iPhone
The iPhone and the iPod touch by Apple Inc. with iOS6 can read ePub and PDF files using the iBooks application.
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[edit] Scope
This page covers the iPhone generally and specifically from the original model through the iPhone 4S. The iPhone 5 is described for comparison but there is also an iPhone 5 (includes the iPhone SE), an iPhone 6 page, and an iPhone 6S 7 and 8. These 3 models have a 4.7" screen model and a larger plus model with a 5.5" screen. There is also an iPhone X which was replaced with an iPhone XS with 5.8" and 6.5" screens. In 2018 the iPhone XR was released with a 6.1" screen. It was replaced in 2019 with a iPhone 11 with a 6.1" screen. There is also an 11 Pro that comes in two sizes, 5.8" and 6.5". The latest offering is an iPhone SE 2020 which is back to the 4.7" screen. For eBook reading see eBook readers at the bottom of this page.
Note that iPhone 4, iPhone 4S models and older iPhones use 3G Cellular.
[edit] Overview
In addition to iBooks there are several other eBook applications available, as well as web based eBooks. iPhone and iTouch run a specialized version of MacOS X called iOS. Click iPod if you were really looking for a solution for eBooks on those devices. Apple launched its first iPhone in 2007. See iPhone 5 for a comparison with iPhone 4 versions and iPhone 6 for a comparison of the large screen versions with the iPhone 5s.
[edit] Specifications
[edit] original iPhone
The original iPhone was called the iPhone 1, 1G, or 2G. It was release in 2007
- CPU: 412 MHz ARM1176JZF-S with 3D[9] GPU
- Memory: 4, 8 or 16 GB
- RAM: 128 MB
- OS: iOS 1.0, upgradable to 3.1.3
- Visual Voicemail, multi-touch gestures, HTML email, Safari web browser, threaded text messaging, and YouTube, App store, iTunes store, MobileMe.
- Dimensions: 115 × 61 × 11.6 mm (4.5" × 2.4" × .46")
- Weight: 135 g
- Screen: 3.5" 320 × 480, 163 ppi multi-touch aspect ratio 2:3
- Camera: 1.92 MP with geotagging
- Cellular: Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850 900 1,800 1,900 MHz)
- Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g)
- Bluetooth 2.0
- USB 2.0/Dock connector
- Sensors:
- accelerometer
- proximity sensor
- Ambient light sensor
- Microphone
- Headset controls
[edit] iPhone 3
The iPhone 3G added 3G cellular network capabilities and A-GPS location. The iPhone 3GS added a faster processor and a higher-resolution camera that could record video at 480p.
- Size and weight
- Height: 4.5 inches (115.5 mm)
- Width: 2.4 inches (62.1 mm)
- Depth: 0.48 inch (12.3 mm)
- Weight: 4.7 ounces (133 grams)
- Display
- 3.5-inch (diagonal) widescreen Multi-Touch display
- 480-by-320-pixel resolution at 163 ppi
- Support for display of multiple languages and characters simultaneously
- Audio
- iOS 2.0 to iOS 4.2.1
- CPU 32bit ARM 412 MHz, 600 MHz on GS
- RAM - 128 MB, 256 MB on GS
- Capacity: 8GB or 16GB flash drive, up to 32GB on GS
- Cellular and wireless
- Camera - 2MP, 3MP on GS
[edit] iPhone 4
See also table in iPhone 5 for comparison
- Price: $199.99 - $699.00 List
- 16GB $199 with contract, 32GB $299 with contract.
- Service Provider: AT&T
- Operating System: iPhone OS, later called iOS.
- Processor: 1 GHz A4
- Screen Size: 3.5 inches
- Screen Details: 3.5-inch, 960x640 Retina display at 326 ppi
- IPS LCD capacitive glass touch screen
- Camera: Yes
- LED flash and HD video capture
- Megapixels: 5 MP
- Wi-Fi: 802.11x: Yes
- Bluetooth: 2.1 + EDR
- Web Browser: Yes
- Network: GSM
- Bands: 850, 900, 1800, 1900, 2100
- High-Speed Data: GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA
- Dimensions: 9.3mm thick (24% thinner than before)
- Sensors: gyroscope, accelerometer (provides six-axis motion sensing), iPhone—compass, proximity, and ambient light
- FaceTime video calling using the VGA (640-by-480) front-facing video only between iPhones. 15 frames/second?
