- Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 390 reviews Back to product review
- My rating: 0 stars
Full user review
-
84 out of 138 people found this review helpful
0.5 stars
"Hype reloaded reloaded: (still) 25 % quality, 75 % hype"
Pros: Design, interface, multimedia capabilities, speed
Cons: 3G signal, business features (lack thereof), call quality, Exchange integration, no Flash, no Java, no multitasking, no USB transfer and storage, Office integration, price, Windows integration.
Summary: Overexpensive, overhyped phone with nice, cool (and also counter-productive) touch-screen interface to show-off. But since when do you call "smartphone" a phone with no Flash, no Java, poor Exchange integration, poor Office integration, poor Windows integration, and no multitasking? If you want a phone to show-off and play with fart apps and you have money to waste, get an iPhone; if you want a serious smartphone, do yourself a favour and get yourself a BlackBerry or a Nokia N97.
PS: The "Abysmal" score is to balance with the childish, inflated scores of the usual Apple sheep.
- 39 replies to this review
-
I've had blackberry for several years, and I had few problems with the pearl while using Alltel as my service provider. Ever since the merge of Alltel and Verizon, I've had nothing but problems. I used the Pearl with Verizon with freezes and dropped calls daily. I tried the Storm, switched plans over completely to "get better service being full Verizon" but that didn't work. I had to take out the battery daily. I switched to the Storm2 assuming they fixed all the bugs in the phone, no such luck. Now, I'm considering leaving Verizon altogether since I've paid to leave them early before to go back to Alltel due to poor customer service. I currently have the HTC Droid Eris, and I'm looking into switching phones AND companies; therefore, my dilemma with this review is it's not giving me accurate information. I'm truly looking for a great cell phone with a great browser, great speakerphone (I prefer to bluetooth), great speakers for music, great syncing (I am a MAC user). HELP!
-
Had the Blackberry - call quality was poor. It was also no where near as user friendly as the iPhone. Also had problems with applications freezing on the Blackberry. So happy I have switched. Been there...done that....
-
Go buy a blackberry and a netbook . You have no business using apple products.
-
you dont own an iphone
-
why did you buy it?
-
All I can say is...lol.
More of the same flame war that's been raging for years. It used to be Mac vs PC, not it's iPhone vs BlackBerry.
Great stuff! Keep it coming! :) -
Perfect Review. Store manager in Newport Beach, CA told me to turn off 3G network and my phone would work perfectly. She was serious. I laughed uncomfortably and returned the phone for a full refund.
-
I was with you all the way till you mentioned nokia N97!!!
N97 is a desperate attempt by Nokia (who owns the low-mid range phones market share) to get into the fancy club of RIM Apple and HTCs for high end smartphones. The phone is a rock and it sinks really fast that's all it does -
you really are just jealous of people who have one
-
..and I'm a PC
-
Afte this review I`m going to buy it tomorrow... Glad to be set apart from one track minded ship like you LOL..by the way the blackberry it`s definitely to show off.
-
Production killer, part 3 (ish). Can't keep track of all of Apple's update cycles with OS's or phones. They are disorganized in a pretentious way.
-
What a terrible review, The tell tale sign here of someone not reviewing this phone well came when I read Exchange Integration as a con. TRUST ME! Exhange Integration is FANTASTIC on this phone, I'm a user not a tech guy so I called my tech dept for the settings , they emailed me a link and 2 minutes later I was on line seeing all the folders that are on my entourage account, not only that but how nice is it that safari synchs my safari bookmarks on my macbook, I just gave up on my storm and moved across to the iphone today and I am sooooooo glad I did let me tell you. If you are a mac user like me you would be insane to use anything else!
-
You have NO clue what your talking about!!!! First off the Iphone does work with java or why would it have a java setting on its Safari Setting page DUH!!! The sad part is that it does not support flash. This is because Apple is trying to bully adoble to release the source code as an open source code. Untill then apple is blocking it. Shame on you apple!!!
It does have USB transfer but it needs to be set to on with in Itunes DUH!!!
So yes it dont come with office program but what computer today does. This is something everyone has to buy.
As for multitasking if its jail break the phone then you can.
Then lastly its fully intergrates with outlook and windows.
Now I agree its costly but its very very powerfull phone as well. -
Have to agree with Fil0403... It's all about I have the iPhone and you don't... and so many of the Fanboys just don't like it when somebody bursts the bubble for them. As for AT&T, No words can ever explain why I will never sign up with them. Going back to the Stone Age seems the right thing before signing up with them. Sorry to burst it for you iphoneers.
