For awhile, no smartphone manufacturers held a candle to Apple and its iPhone. As time went on, companies realized that their existence would depend on keeping up with smartphone technology and spent time and money improving their own models. As the gap has closed, Apple felt the pressure to remain ahead of the competition, and has answered their competitors handsets with the iPhone 4.
The iPhone 4 features some changes on the inside from previous models. Replacing the Samsung-based Cortex CPU in the 3GS, iPhone 4s predecessor, is Apples own A4 chip. Those in the know will recognize this as the same chip found in the iPad. While the iPad boasts 1GHz of speed with the A4 processor, the iPhone 4 doesnt quite reach those heights. This is not to say the phone is slow by any means. It renders graphics quickly and navigates smoothly. Users who are looking for a high performance phone have nothing to worry about.
A 3.5 inch screen displays these graphics, which is notably smaller than some other models of the iPhone 4s ilk. Before the complaints begin, it should be noted that the display features 960 x 640 pixel resolution in addition to a whopping 326 ppi pixel density. Known as the Retina Display, it earned the moniker based on claims that images are displayed in more detail than the human eye can accomplish. Granted, it may seem a bit much if the eye cant even fully appreciate the sharpness, but the Retina Display should allay any fears of pixilation or anything less than perfect. That alone makes up for what the screen lacks in size.
With a display so sharp, one would hope that Apple has improved on the rather weak 3 megapixel camera found on older models. They have, as the iPhone 4 features a 5 megapixel camera with a backside-illuminated sensor that is more light-sensitive. The LED flash is one of the smaller sizes and can blow out some photos, but the iPhone takes terrific photos in low light and without a flash.
Finally, Apple has decided that it is time to produce a phone that allows multitasking. Though not backgrounding in the strictest sense of the word, the iPhone lets some APIs that imitate backgrounding to run simultaneously. Critics will cry foul, but for regular, everyday users, it is just fine. Until now, Apple has stated that their smartphones would suffer battery drain by performing multitasking. The iPhone 4 has cleared up any potential issue here, as it has been known to produce almost 40 hours of normal use in some tests.
With the iPhone 4, Apple has once again established itself as a leader in smartphone technology. With a Retina Display that none other can boast and improved performance, they have set the bar high. Not only has Apple won again, so have their customers.
