iPhone 3G: From 'must have' to 'maybe later'

I waited in line for the iPhone 3G. I had actually bought an iPhone just a few months ago, but wanted to upgrade.

I didn't really know why: I just figured the next version of what Apple was doing could only be cool. I'm a Mac fan.

As I wrote here, however, Apple and AT&T completely botched the activation process, leaving me without the iPhone 3G and, frankly, without much desire to undergo the ordeal again. Apple continues to ration the iPhone 3G for AT&T stores (the one place where you're pretty much guaranteed to have the phone activated), while its Apple retail stores are awash in the iPhones (but also awash in activation problems).

Meanwhile, I've yet to talk to anyone that can point to a clear, compelling differentiator between the new iPhone and the original iPhone. Yes, it's faster, but I spend most of my time around Wi-Fi and not enough time around a power outlet to care as much about 3G as I thought I would.

Indeed, the Web is swarming with lots of reasons to not "upgrade" to the iPhone 3G. Poor battery life, difficulty switching between 3G and 2(.5)G coverage, and a buggy and not-so-great 2.0 software experience whether you're on the 3G or 2G version of the iPhone.

Apple relies on an emotional response to its products to sell them, at least initially. For example, once you've used OS X you'll never go back to Windows, but that first leap of faith is just that: a leap of faith that you're willing to take because the UI is so beautiful. You recognize the power after the purchase.

If Apple continues to screw up the initial, emotional connection to its products through activation issues, buggy software, etc., at some point it's going to hurt its sales. I'm a Mac fan, but I've decided to pass on the iPhone 3G for the foreseeable future. I imagine I'm not alone.

[SpikerBob]

Nope, you aren't the only one, I thought I was the only one =) After trying it out for a couple of weeks, I decided to return my iPhone 3G and canceled my AT&T plan. It is a lovely device when it works but I suffered all the aforementioned issues you listed, so it is just too problematic. I do plan to get it again sometime in the future after waiting for the next rumored firmware release, 2.0.1, and getting positive reviews.

[jessestay]

It's cheaper, and will retain its value in the end. I sold my old iPhone for near $500 (unlocked iPhones go well because of the high demand internationally), and bought my new for only $399 with twice the storage space, faster internet, and precise GPS. The price was the convincing factor for me.

[joe3x]

You actually believing its cheaper simply means your blind, blinded by everyhing. You actually paying alot more........in two years look at you phone bills for the past two years plus what you paid for the phone.......oh wait by then you would have upgraded to two more phone.....and paid hundreds more anyway....nevermind

[jrepenning]

If Salt Lake City Apple stores are "awash in 3G iPhones," your announcement of that may put the airlines back in the black: Silicon Valley and peninsula Apple Stores are still forming lines every morning, and turning people away well before 10am.

[raythethird]

I went to ATT to attempt to purchase the new 3G when they first came out. Then again in a different city and nothing. I then went to the Apple where they had them. I thought the line of 4 people in front of me was short so I decided to wait. After 20 minutes and not even moving an inch forward I changed my mind and figured this is not worth the trouble. Especially after talking to people in line telling me I would have to add a $30/ month extra charge to my account when I planned on just using wifi. I am going to wait and see the new Blackberry Bold. Apple, you lost a potential customer. Not worth the bother.

[JonesDuv]

You know, I have been finding myself suggesting to others to avoid all Apple products. The reasoning to this is my personal anger at how Apple has been handling security issues and the lack of the word disclosure to customers. I am sure that I am not the only that noticed that Apple, as good as they are, simply doesn't get security all the time.
That said, I can understand your treabitation for the iPhone as it currently stands. I can't say that I am all that interested in the device as it stands currently. But then I am looking for more of a toy that I can play with than a fashion phone. So I guess that I am not a target of the market Apple wishes to serve.

[Thomas, David]

Illogical.

