I bought and iPhone and a Pre.. Currently Comparing Both

[WannaGoMac]

Wow, you guys are making me so conflicted about my choice of 3gs over Pre!!

I keep thinking that 3gs was better since I hated the Pre keyboard and the many application deficiencies that will take a year to get completed.

Especially after I read this review in Ars which was VERY positive on the Pre, made me do a double take on my decision

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/news/2009/06/ars-palm-pre-review.ars


WOW, picking a smart phone is such a PAIN IN THE ASS!!

 

[WannaGoMac]

Hmm, it has actually not even been a year yet. Remember 3rd party apps for the iPhone didn't show up till 2.0 (July 11, 2008). I will say it isn't right to try to compare the Pre to the original iPhone (pre 2.0). The pre isn't competing with the iPhone (pre 2.0).

Just an FYI, the iPhone has 2 thousand apps within the first 2 months of the proper SDK. (At least that's what Apple said during one of the keynotes)

 

[maflynn]

What's the compelling reason for multi-tasking on a regular computer? I'm telling you, Pre's multi-tasking is great and you end up using it more than you'd think. Of course you can't text and surf at the same time, the screen size limitation...

But we're talking about a phone not a computer and so far I've not what the PRE can do with multitasking that the iPhone cannot do.

More power to you if, you like the PRE and it's ability but my point is that I've not heard a good example of how multitasking and so far I am unconvinced that its a feature on the PRE that leap frogs over the iPhone with regard to capability.

 

[maflynn]

Wow, you guys are making me so conflicted about my choice of 3gs over Pre!!

You need to consider which phone best fits your needs.

Do you have a lot invested in itunes music/movies? While the PRE syncs with the itunes, its a hack and its no guarentee you'll be able to connect in the future.

Applications, are there functions available on the iPhone you like or the PRE.

Personally, I like the form factor of the PRE except the keyboard and so far I've not heard anyone who says they like it. Its too cramped and in many units its loose. I wonder on units that are not loose if it will loosen up.

Also apple has a proven track record of improving/updating the OS, palm's track record is pitiful. I was a long time palm user and remember the promises of updates to the OS only to see nothing.

My advise is to visit a sprint store and an apple store and handle both. See which one you like the best.

 

[GeekGirl*]

I almost bought the Pre BUT its keyboard is small.
The plastic feels cheap and I would be afraid it wold be in pieces if i dropped it.
I hate the Apps that getin the way all the time you have to keep flicing them away.
So went with the iPhone.

 

[GfPQqmcRKUvP]

But we're talking about a phone not a computer and so far I've not what the PRE can do with multitasking that the iPhone cannot do.

We're talking about a miniature computer, not a normal phone. Look, you're really just not qualified to talk about multi-tasking in a phone (either in support or refutation) if you haven't even used the Pre and its ingenious way of doing it. It's nothing personal, but putting your hands over your ears and saying "I don't see the advantage" when you haven't even used one is a bit odd of a response. Use one. I don't need to tile my windows horizontally or vertically on my computer for multi-tasking to be useful, so there are obvious advantages to it that you aren't seeing. Read this:
https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/7681185/

More power to you if, you like the PRE and it's ability but my point is that I've not heard a good example of how multitasking and so far I am unconvinced that its a feature on the PRE that leap frogs over the iPhone with regard to capability.

You haven't used it and you refuse to believe that the benefits of multi-tasking on a computer with a large screen transfer over to a computer with a smaller screen. Just read the link I reposted. You know what you can also do? Use a Pre and stop saying you aren't convinced. If you can be convinced it's better or worse without even using it I don't know what to say.

(Again, this post courtesy of someone who was debating between the 3GS and the Pre, used both, and decided to go with the 3GS)

 

[WannaGoMac]

You need to consider which phone best fits your needs.

Do you have a lot invested in itunes music/movies? While the PRE syncs with the itunes, its a hack and its no guarentee you'll be able to connect in the future.

Applications, are there functions available on the iPhone you like or the PRE.

Personally, I like the form factor of the PRE except the keyboard and so far I've not heard anyone who says they like it. Its too cramped and in many units its loose. I wonder on units that are not loose if it will loosen up.

Also apple has a proven track record of improving/updating the OS, palm's track record is pitiful. I was a long time palm user and remember the promises of updates to the OS only to see nothing.

My advise is to visit a sprint store and an apple store and handle both. See which one you like the best.

