should i get an iphone 3G

skyandxboxuser · 06-08-2008, 3:17 PM

Hi guys im going to be travelling to london 2-3 times a week soon on the train and thought i would get an iphone to keep me entertained and connected. Think this would be the best option as im a mac user and the integration should be easy. Have been doing some research, and read about lagging and cracking and poor reception. I know that most forums are full of negative feedback but this worries me. Im looking for a balanced opinion. Should i get an iphone, or should i not all views welcome thanks in advance. Has lag been sorted by software update by the way.

SNICK · 06-08-2008, 5:34 PM

I travel into London 5 days a week and find it invaluable (I'm writing this now on the way home).
Remember it's costly-and battery life is poor.

WhiteChristmas · 07-08-2008, 8:13 AM

I recommend it. I commute for a total of an hour a day which sometimes, just isn't enough time!

I don't have any issues with cracking yet (and touch wood I won't), I hope the fact that I treat it, like all my electronic goods, with respect helps - but only time will tell. I've not really had any problems with lag either, maybe that's just because I'm naturally slower!

Battery life is worse than my old N95 8GB but I always turn off the 3G when I'm not using it so I doesn't cause me any problems (plus I always have a spare USB cable at work so I can charge it there if necessary).

Remember, it doesn't have MMS which I haven't found to be an issue yet (you can always email). The camera is rubbish (which you'll notice if you've been using an N95), however I can forgive this as you can surf the web, use your ipod, use google maps - all on a phone with a fantastic, intuitive interface!

One thing I find annoying though is the lack of cut and paste facility!

Let us know if you decide to go for it.

mook1979 · 07-08-2008, 10:06 AM

The battery life is not brilliant, but I heard it has improved for some people after several charges, or maybe it's because of the firmware update.

There are some frustrations for me though with it being impossible to sync notes, to copy contacts from a sim card, and bluetooth and wifi file sharing is also blocked.

These are all relatively small issues, most of the can be overcome.

Apart from these, the phone is absolutely brilliant. I will never be able to live without one again. constant connectivity at high speeds. I cant wait for proper gps software.

You will not regret it if you fet one. It keeps me entertained on my daily commute (one hour).

skyandxboxuser · 07-08-2008, 7:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiteChristmas

I recommend it. I commute for a total of an hour a day which sometimes, just isn't enough time!

I don't have any issues with cracking yet (and touch wood I won't), I hope the fact that I treat it, like all my electronic goods, with respect helps - but only time will tell. I've not really had any problems with lag either, maybe that's just because I'm naturally slower!

Battery life is worse than my old N95 8GB but I always turn off the 3G when I'm not using it so I doesn't cause me any problems (plus I always have a spare USB cable at work so I can charge it there if necessary).

Remember, it doesn't have MMS which I haven't found to be an issue yet (you can always email). The camera is rubbish (which you'll notice if you've been using an N95), however I can forgive this as you can surf the web, use your ipod, use google maps - all on a phone with a fantastic, intuitive interface!

One thing I find annoying though is the lack of cut and paste facility!

Let us know if you decide to go for it.

Think i might go for it just wish the monthly price plans were a bit more reasonable. Think i will go for the £35 plan but think for the minutes it should be £25. Guess i will have to make up for it by using the free online to the max. Super monkey ball here i come!!!!!!!

Ickle Yoda1 · 08-08-2008, 12:25 AM

Get one

I have had an iphone v1 and a iphone 3g and love them, three of my friends have since bought the 3G one and love theirs too.

No it's not a perfect phone, but such a thing does not exist, for me though, the iphone is as close to it as you can get

Gary D · 08-08-2008, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mook1979

being impossible to sync notes, to copy contacts from a sim card, and bluetooth and wifi file sharing is also blocked.

Do you mean Lotus notes?

skyandxboxuser · 11-08-2008, 6:04 PM

Make up my mind to buy one and find that my local O2 still dont have the 16 gig version in stock. boooooo. Hope i dont start having second thoughts while i wait. Im thinking about issues like lag and crashing again and thinking should i buy one, when i should be sitting here using one.

RobM · 11-08-2008, 7:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyandxboxuser

Think i might go for it just wish the monthly price plans were a bit more reasonable. Think i will go for the £35 plan but think for the minutes it should be £25. Guess i will have to make up for it by using the free online to the max. Super monkey ball here i come!!!!!!!

I thought that at first, but the data side of the tariff really makes the price worth while.

The best thing, IMO and in my experience so far, is the free, unlimited WiFi access through various hotspots. I've been travelling a lot for work recently, so lots of time in service stations, hotels and airports. All I've had to do is authenticate my iPhone once and ever since it's automatically connected me to WiFi hotspots near me. Brilliantly seamless and so nice to be able to browse at broadband speeds consistently. Often the iPhone is connected and authenticated before I've even realised I'm near a hotspot

Then the 3G unlimited data (which really is unlimited, not like other 'unlimited' contracts) backs this up and takes the worry out of using the iPhone for data and racking up a huge bill.

