iPhone 3G First Impressions and Reviews

[caption]

Lets ignore ALL the great things about the phone in this review (i don't really want to say everything that anyone else have noted).

So lets go to the badies:

Crash, Crash CRASH!
It feels like running a early beta version of Windows Vista.
Since i got my phone (3 days ago, and i updated to the "hidden" new firmware) Safari have crashed 9 times, the Mail 3 times the iPod 1 time.
And the many games and apps crash quite often too (can't remember a number). Most apps won't run before you then restart the iPhone. And after a little hour i have to do that again if i want to run them.
Overall i have never seen something crashing more than on this phone. Its BAD!


GPS
The GPS works and works well and its quite fast compared to anything else, i couldnt ask for more. But its inaccurate even outdoor under a clear sky.
On a train...

2 sec later my iPhone try tell me that the train derailed.

The GPS is updating every around 20 sec and with the before mentioned problem i don't see how this could be used as driving guide.

Other

No "real" BlueTooth.
No file p2p share between 2 phones.
MMS? Who use MMS? Don't care TBH.
No Danish dictionary? I know apple is all about US but this is the first phone i have ever seen myself that did not have a Danish dictionary included by default.
No CopyPaste, why oh' why have apple not added this yet? The fact that you have to keep a piece of paper with your iphone in case you get a password or so is lame. There is allready a Youtube video showing how it could be done.

Dreams
Battery Drain 5 hours is good... but not quite good enough.
CopyPaste
BlueTooth (the real deal)
Open OS (File Browser/Management)
Support for "standard" codec formats. WMV, DIVX etc
Miniflash in Safari (click a flash icon to enable)
IM app (with support for MSN and not just AIM)

 

[PowerFullMac]

caption, restore your phone in iTunes, it shouldnt be crashing so much.

 

[The Bruce]

I've had my iPhone 3G now for almost four days. I loved my old iPhone so my comparisons will be based on that relationship.

Screen: While comparing to the old one it does look "yellower". But that has not been an issue so far. The screen is bright and legible in the daylight or the darkness.

OS response: I have noticed that the overall performance is a little sluggish compared to my first iPhone. While entering SMS text there is a huge lag. I've finished typing an it's still catching up. Could this be a dictionary thing? Has anyone who upgraded their first gen iPhone noticing this as well? This may be a problem that will drive me nuts.

Sound: The speaker and microphone are much better. I can hear people talking to me more clearly and the people on the other end can hear my much more clearly. This is the best part of the 3G version.

Battery Life: I really can't comment on that yet. The first day I spent using the phone like crazy, as well as the second day. On Sunday I used it more reasonably and the battery did last the whole day. So I don't think the battery life will be an issue, but the final verdicts can't be made after only four days.

GPS: Ummm, it works. It's cool.

Overall: I like the phone. I had less issues with my first gen iPhone, but I am hoping the speed issue will be fixed with a software release. I am still missing copy/paste. I would like to see MMS (Yes, it's old tech. But email is even older [1971].). I like the native apps. So things are looking pretty good.

--
Erik The Bruce

 

[queshy]

For me, GPS is really accurate and great. But we just need better software to take advantage of it. Google Maps is really hard to use while driving...lol...

 

[savanahrose]

I just played with a coworkers 3g and it is awesome! Better than my edge. of course I knew it would be. Maybe next year when I can update. I just loved it. he seems to like his GPS. That would be another reason to get it.

I wish it was next year already.

 

[psingh01]

Lets ignore ALL the great things about the phone in this review (i don't really want to say everything that anyone else have noted).

So lets go to the badies:

Crash, Crash CRASH!
It feels like running a early beta version of Windows Vista.
Since i got my phone (3 days ago, and i updated to the "hidden" new firmware) Safari have crashed 9 times, the Mail 3 times the iPod 1 time.
And the many games and apps crash quite often too (can't remember a number). Most apps won't run before you then restart the iPhone. And after a little hour i have to do that again if i want to run them.
Overall i have never seen something crashing more than on this phone. Its BAD!


GPS
The GPS works and works well and its quite fast compared to anything else, i couldnt ask for more. But its inaccurate even outdoor under a clear sky.
On a train...

2 sec later my iPhone try tell me that the train derailed.

The GPS is updating every around 20 sec and with the before mentioned problem i don't see how this could be used as driving guide.

