browser tests, iPhone vs G1 vs. Pre

[dejo]

...bigger problems, such as multitasking etc, maybe more important to users.

At least you didn't say desktop-level multitasking this time.

and they can enjoy desktop-level multitasking RIGHT NOW!

Crap! Spoke too soon.

or you pretend not to see that iPhone works one page at a time, while the Pre has 5 pages open, all alive?

My iPhone is perfectly capable of handling multiple pages at one time, all alive [sic].

 

[Voidness]

if thats true, then there is no chance for current iPhone owner to speed it up?

No, iPhone OS 3.0 is going to have a newer version of Webkit and Nitro Javascript Engine. That means iPhone 3G will get faster at web page rendering.

I'm surprised that Pre only a bit faster than iPhone 3G, given the Pre's significant hardware advantage (and they're probably using a newer version of Webkit).

 

[TuffLuffJimmy]

of course its not free, but sprint plan is cheaper for one. and they can enjoy desktop-level multitasking RIGHT NOW!, instead of waiting for a year or two and bearing the bs excuses from apple! how is that ;p

LOLs! and you have to deal with worse coverage, zero personal support, poor battery life and a crappy keyboard as well as a smaller screen.

And there you go with "desktop-level multitasking". What the hell does that even mean?

 

[DougB541]

No, iPhone OS 3.0 is going to have a newer version of Webkit and Nitro Javascript Engine. That means iPhone 3G will get faster at web page rendering.

I'm surprised that Pre only a bit faster than iPhone 3G, given the Pre's significant hardware advantage (and they're probably using a newer version of Webkit).

....lets wait a bit for WWDC before just throwing around what the iPhone will or won't have.


Its all rumors at this point.

 

[bradenwh]

CPU speed is a big factor in how fast the browser can render a web page. Obviously, with the Pre's faster processor, it's going to show pages faster.

 

[clevin]

At least you didn't say desktop-level multitasking this time.

Crap! Spoke too soon.

sorry, I forgot in the first post. the difference is significant.

No, iPhone OS 3.0 is going to have a newer version of Webkit and Nitro Javascript Engine. That means iPhone 3G will get faster at web page rendering.

I'm surprised that Pre only a bit faster than iPhone 3G, given the Pre's significant hardware advantage (and they're probably using a newer version of Webkit).

hardware? or software? we will sure get a better idea when new iPhone is out.

I'm not sure you are correct in saying Nitro engine. JS has even less role on mobile devices, as many hovering operation would not exist.

I'm also not sure how new the webkit would be, I guess you can tell by looking at acid3 test, it takes time to axe webkit to its mobile version, I think you underestimated how difficult it is. new iPhone's webkit most probably would be at least 6 month old, if not older.

Im still waiting for somebody to visit upsdell.com and report back what version of browser engine each device is using.

 

[Voidness]

....lets wait a bit for WWDC before just throwing around what the iPhone will or won't have.


Its all rumors at this point.

iPhone OS 3.0 is not rumors. Many people already have it and installed it on their iPhones. Just take a look at this:

http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2009/03/javascript-to-get-3x-speed-boost-in-iphone-os-30.ars

 

[dejo]

sorry, I forgot in the first post. the difference is significant.

The difference that you continue to ignore defining? That difference?

 

[DougB541]

LOLs! and you have to deal with worse coverage, zero personal support,

Very subjective. SPrint coverage in my area (NYC) is phenomenal...coupled with Verizon roaming I never have an issue.

poor battery life

Are we talking about the iPhone or the Pre? Most reviews I read have it at iPhone level or slightly better. Until there is a leap in battery tech, except these high end phones to need daily charges.

and a crappy keyboard as well as a smaller screen.

Keyboard is also subjective. Its getting similar reviews to the Treo Pro....better than the Centro. THats good enough for me at least. But Fair assessment...those with larger hands will probably struggle the most.

And smaller screen on paper....in reality:

Without a virtual keyboard....and the notification system, the Palm Pre can afford to have...on paper...a smaller screen.

 

[DougB541]

iPhone OS 3.0 is not rumors. Many people already have it and installed it on their iPhones. Just take a look at this:

http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2009/03/javascript-to-get-3x-speed-boost-in-iphone-os-30.ars

Color me informed.

Javascript is where phones hang up the most when loading a website too. Good stuff.

 

[TuffLuffJimmy]

Very subjective. SPrint coverage in my area (NYC) is phenominal...coupled with Verizon roaming I never have an issue.

Over all Sprint has a much smaller coverage area for the US.

Are we talking about the iPhone or the Pre? Most reviews I read have it at iPhone level or slightly better. Until there is a leap in battery tech, except these high end phones to need daily charges.

And that's a blatant lie. Boy Genius and Pogue both rate it's battery life as worse than the iPhone's.

Keyboard is also subjective. Its getting similar reviews to the Treo Pro....better than the Centro. THats good enough for me at least. But Fair assessment...those with larger hands will probably struggle the most.

Let me rephrase: It has a bad keyboard. Not a single review has said it's good, it's just like the other Palm phones and not a single review on those phones say it has a good keyboard.

