Is A 3G iPhone Worth The Wait?

Written on September 19, 2007 by Matt Radel and 44 people have commented

My temptation to plunk down the cash for an iPhone grows almost daily, especially after the recent price drop. But now rumors are surfacing that Apple will update the device to 3G network compatible chipsets (not to mention an addition of GPS) by very early 2008. Of course GPS is no small feature, but how much of a difference will the network really make?

What do you guys think? Is it worth the wait? Has anyone with an iPhone had an unbearable experience due to the AT&T’s EDGE network? Does anyone curse AT&T every time they make a call?

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  1. #1 Richard Hather says:

    Well at least you are lucky to have a choice to buying now or later. But if I were you, i’d buy it now! For us canucks we have no choice but to wait to see if its even coming here! But with the hint of 3G coming to the iPhone it brings my mobile carrier one step closer to bringing it to Vancouver.

    Does anyone know if the EVDO service would work on the iPhone?

  2. #2 John Jarrard says:

    I was hesitant too, but then decided to take the plung after the $200 price drop. Dude, its totally worth it. The EDGE network doesn’t suck and when you’re near a wifi its uncanny. I live in Denver and travel to FL for work twice a month and have had zero network issues. The only thing you’ll want to do is download iFuntastic and change the text-message and email sounds to something you find online- the default ones can’t be heard.

    I rate this phone a 9.5 out of 10.

  3. #3 BingeBoy says:

    doode buy that dam phone already! Its only 399 you can sell it on the freakin ebay in 9 months whatever.. you have a apple blog you need it. ALso the hacks are so amazing.

  4. #4 Mark says:

    I was hesitant, but took the plunge after the price drop as well. It is AWESOME! I have had no problems at all.

  5. #5 Tim Hettler says:

    The EDGE network does fine with sites that are primarily text (NYTimes, Wikipedia, etc.) load at a reasonable speed. Since the iPhone doesn’t support flash and a hos tof other plug-ins, it limits the richness of sites you can visit anyway. I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the speed.

  6. #6 Nick Santilli says:

    @JohnJerrard
    Where in Denver? I’m in the Centennial area and my Blackjack drops calls ALL THE TIME. if the idea of one day getting an iPhone wasn’t there, I’d have dropped ATT *LONG* ago…

  7. #7 keg says:

    I am in the same position. The price drop may have been the last hurdle. But, if there really is a 3G phone in 1Q08, I may be able to wait.

  8. #8 Eric Ellenberg says:

    Even if iPhone 2.0 with 3G doesn’t get here until next June, I’d wait. I got a RAZR V3xx from AT&T (a 3G phone) a little over a month ago, and I can say without hesitation that if you’re in a 3G zone, which is to say in a big city, it’s blazing fast. Google Maps would absolutely rock on 3G. Once Apple increases the memory and gets 3G in iPhone, I’m sold. If you’re worried about AT&T at all, I wouldn’t be. I’ve been very pleased with their service since 2001 (when they were cingular).

  9. #9 Bryan Bisel says:

    I was one of the guys in line when the iPhone launched and I would have to say get it now. IMHO I think the iPhone was worth the $600 when I bought it (of course I am not going to turn down the $100 credit) and it certainly is worth it at $200 cheaper. Who knows when the 3g version will come out, it could be December of 2008 for all we know and jacked back up to $5-600 for the 3G chipset. The EDGE network while not fast by 3G standards certainly is sufficient for most needs. I traded in my Blackberry and have never looked back. Not to say there are zero issues but it is the best of all of the options.

  10. #10 Cairo23 says:

    The price drop is great news for those of us who are holding out. However, this only the 1st generation. Future versions are bound to be superior in many ways (full exchange support, GPS, 3G). Also, Apple isn’t the only party working out the kinks, the wacky billing for example. AT&T has burned me before and was never too thrilled with their customer service, so I’ll be waiting for a 2nd or even 3rd gen version that I can use with another carrier.

  11. #11 Joel says:

    I curse AT&T every time I make a call. . . because I’m using the iPhone with T-Mobile. ;P

  12. #12 Nigel says:

    I’m in the same boat too, Matt. My 2-year contract with AT&T/Cingular just ended and I have no complaints about the service. However, I’ve had a Treo 650 for that duration, and because Palm aren’t moving with the times, it’s time to look for something better.