You're anger issues are personal, and irrational. Especially over their handling over security issues. Your personal feelings would only make sense if you were having problems because those issues were affecting your system, and others. The iPhone itself, is perfectly fine. The caveat with the iPhone is AT&T, and MobileMe. You can bet your bottom dollar that MobileMe will get better, but you can bet your bottom dollar that AT&T will still be AT&T.

I want a new one, have the previous one, but I don't want to wrestle with AT&T again. So I am hoping, that some legislation will be passed to make AT&T's lock (despite the contract), illegal.

[terun1978]

I not sure if I am just one of the lucky ones or what but my iphone 3g experience has been great. In my opinion, I feel people complain a little too much at times. For instance, everyone is complaining about the activation process. If you stop in your tracks and think about it, what phone can you think of on the market that does not require you to activate it prior to leaving the store....NO PHONES! I have purchase many phones in my lifetimes...blackberry curve, blackberry pearl, AT&T 8525, AT&T Tilt..you name it, and I had to activate the phone prior to leaving the store. The way they allowed people to activate the iphone last year was like an incentive, quite rare in the mobile phone market. People are also complaining about the battery life. I do remember Steve Jobs saying the main reason why 3G technology was not included in the first generation iphone was due to 3G's battery draining appetite. Consumers complained and complain and what did Apple give us, the 3G iphone we all whined about. Now we have the phone, knowing 3G is a battery hog and people are still complaining, wow! I guess some people cannot be pleased for nothing. I can say 5 hours of battery life for a 3G smartphone is excellent. Compare that against the blackberry curve's 3.5 hours and the AT&T tilt's 4 hours (3 hours actual). As far as the reception problems, I have not experienced any at all with the new iphone. I travel to Atlanta alot and have not experienced any problems connecting to 3G with good reception. If you don't like how 3G drains your battery, simply disable 3G. That is a feature Apple was generous enough to include that no other phone does. Is the software buggy, yeah it is. Take a look at the majority of the smartphone market and you must admit, they all are. I have own many smartphones and had issues with them all. However, apple does provide 20 times the updates that other smartphone makers do. Hell, when I had the AT&T Tilt, I only got one ROM update and was left to fend for myself with the rest of the bugs. So for once people, let's be appreciative for what we asked for and cut the whining. By the way, if you are wondering why the iphone 3G does not have MMS, I would like to share this with you. A friend of mine is a manager for AT&T and she told me until they "AT&T" make the media net software for the iphone, it will never have it. Is it in the works....yes it is. It's gonna take some time for developers/carriers to get used to the iphone. It's the first phone ever to run Mac OS X, a complex operating system. For years they have only had to deal with windows mobile, blackberry...etc. I'll be waiting for later this summer for the blackberry bold to launch, and i can guarantee people will be complaining about that too because the battery life on that phone is not as good as the iphone 3G.

[Thomas, David]

The activation issues are a legitimate beef.

Apple created, what many viewed, as the way phones should be activated. Simple, easy, and even if there were problems at least you were at home.

This second time around, all that went away ... why? Someone please tell me why. Three letters and an ampersand.

[jebulldog117]

