Apple unveils redesigned, thinner iPhone 4 with two cameras
Calling it the biggest leap since the original iPhone, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs introduced the new iPhone on Monday, complete with an all-new, thinner design, camera flash, front-facing camera, a second noise-canceling microphone, and a gyroscope for six-axis motion sensing.
Availability
The new hardware arrives on June 24, while preorders begin on June 15. It is available in the same prices and capacities as last year's model: $199 for 16GB, and $299 for 32GB. The iPhone 3GS will be available for $99. The hardware is available in both black and white.
"iPhone 4 is the biggest leap since the original iPhone," Jobs said. "FaceTime video calling sets a new standard for mobile communication, and our new Retina display is the highest resolution display ever in a phone, with text looking like it does on a fine printed page. We have been dreaming about both of these breakthroughs for decades."
Design
Jobs boasted that the new iPhone is beyond any consumer product that's ever been seen, only 9.3mm thick and 24 percent thinner than the iPhone 3GS, making it the "thinnest smartphone on the planet."
Jobs said that the structure of the phone is now connected to the antennas, improving the reception of the iPhone with its stainless steel border.
"I don't think there's another consumer product like this," Jobs said. "When you hold this in your hands, it's unbelievable."
Created from a unique alloy, then forged to be five times stronger than standard steel, the CNC-machined band is the mounting point for all the components of iPhone 4. The band provides impressive structural rigidity and allows for its thin, refined design. It also functions as both iPhone 4 antennas.
As revealed in the prototype device obtained months ago, the hardware has an LED camera flash, a micro-SIM slot, and new flat back and front.
The front and back are made of aluminosilcate glass, chemically strengthened to be 30 times harder than plastic, more scratch resistant and more durable than ever. The front and back glass have an oil-resistant coating that helps keep it clean, and encircling iPhone 4 is a highly finished stainless steel band made of a custom alloy that is forged to be five times stronger than standard steel.
Display
The new device also has four times as many pixels in the same amount of space, providing for sharper text and more accurate colors through what Apple has dubbed "retina display." The new device has a display with 326 pixels per inch, beyond the display capabilities of the human retina, Jobs said.
"Once you use a Retina Display, you can't go back," he said.
Network issues prevented Jobs from showing the website for The New York Times to demonstrate the display, but he did display new photos from the device. When Jobs turned to Scott Forstall, senior vice president for iPhone software, for ideas, someone in the audience suggested they try the Verizon network.
The new display is 960 by 640 pixels, with an 800-to-1 contrast ratio. Like the iPad, it also has an LCD screen with IPS technology for superior viewing angles. Jobs said IPS is a better option than OLED.
"We think this is going to set the standard for the next several years," Jobs said.
Internals
The new hardware also has a larger battery that offers longer uptime, including 7 hours of talk time 3G, 6 hours of 3G browsing, 10 hours of Wi-Fi browsing, 10 hours of video, 40 hours of music, and 300 hours of standby.
A new two-axis gyroscope, combined with the iPhone's accelerometer, will offer "much more precise movement," Jobs said. He demonstrated it by showing a Jenga-style application with a stack of wood in a 3D space, and turning had the image adjust accordingly.
The hardware also has the A4 processor found in the iPad, and has a second microphone for noise canceling.
Dual cameras
The iPhone 4 also includes a whole-new camera system that includes LED flash with a 5 megapixel lens that records HD video. The new rear camera will record 720p video at 30 frames per second. Users can also use built-in video editing to trim their HD clips right on the phone.
The handset's forward facing camera can be used for video chat with the application FaceTime, allowing users to see someone using another iPhone 4 as they talk to them. Videos can also be edited using the new iMovie application, which will cost $4.99 on the App Store.
Accessories
Apple will release its first official case for its handset with the iPhone 4. Called a "bumper," it will cover the stainless steel perimeter of the handset and is available in six colors, including white and black to match the options on the device itself. The bumper costs $29.
Apple will also have a new dock to match the new iPhone 4 hardware. It will also cost $29.
Availability
The new hardware arrives on June 24, while preorders begin on June 15. It is available in the same prices and capacities as last year's model: $199 for 16GB, and $299 for 32GB. The iPhone 3GS will be available for $99. The hardware is available in both black and white.
