[Matt_C]

I'm not getting any luck finding a 3G unlocked iPhone (seems only viable option is a genuine unlocked version from Italy, but they are very expensive)

So, just HOW slow is 2G compared to 3G? I am on T-Mobile and use a Nokia N73, which in itself is a slow phone for net use, but it IS 3G.... Using my pals 3G iPhone on o2 for a while, sometimes pages were quite quick, sometimes very slow - guessing the difference is if it was running on 3G or GPRS (2G?)

If I was to buy a 1st Gen iPhone, unlock it for T-Mobile and use it with my Web N Walk, am I gonna be extrememly dissapointed in it's performance, and am I better off with my N73, even tho the web browser is HORRIBLE on it and I really want an iPhone for it's far superior web browser?

[Matt_C]

56 views and not a single reply?

[ROBIN50N]

Originally Posted by Matt_C

56 views and not a single reply?

your best just getting a 3g and have done thats what i did.

[jerryq7777]

Can you install OperaMini on your N73 ? It loads pages faster than the Nokia browser.

[Matt_C]

Originally Posted by ROBIN50N

your best just getting a 3g and have done thats what i did.

But I can't get a 3G to run on T-Mobile without getting an import from Italy, or running a sim hack like Turbosim etc, and I don't want to go on o2

[ROBIN50N]

Originally Posted by Matt_C

But I can't get a 3G to run on T-Mobile without getting an import from Italy, or running a sim hack like Turbosim etc, and I don't want to go on o2

oh rite i just ment on o2. i ended up takeing out a 2nd contract. what puts you off o2?

[bluegolf]

Using your mates 3G iphone when its out of a 3G signal should give you an idea of what internet is like on a 2G iphone.

[jmsjabb]

I have a 2G and love it. Most of the day I am in reach of wireless at work and in the evening I have wireless at home. I doubt I could get 3g here anyway. I prefer the metal case to the plastic case too.
The only thing for me to tempt to a 3g would be the satnav, but even that is limited.
Go get a 2G, you will love it! If you don't, sell it on...

[llol_slim]

i have to say I'm not overly impressed with the 3G speed, and similar to jmsjabb I am in range of wireless networks. Mind you I havent had much to compare it to.
The main selling point of the 3G for me was the GPS, so if you dont use that, I think I would be inclined to get a 2G. Also, you have the advantage of downgrading to earlier firmwares 1.1.4 for example for which there is LOADS of software and it is still considered by many to be the most stable and fastest.

And of course you have the fact you can be with any network, your not tied to o2.

[Matt_C]

Not a huge fan of o2 based on reports, from people I know who are with o2, on thier customer service, and also their service range, both GSM and 3G. I tend go get better service than they do with my T-Mobile phone then their o2 phones...

As for 2G - being in London most of the time, and living very close to it, I am rarely out of 3G service, so part of me says it's foolish not to take advantage of that. If it was the other way round and I rarely got 3G coverage, then it'd be foolish to pay the extra to get a 3G iphone....

I to prefer the look and feel of the older, metal cased iPhone, and whilst having GPS would probably be useful, I have Google maps on my Nokia using GPS and I've only ever used it once, other than the times to "play with it".... Sat Nav in my van all day, I don't need it for that, sure it might come in handy when I am abroad possibly, but thats fairly rare anyway.....

I dunno, maybe if I can get a 2G cheap enough and be able to unlock it to work with T-Mobile on 2.0.2 or 2.1 then I might try it out. Suppose I can always sell it on if I don't get on with it.....

Other than 3G capability and GPS, what else is missing from the 2G over the 3G?

[llol_slim]

Originally Posted by Matt_C

Other than 3G capability and GPS, what else is missing from the 2G over the 3G?

cheap plasticy back? I think not alot. Having had both, I prefer the proportions and shape of the new one, but much prefer the metal back of the old one.

i think you've made your mind up?

[Matt_C]

I kinda have, but kinda haven't..... One part just says "oh get over it and get one already" and the other half says "why buy the OLD technology when there's never versions out?"