I agree with what terun said. The iphone 3G is "setting standards" like Steve Jobs said. How many phones were out there that had HALF of the capabilities of the iphone with such easy access and such a user-friendly interface? Not many. Nobody has ever had to activate their phone when they purchase it, but now people who have never had to activate a phone (a.k.a. EVERYONE) are acting as if it's a daily routine that Apple has completely messed up for them. So people should stop complaining because its a one time thing and who cares if it has a couple "bugs"? EVERYTHING is flawed. I cant think of one thing that runs perfectly. And for what you're getting out of it, i think its worth having to deal with AIM shutting down, all you have to do is click on it again and it's fine. So the bugs shouldnt really be that big of a problem. The battery life on it is amazing. When do you ever have to have 3G speeds during the ENTIRE day? Unless you're some kid who's bored in school and stays on myspace and aim all day, you shouldn't complain cause all you have to do is, literally, click 4 buttons to turn it either ON of OFF. And when 3G is OFF, then you don't have to recharge your phone for a day or two depending on how much you actually use your phone. So that's another problem out of the way. And one of the nice differences between the old iPhone and the 3G iphone is the look of it too. It's so much nicer to just stare at than the old one that looked like a piece of scrap metal was covering it up. And another thing about the internet really quickly, I used to have the old iPhone and the edge connection on it was obviously slower than any kind of connection since dial-up came along, but on the 3G even the edge connection seems to be faster, but that's just a personal observation on my part, I haven't researched the tech specs on it. The MMS thing, since email is so easy to use on it, just have that person send u an email of whatever they wanted to send you in a text message, it's easy for anyone with an internet connection on a cell phone to email something to you, but if they don't have internet access on their phone, then you beat me there. Overall, the iPhone 3G is so worth getting, it's cheaper, faster, sexier, and is just overall better than any other smart phone on the market. And if you can remember, how many phones BEFORE the iPhone had as many great features in one phone, sure they existed out there, but they were scattered between many different phones. But the iphone combined them all together, and THEN companies started making these "wannabe" iphones. So if you can afford $200 for a phone (many people who still complain about the price of it (even though its cheap) CAN afford it but they're too cheap) and if you can dish out the HUGE price of $30 more a month for all the great things it does, then anybody who reads and who's read about the phone, should get it.

-Jebulldog117

[pjhenry1216]

I find this humorous. Mac users complain about all the issues with Windows etc, etc... but then they go out of their way to make excuses for Apple. Lovely. =)

[joe3x]

Ha Ha, think about the hundreds of other features other phones have at half the price. The only thing the iphone has is slick interface..........function and form? not really there. Ya let me touch my phone in different ways so its better............right. If i touch myself a million different ways does that make me better? no same functions as any other person or phone in this case

[steven102]

I would like an iPhone. I skipped the 2G version thinking I would hold out for the significantly improved 3G model, and now I see all the trouble reports cited above. I should have gone ahead with the 2G. I am going to wait a month or two and hope the bugs will get worked out of the 3G version. Those poor souls on the Apple forum wrestling with 3G signal issues -- this whole thing seems more like a science fair project than a product roll out.

[humbleman777]

Great comment. I have stood in line now three times now to get an iPhone and have come around to your POV, "maybe later." Yesterday was perhaps the most frustrating as AT&T agreed that there was no reason why I should not be able to buy the phone at the Apple store, just that their billing department needed to change a code on my account that was to be done two weeks ago. It seems as if the Apple stores have inventory, but are not able to activate the phone. While the AT&T stores have no inventory, but can activate phones more easily. A classic case of two corporate egos doing all they can to establish turf while frustrating the end user!

[kelmon]

The iPhone 3G will be my first iPhone but I am currently waiting for the kinks to be knocked out of the current version and to have saved enough to afford the bonkers amount that one costs in Belgium. For myself, the GPS component will be the biggest draw but the cost is fairly easy to justify when everything else is added together. However, I can certainly appreciate that if you already have a 1st generation iPhone that the 3G version probably isn't as attractive.

By the time I get round to buying I don't expect there to continue to be activation problems, but then I didn't hear of any in Belgium to begin with. Actually finding a phone to buy in the first place is probably the biggest issue...

[Olu070]

Have to agree with terun and jebulldog. I had the 2G and like my 3G much more. It's a bit wider making typing much easier for those with big hands. The curved back feels much more natural then the 2G. GPS has been a lifesaver already (walking around the North End of Boston). 3G internet is blazing fast when available (about 75% of the time in Boston area). I use wifi at least 90% of the time, but it's nice to have the 3G the remainder of the time. I haven't noticed any increase in dropped phone calls (which is only when I walk to my Basement).

My wife still has the 2G iPhone and I DEFINITELY get better reception then she does. I'll usually have 2-3 bars more then she does in the same location.

