

I want the one with the bigger "GB's"



I. The Good

Starting with the infamous antenna, TechCrunch blogger MC Siegler writes:





USA Today's Edward C. Baig similarly offers:


II. The Bad






And The New York Times' David Pogue adds:





III. Some Perspective





Comments     Threshold


Bars is bars
By Smilin on 2/3/2011 10:28:47 AM , Rating: 1
So let me first just say: yes, I'm nuts or an idiot or whatever for doing the opposite of what the world agrees on.

After I think about 7-8 years I switched from Verizon to AT&T. Gasp!

I've been super overly sensitive about dropped calls due to all the bad press I've heard. I *think* I dropped a call once but it might have been a 'end call with face' problem on the touchscreen. But that's it.


That's it though. That is the limit of the horror of AT&T that I've seen. Data is fine, voice is fine, no dropped calls, no f'ups in my bill so far. Maybe AT&Ts network is clearing up from all the departing iPhone users or something. I'm not sure.

Mine is just an anectode of course but I really don't see what all the bitching is about from the iPhone people.

Those of you switching to Verizon: Be prepared and watch your bill carefully. Also realize that because they are the largest it means you as an individual mean nothing to them.

Samsung Focus WP7 btw.

RE: Bars is bars

RE: Bars is bars
I think this is a must read for everyone.

Giz Explains: Why Your Call Dropped

1-Holding it different pinky out. :)
3-Bandaid or Tape over problem area.
4-Antenna/casing redesign.
5-Move to Verizon


RE: Bars is bars

What I said..


2. These spots work fine.
4. The phone works with a deathgrip.


RE: Bars is bars
I hate to be devil's advocate, but:





RE: Bars is bars

Simple riddle for you:


RE: Bars is bars
By Drag0nFire on 2/3/2011 11:12:51 AM , Rating: 2

Been with Verizon for 8 years. Never had a problem with my bill. Always get prompt service customized for my individual needs when there's a problem. I find it hard to believe ATT would care more about me as an "individual".

RE: Bars is bars
By vol7ron on 2/3/2011 11:51:43 AM , Rating: 2
Part of the Verizon contract forced Apple to fix the antenna problem. How did they fix this? They added another one to the top (you'll notice there's an extra divider on the Vzn version iPhone4). I'm curious if the Tech Crunch guy tried touching ever edge of at the same time.

Verizon still has it's problem of being CDMA, which means that you will not be able to do data at the same time as voice calls.

I had Sprint (worse than AT&T where I was), then Verizon, then AT&T. I do notice a lack of coverage in some spots on the highways (in mountains) and lack of 3G on highways more in the SE USA. I also noticed that AT&T was not available everywhere in the DC Metro system, where Verizon was - something DC travelers/residents should consider, since subway is probably a nice free time to use the device.

RE: Bars is bars
By dubldwn on 2/3/2011 12:49:03 PM , Rating: 1

Well, in fairness, if you're "touching every edge of at the same time," you really are holding it wrong.

RE: Bars is bars
By snakeInTheGrass on 2/4/2011 12:24:35 AM , Rating: 2
But what if you hold it 'right' while you're trapped in a Faraday cage? Did they think of that? People in cages have rights too! Screw Apple, they don't get anything right!

In fairness, AT&T SUCKED when I got my iPhone 3gs, but they clearly did some cell tower work in my area because they're just fine now. Home went from 0-1 bars to 5. (Uh, actually got the phone for development, I hate dealing with phone calls - so largely the 0 bars thing worked for me too... ;) )

RE: Bars is bars
By Tony Swash on 2/4/11, Rating: 0
RE: Bars is bars
By Samus on 2/3/2011 2:21:29 PM , Rating: 2
I had verizon for years back in the day. Reliability was exceptional but in the end I left because it was too expensive.

I switched to US Cellular (which uses Verizon's network when roaming) and had great reliability and basically all the perks of Verizon without the price. US Cellular was essentially a cheap back-door way to get Verizon.

But crappy phone selection from US Cellular (and as a CDMA carrier, their unwillingness to activate an 'off network' handset) caused me to switch to T-mobile.

T-mobile has decent reliability, comparatively low prices, great phone selection and intelligent call center customer service reps. The best part for me is the 200mb and unlimited data plans for $10/$30 month.

RE: Bars is bars
By ratbert1 on 2/3/2011 5:20:25 PM , Rating: 2
RE: Bars is bars
By Smilin on 2/3/2011 5:32:57 PM , Rating: 2
Oh trust me... new provider. I'm watching them like a hawk especially after the crap my last provider did.

I think that lawsuit might turn out to be bunk though. Seems like normal encapsulation overhead and retransmission. Time will tell.

Why no LTE Apple
By mcnabney on 2/3/2011 9:49:12 AM , Rating: 2
Once again, Apple could have hit one out of the park by adding real 4G radios to the device. But Steve doesn't think you are ready for that kind of speed yet. He will tell you when you are.

/don't think it will be found on iPhone5 either
//your still not ready

RE: Why no LTE Apple

RE: Why no LTE Apple

RE: Why no LTE Apple
Isn't that what everyone is doing, though?

RE: Why no LTE Apple
By dubldwn on 2/3/2011 12:52:06 PM , Rating: 2
I think they're waiting for the 4G radios to be smaller and less power hungry, so they don't have to make too many design concessions.

One Perspective Shows Slower Data?
By bplewis24 on 2/3/2011 12:50:55 PM , Rating: 4
It's definitely misleading to purport that because one person showed slower data results that the network is slower. What about this: ?


By phantom505 on 2/3/2011 4:02:36 PM , Rating: 2
Exactly. I never saw the rates on AT&T that all the reports of "fastest data network" claim. In fact, all I got in Phoenix was disconnections data and voice. So it bursts fast and dies, yay!

I wouldn't characterize Verizon as a speed demon, but steady wins the race much of the time. It's been fast enough for me, and I frequently download multiple MB pdfs.

Cons vs Cons
By CoreGamer on 2/3/2011 9:49:25 AM , Rating: 2
It seems there isn't any way to win with this thing.

RE: Cons vs Cons
By MrBlastman on 2/3/2011 11:28:09 AM , Rating: 3
Yes, there is. It is called--use a different phone! ;)

By ThatNewGuy on 2/3/2011 9:59:23 AM , Rating: 2
This thing has the "Three gees". It's better than any other phone on the market.

By BigToque on 2/3/2011 10:13:26 AM , Rating: 2
All the network providers have been doing over the years is trying to figure out how to nickle and dime their customers, so the execs can line their pockets and make their share price climb.

I don't think any of the providers is in a place where they can handle mass adoption of smartphones yet.

If there is a massive spike in sales of the iPhone from existing non-smartphone users, I imagine Verizon will have some network trouble just as AT&T did.






Verizon announced record sales on the first day of iPhone 4.


-- a fixed antenna --
By Conficio on 2/3/2011 2:11:05 PM , Rating: 1
Is it just me or or did the iPhone 4 never have -- a mobile antenna -- or -a changeable antenna --

Should it not say "an antenna fixed" or "the antenna design fixed?"

