Apple iPhone 3G / Reviews

Apple managed to successfully update their first-generation smartphone and increase their income in the handset market. I was pleasantly surprised by the iPhone 3G and would definitely use one as a secondary phone. It looks and feels like the perfect phone, even though it misses some features that even common handsets include.

The Good

The most 'entertaining' trait of the smartphone is definitely the eye-candy interface and multitouch-gesture control system that it comes with. HSDPA connectivity is also another good addition to the phone, together with the high-quality battery and design finishes. Even though it's been a while since the first iPhone has been launched, no other handset manufacturer managed to come so close to the 'perfect phone' like Apple did with its device.

The Bad

There are some issues with the phone that cannot be missed, such as: no support for A2DP Bluetooth and data transfer, no support for video-calls, 3.5mm jack port issues, lack of Java and Flash for Safari browser, no office document editor, as well as low-quality camera. Still, I believe that all these missing features or hardware issues can be easily solved, if not for Apple's conservative attitude.

Read original review at Softpedia.

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There's much to love about Apple's new burner: GPS, 3G, Exchange support and an upgraded OS with hundreds of downloadable apps. Yet the camera still stinks, there's no cut and paste, and - because Apple didn't make voice-dialing a priority - it's completely unsafe to use an iPhone while driving. Then there's the battery: If you plan to use any of those new hardware features or processor-intensive apps, expect to charge up twice a day.

But here's how far ahead the iPhone is: Even though the hardware upgrade is a massive disappointment, the intuitive software and trademark multitouch input wins it the best-in-its-class award.

Read original review at Wired.

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We've had our fair share of the first-gen iPhone but, honestly, we weren't caught in the excitement last year until we saw it live. It was only after it arrived in our office that we really appreciated its sleek design and groundbreaking user interface.

Now a year later, the excitement grew on us weeks before we even had a chance to play with the iPhone 3G. And once it arrived, the enthusiasm gradually fades away. What's the point in your new device looking just like your old device? What's the point of having a GPS receiver when there is no navigation software for it? Yeah, we heard rumors of various companies prepping some real GPS navigation software, but we've been hearing the same rumors for the copy/paste functionality for over a year now.

"Half the price", as the campaign motto goes, is not quite true either. A contract-free iPhone 3G is gonna cost you more than the iPhone 1G bought from US Apple store, imported and then (h)activated and unlocked the rogue way.

OK, there's the 3G with HSDPA. Now HSDPA is way faster than EDGE we agree, and as far as we are concerned, that's the only selling point of the iPhone 3G.

But there's the math - adding 3G to the iPhone will cost the price of a new 3G-enabled handset altogether. The price of one is basically the difference between your second-hand iPhone 1G and a spanking new unlocked iPhone 3G.

Now, don't get us wrong - don't let our upgrader's point of view get in your way. We were impressed by the iPhone 1G and now it's even better. If you've never had one and the iPhone 3G is offered in your country - now that Apple's creation is finally on par with most other modern handsets specs-wise - it seems the right time to get yourself geared up.

The Apple iPhone, be it 1G or 3G, still has the most impressive full touch user interface to-date, and with the concept of AppStore, it have just gotten better. The iPhone 3G is evidently more evolution than revolution, but it still packs quite a punch. And there's some unique features that you can hardly get in any other high-end gadgets.

Read original review at GSMArena.

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Though the iPhone 3G still has flaws and lacks some crucial features, it offers significant improvements that make it worth the upgrade. The faster 3G browsing experience and the GPS support are nice. The application store, which is available on the original iPhone as well, is the cherry on top. Hopefully the future will bring MMS and video recording, as we continue to be surprised that a media-centric device lacks these features. Though it makes significant strides in the right direction, it's still not a BlackBerry, and business users may want to take a second look before they purchase.

As an iPod and consumer device, the device is absolutely remarkable. As a phone, it offers some neat features, but lacks in some departments. As a web browser, it is stunning, thanks to the landscape option and 3G. Fortunately, for what it does incredibly well in, I was unable to find anything that it performed incredibly poorly in. The phone aggrivated me at times, but keeping it in perspective, every phone has one or more such issues. The iPhone comes quite close to what I desire in a device, and more importantly, what I expect from a revolutionary technology company like Apple.

The iPhone 3G is a very respectable product and continues to penetrate the smartphone market, and we expect that the Exchange support and new improvements will continue to bode well for the company. I give the device a 'recommended' rating with the caveat to try it before you buy it.

Read original review at MobileBurn.

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So, should you buy it? If you’re looking to upgrade your phone and are out of contract, wait until next month. By the ides of August the hype should have died down, the back orders should have shipped (there’s apparently a 21-day wait time now) and most of the bugs should be addressed. It’s a great phone — there’s no doubting that — and the 3G is a better phone than the first generation, at least in terms of the network improvements.

Currently own an iPhone? Hang onto it for a while. There is some part of me that wishes I hadn’t given mine away last month. It’s a good phone and we can only hope that the next update will be less incremental and more revolutionary.

Read original review at TechCrunch.

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This is really not a revolutionary phone. It's more like the iPhone we wished Apple made last year. The hardware is interesting in the iPhone 3G, but the real story here is the new iPhone OS 2.0 firmware. You manage to install that, iPhone users, you've got about 80% of this new iPhone's new mojo. But if you're not making your calls on an iPhone yet, well, what are you waiting for?

