The new Apple iPhone 4 has finally touched down in Australia, bringing with it the kind of hysteria we’re now used to with new Apple releases.

And while version 4 of the popular smartphone represents the most significant depature from the original build we first saw in 2006, it’s also attracted the most criticism. And most of that criticism comes courtesy of the antenna issue, which is a big one indeed.

No, Apple did not fix this problem before releasing the phone in Australia - if you hold the phone a certain way, reception is significantly affected (given that the metal trim around the outside of the phone is the antenna). This is most likely going to affect users in low coverage areas, so be warned. If you’re not planning on heading out of the city with your new iPhone 4, then you shouldn’t have too many problems. But when you’re paying $999 for a phone, wouldn’t you really want zero potential for problems from the outset?

Then there is the difference is in terms of aesthetics. This new iPhone looks significantly different to its three older sibilings. For one thing, it’s slimmer - measuring in at 9.3mm thick (or thin), a full 2.7mm thinner than the 3Gs. It also lacks the curves of earlier models and, as mentioned above, has a metal ring around the edge that doubles as an antenna.

The 3.5-inch screen has also had a decent resolution upgrade to 960×640 pixels. Not only is that better than previous iPhones, but that also means that the iPhone 4 has the best screen resolution for a mobile phone - ever. Couple the screen upgrade this with the 5-megapixel camera with LED flash and 720p HD recording, and you have yourself a visual powerhouse.

Then there is the much publicised front-facing video camera, which allows you to make video calls. Unfortunately, this feature will only work with other iPhone 4 users, so early adopters won’t have a whole lot of use for it at first.

All this extra functionality requires more power. Last but not least, Apple has equipped the iPhone 4 with the A4 processor, most recently seen on the iPad, providing it with a significant performance boost.

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By Caroline Warnes