- DuviRetired ModeratorWell... I have had my iPhone 3g for over 30 hours now and I've gotten to use it a little bit more for the past 12 hours. I wanted to share my experiences / first impressions in comparison to the iPhone 2g.
Color / Texture / Size
First off, I decided on the 16gb in white as the 8gb is not offered in this color. Two reasons behind the color I chose. The first being that it's noticeable. I won't get too many "What kind of phone is that?" For example, I was at Atlantic City (casinos) last night and I was one of two with the iPhone 3g and the dealer after only a few seconds being at the table said, "That's the new iPhone right?" At this point the whole table turns and looks in amazement. Yeah that kind of thing still makes me feel good.
The second reason is because that black version is fingerprint prone. When I looked at the demos at the store, they were filthy looking with fingerprints all over.
The phone feels awesome in the hand. The new plastic backing was definitely needed and feels a lot better. The iPhone 2g felt like I was holding a piece of metal witha screen on it.
Still a good size, it but feel a bit wider than the first generation, but thinner as well. One handed typing seems easier on my 2g model. I can still do it on the 3g model, but not as fast due to the phone's width.
The volume, sleep and vibrate/ringer switch feels a lot better to press. Although I never really cared about using the Apple headphones, it's nice to see apple made it easier to use your favorite pair.
Phone
Wow! Great job apple. They really stepped their game up in this part of the device. 1st generation... I never used the speakerphone. This version, it was loud enough that I actually lowered the volume on it. Even the earpiece has improved. I was talking to a co-worker and accidently turned the speaker off. The earpiece was loud enough that I thought the speaker was on very lower and I was fiddling with the volume until I noticed the speaker was off.
Signal Strength... I constantly get 3-4 bars in my house with the previous version. With the 3g iPhone, I have been on a steady 5 bars.
Call Quality... I was able to hold a conversation on 3g and then 2g with no hiccups, echoes or static.
Other
Web Browsing... Well, it's definitely faster. I was able to load 7 pages of pictures in less than 5 minutes from a club I had went to that posted pictures of all the action. On my iPhone 2g, I tried once again got so annoyed, I stopped. If you aren't using 3g, turn it off.
GPS... Omg! It's dead on, at least for a mobile phone anyways. It's faster and more accurate than all the devices I've used with GPS (Blackberries and Windows Mobile).
Battery life... Oh yes, as do all 3g devices, it does drain pretty fast. In another thread I had mentioned that I wasn't sure as it was only two hours from my last full charge with 3g. I suggest you turn it off if you aren't using it. Also do not turn this option off while on the phone, it will drop your call. (happened to me)
So far that's all I have as I had to head out with a friend. I will post more as I use it more. The apps still to work well.
More to come...07-12-08 03:37 PMLike 0 - Thanks Jayden. Only thing I like about iphone is the touchscreen: when browsing the web and cycling through images its really awesome but....
Did the 3g version address shortcomings like, NO MMS, no copy and paste, no stereo bluetooth, no video recording, no camera zoom, no UMA?
I was very dissapointed to find out it didnt have those simple features on the first one.
And also can you name the really cool features that iphone has to offer that you cant do on a curve?
Enjoy your phone bro.07-12-08 03:43 PMLike 0 - Boy I was a fan of the BB and got to play with it in the stores. Well the 3G came out and i got in line and got one. Wow! I love it! Its the best phone I have ever had and the first iphone I have had. I have seen the V1 version but this takes the cake. I love the apps that you can get with it as well. I am so happy I am glad I went this way. Im not saying the BB is bad by any means I just like this much better. Different strokes for different folks I guess. Its only been 30 hours that I have had it and I am falling more in love with it!!! Not sure why hardcore BB people hate it. I guess once you stick with one thing you can't change. All are great phones but this one does it for ME. GPS...spot on!07-12-08 05:22 PMLike 0
- DuviRetired ModeratorThe AIM application seems to work better over 3g as well.
SMS... I'm not sure if it's just me, but its a little laggy. I'm not sure if it's because of this unit or the software... anyone else feel the SMS to be a little jumpy? This happens as I try to type real fast.07-12-08 05:47 PMLike 0 - 07-12-08 06:04 PMLike 0
- I'm not an iPhone hater; I actually like the device. I think the reason so many BB users seem to diss the iPhone so much is because people seem to be getting so excited about things the iPhone does but the BB can already do all these things plus some that the iPhone can't. The main problem I do have with the iPhone is AT&T. In my area I see people walking around with their iPhones but when you ask them to demonstrate some of the features they can't because their signal isn't strong enough. I never have that problem with my VZW service.
Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com07-12-08 06:36 PMLike 0 -
- I'm thinking about getting one next month. I'm going to wait to see if I want a iPhone or the Bold (if this ever gets released)..I'm getting RIM to August, if not Bold, then I'm going back to the iPhone.07-12-08 07:59 PMLike 0
- @j0hnnyv, Apple did not address the issues you asked about in the new iPhone 3G (MMS, copy and paste, stereo bluetooth, video recording, camera zoom or UMA), but most of that stuff can easily be implemented in a software update (except UMA, of course) or possibly via 3rd party apps in the AppStore.
I just got back from the mall in Bellevue, WA to check out the iPhone 3G. There was a line at the Apple store, but none at the AT&T store... I'm assuming that's because they were sold out. The AT&T store did have two display units, so my wife and I got to play with them side by side.