Other

No "real" BlueTooth.
No file p2p share between 2 phones.
MMS? Who use MMS? Don't care TBH.
No Danish dictionary? I know apple is all about US but this is the first phone i have ever seen myself that did not have a Danish dictionary included by default.
No CopyPaste, why oh' why have apple not added this yet? The fact that you have to keep a piece of paper with your iphone in case you get a password or so is lame. There is allready a Youtube video showing how it could be done.

Dreams
Battery Drain 5 hours is good... but not quite good enough.
CopyPaste
BlueTooth (the real deal)
Open OS (File Browser/Management)
Support for "standard" codec formats. WMV, DIVX etc
Miniflash in Safari (click a flash icon to enable)
IM app (with support for MSN and not just AIM)

It probably has more to do with the map's accuracy, probably still haven't updated to see where the train tracks really go.

 

[jcdDigix]

Loving My 3G (16G)

Everything works fine!!!! GPS indoor is "unbelievably" sharp. Had to "Erase all Content and Settings" in order to restore my old iPhone backup +(about 2 hrs. without phone)
Everything else is a charm afterward!
Loving it!

 

[bacaramac]

Lets ignore ALL the great things about the phone in this review (i don't really want to say everything that anyone else have noted).

So lets go to the badies:

Crash, Crash CRASH!
It feels like running a early beta version of Windows Vista.
Since i got my phone (3 days ago, and i updated to the "hidden" new firmware) Safari have crashed 9 times, the Mail 3 times the iPod 1 time.
And the many games and apps crash quite often too (can't remember a number). Most apps won't run before you then restart the iPhone. And after a little hour i have to do that again if i want to run them.
Overall i have never seen something crashing more than on this phone. Its BAD!


GPS
The GPS works and works well and its quite fast compared to anything else, i couldnt ask for more. But its inaccurate even outdoor under a clear sky.
On a train...

2 sec later my iPhone try tell me that the train derailed.

The GPS is updating every around 20 sec and with the before mentioned problem i don't see how this could be used as driving guide.

Other

No "real" BlueTooth.
No file p2p share between 2 phones.
MMS? Who use MMS? Don't care TBH.
No Danish dictionary? I know apple is all about US but this is the first phone i have ever seen myself that did not have a Danish dictionary included by default.
No CopyPaste, why oh' why have apple not added this yet? The fact that you have to keep a piece of paper with your iphone in case you get a password or so is lame. There is allready a Youtube video showing how it could be done.

Dreams
Battery Drain 5 hours is good... but not quite good enough.
CopyPaste
BlueTooth (the real deal)
Open OS (File Browser/Management)
Support for "standard" codec formats. WMV, DIVX etc
Miniflash in Safari (click a flash icon to enable)
IM app (with support for MSN and not just AIM)

The Google Maps app is not street aware. In a real Map app the software compensates and assumes you are on the correct path until a large enough error occurs. The could easily introduce a turn-by-turn app that works as good as TomTom, etc. It is even better when you have destination input as it assumes you are following the correct path and only deviates when a large enough error occurs. I think the GPS is dead on and the delay or jumping is the lack of good software the takes into account your speed and realizes that most people don't go from 75 to 0 and keeps you tracking at 75. The jumping could also be due to downloading of updated maps.

 

[nidserz]

so far im loving the 3g iphone. didn't love the 1st gen so i sold it 2 months later.

however, i noticed there is a gap and its edge at the sim card slot. anybody else notice this? it bugs me on the white iphone because you can see the gap and it just looks like it has poor build quality.
if its just mine then maybe ill have a look into it.

thanks and ill post back once i get used to my toy!

 

[Wayne1003]

A few of you asked me to submit my review to Blue’s sticky so here it is... I put all the big points of the entire thread together into one easy to read post... Here... we... GO!

First: No sign of front camera, and unfortunately, no current sign of MMS. The sim ejector tool is made of metal.

Screen: Looks GREAT! I think it looks BETTER than the original. Very crisp, clean imagery. Doesn't seem to have the negative black issue. The touch sensitivity also seems quite a bit more responsive. The user interface seems faster with little to no lag when opening applications.

Audio: I wouldn't define the iPhone 3G as - Louder. However, it is certainly A LOT more clear. For phone calls it sounds better on both the earpiece and the speaker phone. Music sounds a bit more full. You unfortunately cannot change the sound prefs for mail, cal, etc.

