Smartphone Review: Apple iPhone 4 in Test

Scrape fall freeze: In the COMPUTER BILD test lab had the iPhone 4 show whether the reputation of a super-mobile phones will meet. New functions, faster processor, a five-megapixel camera, a better screen and longer battery life are promising.

One-gigahertz processor, 512 megabytes of RAM
When switching is immediately apparent: the iPhone 4 is required for starting only 32 seconds. For comparison: the latest operating system iOS 4 requires the iPhone 3G 37 seconds, the iPhone 3G even 49 seconds. Even after the Apple flounder works much quicker than its predecessor. This is not surprising, the iPhone 4 finally put the new Apple A4 processor (one gigahertz clock frequency), which also comes in to use iPad, and whopping 512 megabytes of memory - twice as much as the iPad and iPhone 3G. More memory does not get the iPhone 4: The top model, which has tested COMPUTER BILD, has 32 gigabytes of memory, 16 gigabytes of the cheaper option.

Phone: reception problems in your hand?

The Internet are accumulating reports that the transmission and reception quality varies - depending on how the user holds the phone. COMPUTER IMAGE presented difficulties in the UMTS network, the iPhone 4 under laboratory conditions for successful and says what is in the rumors turn. The test results are read in the news: "iPhone 4 reception problems." Otherwise, the mobile phone when offered decent results, but radiates a little stronger than its predecessor.

Camera, webcam, video camera, dual-microphone

The iPhone 4 finally draws with the same competition and gets a five-megapixel camera with LED flash (previously there were three megapixels). First pictures were much sharper and more detailed than that of 3G. In laboratory tests showed, however, that Apple has yet to detail in terms of catching up. The colors seemed very strong, but partly also somewhat artificial. Thanks to reach the low shutter lag (0.15 seconds) spontaneous snapshots.

For video telephony, there is a small webcam on the front. Apple calls the video chat feature "face time" that works exclusively on iPhone 4 to iPhone 4 and initially only for wireless productivity, but also later in the UMTS network will find their use. Video picks up the phone at 30 frames per second and 720p HD resolution (1280x720 pixels). The clips are stored on the phone using "iMovie for iPhone" edited that for 3,99 € (June 2010) to be purchased separately in the App Store must. A second microphone allows for better noise suppression, but was the iPhone 4 in the test laboratory wind-sensitive.

Gyroscope sensor: Three instead of two axes of motion
Thanks to a gyro-sensor, the iPhone 4 registered for the first time changes around the vertical axis, so that now captures hand movements on three axes. For iPhone games, this technique could be revolutionary and offer a similar gaming experience Nintendo's Wii game console. The portable 3D gaming console Nintendo 3DS - DSi successor - will also come with a gyroscope sensor on the market.

Casing and screen
Although the iPhone 4 at first glance looks bigger and heavier, it is only 9.3 millimeters thick, thin with as much as 24 percent as the 3GS and with added weight of two grams (137 grams instead of 135), slightly heavier. The screen has a scratch-resistant glass surface and the side panels are made from stainless steel, which also serves as an antenna. The bottom is not made of plastic, but from the same material as the display. It is resistant to scratches, but slippery than the previous.

Apple's smartphone has a very high resolution of 960x640 pixels (3.5 inch, 326 dpi). The display provides a wider viewing angle and shines thanks to improved IPS technology (In-Plane Switching) brighter and higher contrast (800:1). In the laboratory, the screen showed then as a particularly bright (573 cd / m²), the measured contrast ratio was 364:1. Overall, good value, even if the gloomy reflections viewing pleasure.

Battery life: better than promised
Power-saving is not the technology, but Apple promises up to seven hours of talk time before the phone run out of steam - so 40 percent more than the iPhone 3G. The larger the battery and allow the faster A4 processor that consumes less power. The iPhone 4 will hold six hours in UMTS mode, ten hours of Wi-Fi or video mode.

In COMPUTER IMAGE test laboratory, these manufacturer in some cases even exceeded: In telephone conversations in the UMTS network reaches a battery charge for more than seven hours, who speaks UMTS off and the GSM network, even has time for a duration of call of twelve hours and 18 minutes . In standby mode, the iPhone 4 failed after more than six days (146 hours 34 minutes) the service. Is the iPhone ready for the everyday use? With only the Wi-Fi and GPS receiver and an average service held the phone for ten hours and 34 minutes by - still too little to survive a trip or a long day at work without refueling.

N WLAN, GPS, HSDPA, micro-SIM
As the 3G iPhone has four UMTS to HSPA standard (Download: 7.2 Mbit / s, Upload: 5.8 Mbit / s), GPS and Bluetooth. In laboratory tests the transfer rate was tested. While surfing the UMTS network, the iPhone went 4 with 6.97 Mbit / s, almost to the theoretical performance limit and also by GPRS and EDGE, the iPhone showed very good results. Are new to wireless n standard and the SIM card slot, the now much smaller and moved to the top of the page. There are only the latest generation of SIM cards to use so-called micro-SIM cards - like the iPad. It is possible to cut normal maps in the form, the risk of destruction is relatively high and in conventional equipment, the SIM card anymore after trimming.

Operating System: iPhone iOS 4

4 runs on the iPhone, the smartphone operating system iOS 4, which brings numerous improvements. This makes it possible, inter alia, to allow running multiple programs at once (multitasking). For more overview provide folder. The integrated e-mail program displays several mailboxes in an input folder and is able to manage several Exchange e-mail accounts. Interesting for the player's Game Center, where you store including the score or meet up with other gamers to play online.

Conclusion: Apple iPhone 4


The iPhone 4, although again not a revolution, but better than its predecessor: In the high resolution display pictures, videos, texts appear clear and sharp. The five-megapixel camera takes decent snapshots. Thanks to the high speed even editing video in HD quality possible - the appropriate software is not included, however. Good build quality makes the mini-computer is not only beautiful but also much more resistant to scratches and falls. Despite the new operating system is to operate and easy to understand.

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