iPhone 4 explained

What's so great about about the iPhone 4?

Since the release of the original iPhone and then the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS, the iPhone 4 has been redesigned from the ground up, the new form is a mixture of toughened glass, ceramics and metal to make for a more resilient as well as a more luxurious looking device.
The central metal band running through the iPhone 4 houses all of the device's connectivity components from Bluetooth to Wi-Fi, with an aim to improving cellular and data reception over the older models, as well making it easier to grip.
The iPhone 4 is Apple's thinnest smartphone ever and at 9.3mm, is 25% narrower than the iPhone 3GS.
The iPhone 4's screen resolution has been improved a massive amount, making the display four times sharper than that found on the 3GS, and is claimed to be almost indistinguishable from reading print in terms of clarity.
The iPhone 4 is powered by the same processor running the new iPad, resulting in faster and smoother running of applications and in conjunction with a three-axis gyroscope offering enhanced motion sensing controls for games.
The iPhone 4's camera has a 5-megapixel lens, with a built in flash and the ability to record high definition video.
A front-facing camera enables users to make calls (over Wi-Fi) to other iPhone 4 owners for free, using an on board service called FaceTime.
A 16% larger battery results in iPhone 4 having vastly improved talk and standby time, with the ability to have 7 hours on 3G, 10 hours of video playback, 40 hours of non-stop music or 300 hours of standby.

Should I get an iPhone 4 or an iPhone 4S?

The iPhone 4S is the latest smartphone from Apple, bringing a range of new features to make it well worth the upgrade such as a dual core processor just like the iPad 2, an eight-megapixel camera and a cutting-edge personal assistant technology called Siri that allows you to simply speak commands to the handset and see them performed.

However, both the iPhone 4S and the iPhone 4 looks almost identical. As the latter has been out longer, it is considerably cheaper. So if you do not absolutely need the latest features of the iPhone 4S, you will be more than fine with picking up the iPhone 4.

But what is the difference between the two?

If you simply have to get your hands on the latest gadgetry, then the iPhone 4 will be your only choice.

Available in black and white, the iPhone 4 also comes in two versions when it comes to memory - 16GB and 32GB.

Whilst 16GB is enough to store 3,500 songs or 20 hours of video, the larger 32GB model of the iPhone 4 adds room for more photos and tons of music, with plenty of space left over for movies and applications.

The iPhone 3GS is likely to receive a discount to make room for this new model, still offering the familiar touch screen interface and App Store that has made this mobile a million seller across the globe.

The simple touch mechanism and intuitive controls make the iPhone easy to get to grips with, and a suite of accessibility features including zoom and text-to-voice meaning the 3GS is suited to people of all ages.

Despite lacking the high-resolution display and new internal tilt sensor of the iPhone 4, the 3GS is due a software update on the 21st of June, meaning that the lion's share of features debuting on Apple's new device is also present on this older model.

New additions include the ability to switch between apps instantly - known as multitasking - as well as access to the new iBooks digital store, 5x digital camera zoom, and increased customisation that the iPhone 4 will ship with out of the box.

Thanks to the software update giving the iPhone 3GS a real shot in the arm in terms of features, it becomes a cheaper alternative to the iPhone 4, without compromising so many of the features that make Apple's new addition so desirable.

What about the iPhone 5? (September 2011)

It's now September 2011, and the iPhone 5 is rumoured to be very close to launching. For online deals as soon as they become available, click here: iPhone 5 deals