Feel: Overall, it feels solid. Yes, the back is a finger print magnet, but what item in your arsenal that is a glossy finish isn't? Plus it easily wipes off The plastic doesn't feel cheap. However, the top button, vibrate switch and volume control seems A LITTLE on the chincy side but on the same token they feel like they are made from some kind of metal/plastic hybrid. I took a key to the back twice and gave it a few swipes back and forth each time and didn’t see any visible marks.

GPS: It only took about 5 seconds to get a lock. It does not work without cell service because it needs that to download the maps. While walking it tracks your signal well. However, I was disappointed when I got in the car and took a drive as the blue dot stuttered along “jumping” to a new location every few seconds. I recommend turning GPS off when you aren’t using it to conserve battery life.

General Notes: The contacts app exists and is on the second page and I didn't see a way to hide it. As lame as it sounds the calculator is AWESOME! No landscape SMS. As expected the App Store was not functional at first try, but is apparently up now... There is no Flash Support yet. You cannot access iTunes over 3G, still only WiFi... I was hoping this would change so you can get any song you want on the go, maybe this will change. Beggars can't be choosers.

That is really the iPhone 3G!!

Who else use it now.

Say something.

 

[GfPQqmcRKUvP]

That is really the iPhone 3G!!

Who else use it now.

Say something.

What?

 

[andrew.denton]

iPhone 3G - Nightmare - I am REALLY disappointed!

OK first let me say thatiPhone 2.0 seems good, and the Aps store is fantastic - when you get Vs 2.0 on an old iPhone will be great HOWEVER iPhone 3G - god wish I'd never bought it - anyone want to swap for an original 16 Gig?

1) The new stuff - 3G and GPS - you can't actually use these features since the barery drain is so huge, with everything turned on I get less than 2 hours of usage - you need one of two full charges a day, no spare battery so basically you can't sue it as a work phone.

2) If you turn off 3G, GPS, push mail and Sync and lower the screen brightness you get the same battery performance as the old iPhone -which is fine. However you also HAVE an old iPhone since none of the new stuff works unless you go into settings, reactivate GPS or 3G, then wait to pick up then use the feature - it's as quick to wait for EDGE to get it really.
3) It crashes - mine is now a brick - no way to re-set it - plug it into tmy Mac, nothing - dead. Maybe if I'm lucky they'll give me my money back and I'll buy an old iPhone on eBay!

 

[GfPQqmcRKUvP]

OK first let me say thatiPhone 2.0 seems good, and the Aps store is fantastic - when you get Vs 2.0 on an old iPhone will be great HOWEVER iPhone 3G - god wish I'd never bought it - anyone want to swap for an original 16 Gig?

1) The new stuff - 3G and GPS - you can't actually use these features since the barery drain is so huge, with everything turned on I get less than 2 hours of usage - you need one of two full charges a day, no spare battery so basically you can't sue it as a work phone.

2) If you turn off 3G, GPS, push mail and Sync and lower the screen brightness you get the same battery performance as the old iPhone -which is fine. However you also HAVE an old iPhone since none of the new stuff works unless you go into settings, reactivate GPS or 3G, then wait to pick up then use the feature - it's as quick to wait for EDGE to get it really.
3) It crashes - mine is now a brick - no way to re-set it - plug it into tmy Mac, nothing - dead. Maybe if I'm lucky they'll give me my money back and I'll buy an old iPhone on eBay!

Go to Apple, explain your problems, and you should get a new iPhone 3G. That is not normal.

 

[ksolano]

Got a black 8gb. Love it but not sure if GPS is working here in Hull in the UK? When i try the map application it just searches when i try to locate my current location - The one time it did work it said i was in london.

I just text my friend who lined up with me this morning and his told him he was in london too? very odd.

Someone earlier mentioned turning GPS off? how would you turn it on or off. I don't think there's an option for that?

same here in london

 

[GfPQqmcRKUvP]

same here in london

We Americans turned off our navigation satellites that the rest of the world uses

 

[shelbias]

My question is how did the purchase go?

Do they have sign and go? or do you have to tether/unbox in the store etc?

How long did it actually take to complete your purchase?

