Apple's iPhone is a dominating force in the world of mobile. Arguably unrivalled, the handset has become the accessory of the decade and is loved by business users and consumers alike.
Today marks a year since the UK release of the most up-to-date of the handset family, the iPhone 4. Unveiled by Apple's chief executive (CEO) Steve Jobs at 2010's WWDC event, it was touted as "the biggest leap since the original iPhone" along with claims of being the thinnest smartphone in the world.
The usual hoopla exploded on the streets of the UK when it launched 12 months ago, with hundreds queuing at London's flagship Regent Street store alone.
Apple claimed to have sold 1.7 million iPhone 4s globally in the first three days, forcing Jobs to apologise to customers who were turned away when stocks ran out.
But, despite the killer sales figures at the start, it has not been entirely smooth sailing for the device.
The iPhone 4 was plagued by the death grip' saga from the beginning. A large number of users experienced signal problems on their devices, which Apple initially claimed could be fixed by a firmware update it was prepared to rush out.
However, the Cupertino company changed its tune, claiming it was caused by the way people held their phones, blocking the antenna running around the edge of the smartphone.
Free bumper cases were offered to customers as a fix but it left a nasty taste in the mouths of those who had paid out significant money for what was meant to be a top of the range device.
Yet, even with its controversy, it is the best selling iPhone so far and, unlike its predecessors, has not yet been replaced with an updated model. How long will its reign continue?
Do you have an iPhone 4? How do you feel about the device a year on? Let us know at comments@itpro.co.uk.
Further reading on iPhone 4:
What makes the iPhone a business phone?
