To 3G or Not to 3G

Categorized | Jeff McCord, technology

Tags | 3g iphone, choosing a cellphone, iphone 2.0 firmware

Posted on 13 July 2008 by Jeff McCord

Unless you’re living under a rock, you know by now that the new 3G iPhone has been released from its proverbial locked case. I drove by Knox-Henderson’s Apple Store in Dallas Friday morning and gasped at the 4 block line that was created at 8:00am. What you may not know is that the activation process for the 3G was downright hellish in most big cities due to AT&T and Apple servers going down through out the country. I’ve written about the 3G iPhone before and I’ve also compared the 3G to Blackberry’s Bold, but what about those of us who already have an iPhone? Is it really worth getting the new one?

The biggest news in the last few days has been the new iPhone 2.0 firmware that was pushed out for all iPhone users. In essence, this firmware update was for the 3G so that it would work properly and add more benefits. Thankfully, Apple was smart in that they decided everyone should have these benefits, not just the new iPhone folks. With that said, this new firmware has basically changed the “1.0 iPhone” to a new masterpiece thanks to the addition of 3rd party apps from “The App Store.”

So lets say, though, you’re really wanting a faster speed so that’s why you’re considering the new iPhone. According to reputable sources, the 3G is twice as fast than the old iPhone when browsing via cellular and almost as fast as being connected to Wi-Fi. That, in itself, could be a reason to purchase a new phone. But did you also realize that AT&T’s 3G coverage isn’t the best? Check out this map of AT&T’s 3G network. Sadly you’ll see there’s not much blue which may make “smaller city” folks blue that they bought it. The second benefit for getting the new iPhone is a way more advanced GPS that literally “blips” on the map as you walk down the street. That may be cool, but is it worth $199 cool? That I still don’t know.

Other than that, there’s really no difference between the “1.0 iPhone” and the 3G iPhone. We both have the new firmware so in essence, one is faster than the other, when you’re browsing the internet away from home or work. In my opinion, the real saving grace for the argument to get a new 3G (considering you have the “old” one) is as long as you’re eligible for an upgrade, the price of $199 really isn’t too bad. There’s no way I’d be thinking about this if the iPhone was originally priced back in 2007.

So, lets hear from you. Those of you, like me, who are still on the fence about getting the 3G, list your reasons why you’re waiting. Those of you who’ve already taken the plunge, tell me why I shouldn’t be on the fence.

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1 Comments For This Post

DanielthePoet Says:
July 13th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
I do not have an iPhone, and I’m actually hoping to buy a 1st Gen iPhone off of one of you trendsetters who upgrade. If you have a 1st Gen iPhone you’re looking to sell, let me know. It has to be in excellent condition, of course, and you can’t be asking for more than the 3G iPhone price.