iPhone 4 First Impressions
Still don’t have an iPhone 4 of my very own, but over the weekend checked out some floor models at an Apple Store.
The Good
- The squared off edges definitely look more serious, durable, and pricey — rendering previous models like my 3G look rather toylike because of all the rounded plastic.
- Definitely feels zippier, particularly compared to my current aged iPhone 3G. Will be awesome to have near-iPad speed on a phone.
- The Retina Display screen is truly awesome in person, and within seconds I can see how reading will be much easier, particularly on websites with small font size.
- Photos and video taken with the camera looked surprisingly good, and would eliminate two long-standing items on my shopping wish list: a new point-and-shoot digital camera and a Flip video camera.
The Bad
- Not sure about the solid metal switches for volume and the ringer switch. Would have preferred black plastic like the iPad.
- The glass back also gives me pause. As with the glass front, it attracts fingerprints like crazy, and the daily ritual of wiping down the iPad will now have to include the front and back of this iPhone. Scrtaching or breaking the back will be an additional worry, extending to what surfaces you place the phone on. So a case will inevitably be in order. Odd that Apple’s own “bumper” only wraps around the edges and doesn’t protect the glass back.
- And lastly there are reports of reception problems, particularly when holding the phone in the left hand — exactly how I hold a cell phone.
- AT&T as a necessary evil.
Despite some quibbles, still sounds like a worthy upgrade. And yes, I am caving on my previous thought to hold off for a couple of months. There must be emitters installed in every Apple Store broadcasting the reality distortion field.
All that’s holding me back is both nearby Apple Stores being sold out. Maybe next weekend.
Don’t sweat the reception thing. I’m a lefty, and I can only make this happen if I really, really, try. And even then, it only reduces my bars. I still stay connected to the call.
In general, my reception has greatly improved with this new model. I’m getting access now in a lot of places I previously couldn’t.
If you use your phone one-handed a lot, like I do, you don’t tend to press the phone into your palm, as that gives your thumb limited access to the screen, anyway.
Having said all that, There’s a rumored software fix on the way that should end this problem for the most part.
Hmmm, while I trust your experience with the reception issue, mg seigler of tech crunch just wrote a post on his parislemon blog that gives me pause.
Still want to upgrade but am again thinking there’s no harm waiting another week or so to get more clarity on this.
[…] The other day I was set by the Apple Store and pull the trigger on an iPhone 4, but recent news gives me more reason to pause. […]