Thanks, I went for the 3gs since I did play with the pre and didnt like the hardware design (Keyboard blech)

 

[hchavarria]

Thanks, I went for the 3gs since I did play with the pre and didnt like the hardware design (Keyboard blech)

I had the Pre and I loved it, I went back and upgrade to the 3GS mostly only because I did not like the Sprint reception. I specially like the Muti-tasking and the possibilities it brought. As far as apps the Pre SDK will be released later in the summer so apps will be available for it and to be honest I only have a certain amount of apps that I use which are often developed in many other platforms. I will reconcider staying with the 3GS once the Touch Pro 2 is released or when the WebOS comes to AT&T.

 

[hsk]

You need to consider which phone best fits your needs.

Do you have a lot invested in itunes music/movies? While the PRE syncs with the itunes, its a hack and its no guarentee you'll be able to connect in the future.

Applications, are there functions available on the iPhone you like or the PRE.

Personally, I like the form factor of the PRE except the keyboard and so far I've not heard anyone who says they like it. Its too cramped and in many units its loose. I wonder on units that are not loose if it will loosen up.

Also apple has a proven track record of improving/updating the OS, palm's track record is pitiful. I was a long time palm user and remember the promises of updates to the OS only to see nothing.

My advise is to visit a sprint store and an apple store and handle both. See which one you like the best.

I guess I am one that likes the keyboard. I have average sized hands and got used to it pretty quick. I actually think I can type better on it than I could on my Touch Pro. However, the slider and just the general feel of the phone worries me a little. I feel like I have to baby it or it will break! I do worry about the longevity of it. I think I am going to test a 3GS - I had a 3g for a little while back in February, but my service here in Austin was not so good and I took it back. The Pre and Sprint are fine for me, but the Pre's earpiece sounds awlful - very fuzzy depending on the callers connection. I like webOS, but I am just not crazy about the hardware.

So, I am crossing my fingers that Austin's ATT network has been upgraded and is in better shape then it was in February!

Oh - also good advice. Go look at both in the store and even try one or the other out before porting a number. You can try a iPhone out for 3 days without any charges other than the 10% restocking fee (the $36 activation fee does not kick in until after the 3rd day - and I even got that waived once I took my last one back after 2 weeks). Sprint will only charge for the minutes/data used.

 

[amorican]

So I went to the Apple store last night and bought a 32 GB white 3G S to compare to my Pre. I have until July 4th to return the Pre, and will be spending some time using both.

My main gripe with the Pre is hardware quality, and initial impressions of the iPhone is wow. The phone is solid and well built, feels like it will last. My concern is the glass screen, I doubt it will handle a drop as well as a Pre will. I guess a warranty with SquareTrade will take care of that concern.

For me however, reception is an issue with the iPhone. I have a Samsung Airave antenna in my house for Sprint, and therefore get 5 bars. The iphone fluctuates between 1 to 4 bars, mainly on the lower side. Sometimes it drops signal completely. This is a possible deal breaker.

As far as the OS is concerned. There are parts of both that I love. I find that I'm preferring the iPhone for the storage, ease of syncing, and app store. I, however, prefer the UI of the Pre. The gestures are better and the card system is better IMHO...

I'm thinking as of now that if my signal issues with At&t improve, I'm leaning towards the iPhone. I think that WebOS has a lot of potential, and is easily as good as iPhone OS, but it's not as mature yet. I can see a WebOS device in my future over the next iPhone, however I don't think I'm patient enough to wait and deal with a rev. A device, and to deal with the weak hardware.

My final decision will come in the next few days.

 

[hsk]

So I went to the Apple store last night and bought a 32 GB white 3G S to compare to my Pre. I have until July 4th to return the Pre, and will be spending some time using both.

My main gripe with the Pre is hardware quality, and initial impressions of the iPhone is wow. The phone is solid and well built, feels like it will last. My concern is the glass screen, I doubt it will handle a drop as well as a Pre will. I guess a warranty with SquareTrade will take care of that concern.

For me however, reception is an issue with the iPhone. I have a Samsung Airave antenna in my house for Sprint, and therefore get 5 bars. The iphone fluctuates between 1 to 4 bars, mainly on the lower side. Sometimes it drops signal completely. This is a possible deal breaker.

As far as the OS is concerned. There are parts of both that I love. I find that I'm preferring the iPhone for the storage, ease of syncing, and app store. I, however, prefer the UI of the Pre. The gestures are better and the card system is better IMHO...

