reception, AT&T and other phone problems. I haven’t experienced them myself, but in Sonoma County the AT&T system doesn’t seem to be overwhelmed, and I’m getting better reception than ever. Call quality is good, and the noise-cancelling mike can’t help but make the experience better on the other side of the call. Sound quality is better, more present than ever.
Personally, I don’t seem to have the problem with reception reported widely. I can hold my phone any way I want, and it works. Your mileage may vary, but the Apple Bumper case seems to take care of the issue. I’ll pick one up soon, not because of reception, but to protect against drop damage.
More to come… stay tuned!
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