In Depth Review of iPhone 4G / HD

The iPhone 4G HD images which were previously leaked on the internet appeared to be the real deal for the possible images of the next generation iPhone. The phone had reportedly been found on the floor of a San Jose bar and the founder had tried to call Apple to return the product. Gizmodo ended up paying $5000 for the device. Apple had remotely killed the device so the iPhone 4.0 firmware could not be accessed but Gizmodo ended up doing a thorough hardware review.

The leaked iPhone model is packed with glass backing, which by Daring Fireball’s John Gruber, further supports the legitimacy of the said iPhone model, after he dug up a 2006 Apple patent application on a ceramic enclosure for handheld devices. The technology expert, John Gruber added that Apple has indeed lost a prototype iPhone and they want it back:

So I called around, and I now believe this is an actual unit from Apple — a unit Apple is very interested in getting back. I am not certain that this looks like the actual production unit Apple in tends to ship to consumers.

What’s New In The Possible iPhone 4G

• Front-facing video chat camera
• Improved regular back camera (the lens is quite noticeably larger than the iPhone 3GS)
• Camera Flash
• Micro-SIM instead of a standard SIM
• Improved display (It’s unclear if it’s the 960x460 display thrown around before, although it certainly looks like it, with the “Connect to iTunes” screen displaying much higher resolution than on a 3GS.)
• What looks to be a secondary mic for noise cancellation, at the top next to the headphone jack.
• Split buttons for volume
• Metallic power, mute, and volume buttons

What’s Changed In The Possible iPhone 4G

• The back is entirely flat and is made of either glass or shiny plastic in order for the cell signal to go through. Tapping on the back makes a more hollow and higher pitched sound compared to tapping on the glass on the front/screen (could be due to orientation of components inside)
• An aluminum border around the outside
• A slightly smaller screen than the 3GS (but higher resolution)
• Everything being more “squared” off
• 3 grams heavier
• 16% Larger battery
• Internal components are smaller to make room for the larger battery

Video of iPhone 4G/HD In Action

Until now, Apple has not provided a front facing camera option in their iPhone offerings. iPhone 4G now has a second, front facing camera, Flash, a better back camera, better battery life, and another microphone for better voice clarity. Users now have enough reasons to upgrade their iPhone handset to the next generation iPhone.

Apple is speculated to introduce the fourth generation iPhone at the Worldwide Developers Conference at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, on June 22, along with the CDMA version of the said device.

The Return of the Device

Apple had sent out a letter to Gizmodo requesting the "lost" device back:

Here was the reply that Gizmodo had sent back:

Bruce, thanks.Here's Jason Chen, who has the iPhone. And here's his address. You two should coordinate a time.[- Address -] Happy to have you pick this thing up. Was burning a hole in our pockets. Just so you know, we didn't know this was stolen [as they might have claimed. meaning, real and truly from Apple. It was found, and to be of unproven origin when we bought it. Now that we definitely know it's not some knockoff, and it really is Apple's, I'm happy to see it returned to its rightful owner.P.S. I hope you take it easy on the kid who lost it. I don't think he loves anything more than Apple. And since this was the only missing piece of the puzzle, we have now both extinguished any doubts of its origin but also, we get to give the phone back. *-legal compliance-*

This basically ensures that the information released about the iPhone 4G / HD was all probably true since Apple had written a letter out themselves asking for the device back. Although the device may not look the same and have the same exact components it is safe to say that the images and the hardware specs mentioned are probably close to what we will all be seeing in June.