The bad, the 2.0 software is buggy, but this is NOT a 3G iPhone issue. This is a software issue. Unlike most smartphones there will be several updates over the next year which will improve most of these issues.

[pjhenry1216]

Number of bars does *not* mean better reception. All it means is that it can 'hear' the base station. It does *not* mean the base station can hear you. The amount of bars does *not* signify signal quality.

[FormerPCwonk]

The software experience seems to vary; I haven't had any issues at all, other than a couple downloaded apps that aren't terribly reliable. But that's to be expected from the "open" development, which, let's face it, is never going to be as reliable or solid as what Apple writes. It's amazing how we didn't hear these software complaints during 1.0, but then you were likely complaining that the device was closed, and that the world was going to end if Apple didn't open the device to development. Now that you've got what you want, the software is buggy.
I'm not arguing that the device should be closed, but rather that you have to be careful what you wish for. FYI, I purchased on launch day in the evening, and was activated in three minutes, with no problems since. I imagine that I'm not alone either.

[acheron5]

My clear differentiator between the first and second gen iPhone's is voice signal reception. Where the first iPhone had numerous reception problems, particularly at work and at my new home, the iPhone 3g has many bars and maintains a good connection. Additionally, I've noticed far fewer dropped calls (though I understand that many have been having some problems with this) and far better voice quality. This improvement was crucial for me as I was about to give up on the iPhone not due to the device itself but because of ATT's poor coverage as a consequence of the GMS network.

Additional improvements that are welcome are the increased memory capacity from my original 8gig model, incorporated GPS, and the speediness of the data network which has made searching for Wi-Fi when connecting to the itnernet largely unnecessary except when downloading large applications or music.

[hate_the_game]

I was initially psyched about the iPhone 3G, but due to extraordinary circumstances I was forced to replace my phone about 2 months before the 3G hit the market. I ended up with a Blackberry, that I used for those few months. After about a week of the hype I went into my local AT&T store (Since I am on one of those corporate FAN deals through work and I can't get it from the apple store.). Of course as the article states they were sold out and have no idea when they will have one. Of course the local apple store here has tons of them. I decided to play with the one they had there for the demo. NOT IMPRESSED AT ALL. It took me 10 minutes to log into gmail. The touch screen keyboard left a lot to be desired in my mind. Heavy texters will not be able to type fast enough for them. No MMS messaging, come on Apple, if it has a camera that should have been a given. Cut and paste is not that big of a deal for me but it seems to be for others. Also Apple got dogged so bad about the non replaceable battery the first time you would have thought that they would have learned, but I guess not. Hmmm if you are going to make the phone a power hungry animal with 3G, GPS, Bluetooth and wifi why would you not make the battery replaceable.

As for me I will wait for RIM to finally deliver the Bold and wait for Apple to deliver v.3 on the next platform.

[ausernamenoonehaschosen]

Wow, coming from someone who used a Blackberry before the first gen iPhone, I have no idea how you weren't impressed with the iPhone. Activating email after syncing is dead simple and quick. There are many, many things the iPhone excels at where the Blackberry fails. You should have tried it out longer.

[Badgersbits]

A few weeks ago I couldn't wait to get my hands on an iphone. It looks great and has some really good features. But I'm pleased that the roll-out was botched here in the UK, because it's given me time to read the reviews, and really think hard about whether i need one. Whilst my old PDA might look more clunky, I've now realized that I would miss the built-in turn by turn, Ordnance Survey and aviation Navigation, the slide-out keyboard, decent battery life etc etc. And it seems that I would also miss the easy synchronization with Outlook. So thanks Apple and 02, you've done me a favour. Now all we need is for Microsoft to 'smell the coffee' and come up with a decent successor to Windows Mobile, and for HTC/RIM/Nokia et al to do the same on the hardware side.

