IPhone 4 - experience so far

[TheStoat]

Hi guys,

I thought that since so much has been written about the iPhone 4 for so long I'd jot down a couple of notes on my findings. The idea is that having bought one fairly recently all the software bugs *should* be pretty much ironed out and any hardware revisions should be incorporated in my handset. Of course the iPhone 5 should have better reception, a faster processor, bigger screen and more memory but since none of that is confirmed this mini review might hopefully still be of some use...

The phone. I think it is lovely even after all these months of seeing it on adverts etc. It reminds me of my 2G in the way it feels so solid to the touch. I'm on a 24 month contract and dare I say it - this handset feels like it will go the distance. The glass remains pleasingly free of smears after some serious use and no cleaning. The aluminium frame complements the black perfectly. I personally prefer a phone that while being small has some heft to it, if that makes sense? This chap is spot on for me. Thanks to the ali frame my headphones and charger plug in with a satisfactory security that I find reassuring. The only downside I can think of is what would happen to all this glass and aluminium in a pocket full of keys. Or if I dropped the phone. Aluminium is a softish metal in a lot of applications and glass fractures if stressed in the wrong way. I guess a plastic phone could come away with a scuff where the iPhone might end up with a chip or crack. Pouch or bumper thingy recommended for peace of mind...

Speaking of which the only thing I've bought for the phone so far has been a leather cover from Maikai. So many cases, all too much money and something for everyone! In the end I went for this leather pouch with its own built-in extractor ribbon and go faster stripe:



£30 to your door, nicely packaged, prompt dispatch, plenty of photos on the site and a promise of being designed for my phone. I can report favourably (as should be the case for that price!). The case fits perfectly to the millimetre, is well constructed and remains slim. It offers protection for all but the top face of the frame and gives the impression it will last as long as the phone. Made from real leather - including some from an orange cow - it will age nicely too. I am pleased. One final feature is a set of perforations that allow you to hear the ringer more clearly. Useful because covers have a tendency to dampen the vibrations you might otherwise rely on

Using the phone. Well here I must hold up my hand and say I love the Apple way of software design so I have the advantage of previous OSX and iOS experience. I can honestly say however that learning curve aside this is an easy phone to use. I never find myself wishing something worked a different way. The only time I grumble is when I find I can't do something. Yet. I personally find the predictability of the response to the different screen gestures such as 'press and hold' an aid to learning the capabilities of the phone. I like the fact that whatever I use on the phone has an iOS look and feel to it. Again I get an impression of solidity but this time it's from the software. Following on from the infamous 'alarming alarms' episodes there needs to be a reassuring build quality to the phone's software...
Backing up all your data. I've got a 32GB phone so if I include music this phone has a lot of data. Migrating from my 3G S and subsequent backups and updates have been perhaps a little slower than expected but all in all without drama. I love that the software finally backs up everything to a computer. Would be nice if it could just give a shrug, mutter about throughput and then do it all over wireless but hey ho. If Android backs up over WiFi and shouts about it then Apple may well come on board too

Using the actual phone. I am a fan of metal and glass. I know plastics can be lighter but stronger for a given weight and metal properties vary wildly with the component composition of the alloy but broadly speaking for me there is more joy in the tactile sensations to be had from a 4 than a 3G S. The fit of the switch and buttons is excellent on my phone and they feel weighted just so with a satisfying resistance to movement. The phone has for me the equivalent of that 'thunk' only certain car doors emit
But before I drift off into hyperbole and the Internet drowns in barf let me tell you about actually phoning a person. I'm pleased to report I don't seem to be suffering poor signal strength. Nor does the phone. We make calls where and when we please and with whichever hand happens to be free at the time. If it were a competitive activity my phone and I would be kicking names and taking bottom. Whatever that actually means. I'm also pleased with the battery life versus my 3G S. The phone is brand new so jolly well ought to have good battery life but after a day of spanking the daylights out of The Internets etc the phone still has enough charge left to alarm me the next morning. It does seem to take longer to charge up than the previous incarnation but I suppose this is due to the bigger battery I was only praising a moment ago. Doh!
The screen is nothing short of a joy to use. The extra resolution making it not only easier to read smaller text but more comfortable to use the phone for long periods. Like any smartphone the screen is trumped by a desktop machine's offering for photo editing and the like but I have used my phone for hours at a time in genuine comfort. Some people hanker for a larger screen but for me that's really down to personal priorities. I find the current offering to be a good compromise of legibility versus portability
The camera. Well what can I say about a five megapixel camera with flash? I could start with 'finally Apple have been dragged kicking and screaming into the eleventh century' but that would be too easy. I will say this though - given even a cloudy day like this week the camera barely suffers in the quality stakes. It seems to have a sensor that actually captures most of the pixels coming through the lens. Without cleaning the lens first. Or setting fire to the subject to bump up the ambient light. Here's a happy snap from me, a distinctly casual photographer:



Ignore the blown highlights, it was either have Charlie show up crisp and bright OR have Katy Kat show in the gloomy corner of the settee Check out the detail on the fur and the pattern on the cushion. It's almost certainly not the best camera out there but Apple have caught up enough in my mind to make the iPhone a credible option for people who lile to phone and photograph
Speaking of which you'll notice no real mention of Facetime here. Firstly why would I want to video call other than for porn reasons and secondly how can I if my friends don't have a webcam on their phones?
Playing music. Well at 32GB this one plays music well and in copious amounts. When I dock it to external speakers the quality is there too which is reassuring. I wouldn't be happy to trade CDs for noughts and ones if I knew it meant going back to tape quality...

In summary then. Overall I think the iPhone 4 is expensive at £189 with a contract but it is also a thing of beauty to behold and use. All of the features are available from an intuitive menu. Music plays while I browse and I can play Solitaire when I'm on hold too so it meets my browsing-heavy needs. Does it do things better than Android phones? From my limited experience the answer would be yes and no. The two platforms are currently trading punches toe to toe as far as I can see

Any questions? Think I've missed something out or want to lend me your Android phone to compare? You know where I am

Cheers,

Andy

[soad]

In before the move...nowt to do with cars
Cute pussycats though

Belongs here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/forum.asp?h=0&a...

[anonymous-user]

How did I get here?

Are you the annoying bald man from the gadget show?

It really looks like you are trying to advertise those cases too.

[TheStoat]

Ahhhh..... Woe is me! My first ever 'wrong forum' fail. * hangs head in shame*

Sorry chaps, we've been having discussions about Apple, Android, iPhone 5 etc in a certain other forum. As you were...

[alfa daley]

well given the iphone 4 has been out for aaages, and you went to the trouble of posting a photo, a link and describing the wonderful product photos and prompt despatch on that case site, the cynic in me might think you had some connection to the company selling them, SEO or otherwise. But of course that's not the case is it? ()

[k-ink]

Call me old fashined but I like to be able to make phone calls with my phone Style over substance

[eldar]

I'm delighted with mine, and I haven't even got one....

[roadend1981]

I like my iPhone 4,but I love my HTC desire hd.