Apple iPhone overview: Apple of discord

Apple iPhone overview: Apple of discord

utting edge, sleek and promising, the iPhone stirred the mobile world - not bad for Apple's first go at the mobile phones market. Inspiring and provocative, the iPhone will always come to mind when a handset with full touch-based user interface is in question.

Well, since the official release of the iPhone on 29th June 2007, a lot of reviews came out, too many controversial things were said, and there we are - finally having our say about the handset. As wise people say, better later than never.

Apple iPhone official pictures

Apple is a company which specializes in developing products on the verge of science fiction. The iPod is a perfect example. Around 2001 the company decided to change portable music players as we know them, and pretty much succeeded. Much like the iPhone, the announcement of iPod generated huge amounts of hype and when it came out in October 2001 it actually lived up to almost every promise, turning out to be a total smash. As it developed, throughout the years, Apple's portable music player became the most popular mobile multimedia device and its reputation never seems to fade.

Following the same credo of being a feature-rich, yet simple-to-use device, the iPhone will undoubtedly build a strong fan base. It will surely attract the many "if-it-ain't-shinin'-I-ain't-buyin'" customers, since the iPhone is definitely among the most beautifully crafted mobile phones we've seen.

It will be a while before we get a hands-on with the European version of the iPhone. Apple recently confirmed that the device is due to hit the European market in December 2007. We'd love to see the device for real but we'll have to wait until then. Right now, the iPhone simply cannot be used in Europe. No unlocking methods are known and the only way to actually have one over to the Old Continent is by using it in roaming with the special AT&T SIM card or by resorting to using it as an Wi-Fi enabled iPod with no SIM card inserted (AT&T subscriber activation is still needed in this case). The second option practically means that someone still has to sign a 2-year contract with AT&T and that would make it the most expensive iPod yet.

So here goes our iPhone overview based on materials and pictures by www.mobilmania.cz, www.mobilport.hu, and www.apple.com.

Key features:

• Stylish design
• Scratch-proof front glass cover
• 3.5" 16M color TFT display with a resolution of 480 x 320 pixels
• Handset orientation sensor and proximity sensor
• 2 megapixel camera
• Touch-based user interface
• Great UI graphics and animations
• Supreme web surfing experience

Main disadvantages:

• Camera has no auto focus or settings
• No video recording
• No custom ringtones allowed
• Safari browser doesn't support Flash and Java
• Really basic Bluetooth capabilities
• No Office documents editor
• No third party applications
• No 3G support (at least the US version)

Looks matter

You've probably already seen pictures and videos of Apple's iPhone but in reality the handset is smaller than you might have expected. It measures 115 x 61 x 12 mm, which is a normal smartphone size, only a little wider and a lot slimmer.

Apple iPhone all over

The handset is actually a bit weighty at 145g, but, again, compare it to a 30 or 80GB iPod and you'll find that the iPhone weighs pretty much the same. Plus, precisely the size gives you the opportunity to enjoy the gorgeous 3.5" TFT display.

The iPhone has a really large display

Actually almost the whole front panel is the display itself. You'll only see the earpiece above it and the Home key below. Other than that - it's all flat! Nothing sticks out. That smooth combination of flat surface and the sleek chrome framing surrounding the glass face of the iPhone is to us the most appealing aspect of the appearance of the phone. It kind of looks like everything has been thought through and all you need is on the inside of the phone - not on the surface. By the way, the glass and the metal framing should be scratchproof, but seriously, we don't have the nerve to test that.

The iPhone design doesn't fail to impress

The back is also metal-covered and has the reflective Apple logo in the middle, a slightly recessed 2 megapixel camera lens and the general product information about the phone (IMEI, serial, etc.). It's not like this information is vital, but it kind of tells you it's a cool gadget you're holding in your hands.

Backside: a metallic finish and that sweet Apple logo

On the left side are the volume rocker and the mute key - this dedicated key is a pleasing feature actually. On the right is the 3.5 mm headphones jack, but don't get your hopes too high for plugging your favorite headphones in just like that. The plug is strangely recessed and not all jacks fit, so… be warned. On the top there is the SIM card tray and the sleep/wake button. That's basically it as regards the outside of the phone. Didn't we tell you - it's as smooth as it gets.

SIM card bed: outside and inside the iPhone

The whole geometry of the iPhone makes it pretty comfortable to hold. It fits in the palm nicely and, even when in portrait mode, it can be operated with one hand.

As we already pointed out, the handset is a bit wider than usual but its slimness makes up for that. The iPhone will fit almost perfectly even in the tightest pocket.

A little size perspective: comparing it to Nokia E90, Nokia E65, Nokia N95, Samsung U700 and a credit card

In the same time, it's exactly the smooth shape that makes the phone a bit slippery and if you are not so handy there is a serious risk of dropping the iPhone… often. That would be a shame, because this baby is definitely not made for hitting the floor, although Apple claims the metal casing should be strong enough to take a hit, but we wouldn't recommend relying on that. Keep it safe!

Zooming on the display

Keeping it safe inevitably leads us to keeping it clean. Due to the iPhone's glossy finish the whole front surface is a real fingerprint magnet. And since the finger navigation is your only option, the screen becomes smudgy after just a few flicks or taps, which leaves you with a part time job as an iPhone cleaner. And note that since the touch screen only responds to fingertip touch, you won't be able to control it wearing gloves.

In terms of battery life the iPhone is pretty solid and, as numerous test posted online claim, the announced 8 hours talk time is actually a credible figure you can pretty much rely on.

The iPhone also has a loudspeaker. It's a single mono speaker, but still better than nothing and it actually makes it the first iPod with a built-in speaker.

Display goes a long way

As you clearly imagine by now, the display is the best and most important part of the iPhone. Given the lack of a physical keyboard, the 16M color TFT display is basically everything you've got to control the handset. First of all it's very attractive and bright. Secondly, it measures good 3.5", running at 480 x 320 pixels resolution - a feat that is rarely surpassed (Check out the Toshiba G900 PocketPC, which boasts a 3" display with a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels). And third… one should just see for themselves.

By the way the pixel count isn't always decisive of what you get. More vital is how the phone is using the screen's real-estate. Compared to other mobile devices with high resolution displays, running on Windows Mobile, which are showing the text in microscopic size, the iPhone serves you a smooth, easy readable font size. Trust us, with the cool browsing opportunities and given the big amount of text flowing trough the display while reading web pages or e-mails, you'll quickly appreciate the excellent viewing experience that the iPhone offers.

The visibility under direct sunlight has what it takes to impress. In outdoor conditions the display remains completely readable and maybe just the viewing angle leaves a little something to be desired.

Sensing the difference

Talking about the iPhone features, we must not forget the sensors that Apple have put into the handset. First - the light sensor. Its main purpose is to save power by adjusting the screen's brightness to t he surrounding lightning conditions. It sort of works, but because it's automatic it may sometimes irritate you by being slightly inadequate.

On the other hand, the orientation sensor works like a charm and comes very handy. As soon as you rotate the iPhone form portrait to landscape, the screen flips accordingly. This allows quickly changing the way a picture is taken/shown, or a web page is displayed. It also provides you with a nice widescreen layout when viewing videos. The correct angle when holding it is crucial to the performance of the sensor - it won't rotate you screen if you hold the device parallel to the ground - you have to get the right angle. Rarely, it may turn to landscape mode even when you don't need to.

And last, but not least, the proximity sensor. Since the iPhone is completely touch controlled there is always the possibility of touching the screen with your cheek (in the middle of a call that is) and switching something on or off. The proximity sensor automatically switches off the display as soon as you raise the phone to your ear.