[batitombo]

I don't know why you wanted to "upgrade" to 3G, is better to wait for at least 2 Gens unless is a BIG BIG change. I upgraded to 2.0 with 1st Gen and im not having any problems. My mobile me account is working perfect. I think the people who had problems were the older dudes but hey is a big migration, I can't imagine Microsoft doing that migration. Apple still number 1 although I didn't had any problems.

[iPhonica]

Thanks Matt. I feel "redeemed". I put " " around that word because in the grand scope of life in these United States today, this all does indeed seem nauseously whiny and altogether silly. Really. If this is the extent of the individual frustration and worry plaguing your life today, you are an extremely fortunate individual.

That said, I admit to being a bit of a techno brat myself, so here's my rant: I too purchased a 1st Gen iPhone at the end of April after finally finding myself unburdened from the chains of one Contract du Sprint & a nearly-bricked Samsung Whatever. After a fairly extensive amount of research, I was satisfied that the 2G iPhone was still the best bet for my needs, so I plunked down the ridiculous amount of $500+ and was, for the most part, delighted. Hmm.

Someone above mentioned Apple's issues with "disclosure". I have only in the last few years become an Apple fan, and now have several products. However, without fail, when I've purchased each product, a few weeks to a month or so later they have come out with a "brand new" version of that product, and of course it's conveniently just past the 14-day period in which I could upgrade. Having been burned enough (I foolishly thought), I looked everywhere for anything about a new model. I did find a few articles about a 2nd gen iPhone, but these were nothing but unconfirmed outsider rumor and speculation. I discovered nothing that led me to believe there was definitely a new model on the horizon, and most certainly nothing about a timeframe. This was late March, early April. Due to the few unsubstantiated rumors, though, I wanted to be sure, so I made 2 trips to the store, spoke to 3 different sales associates and the manager, as well as chatted with two online sales reps. Needless to say, THEY ALL LIED. Each one...EACH ONE! ---claimed they had heard "nothing" of an impending iPhone release, and that I could be waiting a long time for a 2nd gen. One even went so far as to tell me this was virtually impossible as the (insert technobabble here) could not happen without completely changing the entire (more technobabble). Turns out if I'd waited just 4 weeks, if any one of them had simply said "who knows? Give it a month or so and check with us again..", I'd at least have been eligible for the 3G and paid $200 less for it. They did it to me again, but this time it was direct and overt. Outright deception as opposed to lack of information.

Thus techno brat is glad the launch was a disaster and that there's little appreciable difference between the two, except for the battery suck.
Who's greenlighting this stuff, anyway? I guess I'd be really fuming if they had not only stolen an extra $200 from me, lied to me, but if they'd also done a real upgrade! Something like, oh, I don't know, turn-by-turn GPS? Instead of the silly "Look Ma! I'm a walking dot!" version... or stereo speakers, or a (badly needed) landscape keyboard. Or MMS, or better camera placement, or video capability, or voice recognition. Nope. It can pull up a site about 21 seconds faster than 2G (C-NET test), it can show you 25 starbucks within walking distance of your location (that is, when it's not insisting you're currently in Houston, as it has for a number of 3G owners), and it's got a fancy app store with buggy apps (oh wait...never mind, got that).

So I'm good with the one I got, and if I purchase anything Apple in the future, I will accept that a newer cheaper better model is just around the corner (yes, as with all tech products, to an extent, but my experience with Apple has been shamelessly so every single time), and if a rep's mouth is moving, I'll know it's another deliberate falsehood. Sure doesn't sound like the amazing company my technophile friends insisted I come over to.....

[4wight]

Seems like eveyone's experiences are different - but one thing you've got wrong is your comments about sales staff at Applestores 'lying' to you. They didn't and they don't. How do I know this, because I have worked in an Applestore and you literally don't know anymore than the customer as regards dates and capabilities of new products. The first an Applestore rep will know about a new product is the day it gets put out on display (those in charge of displays might know the evening before but not the rest of the staff) - i.e. the same day as you. Criticise Apple's secrecy if you like, but that's not the sales reps fault - they are simply not privileged to the kind of information you were looking for.