[edit] iPhone 4S
See also table in iPhone 5 for comparison
Similar to the iPhone 4 except:
- Processor 1GHz dual-core A5
- RAM: 512 MB
- Rear Camera: 8 MP 3264 x 2448 pixels with LED flash
- Video: 1080P
- Bluetooth 4.0 w/ A2DP
- Siri is supported.
- weight 140.0 g
- Dimensions: 115.2 x 58.6 x 9.3 mm
[edit] iPhone 5
- Price: $199.99 - $399.00 List
- 16GB $199 with contract, 32GB $299, 64GB $399 with contract.
- Service Provider: AT&T, Verizon, Sprint
- Operating System: iOS6
- Screen Size: 4 inches
- IPS LCD capacitive glass touch screen
- Camera: Yes
- LED flash and HD video capture
- Megapixels: 8 MP
- Wi-Fi: 802.11x: Yes
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Web Browser: Yes
- Network: LTE
- Dimensions: 7.6mm thick
- Sensors: gyroscope, accelerometer (provides six-axis motion sensing), iPhone—compass, proximity, and ambient light
- FaceTime video calling
[edit] Later
Later products include the iPhone 6 family, iPhone 6S family, iPhone 7 family, iPhone 8 family, iPhone X family and iPhone 11 family. The iPhone 12 family released in 2020. The iPhone 13 family was released on Sept 24, 2021. A small screen 4.7" is maintained in the various iPhone SE models.
[edit] eBook readers
Apple has opened up the iPhone and iPod Touch to third party development so expect new eBook Reader software. Many of these are now linked and available through iTunes.
[edit] Offline readers
If you like reading Comic books or Manga you should get the jcomix application.
For more eBook Reader choices see E-book software#iPhone and iPad.
[edit] Format Support in Offline Reader Software
| Format | Supported | Supported Applications | Import methods | More info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-DRM ePub | Yes | iBooks,Stanza, txtr, Kobo, Bluefire Reader, Marvin | Calibre server, email, Stanza Desktop, iTunes, Safari | |
| Barnes and Noble | Yes | B and N eReader,Nook | From B&N purchase only | |
| Adept DRM ePub | Yes | txtr, Kobobooks | Uploaded to txtr website, iTunes, Kobo can use Safari and email | txtr does not support library books (because they require remote fulfillment). |
| Overdrive ePubs | Yes | Bluefire Reader | Authorise with Adobe Digital Editions then transfer through app file sharing in iTunes. | |
| Yes | Built-in,GoodReader, lots more including most cloud apps. | email attachment, open from any application which allows upload, download from internet, iTunes | ||
| Adept DRM PDF | Yes | Bluefire Reader | Authorise with Adobe Digital Editions then transfer through app file sharing in iTunes. | |
| Apple DRM ePub | Yes, with iOS4 | iBooks | iTunes | |
| non-DRM MobiPocket | Yes | Stanza, Kindle Reader | Calibre server, email attachment, Stanza desktop | |
| Amazon DRM MobiPocket | Yes | Kindle Reader | Purchase from Amazon only. | |
| CHM | Yes | Multiple, needs investigation. At minimum - Bookshelf and iChm | Needs investigation. Bookshelf has content server. | |
| RTF | Yes | Built-in | By email attachment. | Built-in does not allow any modification of background color so it wouldn't be particularly good for long-form reading. |
There is also a chart on wikipedia.
[edit] Online readers
The built-in browser can be used to read some eBooks online.
There is also a new online application called Readdle that provides a tool to allow you to upload eBooks which can the be read online or even off-line for a book of less than 100K. It provides bookmarking and remembers your place in the book you are reading.
Another online application for eBook reading is TextOnPhone. This is a large selection of eBooks already available although you can also upload your own. It has notes support so you can add notes to the eBook is you wish.
Reader is a eBook Reader. It has one touch scrolling and bookmarks. Font size can be adjusted.
