Please help me decide! UK only please!

[Psyxologos]

I have been indecisive about buying an iphone since launch day. Just when I am about to make the decision and leave orange after 10 years of happy subscription, I read horor stories about 3G reception being non existent in iphone (technical fault some say) some (significant portion) of the time and i put it off.

I am holding still for Tuesday's event and the aftermath of the rumoured release of the 2.1 firmware that allegedly will address the issue of reception. I find it quite difficult to say good bye to 5 bars of 3G constantly in my N95 to get a phone that at best of times has two or three bars of 3G. I am definitely attracted by the internet function in the iphone, I like the ease of interface, I most definitely like the design. But these are not good enough reasons for me to take a step back in technology and get myself a phone that has limited connectivity and crippled bluetooth.

Any idea if the reception issue so profound in the US is as widespread here? I have heard so many things, I do not know what to believe. Some say that the expected firmware upgrade will tackle the 3G reception issue, others say that it is a motherboard issue and people wanting an iphone should wait for the German firm supplying apple with the motherboard to sort the situation out.

As far as the bluetooth problem is concerned, I doubt they will do anything, given the fact that INTENTIONALLY crippled it in the first place. Such a waste of potential. Why cripple the phone to make it less efficient

 

[someguy7014]

The reception issue has been addressed with the 2.0.2 update. If everyone updated their phones there would be no issues. At least this is what we are told.

Also, it seems to have a great deal to do with the location as well, so depending on where you live you will probably experience next to no issues or alot of really annoying 3g issues.

Where do you live? For example NYC seems to have one of the biggest problems and i would definitely hold of if you live there.


After properly reading your post I think you should be fine in the UK. Most of what i have read suggests it is not a very big problem over there.

 

[ryanwarsaw]

2.0.2 didn't increase 3G coverage. It really depends where you are and where you go. I drove to cornwall from Surrey sometimes there was 3g and sometimes no connection at all.

 

[bigandy]

I've not had a single problem with mine. Good 3G reception when in a 3G area, good 2.5/2G reception when not in a 3G area.

It barely ever leaves my hand.


Most of the problems seem to have originated in the US of A, and have probably been more to do with capacity than actual iPhone problems, IMO. If not, why aren't people from all corners of the globe up in arms about the problems? Why is it just the Americans?

 

[Psyxologos]

bigandy, someguy7014

You might be right. Actually, I hope you are. Most people complaining are in the US of A, (Borat mode on!) but some people here talk about a hardware issue with the German company making the motherboard circuits for the iphone.



Either way, I plan to buy my and the wife's new phone mid October. By then I should have more information from people's experiences. Thanks a lot guys, you helped me feel more optimistic about it!

P.S: In order to take advantage of the unlimited browsing O2 advertises, I need 3G, right? It would not work in areas with only 2G reception. Is that accurate?

 

[Kardashian]

I need 3G, right? It would not work in areas with only 2G reception. Is that accurate?

No. EDGE is also covered.

3G and EDGE is free.

 

[ChazUK]

I gave up the N95-1 on T-Mobile UK for the iPhone 3G on o2 UK and I cant say I'm 100% happy with it.

The Bad
MY N95 on T-Mobile used to get 3.5G signal EVERYWHERE. In work, in the car, in my home. The iPhone only has GPRS (identified by a square with a dot on it next to the o2 logo) in a lot of places where I used to get 3g+ speeds from the N95. This may be an issue with o2.

Safari crashes for me a lot. Nearly every time i fire up Safari I am kicked back to the home screen within 15/20 mins. The UI for browsing is great and blows the N95 with its tiny screen away but when it crashes it is extremely anoying.

GPS doesn't seem to work at all for me but used to work superb on my N95.

The UI of the iPhone can be laggy finding contacts and entering text.

The Good
It's getting there. With every update the iPhone is improving. In fact, when I first got the N95 it was just as buggy and even slower than the iPhone. It was only with Nokia's regular updates it improved.

Now, for those who read my problems above and would say "It's your phone that's broke" this is in fact my 2nd iPhone 3G and it has the same problems. How is this good you may ask?
Despite the troubles with the iPhone I took it into Apple for a genius to look at it and there and then they offered a straight swap for a new phone. I've never known a phone manufacturer to replace a handset like that, normally you have to really complain to get a phone replaced.


Overall I'd wait to see what is offered tonight and to see the feedback of 2.1 if it is released.

 

[sparkyms]

As you can see from the attached pictures, as far as signal goes , its pretty irrelevant to the download speed you will see from the network (the lower signal is actually faster).

For the record either I don't have any problems with dropped calls when handing over from a 2G tower to a 3G one, I think the problems are far more widespread in heavily built-up areas with many many iPhone 3Gs running incorrect firmware editions clogging up the power draw from towers.

I don't necessarily think its an American sob story either though, it's just the USA has a much larger population, which is going to mean more iPhone 3Gs, which means more scope for stuff to go wrong, and far more saturated networks... here, although popular, there aren't as many iPhone 3Gs and our network is more mature than the AT&T 3G network.

