iPhone 4: a winner

I received my iPhone 4 on June 23, the day before the official launch. On the first day of pre-orders, June 15, I did have a significant issue in ordering online from Apple, but was able to place my order with AT&T. I’m not exactly sure why I was eligible to upgrade, especially after purchasing an iPhone 3GS just a year prior, but I wasn’t complaining. I guess I’m a “valued AT&T customer.”

a la Emeril
The iPhone 4 really does “kick things up several notches”. First, I am most impressed with the form factor. Yes, it’s a bit “more squarish” then the previous generations, however it feels better to hold. I was a bit worried that having glass on the back would be distracting or feel weird, but it’s fantastic.

The cameras (yes, there are two) are much nicer. Both provide spectacular results, especially in daylight. The LED flash on the back of the phone is a welcome addition, but I don’t really take all too many photos that require it. I do appreciate the ability to use digital zoom and have more focus control while shooting video. Speaking of video, the HD video quality is much improved over the last iPhone. Check out the camera comparisons.

Ok, now the screen. Apple’s “Retina display” sounds like a bunch of marketing mumbo-jumbo, but it’s one of those features you have to see first hand to truly appreciate. I find the new screen amazingly clear and just incredible. Even the smallest text looks razor sharp. Colors are vivid and accurate.

Signal Loss?
I have not had any signal issues with the phone, as some people are reporting.

Bumpers
I did recently purchase the Apple-branded “bumpers” for my new phone. I was a bit hesitant to drop $30 on what I thought would be a rubberized ring. It turns out that the bumpers are great! The bumper case fits rather snug, and provides just the right amount of grip. Previously I had silicone cases that completely covered the back of the phone as well as the sides. These cases were so sticky, that I could never keep my phone in my pocket because when I would pull the phone out of my pocket, lint and pocket dust would be all over the phone. Sometimes it would turn my pocket inside out – very annoying. The bumpers have the grip, but my new iPhone slides nicely in and out of my pocket.

(this is part 1, stay tuned for part 2…)