Hands0n
6th July 2009, 08:16 PM
To read some news articles and [other] forum threads one might be forgiven for thinking that the 2009 Apple iPhone 3GS is the biggest turkey since the beginning of time. These places are littered with howls of derision at how bad the 3GS really is. And it does leave one wondering if that decision to buy was altogether a wise one.
With the benefit of Apple's 14-day returns policy for all store-bought equipment I took the plunge with the iPhone 3GS and want to take a few minutes to dispel some of the FUD that is about. Okay, so my experience with the 3GS is only a couple of days, but I've sufficient time in the general iPhone saddle to know a turkey when I see one. The 3GS is not one of those.
I utterly refuse to believe that I have been lucky enough to buy the only fully functioning iPhone 3GS. So to business ...
Overheating
Much stuff of nonsense has been written about the ability of the iPhone to operate in warm climates. Apple released a specific article about it too. Only the articles that report on this took great care to omit the fact that the article was written originally for the 3G and was updated to include the 3GS.
The usual warnings are published such as not to leave the iPhone (of any flavour) in hot cars, on dashboards or in direct sunlight such as by the pool on beach. Who in their right mind would do any of those and expect their electronic device to still be working? Yet if you read the article and comments on the likes of The Register you'd think Apple had dropped a right old clanger. And of course the anti-tards have grabbed this little gem with both hands and giving it for all they have got!
Any electronic device will not survive well, especially the battery, in extremely hot conditions. And that may well be making heavy use of gaming in a very warm environment where the handset and battery overheat. The battery's internal resistance goes up and it starts to lose capacity.
Sensible precautions to prevent or avoid overheating are advised. And you will find these for all electronic devices. Simples.
Low 3G Signal
A few scribblings have been seen by me lamenting the poor 3G signal performance of the new iPhone 3GS. I feared the worst because of my already documented [on here] signal availability from O2.
The reality is a million miles away from the rabid speculation and seemingly erroneous reporting. I have carried the 3GS and 3G around with me to compare signal strength and they have been aligned throughout. I've tested at home, at work and out and about. Not once did either handset report differently.
Poor Battery Life
My 3GS is on its third charge since new and after a full day's use is currently at 47% capacity which is entirely what I would have seen with my 3G. As the battery conditions itself I would expect the charge capacity to increase slightly and then level off, as does all Li-ion battery technology.
The use I have made of it today has been somewhat heavier than normal as the workmates wanted to see the new handset in action. And so I have been shooting endless video, taking pictures, showing off the AGPS apps such as Compass as well as its normal calls and messages use. The battery has, under the circumstances, fared very well indeed. I have not needed to take an "opportunity charge" from my works laptop or elsewhere.
Screen's Yellow Hue
I do not know where this information has come from, but very many have reported that the 3GS has a warmer, more yellow hue about the screen. This is a great puzzle to me as when lined up side by side with the 3G I observe that the 3GS in fact has a colder, more blue-white, hue reminiscent of the original iPhone (2G).
Are these complainers comparing handsets as I have been, side by side? It makes me think that they are not.
Conclusion
Well, what can I possibly say? Just two short days after purchase I have found that the iPhone 3GS that is in my ownership has none of the widely reported "faults". Yet spend only a few minutes on the likes of Macrumors and you would walk away from the 3GS thinking you'd escaped a fate worse than death.
For certain, it is possible that every single one of the complaints represents a bona fide fault with a specific individual handset. But the fact of the matter is that there are perfectly functioning devices out in the wild also.
If you are going to consider an iPhone 3GS you can be certain of two things. The first is that you have Apple's unconditional 14-day returns policy. If there is anything at all you don't like about the 3GS you can obtain a full refund, no questions asked. The second is that Apple's default 12-month warranty is backed up by a superb customer support system. If you can make it to an Apple store then all the better. You will walk out with a replacement that may be a full refurbished or brand new device. Otherwise their phone-in service is reportedly very good (I have not used it myself).
With that kind of backup what else would one need?
With the benefit of Apple's 14-day returns policy for all store-bought equipment I took the plunge with the iPhone 3GS and want to take a few minutes to dispel some of the FUD that is about. Okay, so my experience with the 3GS is only a couple of days, but I've sufficient time in the general iPhone saddle to know a turkey when I see one. The 3GS is not one of those.
I utterly refuse to believe that I have been lucky enough to buy the only fully functioning iPhone 3GS. So to business ...
Overheating
Much stuff of nonsense has been written about the ability of the iPhone to operate in warm climates. Apple released a specific article about it too. Only the articles that report on this took great care to omit the fact that the article was written originally for the 3G and was updated to include the 3GS.
The usual warnings are published such as not to leave the iPhone (of any flavour) in hot cars, on dashboards or in direct sunlight such as by the pool on beach. Who in their right mind would do any of those and expect their electronic device to still be working? Yet if you read the article and comments on the likes of The Register you'd think Apple had dropped a right old clanger. And of course the anti-tards have grabbed this little gem with both hands and giving it for all they have got!
Any electronic device will not survive well, especially the battery, in extremely hot conditions. And that may well be making heavy use of gaming in a very warm environment where the handset and battery overheat. The battery's internal resistance goes up and it starts to lose capacity.
Sensible precautions to prevent or avoid overheating are advised. And you will find these for all electronic devices. Simples.
Low 3G Signal
A few scribblings have been seen by me lamenting the poor 3G signal performance of the new iPhone 3GS. I feared the worst because of my already documented [on here] signal availability from O2.
The reality is a million miles away from the rabid speculation and seemingly erroneous reporting. I have carried the 3GS and 3G around with me to compare signal strength and they have been aligned throughout. I've tested at home, at work and out and about. Not once did either handset report differently.
Poor Battery Life
My 3GS is on its third charge since new and after a full day's use is currently at 47% capacity which is entirely what I would have seen with my 3G. As the battery conditions itself I would expect the charge capacity to increase slightly and then level off, as does all Li-ion battery technology.
The use I have made of it today has been somewhat heavier than normal as the workmates wanted to see the new handset in action. And so I have been shooting endless video, taking pictures, showing off the AGPS apps such as Compass as well as its normal calls and messages use. The battery has, under the circumstances, fared very well indeed. I have not needed to take an "opportunity charge" from my works laptop or elsewhere.
Screen's Yellow Hue
I do not know where this information has come from, but very many have reported that the 3GS has a warmer, more yellow hue about the screen. This is a great puzzle to me as when lined up side by side with the 3G I observe that the 3GS in fact has a colder, more blue-white, hue reminiscent of the original iPhone (2G).
Are these complainers comparing handsets as I have been, side by side? It makes me think that they are not.
Conclusion
Well, what can I possibly say? Just two short days after purchase I have found that the iPhone 3GS that is in my ownership has none of the widely reported "faults". Yet spend only a few minutes on the likes of Macrumors and you would walk away from the 3GS thinking you'd escaped a fate worse than death.
For certain, it is possible that every single one of the complaints represents a bona fide fault with a specific individual handset. But the fact of the matter is that there are perfectly functioning devices out in the wild also.
If you are going to consider an iPhone 3GS you can be certain of two things. The first is that you have Apple's unconditional 14-day returns policy. If there is anything at all you don't like about the 3GS you can obtain a full refund, no questions asked. The second is that Apple's default 12-month warranty is backed up by a superb customer support system. If you can make it to an Apple store then all the better. You will walk out with a replacement that may be a full refurbished or brand new device. Otherwise their phone-in service is reportedly very good (I have not used it myself).
With that kind of backup what else would one need?