Apple iPhone 4: First review

 

Thin and slim ... new Apple iPhone 4 launches

FIRST they changed the way we listened to music, then they revolutionised the mobile phone and now Apple look set to reinvent the way we communicate once again - by bringing VIDEO CALLING to the masses.

Available from Thursday across the UK, the new iPhone 4 is the thinnest, fastest and most powerful mobile yet from the American technology giant. But while Apple boffins have worked hard to make it the sexiest-looking handset around - 24 per cent slimmer than last year's 3GS model - the firm has also invested plenty of time into changing how we chat.
Every iPhone 4 features a second camera on the front so you can see - and be seen - by the person you are speaking to.

Called FaceTime, it's a truly revolutionary advance in technology. Video calls are nothing new, but in the past they have relied on the 3G mobile network which often led to shaky pictures on screen and stuttering audio. It also worked out very expensive.
FaceTime only works if both people have an iPhone 4 and each caller must be connected to a wireless internet signal. But that means it will cost nothing to use if you're at home or hooked up on the high street to free Wi-Fi.
The Sun was one of the first in the country to get early access to an iPhone 4 and we wasted no time testing the system out with a friend in Paris.
You just dial their number as normal, connect the call and press a single button to see each other face-to-face. Your own mugshot is then displayed in a small box that can be dragged anywhere on the screen so it won't spoil your view.

Video chat ... talk on FaceTime

The picture was crystal clear and the sound pitch perfect, and the simplicity of the system means it won't be long before you're FaceTime-ing on your summer holiday, at work and while relaxing indoors.
Just be careful. Accidentally hitting the wrong key on the touchscreen when you've just got out of the bath, or when you're suffering from a hangover, might not show the person at the other end your best side.
But when you're able to see the Eiffel Tower in all its sunny glory from hundreds of miles away from London, you understand just how breathtaking FaceTime could be.
The launch of the iPhone 4 marks the first time the gadget is available from every mobile phone network on day one. It is also being offered direct from Apple without having to buy an expensive new monthly contract, costing £599 for the top-of-the-range 32GB model and £499 for the 16GB version.
As well as FaceTime, there are plenty of other reasons for gadget fans to get excited and upgrade.
With a toughened glass front and back, it's one of the sexiest phones you'll ever see. It is 24 per cent thinner than the previous 3GS model and now has a stainless steel band around the edge that features the antennas rather than bulking out the inside with this technology.
It's sturdy too with all the exceptional build quality and materials you'd expect from Apple's engineers. In fact, it's such a beauty, that you're constantly worried about dropping it.
Thankfully, Apple Stores will be selling plastic jumpers, that come in different colours and protect the edges by slotting over the sides. Neatly, they are also raised so if the handset does fall to the ground, the screen and back are protected because the jumper hits the ground first.
The new Retina display is also eye-catching with FOUR times the image and text quality of its predecessor and there's also improved battery life to please the millions of iPhone owners who regularly run out of juice.

iPhone phwoar ... the latest must-have gadget

The text quality is amazing, far better than anything that's come before on an iPhone or any other smartphone. Those with an iPad used to now reading magazines and viewing high quality pictures will be happy that experience now comes in a shrunken size. In fact, there's 78 per cent of the iPad's pixels from its 10 inch screen in this 3.5 inch display.
Gaming is also set to take off in new exciting ways thanks to a Gyroscope inside that recognises 360-degree movements and will offer developers the chance to create Wii-like experiences on the move.
The new iOS 4 operating system also offers hundreds of tweaks including multi-tasking to use more than one app at once and organise things into folders and iBooks. That has already seen more than five million books downloaded to iPads since it launched and now turns this device into an e-reader.
Owners of 3G and 3GS iPhones can also now install this through a download bringing them a similar experience, but not all features will be compatible.
Finally, the digital stills camera has been overhauled, going up from three to five megapixels in quality, adding zoom and a flash and also high-definition video recording.
An iMovie app based on the popular Mac computer software also allows you to edit films on the move and then post them straight to YouTube. It's strikingly simple to use and you really could create a decent bit of professional footage in the time it takes you to get to work on the tube.
Apple really had to raise its game with the latest iPhone.
The success of Android from Google has meant other smartphones are catching up with what was the market-leader and new devices such as the HTC Desire and Samsung Galaxy S were rivalling the 3GS for quality.
The pricing could be an issue for many. So many deals from so many operators means it is confusing to work out which is the best value. So shop around and compare costs and minutes. Also, beware that some networks have downsized the amount of data you could use, so when it says unlimited, it might be subject to a fair use policy of say 750MB from Orange.
The likes of 3 and Vodafone both still offer 1GB though with O2 now limiting their data package to 500MB.
But it's time to face facts, FaceTime is going to change the way we talk - and where Apple leads, other firms soon follow. Video-calling will be the next big thing.
Just make sure you're always looking your best. You never know when that iPhone 4 might start to ring.