And smaller screen on paper....in reality:

And in reality it has a smaller screen...

The only place I see a clear lead with the Pre is multitasking and an actual notification system. (The iPhone's notification system is a joke and waaaaay too obtrusive)

 

[Voidness]

hardware? or software? we will sure get a better idea when new iPhone is out.

I was referring to software. But obviously page rendering has to do with both hardware and software.

I'm not sure you are correct in saying Nitro engine. JS has even less role on mobile devices, as many hovering operation would not exist.

Javascript isn't just about "hovering operation". Javascript plays a significant role in modern websites and web applications.

 

[clevin]

The difference that you continue to ignore defining? That difference?

the difference is:

desktop-level multitasking on the Pre

1. users are always aware what apps are running. just like expose, or dock, or taskbar of windows.
2. users are able to switch among apps with ease, just like using a real computer's alt+tab (with live previews)
3. users are able to rearrange apps locations on the desktops, so they can group apps as their work need. Just like any computer's desktop

normal multitasking as WM and BB offers

1. users do not see, and in many case, are not aware of what apps are running, they are hidden in background.
2. switch among opened apps normally require the disappearance of current app from the screen. thus does not offer any good interaction among apps.

And that's a blatant lie. Boy Genius and Pogue both rate it's battery life as worse than the iPhone's.

Let me rephrase: It has a bad keyboard. Not a single review has said it's good, it's just like the other Palm phones and not a single review on those phones say it has a good keyboard.

battery life has to be considered with replaceable battery design. When people traveling around in the field with no outlet, iPhone would die first.

Pre's keyboard is better than Centro's, of course nobody liked centro's kb too, but guess what, it sold over million of units.

 

[DougB541]

Over all Sprint has a much smaller coverage area for the US.

I can't argue that..thats true. But where I travel (mostly major cities) I have no issue. I couldn't care less if AT&T has the middle of South Dakota covered.

But some might.

And that's a blatant lie. Boy Genius and Pogue both rate it's battery life as worse than the iPhone's.

I'm sorry..BGR Pre review was the WORST REVIEW I READ ON IT. Seriously. He obviously obtained the device not from Palm....probably was mad he didn't get one and decided to write a half assed review.

But to call it a blatant lie is silly. What did I say....MOST reviews....and i'll post the top 3 I read:
http://www.precentral.net/palm-pre-review#Conclusion

Finally, the Palm Pre has a removable battery that clocks in at 1150mAh. The battery is just barely enough to get me through a full day of moderate use, but with anything more than that I find I need to top the battery off or replace it.

Thats pretty much what iPhone users say. Heavy use...need to top off each day. Do you deny?

http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/03/palm-pre-review-part-3-data-speeds-backup-battery-bluetooth/

We didn't have the time or the resources (like multiple users) to put the Pre through the kind of lengthy, hard-hitting, take-no-prisoners battery testing some of you might want, but we did have a chance to use this as we would our own device for a pretty good run of days (we'll likely do a follow-up post with harder numbers for specific tasks, like media playback).

In terms of real-world use, the Pre battery situation is good, not great -- though we think that you can (mostly) put your Apple-inspired fear of background processes to bed.

During heavy use -- phone on all the time, browser testing, media playing, lots of conversations -- we could make it about three quarters of the way through a day without having to plug in. We weren't over the moon with how quickly we noticed the numbers dipping, but we also weren't completely surprised. Compared with the G1 (and we're talking 1.5 here), we'd say the Pre does a tiny bit better (or very close) on battery life -- but if you're a heavy talker or plan on running media on this all day long, you'll be reaching for the charger (or second battery) come dinnertime.

Still, for the battery size (1150 mAh) and amount of data being pushed, it didn't seem like the phone was performing unreasonably, and we don't knock the fact that you can snag a second (or third!) battery if you know you're going to push it. During the more conservative days -- which we think reflect the kind of moderate use we put our phones through -- battery life declined much less noticeably from morning till night. We'll be keeping our eyes peeled for third-party options with more juice, but the brick in the box isn't too shabby at all, especially given our expectations.

http://gizmodo.com/5277499/palm-pre-review

Battery Life
On most days, with heavier than usual usage, I was able to make the Pre last just about the entire day. Going from 8AM to 9PM with at least 20% battery left should be no problem. The only time I ran the battery down to zero prematurely was the one day where I was doing heavy testing and had AIM on, which currently has a buggy implementation that sucks more power than is necessary. It's at the very least on par with the iPhone 3G and G2 battery life, and is way better than the G1's.

Let me rephrase: It has a bad keyboard. Not a single review has said it's good, it's just like the other Palm phones and not a single review on those phones say it has a good keyboard.


And in reality it has a smaller screen...

The only place I see a clear lead with the Pre is multitasking and an actual notification system. (The iPhone's notification system is a joke and waaaaay too obtrusive)

I notice you probably didn't read many reviews. The keyboard reviews have been mixed...from bad...to average to good. So i'm not sure what reviews you have read that ALL say they are bad.

Also, I already talked about the screen...without a virtual keyboard there are many times when the Pre's screen has more usable space.