Then the first part pipes up again and says "cos you don't have £700 to spend on a phone" LOL... That said, £200 for one is, to me, steep.......

[Saldawop]

although I have had contracts with all networks at some point in time , have been a t-mobile user since the Mercury days. Was wary of switching to O2. No probs so far though.

As for 2g v 3g I would go for the latter myself. I had the 2g and really liked it , although the net was slow the whole iPhone interface made up for it. I only used it sparingly though as it just wasn't quick enough to pick up and play with for a couple of minutes at a time. With the 3g I am using it all the time. If I have a spare couple of minutes I can pop onto my favourite sites and check for new messages , wheras on the 2g it could sometimes take nearly a minute ..and sometimrs more ! to open one page( that was with t-mob w&w )

[Matt_C]

Just been in the Carphone warehouse and think after playing with it some more, I should really get the 3G model.... Maps with GPS is cool, tho I will probably never use it other than as a "cool look at this" gimmick...

But since the iPhone can't be used to put files on it, natively - no idea about jailbreaking it - then I can upload my docs (word, excell, PDF, pps etc) to Google docs and access that way, I think I'd need the 3G speed for that....

So I am tempted to get a Pay & Go iphone with the 12mths free web + wifi (CPW guy reckons you won't have to pay a penny to use the web via 3G for a whole year - is that right?) and hope within that 12mths the iPhone Dv Team crack the 3G unlock so I can slot my T-Mobile sim into it.... Bit of a gamble with a £350 phone!

But that still means I have 2 phones to carry round with me everywhere

[ash]

Originally Posted by Matt_C

But since the iPhone can't be used to put files on it, natively - no idea about jailbreaking it - then I can upload my docs (word, excell, PDF, pps etc) to Google docs and access that way, I think I'd need the 3G speed for that....

I usually just email the file to myself, and then use the Mail client and open it there.

Shame you can't edit though.

[Matt_C]

Yeah you can do that, but I don't want to have to search out an email for a file, then download it time and time again when I want to view it....

I have just seen this, which is in the early stages and needs more revisions to gain full office doc support;

http://www.v1ru8.net/mightydocs/

Google Docs is very usefull, and I've already got a bunch of files uploaded onto it so that I can access them on other computers (works, friends/family computers etc - I initially did it so I could access a couple of docs whilst I was going to be away in the US - very usefull to be able to walk into the Apple store in NYC, open Google docs and view the info I needed!)

That MiGhtyDocs app looks like it could be usefull as it allows caching of the docs to the iPhones internal memory, so with a little work (more file types supported, like .xls, .pdf, .pps) and folder support, that could be the one!

Back to the topic in hand tho - still at a quandry as to what to do! second hand 2G, unlocked to T-Mobile for probably £200ish, brand new UK 3G locked to o2 (pay & go) for a year and hope the Dev Team cracks the unlock in that time, for £350, or import an Apple-unlocked 3G from Italy at a cost of probably £500......

[ROBIN50N]

this was posted in another thread on here

http://www.any-network.com/

worth a try?

[ash]

Originally Posted by Matt_C

Yeah you can do that, but I don't want to have to search out an email for a file, then download it time and time again when I want to view it....

If you have GMail, then you can just creat a new label, say "documents" and that Folder will be created on your iPhone, so easy to find

[Matt_C]

Thats a good point, never thought of that.....

[Matt_C]

Originally Posted by ROBIN50N

this was posted in another thread on here

http://www.any-network.com/

worth a try?

I originally posted that up and mods removed the link from my post I'm not too sure about it, as reports of sim hackers are sceptical at best, so I worry I could punt for one and find it doesn't work....

[hutch]

Originally Posted by Matt_C

I originally posted that up and mods removed the link from my post I'm not too sure about it, as reports of sim hackers are sceptical at best, so I worry I could punt for one and find it doesn't work....

I wont remove it this time though i'll just say use at your own risk. There was a thread popped up about a week ago with someone who had bought one and, surprisingly enough, didnt work.

[Matt_C]

Hutch - got a link to that thread? I did a serach but can't find it. I'd like to read about that