I'm thinking as of now that if my signal issues with At&t improve, I'm leaning towards the iPhone. I think that WebOS has a lot of potential, and is easily as good as iPhone OS, but it's not as mature yet. I can see a WebOS device in my future over the next iPhone, however I don't think I'm patient enough to wait and deal with a rev. A device, and to deal with the weak hardware.

My final decision will come in the next few days.

I would have a 3G right now if the network was better when I tried it back in Feb/Mar. I have heard that Austin (TX) has been upgraded and I supposedly have 4-5 towers within 1.5-5 miles of me - but I could not hold on to 3G the last time I tried!

 

[Ferris23]

- The opening of the applications is faster, but everything else that you would be doing is the same speed. AND if the browser decides it needs to reload the webpage you were just looking at a minute ago, thats not "fast as hell". I'll stick with logic here and say fact.

Wait what are you talking about here, everything else does not go at the same speed, on the 3GS EVERYTHING is faster. Page loads, application loads, you name it, nothing on the 3GS is the same speed as it was on the 3G.

 

[WannaGoMac]

I guess I am one that likes the keyboard. I have average sized hands and got used to it pretty quick. I actually think I can type better on it than I could on my Touch Pro. However, the slider and just the general feel of the phone worries me a little. I feel like I have to baby it or it will break! I do worry about the longevity of it. I think I am going to test a 3GS - I had a 3g for a little while back in February, but my service here in Austin was not so good and I took it back. The Pre and Sprint are fine for me, but the Pre's earpiece sounds awlful - very fuzzy depending on the callers connection. I like webOS, but I am just not crazy about the hardware.

So, I am crossing my fingers that Austin's ATT network has been upgraded and is in better shape then it was in February!

Oh - also good advice. Go look at both in the store and even try one or the other out before porting a number. You can try a iPhone out for 3 days without any charges other than the 10% restocking fee (the $36 activation fee does not kick in until after the 3rd day - and I even got that waived once I took my last one back after 2 weeks). Sprint will only charge for the minutes/data used.

Hmm, i hadn't heard of a 3 day no restocking fee. On the AT&T term site it says unless you refuse delivery, you get hit with a restocking fee on iPhones if you return it within the first 30 days.

Everyone differs on the keyboard. To me i tried and after about 20minutes of sitting their CONCENTRATING on trying to hit the keys , i realized it was not for me. couple this with the many bugs, horror stories about battery life, and the 1.0 OS, I decided 3gs for me.

I really LOVE WebOS, just don't like the Pre itself. Can't wait for WebOS in 1year or so with better hardware!

So I went to the Apple store last night and bought a 32 GB white 3G S to compare to my Pre. I have until July 4th to return the Pre, and will be spending some time using both.

My main gripe with the Pre is hardware quality, and initial impressions of the iPhone is wow. The phone is solid and well built, feels like it will last. My concern is the glass screen, I doubt it will handle a drop as well as a Pre will. I guess a warranty with SquareTrade will take care of that concern.

For me however, reception is an issue with the iPhone. I have a Samsung Airave antenna in my house for Sprint, and therefore get 5 bars. The iphone fluctuates between 1 to 4 bars, mainly on the lower side. Sometimes it drops signal completely. This is a possible deal breaker.

As far as the OS is concerned. There are parts of both that I love. I find that I'm preferring the iPhone for the storage, ease of syncing, and app store. I, however, prefer the UI of the Pre. The gestures are better and the card system is better IMHO...

I'm thinking as of now that if my signal issues with At&t improve, I'm leaning towards the iPhone. I think that WebOS has a lot of potential, and is easily as good as iPhone OS, but it's not as mature yet. I can see a WebOS device in my future over the next iPhone, however I don't think I'm patient enough to wait and deal with a rev. A device, and to deal with the weak hardware.

My final decision will come in the next few days.

I find it funny that people are willing to use their own paid for internet connection to fix the coverage problems of providers. Personally, I would want to get paid by the cell provider if i setup a microcell for them.

 

[trainguy77]

Pretty hypocritical of us to so casually dismiss a feature on a phone that we find indispensable on our computers...

Not really. A phone is not a computer. Its not a laptop replacement...its a phone.

 

[amorican]

I find it funny that people are willing to use their own paid for internet connection to fix the coverage problems of providers. Personally, I would want to get paid by the cell provider if i setup a microcell for them.

I called retentions and threatened to cancel my line, they gave me an Airave for free and waived the monthly fee for the life of my line. It doesn't affect the internet speed, and I already have fios, so It's no big deal to me. I don't see what's funny about a free personal cell tower.