"iPhone 4 is the biggest leap since the original iPhone," Jobs said. "FaceTime video calling sets a new standard for mobile communication, and our new Retina display is the highest resolution display ever in a phone, with text looking like it does on a fine printed page. We have been dreaming about both of these breakthroughs for decades."
Design
Jobs boasted that the new iPhone is beyond any consumer product that's ever been seen, only 9.3mm thick and 24 percent thinner than the iPhone 3GS, making it the "thinnest smartphone on the planet."
Jobs said that the structure of the phone is now connected to the antennas, improving the reception of the iPhone with its stainless steel border.
"I don't think there's another consumer product like this," Jobs said. "When you hold this in your hands, it's unbelievable."
Created from a unique alloy, then forged to be five times stronger than standard steel, the CNC-machined band is the mounting point for all the components of iPhone 4. The band provides impressive structural rigidity and allows for its thin, refined design. It also functions as both iPhone 4 antennas.
As revealed in the prototype device obtained months ago, the hardware has an LED camera flash, a micro-SIM slot, and new flat back and front.
The front and back are made of aluminosilcate glass, chemically strengthened to be 30 times harder than plastic, more scratch resistant and more durable than ever. The front and back glass have an oil-resistant coating that helps keep it clean, and encircling iPhone 4 is a highly finished stainless steel band made of a custom alloy that is forged to be five times stronger than standard steel.
Display
The new device also has four times as many pixels in the same amount of space, providing for sharper text and more accurate colors through what Apple has dubbed "retina display." The new device has a display with 326 pixels per inch, beyond the display capabilities of the human retina, Jobs said.
"Once you use a Retina Display, you can't go back," he said.
Network issues prevented Jobs from showing the website for The New York Times to demonstrate the display, but he did display new photos from the device. When Jobs turned to Scott Forstall, senior vice president for iPhone software, for ideas, someone in the audience suggested they try the Verizon network.
The new display is 960 by 640 pixels, with an 800-to-1 contrast ratio. Like the iPad, it also has an LCD screen with IPS technology for superior viewing angles. Jobs said IPS is a better option than OLED.
"We think this is going to set the standard for the next several years," Jobs said.
Internals
The new hardware also has a larger battery that offers longer uptime, including 7 hours of talk time 3G, 6 hours of 3G browsing, 10 hours of Wi-Fi browsing, 10 hours of video, 40 hours of music, and 300 hours of standby.
A new two-axis gyroscope, combined with the iPhone's accelerometer, will offer "much more precise movement," Jobs said. He demonstrated it by showing a Jenga-style application with a stack of wood in a 3D space, and turning had the image adjust accordingly.
The hardware also has the A4 processor found in the iPad, and has a second microphone for noise canceling.
Dual cameras
The iPhone 4 also includes a whole-new camera system that includes LED flash with a 5 megapixel lens that records HD video. The new rear camera will record 720p video at 30 frames per second. Users can also use built-in video editing to trim their HD clips right on the phone.
The handset's forward facing camera can be used for video chat with the application FaceTime, allowing users to see someone using another iPhone 4 as they talk to them. Videos can also be edited using the new iMovie application, which will cost $4.99 on the App Store.
Accessories
Apple will release its first official case for its handset with the iPhone 4. Called a "bumper," it will cover the stainless steel perimeter of the handset and is available in six colors, including white and black to match the options on the device itself. The bumper costs $29.
Apple will also have a new dock to match the new iPhone 4 hardware. It will also cost $29.
Comments
i wonder if there are any other devices using this screen yet.
CGC
I would have paid to hear that
Photo please? How does it compare with the Gizmodo and other leasks. My prediction before was that there might be significant difference, Or, more internet based from what was being stated in the presentation.
CGC
Jobs mentioned that you may have already seen it, so I would assume it's pretty much the same.
Jobs mentioned that you may have already seen it, so I would assume it's pretty much the same.
It's, from what I can see, is 100% the same. They even explained what the seams are for.
Reading the "livecast", seems more exciting based on the features jobs was describing. Really tempted to buy now. I just wish AT&T has better plans.
