Apple iPhone 4
The iPhone 4 is the best iPhone ever! That's what the latest episode of CNET's Adventures in Tech has to say, anyway.
Hit the link below to check out our new iPhone-wrangling video feature, and click through these photos to see Apple's fourth smartphone through the ages, including its unveiling, its launch, the "antennagate" scandal, and iOS 7.
Steve Jobs and iPhone 4
The iPhone 4 entered officialdom on June 7, 2010, announced by none other than then-CEO Steve Jobs.
Inside the iPhone 4
Jobs offers a glimpse inside the iPhone 4. As you can see, it's mostly battery.
FaceTime
Behold, the first public FaceTime call, between Steve Jobs and designer Jony Ive. This momentous chat was every bit as awkward and stilted as every video call.
iPhone timeline
Apple called the iPhone 4 the "biggest leap since the original iPhone," and we wholeheartedly agree.
Slim lines
The iPhone 4 was just 9.3mm thick. That's not too slender by today's standards, but back in 2010 we were impressed.
Retina Display
The iPhone 4's Retina Display still looks incredible today and was miles ahead of the competition.
In black and white
The iPhone 4 came in black and white -- though the white version faced several serious delays.
Stainless steel border
The iPhone 4 introduced us to an all new metal-and-glass design.
Antenna issues
Apple's engineers wrapped the Wi-Fi and cellular antennae around the exterior, a move that would lead to the "antennagate" scandal later.
Improved camera
A 5-megapixel camera on the back produced some very impressive smartphone snaps.
Lines for the iPhone 4
Hype surrounding the iPhone 4's launch was immense. As usual, dedicated fans queued outside Apple stores to get their mitts on the new device.
Space for sale
Of course, those looking to make a little cash could always sell their space in line.
Willing to wait
It doesn't look too comfortable, but such is the lure of a glossy new Apple gadget.
iPhone 4 in hand
News teams are on hand to greet happy shoppers.
In person or online?
Would you ever consider queueing up for a new gadget? Let us know in the comments.
'Antennagate'
Shortly after launch however, owners noticed that gripping the iPhone 4's metal frame could cause signal to drop -- an issue that was dubbed "antennagate." After a spell of silence, Apple called a press conference to announce, "We're not perfect."
iPhone 4 signal bars
Jobs said that getting signal loss from holding the phone was "not unique" to the iPhone 4. To prove that rival smartphones were also vulnerable, we were shown signal dropping on a BlackBerry, and some other mobiles too.
Apple's anechoic chambers
Inside one of Apple's 17 anechoic chambers, where it tests its phones' antenna reception. With all this testing kit, how come the iPhone 4's antenna woes weren't spotted earlier, eh?
Antenna woes
Apple said that according to the data from its AppleCare support centers, fewer than one percent of all iPhone 4 users had called about the iPhone 4's antenna or reception.
Free cases
To remedy the problem, Apple offered everyone a free case or bumper.
White iPhone 4
At the "antennagate" conference, Jobs said Apple was still planning to ship the white iPhone 4 by the end of July 2010. In the end, it wouldn't go on sale until the next year.
iPhone 4 'crisis' over
Apple head honchos hold up their iPhone 4 devices, showing that they personally don't use cases. "Antennagate" was a PR crisis for Apple, but it didn't hurt the iPhone 4's popularity long-term.
iPhone 4 on Verizon
In January 2011 we got our first look at the iPhone 4 on Verizon.
Price drop
With the launch of the iPhone 4S, the price of the iPhone 4 was dropped, making it more accessible to those shopping on a budget. The launch of the iPhone 5 would see yet another price drop for Apple's fourth smartphone.
iPhone 4 today
Welcome to December 2013, when the iPhone 4 has been formally discontinued, but is kept alive through Apple's iOS 7 software. Click through for gorgeous snaps of the iPhone 4 as we know it today.
iOS 7
iOS 7 brings plenty more colour to Apple's venerable mobile.
3.5-inch screen
The 3.5-inch iPhone 4 looks tiny compared to modern mobiles, which have all ballooned in size.
Clean and svelte
The iPhone has become much thinner, and a whole lot lighter since the days of the iPhone 4. Still, this three-year-old phone isn't exactly bulky.
Exterior-antenna design
Bridging this tiny gap on the bottom-left of the phone caused signal to drop, making the iPhone 4 particularly unfriendly for left-handed folks.
Micro-SIM card
The iPhone 4 uses a micro-SIM card. Today the even smaller nano SIM us used in the iPhone 5, 5C, and 5S.
Front-facing camera
Here's the first iPhone's first front-facing camera, perfect for sultry selfies, or the odd Skype call.
Side buttons
The keys along the left side of the phone were moved slightly for the iPhone 4S, which meant many cases wouldn't work on both.
Headphone
The headphone socket has now been moved to the bottom of the iPhone. Years of use mean this iPhone is looking a little worse for wear. But hey, the odd scratch gives it a little character.
iPhone 4 charger port
This chunky 30-pin charger port has been swapped out for the Lightning connector, which is much smaller, but sadly makes all your old cables obsolete.
iPhone 4, we salute you
iPhone 4, we salute you. To hear why this is the best smart phone Apple's ever built, click the link below.