13th Sep 2010
The iPhone 4 is the new 4th generation slate smartphone successor to the iPhone 3GS. It is particularly marketed for video calling, consumption of media such as books and periodicals, movies, music, and games, and for general web and e-mail access. However upon launch users discovered they had difficulty making and recieving calls - why? Find out here.
The iPhone 4 was released with wide market anticipation. But did it live up to the hype? In my view ‘no’ but only because of the false start it was given. A mobile phone that has difficulty in making and recieving calls is not really a mobile phone. That said Apple were quick to diagnose the issue and offer early adopters a ‘free’ bumper that deals with the casing (thus signal) issues. But be quick – you have to download the app and request a free case – and you only have until the end of the month to do it! Other than that – the iPhone 4 is very sexy, if not slightly on the heavy side.
What went wrong with the iPhone 4?
Upon release users reported signal issues when holding or gripping the handset on the lower left side. It seems the antenna, which is aluminum (again hence the weight) that circle the outside of the phione ‘shorts when held by the human hand. Apple refused to recall the phone (probably to avoid brand damage) but instead to issue free cases that seem to have resolved some of the issues. Orange report that they have not received any such issues on their network.
As a result I have been spending some time trying to evaluate the iPhone versus it’s competitors, namely the Google Android enabled Samsung I9000 Galaxy S. Here are my key findings:
What does the Samsung I9000 Galaxy S have over Apple iPhone 4?
The samsung has the powerful Google Android 2.1 Éclair software, and the 2.2 Froyo update is just around the corner
It has a bigger screen: 4” SuperAMOLED display with a 15:9 widescreen aspect ratio HD
It supports a regular SIM
FLASH WEBSITES WORK!!!!!
DivX/XviD video support
FM radio with RDS
It is notably cheaper
A far higher percentage of APP’s are free.
It is profoundly lighter – or the iPhone is profoundly heavy – you decide
No known issues – works on all networks
What does the Apple iPhone 4 have over Samsung Galaxy S?
Established brand – brand appeal – you can’t argue against this point
It runs on iOS 4
640 x 960 pixel Retina display – the clarity is great
Scratch-resistant, high-quality glass panels – hence the weight
LED flash
Precise movement tracking via a gyro sensor
You decide. I have to say I would choose the Galaxy S, but the Apple brand still has a real appeal – but not enough on this occasion.
Martin 
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