Thanks

I did an upgrade to the iPhone 3G and my transaction was fast and painless, since I recently replaced my SIM chip. I didn't bring my old phone with me, so they allowed me to bring home the unopened box. I waited for 1.5 hours outside and I wasn't even inside the store for more than 15 mins.

 

[xploit]

I was at the apple store (michigan ave, chicago) again yesterday. I have a friend who manages there. Anyway most apple (store) employees DO feel that this model has been cheapened. BUDGET! The build quality is definitely a step down. Anyway we were talking about this and how the returns and exchanges with this model is incredibly high. To be fair this could be due to the many new users and users that are new to Apple. Either way I gave it an honest look and it seriously doesn't make sense for original owners to be upgrading to this. The 3G is pure mass market.

X-

 

[meagain]

Oh Please - Many think the quality is fantastic. Including me. At least those who own it.

Wasn't anyone here at launch last year? It was a nightmare. People returning their phones 6-7 times even. My personal phone is better built than my first. AND feels better.

Sorry - I don't buy it.

 

[Romanesq]

how soon they forget...

Oh Please - Many think the quality is fantastic. Including me. At least those who own it.

Wasn't anyone here at launch last year? It was a nightmare. People returning their phones 6-7 times even. My personal phone is better built than my first. AND feels better.

Sorry - I don't buy it.

Agreed. There was a plague of returns last year, especially on the speaker volume. If I wasn't a bluetooth user, I would have shot myself. In midtown Manhattan on just an average street, the noise level made it impossible to hear from the ear piece. Glad I didn't rely on it.

Rotating this thing as it sits on the new dock ($29) and it looks great to me. And 3G would not work with the old design. Not possible with the metal.

People just love to complain. If they have a faulty unit, understood but really some people are just trying to convince others not to buy the unit since they are not buying it, for whatever reason.

 

[dmelgar]

I was at the apple store (michigan ave, chicago) again yesterday. I have a friend who manages there. Anyway most apple (store) employees DO feel that this model has been cheapened. BUDGET! The build quality is definitely a step down. Anyway we were talking about this and how the returns and exchanges with this model is incredibly high. To be fair this could be due to the many new users and users that are new to Apple. Either way I gave it an honest look and it seriously doesn't make sense for original owners to be upgrading to this. The 3G is pure mass market.

X-

It seems so funny that people think its cheapened. Just shows that people are more into perception than reality.

People don't care that the new iPhone as at least as expensive as the previous one, just that AT&T is subsidizing it. They look at the price, oh, its ONLY $199, its dirt cheap, where did they cut corners.

Likewise, they don't look at the data plan and realize its costing them $15 MORE per month over 24 months which more than makes up the difference in price anyway.

Nope it still seems cheap. How did they do it. Where did they cut corners!

 

[rasmasyean]

afaik, I don't think official support for tethering is on the 3G phone. Maybe someone will hack it in later? Or maybe not if they included a "counter" to that in the new device.

Can you tether the original through WiFi?

I know Windows Mobile devices can tether via WiFi with an app (called WMWiFiRouter) that makes the phone a "mobile hotspot" and you can even put WEP, WPA on it, etc. or just leave it open for the public. But Windows has this thing called "Internet Connection Sharing" built into the OS. The funny thing about this is that you don't even need a tethering plan because it just uses the data plan. heh

Will there be a feature that allows WiFi tethering?

 

[meagain]

I can't believe this thread is still going on. Please whoever thinks this $199 or $299 phone is crap - please don't buy one. Else return it.
I have to buy yet another GORGEOUS, I like it better than 2g, well-built 16 Black - so please, I'd like the lines smaller.

 

[Akaal]

More reviews and video here.


I love my iPhone 3G, its totally awesome and so useful, its worth £159 for the 16gb!

The only thing i am disappointed with is that there's no group texting and no video recording function! otherwise awesome phone and one of the best internet surfing phones out there!

 

[zed2]

More reviews and video here.


I love my iPhone 3G, its totally awesome and so useful, its worth £159 for the 16gb!

The only thing i am disappointed with is that there's no group texting and no video recording function! otherwise awesome phone and one of the best internet surfing phones out there!

You can do group texting!

--Zed

 

[GfPQqmcRKUvP]

You can do group texting!

--Zed

To add onto this, just click the (+) sign after you have a person to send it to. You can add multiple. Better yet, that text is saved so you can send to that group again in the future without re-adding them.