Read original review at Gizmodo.

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If you're an existing iPhone owner and really want to have the 3G and GPS chips, this new device is probably worth the price. If you don't have access to AT&T's 3G signal, then it is probably not worth running out and buying.

But that's not to take away from all the things the 3G iPhone does well. The UI is as great as the original's, it is a fun device to use, it syncs your content easily with iTunes, and it is a better phone than the original.

Read original review at Phone Scoop.

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So the iPhone 3G is a nice upgrade. It more than keeps pace with advancing technology, and new buyers will generally be delighted.

But it’s not so much better that it turns all those original iPhones into has-beens. Indeed, the really big deal is the iPhone 2.0 software and the App Store, neither of which requires buying a new iPhone. That twist may come as a refreshing surprise to planned-obsolescence conspiracy theorists — and everyone who stood in line last year.

Read original review at NYTimes.

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If you’ve been waiting to buy an iPhone until it dropped in price, or ran on faster cell networks, you might want to take the plunge, if you can live with the higher service costs and the weaker battery life.

The same goes for those with existing iPhones who love the device but crave faster cellular data speeds. But if you already own an iPhone, and can usually use Wi-Fi for data, you probably should hold off and get the free software upgrade before deciding whether it’s worth getting the new hardware.

Read original review at All Things Digital.

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It's cheaper, faster and a lot friendlier for business. Apple's blockbuster smartphone already had nifty features such as visual voicemail, a splendid built-in video iPod and the best mobile Web browser I've ever used. With GPS newly added to the mix, this handheld marvel has no equal among consumer-oriented smartphones.

Read original review at USA Today.

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i think the pictures section of the phone could be improved where instead of having to go through picture by picture deleting everyone individually i think it would be better if you could check off all the pictures you wanted deleted and then delete them all at once. that would make it a faster and more efficient way of deleting pictures.

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I love this phone but then again i hate it at the same time. The reason why i love this phone because i can do everything on it and anythign i want. The part that i hate about the phone is that the battery life isnt the very best. I have to charge it up everyday. I also dislike the fact about the camera and how it has no flash, so your pictures are not very good and there is no flashlight on it. (But apple has come a long way with that with the new phones so i guess im stuck with this one for a while)

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I look around the screen to go back,can't find it?Look to modify info can't find it? Try to send email server doesn't recognize me. Already have a chip in the screen and that's inside a $90.00 Otter case.Eventualy broke case because I keep pulling sim card to reboot. Had to also purchase a stylus so I could type without constantly hit the wrong keys. The charging and earphone wires are way to short.But if you want to buy IPhone stuff that seems to be real easy?

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I got this phone awhile back now, and I must say iPhones are simply the best phones that are out there today.

The phone I am currently reviewing and have is an iPhone 3g White. It is a good phone for the business person, and UI is very well laid out and the phone has an easy learning curve to it. The touchscreen is just a piece of glass, but it still works for what its designed to do.

I would invest in a screen protector and a case, if you drop your phones as it is entirely made of glass. NOT INCLUDING BACK. I have done a comparison with an iP4, although only a picture on Apples website, it still seems to be the best phone.

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iphone is BeaSt AND DESTROYS ALL phones all it needs is a video camera which the new one has

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Iphone 3g has changed the way we look cellphones. we have never seen this type of gameing or smoothness in any touch screen cellur phone. this leads me to say that i think, if you are looking for a cell phone which can just call people, then iphone isn't what you should be going after but, if you want something which is basecally a mini-computer then Iphone is the way to GOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

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The iPhone 3G is an awesome piece of phone technology. It combines a sleek design, easy to use user interface and touch screen. It combines a sleek iPod and of course an amazing amount of purchasable apps from the app store. To top it all off a fully functioning internet browser just as you would find on a computer, minus one very important feature, flash player. Why Apple didn't include the flash player is beyond me, it seems to me they really wanted to make the phone something extrodinary in terms of internet browsing but then got lazy and didn't put in the flash. The battery life leaves something to be desired as well, it should last the average user about 12 hours before it needs to be recharged which isn't great. Apart from those two fairly major flaws the phone is amazing, responsive, excellent call quality and very sleek and cool.

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Pro: Touch Screen, Great video and music, Free Apps, Easily email and text pictures, etc. much more.

Con: Standard camera, No video recording, Sometimes TOO touchy.

I really like this phone. I can email and sms pictures so easily, just take the picture, click on the symbol and send it to whichever one I choose. I can also send websites, bookmark websites, etc. I can check my email, go on myspace, go anywhere I can go on a regular computer! The style and quality of the phone is 5 stars, sometimes I get a little annoyed with the touch screen because my cheek will accidentally press the mute button when I'm talking, but other than that its a nice feature.

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Pro: best phone for now

Con: too low ringing

ipod volume is very good, all around perfect phone except for the very low volume.

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I bought my iPhone about 2 months ago and I absolutely love it!

Pros: fast Internet, sleek design, fun apps, easy typing
Cons: battery life, no pic messages, tends to scratch easily

overall, I think the iPhone is worth the $200. The apps are fun, and quite cheap (unless you jailbreak your iPhone which allows you to download free apps). Sends text msges fast and the map (gps) is is very useful.

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