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No, I'm including the iPhone in that. The 3GS looked long in the tooth compared to a bunch of 2nd gen Android phones, and now that 3rd gen Android phones are on the horizon, I have no doubt the iPhone 4 will look long in the tooth next to a few of them.

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Well, that's not really what I meant. Yes, the iPhone will always look long in the tooth compared to other smartphones, specifically Android-based ones, because it's one manufacturer and they don't release a new phone very often; whereas Android-based phones are always coming out and on multiple providers. Comparatively, for iPhone users, the iPhone 4 will not look outdated since you'd only be comparing it to the 3G.

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Ah, OK, I see what you're getting at. From the perspective of an iPhone user who wouldn't consider switching regardless of the quality of other smartphones, you're absolutely right. But I'm not sure that's a terribly important metric of anything but brand loyalty. To the more mercenary among us (I'll use any phone, regardless of manufacturer or OS, if it does what I want it to), all the smartphones out right now will be looked at as a whole, and those who are in the market for a new phone will rate iPhones the same way they'll rate the others.

Right now, the phone I'm drooling over is the EVO 4G. Best hardware on the market, hands down. In three months, I doubt I'll feel the same.

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