I am supposed to be finishing stuff for my trip on Wednesday, but cannot keep away.
CGC
They just asked the bloggers to turn em off. Sounds like a revolt in the making. Really not a big deal. So folks will have to wait a bit longer to get the details, or better yet, why don't they just use 3g?
[edit] : Some are doing just that. Switching to 3G to work around the issue.
Look, it's got all the latest and greatest (like a high res screen, 720 HD video recording, a front facing camera) but the evo can be directly compared to this thing.
It really irritates me when someone like Jobs or Ballmer acts like people don't know what else is on the market when they say there's nothing like their product.
Overall, this is a good evolution of the iphone. Still not as revolutionary as the first though.
"When Jobs turned to Scott Forstall, senior vice president for iPhone software, for ideas, someone in the audience suggested they try the Verizon network."
I would have paid to hear that
Yeah no kidding. I love that
Really tempted to buy now.
I ain't tempted, I am sold.
Overall, this is a good evolution of the iphone. Still not as revolutionary as the first though.
Can't have revolution every minute. An ecoystem needs to find an equilibrium.
Finally, the shortened the name of the OS => iOS. They should do the same for the iPod Touch.
Yeah no kidding. I love that
The place where we are setting up a business in California, they are applying for a Google "all city wired" program, if that gets approved, no need for data plan anymore. I wish that is optional. At least it would be good for the iPad.
Livecast:
iBooks features are getting better. I really like that. If I know how to create the Apps there are a number of education projects I wish to create for the iPad, mainly.
CGC
"When Jobs turned to Scott Forstall, senior vice president for iPhone software, for ideas, someone in the audience suggested they try the Verizon network."
I would have paid to hear that
Many people did.
Yeah no kidding. I love that
To which Steve Jobs replied, "Well, we're on Wi-fi here." Ohh, Smack!
Overall, this is a good evolution of the iphone. Still not as revolutionary as the first though.
The gyroscope, overall thinness of the device, and using the casing as the antenna, it all seems to be what sets this phone apart, but the way Jobs described this thing talking about how nothing on the market comes close, that's laughable.
Look, it's got all the latest and greatest (like a high res screen, 720 HD video recording, a front facing camera) but the evo can be directly compared to this thing.
It really irritates me when someone like Jobs or Ballmer acts like people don't know what else is on the market when they say there's nothing like their product.
Overall, this is a good evolution of the iphone. Still not as revolutionary as the first though.
Unlike the landfill-destined Android phones, this iPhone is a seriously polished hardware/software combo. It works, and Apple's borderline-clinical attention to detail is what will continue to keep the iPhone the platinum-standard for everyone else to reach.
I'll take SJ's viewpoint of what the market is like anytime compared to your perception of it is.
And as usual, the rest of the competition is watching all the webcasts while their copy-machines are warming up. Why do any real R&D when they can get it for free from Apple?
Even with the iOS4 coming out, I'm willing to bet they already have an early prototype of iOS5 working deep in the caves of Apple Skunkwerks. They just bring shame to the competition.
I'm sold. The moment it's available - and the waiting lines dissipate - I'm getting one! My trusty 2g iPhone will happily retire as a iPod Touch.
— Glad to see Apple didn't kowtow to marketing hype by adding excessive pixels that are smaller while ignoring the rest of the camera components. Can't wait to see the 8Mpx EVO 4G camera up against the 5Mpx iPhone 4.
— I can't believe I never even considered the break in the frame was due to it being two antennas.
— The statement of A4 without the 1GHz clockspeed that was stated with the iPad tells me it's underclocked.
— 2+ hours of 3G talk time; 1+ hour for WiFi and 3G browsing; 10+ hours for audio playback. It stayed at 10 hours for video playback, but with an IPS display at 4x the pixels that is a solid achievement.
sorry, but a 2-axis gyro plus a 3-axis accelerometer does not equal a 6-axis sensor package, as this article claimed. I develop flight software around these sensors everyday. I also develop iPhone apps (ShatterBall, BalloonMaker) and I was REALLY hoping for a 6 degree of freedom sensor package.
The article has it wrong. According to the projection behind Steve Jobs, as shown on Engadget, it's a 3-Axis gyroscope.