As Jayden mentioned, the plastic back is nice... it does fit great in your hand. I also like the metal buttons over the plastic ones of the previous iPhone.
Other than that, however, that's where the love stops. We both still find it hard as **** to type on the touchscreen, I have to press icons on the home screen multiple times to activate apps and, probably my other big issue, is that when you're in Safari and turn the phone sideways to switch to landscape mode, it takes either several seconds to switch or you have to turn it back to portrait, then try turning it back to landscape again. That annoys the heck out of me.
The iPhone is a gorgeous looking phone, and AppStore has a ton of potential, but I think our money is on the Bold.07-12-08 11:22 PMLike 0 - Hate to derail the thread, but I work over at Caesars. Right now as a matter of fact. Anywho, I'll be heading into the local AT&T stores to get a look at this thing. Speaking from experience, iPhone was an excellent piece of technology. However, texting is extremely annoying I find. So I don't think iPhone 3g will pick up in those regards, but who knows?07-13-08 03:51 AMLike 0
- i think the keyboard is probally the biggest downfall for most consumers.
When i bought my IPod touch, initially i got extremely po-ed when trying to type, but after a few times using it to IM my friends, it became really easy. I compare it to the Pearl. When i got the pearl, i couldnt type on it to save my life. After a few hours i love it. Frankly the IPhone fits MY life better, and i already love the keyboard, so it just works. But i can understand not wanting to purchase a device to WONDER if they would grow accustomed to the keyboard. You gotta admit, everything else is pretty darn impressive though.07-13-08 10:23 AMLike 0 - @j0hnnyv, Apple did not address the issues you asked about in the new iPhone 3G (MMS, copy and paste, stereo bluetooth, video recording, camera zoom or UMA), but most of that stuff can easily be implemented in a software update (except UMA, of course) or possibly via 3rd party apps in the AppStore.
With simple features like these lacking I still do not understand all the hype about this phone???07-13-08 10:59 AMLike 0 - LOL i can understand where you are coming from, but i never have ever used copy and paste on my berry, and i have probally used MMS once....Yes it was once same pic to 2 people. One of the blackberries doesnt even have a camera never mind MMS and no one seems to mind lol. Video recording ill admit that sucks bc i like recording my puppy dog lol shes too cute, and the zoom? I dont know if u have zoomed on a berry but the blackberry cam is the worst camera i have ever used on ANY cellular device...and i have had at least 4 in the past 7-8 months. It's just a personal choice if u can get past the "small stuff". which as well is personal, because small things to me, may be deal breakers to you, hence why we are all different and like different devices07-13-08 11:34 AMLike 0
- We moved from VZW to ATT&, some personal reasons and problems with vzw service clerks.
After moving everyone to Curve, my carreer told me we could get iPhones at anytime no extra charge, I might get one to learn a bit about setting it up since 2 in the company have it.
The reason we enforce BB is because no other system can do better what BB does, that is Outlook integration and battery consumption, iPhone Exchange integration still have some flaws, although looks awesome integration, ATT told us they wont fully support Exchange until October.
Everyone is happy with it and I am not an iPhone hater or BB diehard, I'm very open minded on everything, but I dont understand what is the difference on GPS? I see the TeleNav that comes with curve kinda sucks and is slow, but when I run Google Maps on it, it locates me within 3 Meters of my location, amazing I move to the office next to me and it updates my location, can see my office building on Sat view, surely amazing. So let me know what app do you use on iPhone for GPS, if is the same.
If it had better battery and exchange support surely I will make the move for good, since I am a geek and I will be installing apps on the miniBSD runnin there, thats the most powerful cellphone OS to date, thats for sure.
Thanks for the great review Jayden.
PS: CURVE ON 3G ?07-13-08 11:58 AMLike 0 - anon(153966)DistinguishedNice review! You're SO right about the battery; before you know it, it will be dead if you're not paying attention to it...07-13-08 12:44 PMLike 0
- DuviRetired Moderator
That's exactly what happened. My draw dropped when I was 15 minutes away from Atlantic City (my destination) and I saw 1/3 battery life. I put that bad boy into 2g so quick, it wasn't even funny.
Another thing I am noticing is that I don't get as many bars of service. It also takes forever to when I switch from 2g to 3g to regain service. Maybe it's me... does anyone have these issues? I also checked another co-worker who had the iPhone and noticed the same. As I type this my service went to full strength. Before I hit "submit reply, it went to 3 bars... in the same spot.07-13-08 04:00 PMLike 0 -
- Great review, I like how you presented it. I can't wait for your review over time and how you feel about the phone.
LOL i can understand where you are coming from, but i never have ever used copy and paste on my berry, and i have probally used MMS once....Yes it was once same pic to 2 people. One of the blackberries doesnt even have a camera never mind MMS and no one seems to mind lol. Video recording ill admit that sucks bc i like recording my puppy dog lol shes too cute, and the zoom? I dont know if u have zoomed on a berry but the blackberry cam is the worst camera i have ever used on ANY cellular device...and i have had at least 4 in the past 7-8 months. It's just a personal choice if u can get past the "small stuff". which as well is personal, because small things to me, may be deal breakers to you, hence why we are all different and like different devices07-14-08 09:31 AMLike 0
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iPhone 3g... First Impressions - Mini Review
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