iPhone 4 Review: The WORST Things About Apple's New iPhone (PHOTOS)
Huffington Post | Bianca Bosker First Posted: 06-22-10 09:49 AM | Updated: 06-22-10 09:49 AM
Apple promises that its new iPhone 4 will "change everything, all over again."
While Apple's "new baby," offers some promising new features, like multitasking and a front-facing camera, it also has some major drawbacks.
Before you sign up for two years with AT&T, camp out in front of an Apple Store, and fork over $200 (minimum), check out our rundown of the worst things about the iPhone 4. (For an alternate take, be sure to browse the 9 best iPhone 4 features next!)
Its Screen
The iPhone 4 boasts a glass screen that Apple claims is stronger than plastic and more resistant to scratches. But its durability--and scratch resistance--has yet to be tested by users' everyday wear.
Already, there are reports that the iPhone's screen smudges easily and fails to withstand "shock and sudden impact." CNET writes in its early review of the iPhone 4, "The glass attracts smudges by the ton and durability remains a concern." iFixyouri warns the iPhone's design could make its glass screen susceptible to shattering: "On the new iPhone, the glass basically sits on top of the aluminum frame. On the old iphone, it was recessed and protected by a chrome bezel."
No Flash Player
The iPhone 4 (or any Apple device running iOS 4, for that matter) will not support Adobe's Flash platform, which means that Flash content anywhere on the web--everything from videos on Hulu and ESPN to interactive ads to Flash-based websites--will be inaccessible on the iPhone 4. It is a loss for users, but Steve Jobs defended iOS 4's exclusion of Flash in a blog post earlier this year, citing "reliability, security and performance" issues.
As PC World also notes, "Adobe did announce a partnership with Greystripe to deliver Flash-based ads as HTML5 on the iPhone and iPad, but much of the Flash content on the Web will be inaccessible."
It's Tethered To AT&T
AT&T may have offered current subscribers what Apple dubbed a "generous" upgrade offer (if you're eligible for an upgrade any time in 2010, you can get the iPhone 4 on launch day at the subsidized $199 or $299 price provided you renew your contract)--but it's still AT&T, notorious for spotty service, dropped calls, and poor customer service.
Another potential downside: AT&T recently announced that it would kill its unlimited data plan and begin charging "data hogs" for the extra bandwidth they use.
Its "Closed" Platform
Apple has been hit by major criticism for the oftentimes unpredictable approval process it uses to determine which apps make to its App Store, as well as its "draconian" rules. Apple imposes numerous restrictions on the apps it approves (no porn, nothing that infringes on the Apple trademark, no apps criticizing public figures, etc) and is oftentimes "purposely vague" about its policies. In the past, Apple has also yanked apps without prior warning or explanation. Google, by contrast, has adopted an open source approach to the apps is allows on its Android OS devices. If you're pro-open source, the iPhone 4 may not be for you.
FaceTime Is Cool--But Limited
FaceTime, which allows users to video chat phone-to-phone, is one of the most highly-touted new features of the iPhone 4. While it's an attractive tool, it has a major limiting factor: video calls can only be placed iPhone 4 to iPhone 4, which means there's no "face-to face" chatting with friends that have older versions of Apple's smartphone. PC Mag's reviewer also noted that Facetime "isn't as sharp as I expected," while CNET remarked "the quality won't blow you away."
It Tracks Your Location (WTF???
)
Apple's newest operating system, iOS 4, offers some major perks (i.e. multitasking), but it has a potential privacy issue as well: it automatically collects and shares the exact location of any user with an iPhone running iOS 4.
As the LA Times explains,
Apple Inc. is now collecting the "precise," "real-time geographic location" of its users' iPhones, iPads and computers.
In an updated version of its privacy policy, the company added a paragraph noting that once users agree, Apple and unspecified "partners and licensees" may collect and store user location data.
Its Price
If you're eligible for an upgrade, or a new user switching to AT&T, the iPhone will cost you $199 (for 16GB) and $299 (for 32GB). If you aren't eligible for an upgrade, switching early to the new iPhone will require you to shell out $399 and $499, for the 16 and 32GB models respectively. Buy the phone without a contract and it'll cost you even more: $599 and $699 for 16 and 32GB versions.
