Geekanoids: Why my iPhone 3G went back

Why my iPhone 3G went back
Friday, July 18, 2008

It is a sad day in the Geekanoids office. I love my Mac computers, my Leopard, all of my iPods, but my iPhone 3G just did not cut the mustard. I had the original iPhone and loved it (still do) and I suppose that the greatness of the original, plus a couple of other things, combined into the decision to return my 3G... let me explain...

First off, the iPhone 3G. Yes, it was sexy, but it felt cheap. The 3G connectivity was poor to say the least. I found myself turning 3G off to get a good signal in my area, and to correct an error where the handset would not receive cellular data. This error would stop Maps, Email, Internet, basically anything that needed access to the cellular network would fail. It also ran warm, and after a couple of days use a small pimple had raised up on the back of the handset. These problems may have been isolated to just my iPhone, but they worried me.

Then throw in the equation of the original iPhone. It was better built and felt classy. The brushed aluminum back was really nicely done and did not show those fingerprints. The screen seemed nicer to me, yes, we all know about the yellow added to the 3G, but c'mon Apple, you should give us the choice.

Finally, a look at me. I am in the office probably 75% of my time, bringing you reviews. Of the remaining time that I am out, I probably have my laptop with me. During this time, I only get a few calls, so I can pick those up on my original iPhone. If I want an Application, I can get that over my broadband connection at home (rather than EDGE). If I want to find my way, I have a TomTom. So I came to the conclusion, that problems aside, I did not need 3G. Don't get me wrong, it is a great mobile phone, just not essential for everyone, and definitely not an essential upgrade from the original iPhone.

Labels: Apple iPhone, Opinion

posted 13:54,

3 Comments:

At 7:39 am, Anonymous said...: That's a damn shame... the plastic back does feel like a way Apple cheapened out to cut costs, but I've read that the 3G connection works better through the plastic than aluminum... too bad that didn't work out for you.

I did quite enjoy your video review though. Keep up the great work.
At 5:04 pm, Adrian said...: mmm, I am about to get a 3G iPhone as a replacement for my Treo. I hope I am not disappointed.

Can you still get the original iPhones?

Also isn't the GSM reception meant to be a lot better with a plastic back?

I have to say I was hoping to see the following in revision 2:-
> better camera
> Video via camera
> MMS picture messaging
> cut and paste

all bar the first I have on my Treo 680
At 3:46 am, Anonymous said...: you are sooo right i have a first gen iphone and there is no way i would downgrade it to the 3g, my coworker has the 3g and i get more connection than him most of the time, also it seems like a waste to just throw away the $420 i spent on it

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Dave

Dave has been in the graphic design industry for 14 years. Long time reviewer of technology related products, he is Owner/Editor of Geekanoids.

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