 

[felixxiano]

I guess I am one that likes the keyboard. I have average sized hands and got used to it pretty quick. I actually think I can type better on it than I could on my Touch Pro. However, the slider and just the general feel of the phone worries me a little. I feel like I have to baby it or it will break! I do worry about the longevity of it. I think I am going to test a 3GS - I had a 3g for a little while back in February, but my service here in Austin was not so good and I took it back. The Pre and Sprint are fine for me, but the Pre's earpiece sounds awlful - very fuzzy depending on the callers connection. I like webOS, but I am just not crazy about the hardware.

So, I am crossing my fingers that Austin's ATT network has been upgraded and is in better shape then it was in February!

Oh - also good advice. Go look at both in the store and even try one or the other out before porting a number. You can try a iPhone out for 3 days without any charges other than the 10% restocking fee (the $36 activation fee does not kick in until after the 3rd day - and I even got that waived once I took my last one back after 2 weeks). Sprint will only charge for the minutes/data used.

From Austin here too!

I ended up keeing the iPhone just because of the hardware; I will wait and see if the blackberry tour comes and maybe that'll be a better option for me. The notifications in the Pre are so so much better and faster than the iPhone. It's a shame they spent so much money in the OS and so little in the hardware. The slider phone looked somewhat cheap and it seemed loose. It only got worse in the past couple of days. *sigh!

 

[timberga]

Wait what are you talking about here, everything else does not go at the same speed, on the 3GS EVERYTHING is faster. Page loads, application loads, you name it, nothing on the 3GS is the same speed as it was on the 3G.

I was talking about a user typing out a message, the "close" and "open" animations....those are the same speed as before.

 

[hsk]

Hmm, i hadn't heard of a 3 day no restocking fee. On the AT&T term site it says unless you refuse delivery, you get hit with a restocking fee on iPhones if you return it within the first 30 days.

I did not say the Apple restocking fee, it's the activation fee of $36 kicks in after the 3rd day. Return it on the 3rd day and no $36 activation fee.

 

[hsk]

From Austin here too!

I ended up keeing the iPhone just because of the hardware; I will wait and see if the blackberry tour comes and maybe that'll be a better option for me. The notifications in the Pre are so so much better and faster than the iPhone. It's a shame they spent so much money in the OS and so little in the hardware. The slider phone looked somewhat cheap and it seemed loose. It only got worse in the past couple of days. *sigh!

How is the ATT network for you on the 3GS (where are you primarily located)? I am sitting here on a call, the Pre is on the Touchscreen and I am using a BT headset. Sweet set up. I go back and forth. Might just keep it and see how it goes and look at the Tour myself when it arrives or the TP2 (not that I really like WM 6.1, but 6.5 looks more UI friendly).

 

[felixxiano]

How is the ATT network for you on the 3GS (where are you primarily located)? I am sitting here on a call, the Pre is on the Touchscreen and I am using a BT headset. Sweet set up. I go back and forth. Might just keep it and see how it goes and look at the Tour myself when it arrives or the TP2 (not that I really like WM 6.1, but 6.5 looks more UI friendly).

The service is good so far. However, the notification are kinda killing me. I hate having to check my email every 15 mins to see if there is something new. Although it fetches the yahoo email very quickly, it does not vibrate when I get new emails and the phone is asleep.

 

[GfPQqmcRKUvP]

Not really. A phone is not a computer. Its not a laptop replacement...its a phone.

Now that's a pretty naive statement. Clearly the iPhone isn't "just a phone."

 

[1Zach1]

Did I miss the side-by-side photos somewhere?

 

[hsk]

The service is good so far. However, the notification are kinda killing me. I hate having to check my email every 15 mins to see if there is something new. Although it fetches the yahoo email very quickly, it does not vibrate when I get new emails and the phone is asleep.

But it "dings" once, doesn't it?? Thought the 3G I had dinged once when a new mail came in. Am I wrong?

 

[trainguy77]

Now that's a pretty naive statement. Clearly the iPhone isn't "just a phone."

So your selling your laptop then? Its not a laptop replacement period. And sorry I should have clarified its a smartphone...still a phone.

 

[coolwater]

For my taste, Pre needs more straight-lines and less rounded corners especially the screen. Why even make the screen rounded at corners??? I'd love to talk to Pre's designer or Palm's product develop manager as well as the marketing VP.