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Version History: iPhone 4

Overview

Shownote

Highlights

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Chapters

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Version History: iPhone 4

The Vergecast

2025/12/28
The Vergecast

The Vergecast

2025/12/28
OverviewShownoteHighlightsTranscriptChaptersPins

Shownote

The iPhone 4 was one of the best iPhones ever — and definitely the most dramatic iPhone ever. It was lost in a bar in California, sold to Gizmodo, and published for the world to see months before its launch. The phone itself had a bunch of important new fe...

Highlights

The iPhone 4 wasn't just a smartphone—it was a cultural moment wrapped in glass and steel. Its launch was unlike any other, marked by espionage, scandal, and a design so sharp it seemed to cut through the status quo. This episode dives into the whirlwind surrounding Apple’s iconic device, from its unprecedented leak to its lasting influence on how we think about tech.
02:58
The iPhone 4's design was compared to a Leica camera by Steve Jobs.
22:07
Brian Lamb tried to bribe Steve Jobs to return the phone, a move he later admitted was a mistake.
24:49
Steve Jobs said he'd rather quit than compromise Apple's core values of secrecy and IP protection.
35:54
Steve Jobs advised users to 'avoid holding it that way' during Antennagate.
1:01:59
The headphone jack is the most desirable feature to bring back from the iPhone 4
1:07:44
Steve Jobs made beautiful design accessible in mass-market phones

Chapters

What made the iPhone 4 a turning point in smartphone history?
00:00
How did a lost prototype spark a media war between Apple and Gizmodo?
13:29
What were the ethical stakes in publishing leaked tech secrets?
24:49
Did the antenna flaw really break the iPhone 4—or make it stronger?
35:54
How did expanding to Verizon change Apple’s market dominance?
49:37
Why does the iPhone 4’s design still inspire awe today?
1:05:00
What can past controversies teach us about the future of tech?
1:10:37

Transcript

David Pierce: Hey, it's your friend David Pierce here. This week, we're bringing you another episode from season two of Version History. Like I mentioned last week, if you wanna get these episodes as soon as they arrive, follow the Version History podcast ...