After reading so many iPhone 4 reviews after its launch last month, it seems there’s not too much more which can be said about the much-anticipated smartphone.

In terms of speed, appearance, display and new features, many reviewers have been content with the new phone but feel let down because it doesn’t deliver anything especially new or exciting. While I’d agree with this point, after using the iPhone 4, its overall performance makes it a worthwhile upgrade from the iPhone 3Gs.

If you have sufficient coverage, and if you’re not holding the iPhone 4 in the infamous and incredibly awkward death grip, you’ll be surprised by its smooth performance. The iPhone 4 uses the A4 1GHz processor – the same which is used in the iPad. If you happen to be using Telstra’s NextG network in a full-coverage area, you may even find your 3G connection is faster than the Wi-Fi connection in your home.

While some reviewers have been upset the iPhone 4 is not as rounded or as sleek as the iPhone 3GS, its thin design (9.3mm) and dual glass plates are just as sexy. The aluminosilicate glass is the same material which is used in helicopter windshields, so it shouldn’t be too easy to break (however, there have already been reports of this occurring). The external antenna binds the two sheets of glass together. While the external appearance is smooth (albeit boxier than previous iPhones), prepare to habitually wipe your paw prints off the surface.

The screen resolution is 960 x 640 pixels, and packs in 326 pixels per inch. While those figures may not mean much to you, they’re impressive, and it means the display on the new iPhone is vivid and sharp. If you compare the screen to the iPhone 3GS, you can notice the difference.

The 5-megapixel camera is the phone’s greatest new feature. The front (and back) facing camera also contains an LED flash, video capture and a 5 x digital zoom. You can also tap on the part of the screen which you want the camera to focus on. If you consider yourself to be the next Steven Spielberg, you can download the iMovie app for $4.99 and edit movies on your iPhone.

Voice calls have so far sounded clear and websites generally load up quickly. The death grip hasn’t caused a problem, and I’m not sure why somebody would hold a phone like that in the first place. The battery life seems to have improved. However, as with any smartphone, it’s safest to charge it at the end of each day – especially if you’ve been watching YouTube clips all day.

Some users claim the iPhone 4 does not measure up to the HTC or BlackBerry. However, with 200,000 apps available in the App Store, it’s still easy to see why so many people have already bought an iPhone 4.