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Considering returning my Verizon iPhone

G

grelcar

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Feb 3, 2011
11
0
VA
This is my first post, please don't consider this a troll.

I recieved my much anticipated iPhone on Verizon. I find the 3G wireless useless. I am getting download speeds in the 100-200Kbps range and upload speeds well below 100kbps. I am expierencing this at my home and work locations, where I will be using it the most. I have a netbook with built-in Verizon 3G wireless and get 700-800kbps/200-300kbps download /upload speeds at the same locations around the same time. I am unable to stream audio (Pandora etc.), YouTube is a joke. Trying to web browse is painful, think modem. It works fine connected to Wi-Fi. Am I expecting too much, I don't think so. Basically I have an iPod touch that makes phone calls. I was hoping to replace my mobile broadband account by using the iPhone as a mobile hotspot. I have an Apple store and a Verizon store near where I work, would there be a prefered option where to take it to have it checked out?
 
grelcar said:
This is my first post, please don't consider this a troll.

I recieved my much anticipated iPhone on Verizon. I find the 3G wireless useless. I am getting download speeds in the 100-200Kbps range and upload speeds well below 100kbps. I am expierencing this at my home and work locations, where I will be using it the most. I have a netbook with built-in Verizon 3G wireless and get 700-800kbps/200-300kbps download /upload speeds at the same locations around the same time. I am unable to stream audio (Pandora etc.), YouTube is a joke. Trying to web browse is painful, think modem. It works fine connected to Wi-Fi. Am I expecting too much, I don't think so. Basically I have an iPod touch that makes phone calls. I was hoping to replace my mobile broadband account by using the iPhone as a mobile hotspot. I have an Apple store and a Verizon store near where I work, would there be a prefered option where to take it to have it checked out?
Click to expand...

Try not to bridge the line on the bottom left with your hand, or pinky, or anything and see if things improve. Lay the phone down flat and see if the speed rates go up. Otherwise its probably just server overload due to mass activations and wait a week or so.
 
i was waiting for post like this ... the only thing worse then an iphone with poor signal, is a slow iphone.
 
kre62 said:
Try not to bridge the line on the bottom left with your hand, or pinky, or anything and see if things improve. Lay the phone sown flat and see if the speed rates go up. Otherwise its probably just server overload due to mass activations and wait a week or so.
Click to expand...

Tried it in hand and on desk, no difference.
 
grelcar said:
I have an Apple store and a Verizon store near where I work, would there be a prefered option where to take it to have it checked out?
Click to expand...

Whoever you ordered from is the one that charged your credit card. Take it back to the Apple store if you ordered from Apple or back to the Verizon store if you ordered from Verizon.
 
Well I'm not sure of what your expectations were before you received your new iPhone. But as for if you should return it or not, that is totally up to you.

At home, and at work, I have wifi. In fact, almost everywhere I go has wifi. I use 3G on a rare occurrence from time to time.

Its been long known that while AT&T will have faster 3G service, Verizon will have 3G service in more locations. Its a give/take situation in this instance.
And wifi will always be faster than 3G.

Maybe you could purchase a inexpensive WAP for your home?
 
grelcar said:
Tried it in hand and on desk, no difference.
Click to expand...

Its not likely the phone itself, it's simply network overload. These phones are more then capable of high data rates, they just need the juice coming in. AT&T might not be as bad as people thought after all. I get 2mbps in my weakest signal area.
 
If you are going to have it looked at you would want to bring it directly to Apple.

Though if one of your goals is to replace your mobile broadband with a phone/hotspot then I'd suggest waiting a week or so and see what the latest 4G Android, the LG Evolution, from VZ has to offer. If the price and speeds are there I think that would be a better solution for you.
 
Centient said:
Though if one of your goals is to replace your mobile broadband with a phone/hotspot then I'd suggest waiting a week or so and see what the latest 4G Android
Click to expand...

No 4G in my area, no word as when it is happening.
 
iceterminal said:
Well I'm not sure of what your expectations were before you received your new iPhone. But as for if you should return it or not, that is totally up to you.

At home, and at work, I have wifi. In fact, almost everywhere I go has wifi. I use 3G on a rare occurrence from time to time.

Its been long known that while AT&T will have faster 3G service, Verizon will have 3G service in more locations. Its a give/take situation in this instance.
And wifi will always be faster than 3G.

Maybe you could purchase a inexpensive WAP for your home?
Click to expand...

I was waiting for the first post to tell him how he should really be using his iPhone - as if he is using it wrong or he is the one that has to change. Really, there's no reason he should have to rely on WiFi to have adequate DL/UL speeds. This is the reason he is spending for a data plan. It's just a friggin cellphone, it should be able work as advertised and work under instances of normal use. But, I do agree with him having to make the decision to return it or not.
 
grelcar said:
No 4G in my area, no word as when it is happening.
Click to expand...

I believe VZ's goal is to have most if not all of their current 3G coverage areas up and running in 4G next year. Though that's probably not enough for you at this time.
 
I wouldn't judge the phone on this week alone. With the mass amount of activations taking place yesterday and today, and then again on Thursday, I'd give it til next week and see if that's what's causing the issues. If you're getting 800-900 on your Verizon built-in 3G, then you should get around that on a Verizon mobile phone. Just give it another week.
 
At least wait until the first firmware update which could be coming in the next week or so. But be mindful of your return policy.
 
My experience at home:
3 bars
1.1 MB down
.67 MB up
255 ping

Former BB 8310 user...I'm totally satisfied, at least at home!
 
I guess it all depends on what you're used to and where you're located. My friend in Chicago said it's lightening fast compared to her Blackberry Storm. I came from a iPhone 4 on AT&T and it's about the same. If there is a difference, it's negligible .
 
Stinkypalm said:
Always pick the network that works best in your area 1st, the phone 2nd.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Hence why i'm very happy w/ my iPhone since ATT has too many issues around me (normal big city signal issues for them. It happens, no biggie).

Anyhow I've found my iPhone is on par w/ my previous Verizon devices as far as EVDO RevA speeds. No problems to report, and my signal is actually better than my Droid and previous Blackberry's at home so that's another plus for it.
 
kas23 said:
I was waiting for the first post to tell him how he should really be using his iPhone - as if he is using it wrong or he is the one that has to change. Really, there's no reason he should have to rely on WiFi to have adequate DL/UL speeds. This is the reason he is spending for a data plan. It's just a friggin cellphone, it should be able work as advertised and work under instances of normal use. But, I do agree with him having to make the decision to return it or not.
Click to expand...

True, I wasn't trying to infer he was using it incorrectly. The wifi was just a suggestion that would give him faster speeds at home.
Of course, as with any carrier, the speeds will always vary and are dependent upon many factors. Bandwidth saturation, signal attenuation, etc.
Its really a personal choice.
Where I'm at, having anything other than AT&T doesn't make sense since Dallas is a HQ for AT&T and the signal + bandwidth are great. If I moved north 100 miles, then Verizon would be the way to go.
 
I'm get 500k download and 300k upload here at my house. Plenty of bandwidth for a smart phone. I use wi-fi 70% of the time any way.
 
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