Apple iPhone 4: Everything you need to know

Written by Andrew Nusca, Former editor

Andrew Nusca Former editor

Andrew Nusca is a former writer-editor for ZDNet and contributor to CNET. He is also the former editor of SmartPlanet, ZDNet's sister site about innovation.

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Posted in The ToyBox on June 7, 2010 | Topic: Mobility

Apple on Monday released its highly anticipated next-generation smartphone, the iPhone 4.

Here's everything you need to know:

Availability

• Available in-store June 24.
• Pre-orders start June 15 for the U.S., France, U.K., Germany and Japan.
• 16GB model $199; 32GB model $299.
• Available in black and white.
• The iPhone 3GS now sells for $99.

What's new: outside

• Yes, the prototype leaked by Gizmodo was the real deal.
• What's out: the curved look with metal back. What's in: completely flat, with a thicker edge that's a band of stainless steel alloy (5X stronger than steel) that serves as the phone's antenna.
• At 9.3 millimeters, it's 34 percent thinner than the iPhone 3GS and is currently the thinnest smartphone on the market.
• "Retina Display": Four times the depth of 3GS. 3.5-inch multitouch IPS ("in-plane switching"), with 960?by?640 resolution. 320 pixels per inch. 800:1 contrast ratio. Oleophobic coating.
• Front- and back-facing cameras. Back: 5-megapixel with LED flash, supports HD video. Front: VGA, up to 30fps.
• It has split circular buttons for volume.
• Second microphone for noise cancellation.
• Micro-SIM standard.
• Dimensions: 4.5 in. tall, 2.31 in. wide, 0.37 in. thick. Weight: 4.8 ounces. (a hair heavier than 3GS)

What's new: inside

• Processor: Apple A4, the same chip used by the iPad.
• Battery: 16 percent bigger than 3GS; rated for 40 percent more talk time. Ratings: 7 hours talk; 6 hours 3G browsing; 10 hours Wi-Fi browsing; 10 hours video; 40 hours music; 300 hours standby.
• Three-axis gyroscope joins existing accelerometer and compass.
• Connectivity: UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz); 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi (802.11n 2.4GHz only); Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR

What's new: software

• iPhone OS becomes iOS; the new version is iOS 4.
• Selective multitasking.
• App folders for home screen.
• FaceTime: videoconferencing over Wi-Fi only in 2010.
• iMovie for iPhone, with up to 720p support.
• iBooks: purchases load to iPhone, iPod, iPad (read: iOS devices) for no extra charge.
• Photo and video geotagging.
• Unified e-mail inbox.
• Home screen wallpaper.

Watch Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveil the device:

iPhone 4 unveiled

Watch Now