iPhone 3G issues: who’s to blame?
How I kept my geek genes in check by not buying an iPhone 3G yet, I’ll never know. While some owners of the handset are thrilled with their device, I continue to read more and more complaints everywhere I turn. Lately the issues I’m hearing about are with the 3G functionality, which aside from the GPS is the only reason I had to upgrade from my first-gen iPhone. But if there are issues with the 3G, who’s to blame?
Stacey Higginbotham alludes to a possible issue with the 3G chip, which is believed to be supplied by Infineon. If the issue is with hardware, then it could be a real challenge to fix with a firmware upgrade. The other side of the equation is the network itself. With over 3 million iPhone 3G devices sold already, is the AT&T network crumbling under heavy demand for voice and speedy data? An official AT&T statement indicates that the iPhone 3G is performing well and that issues are handled on a case-by-case basis.
In the end, I suspect AT&T will take the brunt of any burden here. While customers bought an Apple-branded phone, they have an ongoing contract and business relationship with AT&T. That won’t let Apple off the hook if there are any actual hardware issues that need addressing, but AT&T is going to have to step up and own the issue if there is one to be had.
Since I don’t have an iPhone 3G, I’ll rely on you: how’s your 3G connectivity peforming?
The source is an analyst I have never heard of from a Japanese financial “conglomerate” I have never heard of? Is this guy an engineer, or someone who analyzes press releases and earnings statements?
As for my iPhone, it does seem to switch frequently between E and 3G at some of my frequently visited locations (such as my backyard and office).
I really do think location plays a huge role. As I posted on WWD, I’m having connection issues but no more or less than I did with my previous BlackBerry device. 3G has been okay here in between New York City and Philadelphia. Not great, but acceptable.
When I was out in San Francisco a few weeks ago, I expected 3G to be outstanding and it was horrible. Much, much worse reception than I get here. So I can understand why Om and other Silicon Valley types are screaming.
I have had some issued with the 3G in my area (San Diego). We have good 3G coverage here but when I hit some areas where my Nokia keeps a strong signal the iPhone fails and floats between no bars and full bars. I have seen this in a few areas where other 3G phones have no issues which is a little anoying.
I hope Apple can do something to fix the connectivity issues soon.
No real issues here, O2 UK. Coverage has been fine in expected locations.
Oliver,
You haven’t heard of Richard Windsor, Nomura Securities? You should have. He was the analyst last year who claimed the iPhone touchscreen could deteriorate within 4-6 months.
http://digitaldaily.allthingsd.com/20070810/iphone-deadspot/
Seems he has some trouble with technical stuff though :p
No issues at all with 3G coverage that I’ve noticed in any of the cities that I travel to in Ontario, Canada (other than the fact that Rogers is limited with their 3G coverage in a lot of other parts of Canada).
I have had a few more dropped calls with the 3G than I remember having on my Curve. Usually with moving from outside/in.
I have had no problems with 3G or dropped calls in North NJ and NYC at all. My iPhone 3G has other issues like quitting apps and plenty of times needed restores due to software crashes however.
No problems with 3G coverage when I have traveled through Salem and/or Portland Oregon. 3G is not due to be turned on at home until this weekend, so I expect initially it could be spotty.
Well, While I don’t officially have a 3G iphone (I use the old one), I had time to play with a family member’s 3G iphone. With rogers the connection seemed to always move from edge to 3G even when we had full bars and was perfectly still. Who is to blame, no clue, it can go anyway.
Gears in Peace, I admit I didn’t do my homework, but now I have googled that Richard Windsor guy. In early January 2007 he’s quoted in
http://eetimes.eu/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=196802542
as saying:
“Given the timing, geographies and the fact there is only one device, we think that 2 million devices could be sold in 2007 in the best instance,” said Windsor.
If very successful, a further 5 million could be sold in 2008, Windsor said, adding “but we believe that the device is too expensive to achieve anything like the success that the Razr has had.”
——-
Well, he may not be very technical, but he also isn’t good at predicting market demand, because per Wikipedia Apple sold 8 million first generation devices in the US in 2007 alone.
AT&T’s 3G network is just crap is the simplest and most accurate explanation. Here in the Youngstown area, you can have perfect coverage one minute and no coverage the next, even standing in the same high-coverage area (judging by their coverage maps).
Last Wednesday some coworkers attempted to use one of their 3G USB broadband cards for a WebEx presentation, and the connection dropped every couple minutes of use.
We own three iPhones in our household (two are 3G) and there are significant problems with them. The problems include buggy iPhone software, buggy iTunes software, and 3G reception problems.
The iPhone 3G has major issues with 3G, switching back and forth between 3G and EDGE while you are standing still in the same spot in a good 3G coverage area. Dropped calls and slow data is the result. We live in northern NJ in a good 3G area.
Bug-fest is the best way to describe iPhone and iTunes software. The iPhone crashes often. I have done over 28 total restores on one iPhone alone! Apps quit, killing the iPhone, scrolling is slow, and the UI lags. iTunes never knows when apps need updating and even offer 7 or 8 copies of the SAME app to download. iTunes re-creates app files instead of overwriting them leaving your hard drive full of many copies of the same app. A quick visit to the Mobile Application folder will leave you a bit surprised on just how many copies of the same app you may have.
When the iPhone crashes, which is often you are left with a white Apple logo and absolutely NO phone at all! Restoring it takes hours sometimes.
The iPhone, iTunes update, and MobileMe was certainly rushed to market without proper QA and Apple will now pay the price for this mistake.
The iPhone is a remarkable product and beats Nokia, Blackberry, and Windows Mobile hands down when it works. I know I own all of them. Problem is the iPhone crashes often and the 3G reception plain stinks!
By the way before you get ready to slam me for being anti-Apple, I will tell you I am a long time Mac user and make part of my living supporting Macs! I only use Windows when I am forced!
Just updated to 2.01 and guess what? Poorer reception and no data connection. *&£”!”*(£&!!!!