    With the recent iPhone price drop, it’s now within my budget and I plan to get one before the month is over. Yeah, I guess I could wait for the next (3G) version, but I’m sure it will be $599+ and it may not materialize until mid-2008.

    I’d rather buy now, enjoy it and possibly resell later when the 3G iPhone lands. As Steve Jobs has previously mentioned, technology is always moving forward and you will never buy any product if you’re waiting for the next big thing.

    Last November, I plonked down $1,200 for a Core Duo 2 MacBook - my first ever Apple purchase. Six months later, the same $1,200 would have bought me a faster, more capable MacBook with much more storage. That’s progress, but I’m still loving my Mac.

    Go ahead and buy an iPhone now. And enjoy!

  13. #13 Alex Morse says:

    I’m waiting for 3G along with the associate price drop on data plans.

  14. #14 Hotspur says:

    Even if the iPhone went 3G tomorrow, it’s not like AT&T’s network is suddenly going to develop the capacity to handle it.

    About two thirds of the time I use the EDGE network it’s fine. Half of the remaining time it’s frustratingly slow, but useable, and the remainder it’s just brutal.

    The difference, is, I think, the load on the network. And that’s not going to get any better when you shove a 3G chipset into the phone.

  15. #15 louis says:

    I bought mine about a week after they were released. It was my understanding that an updated iPhone with 3G would likely be released within a year or so of the original. I am not a huge we surfer when away from my computer so the EDGE slowness isn’t a huge deal. I do wish email over EDGE was faster.

    I would not sell mine and go for a 3G version either.

    I find plenty of WiFi networks from which to surf, when really necessary. So far my phone experience has been better than Verizon (higher quality voice).

    It can be a bit frustrating at times (and sometimes I just plain give up) but, overall, it’s no big deal to me.

    IMO, 3G alone is not a good reason to wait.

  16. #16 Charles O'Rourke says:

    If I had only used EDGE I probably would be fine with it, but since I’m spoiled by my Sprint EVDO broadband (which, from what I understand, is faster than even 3G), I can’t imagine taking a step down. So I’ll hold out for at least 3G. (The fact that I still have four months on my current Sprint contract makes the decision even easier.)

  17. #17 Christian Kaas says:

    I’m going to pick one up right now with a Turbo Sim!
    Can’t wait until November 9th here in germany!
    Also we get access to the 20.000 T-Mobile Access Points by November and T-Mobile punches up their EDGE network to 220k/s so why wait? That’s enough for surfin’ and mailin’!

    On my MBP i’ve got a UMTS card anyway… ;-)

  18. #18 MacRat says:

    “Is A 3G iPhone Worth The Wait?”

    Yes.

    And it needs to be unlocked as well.

    Next question?

  19. #19 Brandon Eley says:

    Don’t wait. 3G isn’t available in most areas (Cingular or not) just like EVDO isn’t available in many Verizon areas. I can’t get either in our city (which is VERY close to Atlanta and on an interstate).

    Also, EDGE isn’t slow. If you’re browsing full-sized websites you might notice it but I visit Amazon, Digg, and other iPhone-friendly websites and it works great.

    Also, like others have said you can just sell your phone and upgrade when a new one is released (that’s what I plan to do). I’ve had mine since day-1 and wouldn’t change a thing (even if they didn’t offer the credit — which was nice).

    Also, the hacks ARE awesome! I have Installer.app and I can install any app in seconds. There is so much avaialble from games to network and command line tools to really useful applications like to-do list, text editors, FTP and more.

    Just get it already!

  20. #20 Brian says:

    OMG… some sane discussion on the iPhone and EDGE. Next you’ll tell me that there is peace in the middle east!

    EDGE is fine, 3G isn’t going to give you that much “seat of the pants” difference, and as others mention it’s spotty. It’s a great price for OSX in your pocket, and the 3rd party apps coming out only increase the devices utility. Summerboard, ApolloIM, vt100 terminal and SSH being my faves. The sensors app turns your iPhone into a riotously impossible 3D level….

  21. #21 jaquin says:

    The real question is not when 3G will come to Iphone, rather, will Apple make a 3G phone before ATT has nationwide 3G capability. Will Apple make two phones, with the resulting support issues, from customers who expect silk from Sows ear.
    Or will Apple keep it simple, untill ATT can give 3G everywhere, no iphone 3G.
    Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the very very good.