Bottom line.

Hell, while in the browser, just start typing and you can put in a URL without blocking your view of the website you are looking at.

 

[dejo]

battery life has to be considered with replaceable battery design. When people traveling around in the field with no outlet, iPhone would die first.

Well, you can't ignore that the iPhone has numerous battery backup addons available either than.

 

[TuffLuffJimmy]

I have yet to meet a single person who actually carries more than one battery with them for a phone. And it'd be a safe bet to say less than one percent, perhaps less than a tenth of a percent, of cell phone users carry a second battery with them.

And Clevin, again, you're full of it. If you're carrying a second battery for the Pre, there's no reason one can't carry a battery pack for the iPhone. There are even slim cases that more than double the iPhone's battery life.

 

[Rat-Boy]

What?

A phone that is not out yet is a bit faster than a phone that is a year old?

Really??

Oh, and did they also do a speed test of the browser while making a phone call?

I am guessing the iPhone won that one.

 

[aristobrat]

and they can enjoy desktop-level multitasking RIGHT NOW!, instead of waiting for a year or two and bearing the bs excuses from apple! how is that ;p

clevin, Windows Mobile and RIM have had desktop level multi-tasking for the last 5 years. Why do you keep posting like its some new technology that's you can't wait for someone to invent?

 

[TuffLuffJimmy]

Oh, and did they also do a speed test of the browser while making a phone call?

I am guessing the iPhone won that one.

zziiiiiiing!

Let's see the Pre's multitasking in action while it's on a phone call. It is a phone after all.

 

[clevin]

Well, you can't ignore that the iPhone has numerous battery backup addons available either than.

yeah thats right, hanging a pack under your already large phone is not good in my definition, probably not good in anybody's definition.

For $99, I can get 7 Pre batteries, together, they use less space when stored, occupy NO space when put in the phone.

 

[DougB541]

I have yet to meet a single person who actually carries more than one battery with them for a phone. And it'd be a safe bet to say less than one percent, perhaps less than a tenth of a percent, of cell phone users carry a second battery with them.

And Clevin, again, you're full of it. If you're carrying a second battery for the Pre, there's no reason one can't carry a battery pack for the iPhone. There are even slim cases that more than double the iPhone's battery life.

I'll agree there.

You won't catch me with a spare battery. In fact, I currently own a BB Curve and have an extra battery i've never even swapped out once for my phone.


The truth is, most people are somewhere iwth an outlet....at work i'm sitting at my desk and i'll just plug my phone in.

Home, i sit at my desk, plug my phone in.

Yes, its nice having a removable battery option...but in my opinion, more so when the battery doesn't hold as good of a charge anymore.

 

[DougB541]

What?
Oh, and did they also do a speed test of the browser while making a phone call?

I am guessing the iPhone won that one.

Well seeing they did the test on WiFi....it'll do just fine.


btw, thats not a limitation of the Pre...its a limitation of CDMA. Then again, who browses the web while on the phone?

I mean, if you have...you have. Fair enough...but i'm pretty much just holding the phone to my head unless i have to look up an email or something.

zziiiiiiing!

Let's see the Pre's multitasking in action while it's on a phone call. It is a phone after all.

Indeed...thats why you can multitask while on the phone doing non data intensive things. (unless you are near wifi).

 

[TuffLuffJimmy]

yeah thats right, hanging a pack under your already large phone is not good in my definition, probably not good in anybody's definition.

For $99, I can get 7 Pre batteries, together, they use less space when stored, occupy NO space when put in the phone.

so you care about aesthetics and size when it's convenient to your case?

Sheesh Clevin, I used to respect you for your well balanced opinions and (usually) unbiased approach. What happened?

 

[clevin]

I have yet to meet a single person who actually carries more than one battery with them for a phone. And it'd be a safe bet to say less than one percent, perhaps less than a tenth of a percent, of cell phone users carry a second battery with them.

I would love to see that data, and I carry a battery in my pocket all the time.

And Clevin, again, you're full of it. If you're carrying a second battery for the Pre, there's no reason one can't carry a battery pack for the iPhone. There are even slim cases that more than double the iPhone's battery life.

problem is, pre battery is 1/5 of the size of the batt pack, occupies no space in phone, don't hand there, and cost 1/7.

clevin, Windows Mobile and RIM have had desktop level multi-tasking for the last 5 years. Why do you keep posting like its some new technology that's you can't wait for someone to invent?

see my above clarification of desktop-level multitasking.

so you care about aesthetics and size when it's convenient to your case?

Sheesh Clevin, I used to respect you for your well balanced opinions and (usually) unbiased approach. What happened?

I appreciate your respect, you can respect what i said that deserve your respect, I don't hold anything on whatever I say, you can chose whatever you deem as respectful in your opinion.

and boy, its not about aesthetics, its about a monster size costs 7 time more and hanging there under your phone!, I don't need to care aethetics to found that hideous.

 

[dejo]

yeah thats right, hanging a pack under your already large phone is not good in my definition, probably not good in anybody's definition.

Sorry, didn't realize your definition of which phone would die first in the field included the look of the supplemental battery options.