Apple's iPhone 4: Thoroughly Reviewed

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• Brian Klug - Wednesday, June 30, 2010 - link

  I've read your commentary but don't see how we're in disagreement, about anything to be honest. I know for a fact that Apple is reporting RSSI (signal strength) in dBm and not using SNR. You'll just have to trust me that this is the case ;). This is entirely the point of the section - to illustrate just how useless that metric is especially in the case of the iPhone 4, and how much they need to use a different quality metric like CQI.
  
  In addition, this: "Because cellular carriers don't want clients to see less than 5 bars, so they have been pretty much rigged to display 5 bars in most situations until the signal is VERY BAD."
  
  Is exactly what I've stated, a few times in so many words in the article. In fact, it's that kind of blatant lying about the dynamic range which makes this effect even more exacerbated. I realize that carriers have a vested interest in making the network look great everywhere - but turns out this ended up biting apple back with the iPhone 4 for reasons I stated.
  
  I agree that normally -107 dBm of signal is bad, but have reason to believe that the iPhone 4's baseband deals just fine with the link even at that signal. Definitely grab someone's iPhone and try it out at -107 and -113; the amount of success I've had is unparalleled compared to other UMTS handsets I've played with.
  
  -Brian

• fhaddad922 - Wednesday, June 30, 2010 - link

  The subject says it all, but I'll type it again for the slow.
  
  If you have any type of "smart" phone (I have no idea whats so "smart" about it) and you are paying $100+ per month to use it, you are really dumb. The only smart people are the ones that convinced you to buy this crap!
  
  Now, if you are some type of a business owner and you need to keep in contact with employees or customers or something similar, than by all means, purchase one of these phones and use it.
  
  But for the rest of the world (which is probably 90% of the readers here), why the f**k do you need a $100+ / month plan?
  
  The phone does nothing that you need. Stop making the cell phone companies richy.
  
  They talk about how good the camera is on it... IT SUCKS!
  They talk about how good the video is on it... IT SUCKS!
  They talk about how you have to hold the phone the right away... I bet one of the designers said "oops"
  FaceTime.. lawl... really?
  
  They are already gouging their customers. For example, to charge $0.25 to send a text message is asinine. It's not even $0.50 to put a letter in the mail and mail it across the country. How do they justify $0.25 to send a text message? On top of that, for $50.00 / month and you don't get unlimited calling. Thats dumb.

• strikeback03 - Thursday, July 1, 2010 - link

  Thank you for the anti-capitalist rant

• petzi-bear - Wednesday, June 30, 2010 - link

  Have you tried it with a glove?
  Should be easier that applying a thin film.
  I thinking about clear coating the frame :-)
  
  But a.) I am right handed
  b.) I couldn't get my hands a phone yet - still sold out

• Brian Klug - Wednesday, June 30, 2010 - link

  Very good point, I'll try that too!
  
  -Brian

• MonkeyPaw - Wednesday, June 30, 2010 - link

  Actually, you might have more issues with the "touch of death" if you are right-handed. I'm a righty, and I hold cell's in my left hand all the time so that I can free my dominant hand for things like writing or mouse clicking.
  
  Personally, the iPhone4 is a nice step up, but I really question the design choices. Glass on both sides? A non-coated metal rim that doesn't like human touch? Serious engineering flaws for an otherwise well-designed device.

• Brian Klug - Wednesday, June 30, 2010 - link

  See this is exactly how I end up holding the phone. I hold it in my left hand (the wrong way) and use the right hand to tap, select, e.t.c.
  
  -Brian

• vol7ron - Wednesday, June 30, 2010 - link

  Trying with a glove would be interesting, since around here summers are hot and winters are cold (glove worthy).
  
  I was suggesting the film because many people I know use it because it makes the phone more pocket-worthy. Using a hard plastic case, or even a silicone case, provides unnecessary bulk, which is uncomfortable when wearing those stylish tight new pants -ha.

• jasperjones - Wednesday, June 30, 2010 - link

  usually i find something to criticize but not today. excellent review. that is it.

• jasperjones - Wednesday, June 30, 2010 - link

  Actually I found something.
  
  The battery life figures for the Nexus One were simply copied from the original Nexus One review (when the phone ran 2.1/Eclair). This doesn't make sense as you updated all other figures (performance etc.) to reflect FroYo.
  
  FroYo has much improved battery life on my Nexus One.