  22. #22 Steven says:

    I read recently that the new iphone won’t come out until late next year. Due to battery problems trying to support 3G. Currently it can only last up to 5-6hrs and he wants something more. Also it doesn’t seem wise to release such a newer version in Q1 next year since its coming out to the UK in a month or so.

  23. #23 Jon Robinson says:

    Just get it. EDGE works great on full signal, fine the rest of the time.

  24. #24 Louis says:

    I don’t think so. I mean, I think EDGE is fast enough (3G isn”t THAT much faster, although the difference is noticable). AT&T doesn’t have enough 3G coverage for it to be very good. In addition, why wait a year for an iPhone when you could be enjoying it for the whole year? I mean, sure I will be jealous when a new one comes out, but I won’t regret buying the 1st gen at all.

  25. #25 Wil Beach says:

    Just an observation concerning the iPhone/ATT experience. My iPhone crashed today and would not reboot. ATT reps were unable to address and said that I would have to go to Apple store for solution. Hour later at Apple store although the counter person was able to reboot, I was told that I would have to make an appointment to have the phone checked out! You might want to reconsider going to the iPhone until Apple/ATT decide to provide competitive support for the service…

  26. #26 Steven says:

    O yea, another thing, I bought mine from the apple website, and I got a refurbished one so that was 350, then I used the promotional coupon which takes 30 dollars off items 300 or more. So the ttl before tax ended up being 319. I think a deal for the 8gb

  27. #27 nfoo says:

    It … is … not worth the wait.
    Trust me. The iPhone is great now.
    And despite so many people crying over missing 3G, EDGE is about 300kbps … it’s fast enough for surfing. Really.

    And also: it can be a year or more till there is a 3G iPhone … then it’s only short befor your contract runs out and by that time you can already buy the 3rd gen. iPhone … I guess ;)

  28. #28 Matt Radel says:

    Thanks for all the feedback guys! Now I just have to rustle up the 400 bones…

  29. #29 Brandon Eley says:

    When I was trying to justify (to my wife) the $600 price tag I looked at the data plans that were offered.Look at the rate plans and click the “existing customers” tab. Unlimited data with 200 text messages is only $20/month with any existing voice plan.

    I was already a Palm Treo user with a $40 data plan AND a $4 text messaging plan. I’m SAVING $24/month by having an iPhone. If you look at that savings over the course of a 2-year contract I’m saving close to $300 just on the data plan.

    Now that they are $400, it’s almost FREE to switch if you are a Blackberry or Treo user ;)

  30. #30 Brandon Eley says:

    Oh, and by the time the 29th rolled around, she wanted one too — I plopped down $1300 after tax and accessories… and I’m still EXTREMELY happy.

  31. #31 Jared says:

    Wait. Absolutely. Not even a question. Unless you live a wifi-laden universe, that is. Me, not so much. When I’m out and about, the lack of a fast network makes Safari practically unusable. My old dinky Sprint-based Samsung Blade, with its abbreviated news service, was significantly faster and more convenient to use than trying to load, say, CNN’s homepage over AT&T’s service. It’s a joke how slow it is. Also problematic (for me) is the Gmail client, which again my Samsung Blade had beat in that it would sync with Google’s servers in both directions: delete on the phone, it’s gone from the server, etc. These are the knives in the back of the 1st gen iPhone; and I’m an Apple fan since the IIe was hot stuff. Is it pretty? Yes. Is it theoretically cool? Yes. But it’s significantly hobbled.

  32. #32 Jared says:

    Follow up to my post of a moment ago: by way of real-world example, I just tried loading CNN.com over EDGE with four bars of reception. I stopped timing at 2 AND A HALF MINUTES, and it still wasn’t finished. Too fancy a site, some might say (even though it’s really not)? Well I stopped trying to load all of drudgereport.com after about 1 MINUTE AND 40 SECONDS. And that’s about as bare-bones as a site gets these days.

    WAIT FOR 3G.