As for ChazUK, I feel for you, but I think that is probably O2s 3G network rather than the iPhone. O2 definitely need to push out and upgrade more of their cell stations to 3G, as they can broadcast to non-3G phones as well, it just makes sense!!

 

[thworple]

I haven't had any problems with the 3G service at all either - work in London, and get 3G pretty much everywhere - live in a sleepy Sussex village and get 3G sporadically - but that's because it's a sleepy Sussex village that doesn't have a great deal of 3G coverage regardless of what Network you are on.

The main issue I've had is the same as other's have mentioned. Safari crashing a fair amount, and lag on accessing Contacts and typing SMS and Emails. These should be remedied in the impending update.

 

[sibruk]

Psyxologos, have you checked the O2 coverage maps for the places that matter to you the most? ie. home, work, places you tend to spend lots of time...

I had the original iPhone, and to be honest, the lack of 3G wasn't that important, I still loved the device and what it was capable of on GPRS/EDGE. The 3G is just the icing on the cake, but in hindsight I still would have bought it - 3G or not.

 

[synagence]

Whether the 3G coverage is the phone, the network or a combination of the two it can vary wildly.

In my apartment complex i get no 3g signal ... if i walk to the main road (about another 30m) i get a 5 bar solid 3g signal with 1.6 mbit speed.

In town it can also vary wildly street to street.

The actual phone is getting there also ... the software (fingers crossed) will stabilise with 2.1 (i think apple REALLY need to make 2.1 a good release otherwise they'll get backlash)

 

[netdog]

I have been indecisive about buying an iphone since launch day. Just when I am about to make the decision and leave orange after 10 years of happy subscription, I read horor stories about 3G reception being non existent in iphone (technical fault some say) some (significant portion) of the time and i put it off.

It would help us to answer if we knew where you are in the UK.

My 3G speeds here in London are about 2.4 Mbps.

 

[chimpboy74]

In scotland I got (last night) 0.58 MBPS on 3G. Worryingly I got 0.19 on my home wifi (how? macbook runs at 6.4 I expect the phone to be lower but lower than 3G???)

My wifes phone consistently gets around twice this. I contacted apple and all they have suggested is doing a reset and checking again at the same time of day.

I'm not sure if it is just coincidence that my phone consistently gives 1/2 the speed my wifes does or that 3G is faster than wifi. maybe my phone is dodgy???

Overal though I am happy with my phone GPS works well. email I have no probs with safari does boot me out but only once evry couple of weeks and normaly happens when I have downloaded new apps.

I have never dropped a call yet.

 

[sparkyms]

In scotland I got (last night) 0.58 MBPS on 3G. Worryingly I got 0.19 on my home wifi (how? macbook runs at 6.4 I expect the phone to be lower but lower than 3G???)

My wifes phone consistently gets around twice this. I contacted apple and all they have suggested is doing a reset and checking again at the same time of day.

I'm not sure if it is just coincidence that my phone consistently gives 1/2 the speed my wifes does or that 3G is faster than wifi. maybe my phone is dodgy???

Overal though I am happy with my phone GPS works well. email I have no probs with safari does boot me out but only once evry couple of weeks and normaly happens when I have downloaded new apps.

I have never dropped a call yet.

If you're using testmyiphone.com I find it gives me very inaccurate wi-fi scores, and I'm not sure why.

 

[Bye Bye Baby]

Cambridge/ London

I must say that 3g coverage in Cambridge is pretty good. I get around 1.9 mbp/s almost everywhere. I spend a lot of time in London as well and there I get around 3.23.

I am very impressed with the iphone 3g. I also have a edge phone as well that I have un-locked for working on another network.

O2 are a solid company that offer relatively good service. For your 35 pounds a month you get a lot of talk time, sms and data. I don't know what better offers exist.

 

[Rigsby]

I can only echo other posters. The reception is great for me. I've used the phone mainly in London, but also Kent and Cambridgeshire fairly regularly.

I'd also add that I've suffered none of the problems that you frequently see complaints about on here. Whether that's because I have lower expectations, different usage or have just been lucky with my phone I do not know.

If the functions of the phone meet your needs I wouldnt hesitate to recommend it.

 

[chimpboy74]

If you're using testmyiphone.com I find it gives me very inaccurate wi-fi scores, and I'm not sure why.

Is there a more accurate way of doing it?

 

[sparkyms]

I generally use this one
http://i.dslr.net/tinyspeedtest.html
if I'm on wifi, I don't know why testmyiphone always comes back with such low wi-fi speeds, because the browsing never reflects the quoted speed.

 

[Psyxologos]

Thanks a lot everyone.

I live in Lytham St Annes, 3 miles south of Blackpool. O2 shows me as fully covered for 3G with no problems. I am currently with Orange and my N95 has solid full 3G bars 99.9999% of the time.

It would be interesting to know what your 3G coverage was before you ported to O2 or got the iphone 3G for thjose already with O2.

as I said earlier, hopefully tonight's update will remedy at least some of the problems, and as the demand lessens Apple will produce phones in less hurry and hopfully with better performing hardware (if this is indeed a hardware issue).

