As expected Apple has lifted the lid on iPhone 4 at its developer conference in the US. Here in New Zealand Vodafone will launch iPhone 4 “in the coming months".

Information on pricing and tariff plans will be made available “as soon as possible” said the carrier.

The biggest features include FaceTime, which “makes the dream of video calling a reality” and a new Retina display, which Apple boasts as the highest resolution display ever built into a phone. The phone also comes with a five megapixel camera with LED flash, HD video recording, Apple’s A4 processor, a 3-axis gyro and up to 40% longer talk time.

iPhone 4 also comes with iOS 4, the newest version of Apple’s mobile operating system, which the company says includes over 100 new features and 1500 new APIs for developers. iOS 4 will feature Multitasking, Folders, enhanced Mail, deeper Enterprise support and Apple’s new iAd mobile advertising platform.

“iPhone 4 is the biggest leap since the original iPhone,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “FaceTime video calling sets a new standard for mobile communication, and our new Retina display is the highest resolution display ever in a phone, with text looking like it does on a fine printed page. We have been dreaming about both of these breakthroughs for decades.”

Apple says that iPhone 4 will be available worldwide to 88 countries by the end of September but by the end of July in New Zealand.

You can find further details on what Apple says are the phone's big new features and functions here.