  33. #33 Jared says:

    I’m not normally a forum-type person, but hey, here’s my third post…in reference to those who are having a great time installing 3rd party apps: terrific. I’m happy for you, really. You are enjoying the product. But me and probably most other iPhone users just want the thing to work well without all the tinkering. That’s not unreasonable, right? Hackers - go crazy, have fun, we all benefit from those of you who use your powers for good…but having the time and interest to get into all of that should not be required. iPhone’s internet-related services are about as useful as an HDTV in 1967 when used over EDGE.

  34. #34 Jared says:

    I’m not normally a forum-type person, but hey, here’s my third post…in reference to those who are having a great time installing 3rd party apps: terrific. I’m happy for you, really. You are enjoying the product. But I and probably most other iPhone users just want the thing to work well without all the tinkering. That’s not unreasonable, right? Hackers - go crazy, have fun, we all benefit from those of you who use your powers for good…but having the time and interest to get into all of that should not be required. iPhone’s internet-related services are about as useful as an HDTV in 1967 when used over EDGE.

  35. #35 Matt362 says:

    3G, eh, whatevs.

    Not only for features, but for a more attractive price point, hopefully. I’m just a poor college student.

    If I had to choose, a bigger HD at the right price would teter me over the edge. That’s when I’ll cave.

  36. #36 Ramón says:

    I bought mine this week and I’m doing GoPhone with AT&T until Apple does all the updates that always follow, and when there are various ways to hack it. Then goodbye AT&T. I find it to be everything that Apple and many reviewers claim.
    My biggest complaint is the earbuds plug; even with the adapter that came with my set of Ultimate Ears, I couldn’t use them. I had to get the butt-ugly adapter from Belkin. The pay-off is that I can continue to use excellent buds on an iPod AND have a phone AND make notes.
    I waited two hours for my “turn” at the iPod Touch; then I realized that the iPhone is worth the money.

  37. #37 Jonathan Naundrup says:

    Steve Jobs said in London this week, that the 3G chip set kills the battery time, and that it won’t be a part of iPhone as long as it does so. He mentions 4q08.. take a look: http://youtube.com/watch?v=0Gyq0lTubjk

  38. #38 John says:

    My original plan was to wait for iPhone 2, but then a friend got one as a gift. Seeing them use it everyday and occasionally getting to touch it drove me nuts. I still tried real hard to hold out, but coincidentally the price drop occurred on my birthday, Sept 5. I took that as a sign and made my parents, sister, and girlfriend pitch in to get for me as a gift. I would have bought it anyway, I just got lucky that it was my birthday. However, I only got myself the 4GB, which costs $299. 4GB actually goes pretty far. I have 3 episodes of the office and 3 playlists (Totaling about 500 songs), not to mention all the youTube I want.

    As far as service goes, I don’t mind AT&T. I’ve been with them for years and I hated Cingular, but since AT&T and the iPhone, their service in general has started getting better.

    I would love 3G, but there’s a reason the Samsung Blackjack w/ 3G comes with 2 batteries. Personally, I’m so happy with the interface and the fact that it syncs to my Mac perfectly, that I don’t really mind having EDGE. It also has WiFi, which helps it out a lot.

    So basically, you won’t regret buying it now, but I would try and settle for the 4GB to save some money. Also, if you have a relative or significant other you can unload it on when the new one comes out, you might not feel as bad!

  39. #39 Jonathan Naundrup says:

    What puzzles me, is that 3G is very popular - at least in Scandinavia - and lots and lots of regular cell phones supports 3G.. why is the battery time a problem to apple when it isn’t to Sony Ericsson, Nokia and so on.. ?

  40. #40 Christian Kaas says:

    at #39
    believe me IT IS still a problem!
    The SE Smartphones last for 3-4 hours of talk on umts and batterie is drained!
    see http://www.my-symbian.com for real world data!

    Ol other phones are unfair to compair, but even those won’t last for 5-6 hrs auf talk time.

  41. #41 Bob Rodriguez says:

    They already unveiled the 3g iphone on june 9

    DUMB ASSES

  42. #42 Jonathan says:

    I believe this entry is from september 2007 when the 3G iPhone wasn’t unveiled yet

  43. #43 kneedeepinthegame says:

    wow. bob rodriguez= faggot.

  44. #44 quito says:

    HOW MUCH WOULD I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE IPHONE 3G WITH THE ACTIVATION AND ALL THE PLAN AND ALL DAT?

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