June 24, 2010: Apple’s fourth-generation smartphone, the iPhone 4, goes on sale.
While the device is perhaps most remembered for the infamous “Antennagate,” it is otherwise a pretty great handset. In its first weekend, it sells 1.7 million units. That’s a major triumph for Apple.
Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone 4 at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference a few weeks earlier on June 7. The final iPhone released during Steve Jobs’ life, it also became the last one to debut at WWDC. Starting the following year, Apple shifted its iPhone launch to the fall and staged its own special event.
iPhone 4 features
In terms of features, the iPhone 4 introduced users to FaceTime, Apple’s video chat app. It also boasted an upgraded 5-megapixel camera with LED flash, VGA-quality front-facing camera, and significant Retina display screen resolution upgrade — with 4 times the number of pixels as its predecessor.
The iPhone 4 followed the iPhone 3GS. Appearance-wise, it stuck with the 3.5-inch form factor of previous devices. However, this was a reimagined iPhone. Its flatter, Braun-inspired design measured a whopping 24% thinner than its predecessor.
Antennagate and other problems
The iPhone 4 wasn’t perfect, of course. Some users reported dropped calls, which fueled the aforementioned Antennagate. Apple’s ham-handed response basically amounted to “you’re holding it wrong.”
Th company’s statement on the matter drew widespread ridicule.
“Gripping any phone will result in some attenuation of its antenna performance with certain places being worse than others depending on the placement of the antennas,” Apple said. “This is a fact of life for every wireless phone. If you ever experience this on your Phone 4, avoid gripping it in the lower left corner in a way that covers both sides of the black strip in the metal band, or simply use one of many available cases.”
The first big controversy in iPhone history, Antennagate resulted in Steve Jobs cutting short a vacation to host a press conference about the problem. The eventual class-action lawsuit dragged on for two years.
The device’s power-hungry, first-gen Retina display also caused problems, causing the phone to chug along at times. Apple tried to compensate with a RAM boost (to 512MB), improved processor (the A4) and longer battery life.
iPhone 4 and its awesome successor
Released the following year, the iPhone 4s fixed a lot of the iPhone 4’s problems. (It might go down in history as my favorite iPhone as a result.) But the iPhone 4 remains a pretty darn great handset in its own right. And, coming the same year as the first iPad, it was a great culmination to the career of Steve Jobs.
Do you have fond or less-than-fond memories of the iPhone 4? Leave your comments below.
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