What are the "pros and cons" of the iPhone 4? Is the iPhone 4 "worth it" for me?

Please note that the iPhone 4 has been discontinued. However, this Q&A is up-to-date and can be quite helpful for anyone buying or selling the device whether new or used.

At this point, just about everyone should buy a newer iPhone than the iPhone 4. It still can work for phone calls, texts, and simple photography as well as music synchronized from a computer and other basic functions, but because they do not support a recent version of the iOS, app support is limited.

Nevertheless, only you can make the decision whether or not an iPhone 4 model -- the iPhone 4 (GSM), iPhone 4 (GSM, Revision A), and iPhone 4 (CDMA) -- is the right smartphone for you, and you may wish to evaluate the pros and cons to see if your needs are met.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPhone 4 GSM - Left, iPhone 4 CDMA - Right)

This "run down" from the time it was first released may be helpful in making a decision:

Pros:

• Thin, sleek, solid design, much more substantial "feeling" than the iPhone 3G/3GS design it replaced (and more compact than subsequent models).
• Beautiful ultra high-resolution "retina" display (960x640, 326 ppi).
• Quality camera for a smart phone, competitive with some basic "point and shoot" still cameras and video cameras.
• FaceTime videoconferencing is well implemented and can be quite valuable to many users.
• Faster than previous iPhone models.
• Battery life is better than earlier iPhone models and increasingly suitable for all day use for many users.
• Built-in support for GPS, 3G, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR.
• Dual noise canceling microphones.
• High-quality pre-installed applications, including a "desktop class" web browser, HTML capable e-mail client, and integrated Google Maps, as well as the potential for thousands of third-party applications via the App Store.
• Support to read, but not edit, Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint as well as Adobe PDF files.
• Inexpensive (but tied to a contract in many countries).

Cons:

• Does not support versions of the iOS beyond the vintage iOS 7.
• Glass front and glass back, although designed to withstand considerable impact, may still be prone to damage.
• Some users have reported reception issues for the iPhone 4 (GSM) that may be design related as well as carrier related (Reviewers and users have reported that reception on the iPhone 4 (CDMA) running on the Verizon network is considerably better although antenna issues still exist).
• Camera lacks optical zoom.
• Tied to expensive multi-year contracts in many countries.
• Micro SIM card may be a hassle when traveling with a GSM-equipped model and limited international support for the CDMA-equipped model (without a SIM card) likewise may be an inconvenience for some global travelers.
• No support to edit Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files (online editing forthcoming).
• No support for Flash.
• Lack of tactile feedback may bother some users.
• Battery life still may be insufficient for heavy users and the battery is not swappable.
• Some competitive mobile phones offer superior cameras, superior wireless connectivity, additional features, and are available on a wider range of carriers.
• Substantially larger capacity iPod models are available for less money per GB.

These days, the iPhone 4 definitely is showing its age. It cannot run versions of the iOS past iOS 7, so it is increasingly limited to using older versions of apps -- if it can run them at all -- and it can struggle to render some more modern website designs, as well. For those with basic mobile needs -- phone calls, texts, and simple photography as well as music synchronized from a computer -- the iPhone 4 may be able to get the job done, but most users would be better off with a newer device.