[logictrap]

What you have discovered is that Apple is just as bad as Microsoft (actually worse, but Apple fanatics freak out when you say that so I toned it down). Almost all the things people claim are so despicable about MS, Apple does also and in many cases their policies and practices are even worse. I can only laugh at how many Apple converts feel they we're being ripped off by MS but are now paying double the cost of an MS system...they really showed MS...

[jhpankow]

iphonica/techno brat, sorry you got burned by apple by investing in their old phone while the new one was coming out. unfortunately they had to sell down stock of the 1st iphone so they weren't stuck with product nobody wanted to buy. so they had to keep all info about the new phone under wraps to keep people (like you) buying up inventory. there were parts of the world out of stock of the iphone for weeks before the 3g launch. between that and people in the semiconductor industry noticing large purchases of key devices like flash memory was the only hint that the new 3g was upon us. by the time outsiders put the pieces of the puzzle together, it was too late.

i know someone who works at an apple store and they are indeed not allowed to speculate or talk about any rumors. apple VERY carefully controls all aspects of customer interaction to give a positive user experience.

my interaction with apple products has been a disaster, being a windows user who learned at a young age you need to "tweak the product and try all the check boxes and options to see what it really does and what doesnt work" in a windows environment. that mentality with an apple product is a good way to screw it up (and I did!)

i was one of the idiots who waited in line for 2+ hours and confirmed over the phone with AT&T that my account was ready and i was eligible for the iphone 3g only to finally walk into the store and get denied. it was a very disappointing experience, and all the Apple store people could do was send me to an AT&T store empty-handed.

[ArtInvent]

And what this has to do with open source, I have no idea. For all their nice machines and innovations, Apple has got to be one of the most closed source, closed hardware, closed licensing companies in IT. But I guess every blog has to have an article about the JesusPhone, or no one will read it.

[iPhonica]

LOVE THAT! The "JesusPhone". I dunno if that's yours or not, I could give a care. That is the most perfect joke moniker I have ever heard! hahaha thanks...

[fdunn3]

Wise move. With all the reported problems with 3G and the additional battery drain to add to that then a 1st Gen iPhone user would be well advised to hold onto it with their life.

Also for those to numb to realize the issue let me point out an article that indicates why Apple may be having their 3G issues, and it's not firmware:
http://www.eetimes.com/showArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=A1WJWVXKZ4NS0QSNDLOSKHSCJUNN2JVN?articleID=209100058

[logictrap]

I have OSX and Vista and am still waiting to find something about OSX that makes it better. It sure does cost more to have an OSX system...I wonder if Apple will ever figure out how to resize a window other than from the lower right corner...or build a file management system that's useful for people with more than a few documents...as for the iPhone (apple products in general actually) it's like buying a BMW vs a Honda - Apple costs more but you don't really get more...unless you're easily indoctrinated with cultish marketing propaganda...

[Thomas, David]

Nice try, obviously you want to bait someone.

In one sentence you state "It sure does not cost more to have an OSX system", then in your last one "Apple costs more but you don't really get more".

"I wonder if Apple will ever figure out how to resize ..." they can, they won't, and what's the problem. This is no indication of lacking functionality. You can resize windows, different systems do it differently.

"or build a file management system that's useful for people with more than a few documents" Well now I have very serious doubts as to the validity of your claim that you even have OSX OR Vista. If anything, the ability for users to access, and manipulate their files in a myriad of ways, OSX has lead over Vista. If you have OSX, you simply don't use it.

The ONLY propaganda here is your comment.

[logictrap]

Apple made cost comparisons much easier when it changed to intel (which it claimed for years was inferior). Your response is typical for a mac user - just a denial without any substance to back it up. Sorry you spent more but didn't get more.

Aren't you the same guy told us the PowerPC was the way to go but are now posting your nonsense from an intel pc? lol