Apple iPhone 4G v iPhone 3GS screen display comparison

As we still hold Google first page position for our famed Apple iPhone 3G v 3GS review, we felt it only right to give our initial impressions on our newly received Apple iPhone 4G - and in particular its much feited Retina display.

For those of you that wonder what all the fuss is about, Apple claim that the new Retina display is the sharpest, most vibrant, highest resolution screen on any mobile phone. Based on our initial impressions, we cannot disagree.

An indepth review will be coming soon, so keep checking back, but in the meantime here are a few photographs to demonstrate what all the fuss is about - and they really do not do the display justice.

Side by Side - iPhone 3GS Top - iPhone 4G Bottom

This image shows our 3GS top and 4G below. They are both showing a web page from our site (the same as the header of this page). As you can clearly see, the image on the 4G is significantly brighter (both phones were on maximum brightness) and clearer. If you look carefully, you will also note how much crisper it appears.

Closer still - iPhone 3GS Top - iPhone 4G Bottom

In this picture we took a shot of each phone from the App store. Again, you can clearly see the difference. Look at the characters in particular because Apple claim the pixels are not visible to the human eye.

Zoomed in - iPhone 3GS Top - iPhone 4G Bottom

In these images we zoomed in on one of the free Apps on screen. It is now, more than ever, that you can see the qualities of the Retina display. It is markedly better in every way possible, and we should also add that the 4G picture is suffering from a little camera shake too.

None of these pictures do the Retina display justice. It is staggeringly good. We have not had the opportunity to try any of the apps custom developed for it, but we are reliably informed they are a world apart from anything you were ever likely to see on the 3GS.

Our full review will follow in the next few weeks. We never do the full-on reviews straight away because we think a device needs a thorough test over a period of time before you can really judge the potential benefits of it over its successor - but there is little doubt that the screen has proven its worth already.

Retina and why?

It is worth looking at what Retina is. In a nutshell, it offers 4 times the number of pixels (the dots that make u p characters) than the 3GS display. It is rare to see a development of such magnitude on Apple products. This is a major improvement.

If you visit the Apple Retina page you will see a number of demonstrations on the technology and effect it has.

However, it is also helped by the new glass front of the iPhone 4G. Chemically strengthened, more scratch resistant and it keeps the oil coating that helped the 3GS screen stay relatively clean.

So what?

The point is that this is not a minor change. It is of collosal improvement on the eye and, bearing in mind the limited screen size of any mobile device under an iPad size, it makes for significantly easier reading. Indeed one of the first things the iPhone 4 asks you is if you would like to download the iBooks application free of charge. That is because the ability to use the phone as an eBook reader has been enhanced beyond comparison with the 3GS.

Your eyes suffer less strain, you can work on it longer, browsing the web is more easier and the reading of web page text is hugely improved.

So, our first impressions are extremely positive and if you were buying on screen display quality alone - go out and buy one now.