Thanks again, you have been very helpful.

 

[chimpboy74]

Thanks a lot everyone.

I live in Lytham St Annes, 3 miles south of Blackpool. O2 shows me as fully covered for 3G with no problems. I am currently with Orange and my N95 has solid full 3G bars 99.9999% of the time.

It would be interesting to know what your 3G coverage was before you ported to O2 or got the iphone 3G for thjose already with O2.

as I said earlier, hopefully tonight's update will remedy at least some of the problems, and as the demand lessens Apple will produce phones in less hurry and hopfully with better performing hardware (if this is indeed a hardware issue).

Thanks again, you have been very helpful.

My brother and sister in law were in lytham st annes a couple of weeks back for a wedding. I'll ask how they got on withe the reception (not the wedding reception!)

 

[chimpboy74]

I generally use this one
http://i.dslr.net/tinyspeedtest.html
if I'm on wifi, I don't know why testmyiphone always comes back with such low wi-fi speeds, because the browsing never reflects the quoted speed.

thanks for this. I have just checked it and on your site it is stating 2.5MBPS on wifi and on 3G 1.1MBPS

On testmyiphone I have just got

wifi 0.3MBPS
3G 1.4MBPS

WTF?

Also why would my wifes phone show consistently double speeds to mine on testmyiphone (I havent checked hers on the new site yet) would that be related to the dodgy results from testmyiphone (seems to be the same case for 3G though

 

[Psyxologos]

My brother and sister in law were in lytham st annes a couple of weeks back for a wedding. I'll ask how they got on withe the reception (not the wedding reception!)

please do that. Thanks a lot! I presume they have an iphone 3G as well?

 

[sneeks]

No. EDGE is also covered.

3G and EDGE is free.

Add GPRS to the list of free data services too. No 3G signal problems for me that have been caused by the iPhone. O2's network has had a couple of issues lately though.

 

[dlewis23]

thanks for this. I have just checked it and on your site it is stating 2.5MBPS on wifi and on 3G 1.1MBPS

On testmyiphone I have just got

wifi 0.3MBPS
3G 1.4MBPS

WTF?

Also why would my wifes phone show consistently double speeds to mine on testmyiphone (I havent checked hers on the new site yet) would that be related to the dodgy results from testmyiphone (seems to be the same case for 3G though

So you get slow wifi results on your phone, but your wife's phone gets faster results with wifi on the same network?

 

[bigandy]

bigandy, someguy7014

You might be right. Actually, I hope you are. Most people complaining are in the US of A, (Borat mode on!) but some people here talk about a hardware issue with the German company making the motherboard circuits for the iphone.



Either way, I plan to buy my and the wife's new phone mid October. By then I should have more information from people's experiences. Thanks a lot guys, you helped me feel more optimistic about it!

P.S: In order to take advantage of the unlimited browsing O2 advertises, I need 3G, right? It would not work in areas with only 2G reception. Is that accurate?

Of course I'm right.

It's all about the network, but people seem to be blaming anything and everything other than the network. If you're not on 3G, you'll drop to EDGE or GPRS - but you'll still be able to use it for data. It'll just be slower.

I gave up the N95-1 on T-Mobile UK for the iPhone 3G on o2 UK and I cant say I'm 100% happy with it.

Reception - Network, not phone.
Safari crashing - prolly software, but may be overload of porn I've never had Safari crash after a certain time. Some sites have caused it, but not a period of time.
GPS - hasn't gained it's feet yet, limited with Google Maps, but excellent for me - works perfectly.
UI does lag, but it's improved since 2.0 came out and slowed it down.
Replacement phones - easiest way to sort out a fix. Fast customer turnaroud = happier customers... in general.

As you can see from the attached pictures, as far as signal goes , its pretty irrelevant to the download speed you will see from the network (the lower signal is actually faster).

Good point - I've never noticed slower speeds because of a lack of bars.

I live in Lytham St Annes, 3 miles south of Blackpool. O2 shows me as fully covered for 3G with no problems. I am currently with Orange and my N95 has solid full 3G bars 99.9999% of the time.

Just because your Orange phone has full 3G, and the O2 coverage map says 3G on it, doesn't mean you'll get it. My village should be completely covered, but it isn't because of a group of strategically annoyingly placed hills.

It would be interesting to know what your 3G coverage was before you ported to O2 or got the iphone 3G for thjose already with O2.

See above. Plus, I've never had a 3G phone before.

..however I was with O2 a few years ago, and the reception and call success rate is much better than it was the last time I was with them.

as I said earlier, hopefully tonight's update will remedy at least some of the problems, and as the demand lessens Apple will produce phones in less hurry and hopfully with better performing hardware (if this is indeed a hardware issue).

I wouldn't speculate on it being a hardware issue, as it's only the vocal minority having problems here on MacRumors. You see it with every Apple product, there's always moaning here. But what about the other six million customers? I don't hear them whining.