That lot, to me at least, is well worth the price of the contract

sheffsteel · 11-08-2008, 7:33 PM

I've owned the Iphone 3G for about a month and I'm well impressed.

Good points
App store Such a vast choice and you'll find some are really useful and/or entertaining. You can learn languages or learn how to read music and play the piano. There's something for everyone regards apps.
Web apps More basic applications that are free to use but you need an internet connection. Still very useful though.
Massive choice of peripherals You can customise you phone as there are so many different phone covers etc. Charges/ speaker systems etc.
Safari internet The unique interface on the Iphone means you can actually use the internet. Obviously I'd prefer the lap top but it's definately usabale for regular long sessions on the internet.

Bad points
Battery life but that's because you are constantly using it for non phone reasons. It's been said before though that the best way to exten life is to turn of the auto wi-fi connection and also turn down the screen brightness.

I accept the poor battery and recharge it virtually everyday, however I do use my phone as a ipod, internet and games etc during the day. As long as it last the day then battery life is NOT really an issue.

No mms I don't use it much at all, however on the odd occasion I do wish it was there.
SQ and speaker volume It's not that bad however I do find the SQ to be average (but just about acceptable) also the increased volume is just on the borderline of being acceptable. I dread to think how quiet the original Iphone was.
Itunes I initially didn't like Itunes but it's growing on me and now I'm beginning to like it.

The thing I like about the Iphone is it's a little like taking a mini lap top out with you. I will never be bored again. You can even view loads of tv programmes in superb dvd quality using the BBC's iplayer.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED + +

sheffsteel · 11-08-2008, 7:41 PM

I agree with the last post. When you think what you get for £35 per month then it's very reasonably prices.

Actually it appears as though the UK is offering the cheapest tariffs in the world. The people in the US and the rest of Europe can't believe how cheap our tariff charge is.

The tariff is initially cheaper in the US but there are bolt on extra's that push the price right up. We get unlimited FREE internet usuage and FREE use of the popular and common Cloud and BTOpenzone wi-fi sites.

This generous deal is not available anywhere outside the UK.

The Iphone tariff is the cheapest I've ever had. I suppose it depends if you're going to use your Iphone for surfing the internet. Most other operators charge close to £10 and you only have limited viewing (downloads), whereas on O2 you can view (download) as much as you want.

roaster · 12-08-2008, 6:08 AM

Just like to point out the iPhone tariff is pretty expensive if you aren't a city dweller. No 3G or even Edge, and rarely near a wifi hotspot makes internet all a bit frustrating. At least the push email keeps on working and it's not £5 a megabyte like Virgin.

And I've been deeply unimpressed with O2 coverage; large areas of poor signal even though their so called coverage maps say there's good coverage; even in towns of 50-150K population mobile internet may hardly work at all even when you have a good signal. Final insult was complete lack of service at home for 3 days last month.

RobM · 12-08-2008, 1:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roaster

Just like to point out the iPhone tariff is pretty expensive if you aren't a city dweller. No 3G or even Edge, and rarely near a wifi hotspot makes internet all a bit frustrating. At least the push email keeps on working and it's not £5 a megabyte like Virgin.

And I've been deeply unimpressed with O2 coverage; large areas of poor signal even though their so called coverage maps say there's good coverage; even in towns of 50-150K population mobile internet may hardly work at all even when you have a good signal. Final insult was complete lack of service at home for 3 days last month.

I live right on the edge of the New Forest in Hampshire, so hardly a city dweller. And I work in a place in the New Forest where old people go to retire and die

But my post above sums up what I think. When I'm not travelling, I still go into the centre of town and do like to sit for a Starbucks / Costa sometimes, so use the WiFi there as an example.

As for coverage, the 2.0.1 update seems to have helped a bit here and I'm rarely without a signal now. My only complaint is data access when moving (i.e. car or train) seems patchy even if you're showing full signal. On the train home this morning for instance, I had full 3G signal but struggled to get a data connection.

skyandxboxuser · 12-08-2008, 5:47 PM

just one question for you guys. Im currently on simplicity or whatever its called with o2. Did it so i could cancel the contract when i like. Will i get a new sim for my new iphone. Also can i take the sim out and use it as normal in my old sony erricson phone. For those times when im going out on the beers and dont want to loose my iphone but need to have a phone.

RobM · 12-08-2008, 5:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyandxboxuser

just one question for you guys. Im currently on simplicity or whatever its called with o2. Did it so i could cancel the contract when i like. Will i get a new sim for my new iphone. Also can i take the sim out and use it as normal in my old sony erricson phone. For those times when im going out on the beers and dont want to loose my iphone but need to have a phone.

New SIM... possibly. O2 may decide that you can keep the current SIM if it's compatible. Best thing to do is phone O2 customer services and check, they should be able to tell you over the phone.

And Yes, you can take the SIM out and use it in another handset no problem at all. The SIM is no different to any other and Apple now include a SIM removal tool in the iPhone package