-
I use my iPhone 3G with my office exchange server. It works seamlessly. I can't figure out what Fil0403 is complaining about as far as Exchange integration or office integration. I suppose by poor Windows integration he might be referring to attaching work documents to emails? This is one feature that the iPhone should do better. I can get documents on my iPhone and read them just fine, but viewing them outside of the email tool, editing them or attaching documents to new email. is a problem.
Also in his list of other phones to consider, the Palm Pre should be in that list.
Finally the justification of the "abysmal" score to counter someone else's irrational score is inappropriate. Put your real opinion down, and let us reading the reviews reject the radical or inept.
Scott (aka LivingDust) -
I have had and tested the new HTC Windows Mobil 6.1 Blackberry Curve and iPhone 3GS. So we are comparing an iPhone to a Blackberry. Yes Blackberry has a better exchange integration, but the push feature on the iphone works just as fast as my Blackberry or Windows Mobil phone when I used them. The calendar is much integrated than the Blackberry and invites are easier to manage in the iPhone interface. I will give you the fact that java should work on the iPhone, but hasn?t bothered me much since there is an app with a better interface than a webpage that does anything I would need java for. Also, another nice feature on the iPhone is Citrix app, desktop manager app, WebEx app. All work well and allow me to work much more remote and from my phone than I ever could with my blackberry.
-
Generally speaking, I agree. Nothing could be more further from the truth than the hype over the iPhone. Granted, it is a worthy gadget, but statements like "OMG, it's the best phone ever" are nonsense.
-
Fil0403's review is very looney. Lets face facts... the 3.0 software update brings the functionality of a 3G very close to a 3GS. Only major difference is the camera hardware and software enhancements to control it. I have no idea why Apple would try to include a compass as a selling point. This feature however will help developers like tomtom to have apps that can give turn by turn directions. So with this said id say 3GS is more like 60% functionality but 40% hype. Its really your decision if you think you need to consolidate one more device - a digital camcorder.
-
The N97 is lame. I do agree, it's all about profit for Apple and AT&T. I have been using Apple computers since 1999, the company has changed...some for the better, some for the worse...Let's face it, the iPhone is a great product....I just hate AT&T....hence why a "real" Apple user would never buy an iPhone.
-
quality is okay.. id say 25% function, 75% hype
-
This reviewer admits his rating is not based on what he thinks of the product, but to "counteract the Apple sheep". I think it is fair enough to say that he is an Apple-hater and the review should be ignored.
-
wants the serial # on your ICRAPPER?
-
There seems to be a lot of sabotage going on in these reviews. It almost seems counter-productive to read them. Who knows who is working for what cell phone company/provider trying to smash the competition. It would make a lot of sense for cnet to require a valid serial number from the supposed product owner in order to submit a review, because this seems to have been a waste of the last 20 minutes of my life.
-
@ cabrillo24
- Exchange integration is basic, hence poor (the iPhone only supports full ActiveSync with a single Exchange server, no notes and tasks sync = you're LYING, Cabrillo, no Public Folder)
- There is no Java for the iPhone OS = you're LYING, again
- Do you even know what Office integration is, to begin with? -
Overexpensive, overhyped phone with nice touch-screen interface to show-off ---
<--- should be engraved on each iPhone! -
Exchange integration has been flawless for me (email, contacts, and calander) , java has been there. Office integration can be had with apps such as QuickOffice or Documents to Go (with editing and exchange support), no Windows interface? The interface is iTunes for Windows....errrrr....Obviously you don't own an iphone or have any idea of what you're talking about.
-
Your no better than apple fans. This is worst as you could have given a very in-depth honest review of your dislikes and yet you decide to bash it blindly like a 2 year old. You only proved how foolish you are and how haters and lovers of the iphone feel your review is trash
-
Uh, the iPhone does have Java...
Exchange also took about 15 seconds to setup on mine and works fine.
Finally, works fine with my Windows Vista laptop. -
He lost me at "poor Exchange integration". It's clear he has never used the new 3GS, let alone held it in his hands. The Exchange integration is flawless.
Fil0403: typical troll. Throws hand grenades, then runs, hides and giggles when he sees the damage he's done. He won't be back to defend any of his statements. -
Based on your last statement, you are no better than the Apple sheep. Way to go. I agreed with some of your points but based on that last one, I will have to mark your review as "unhelpful".
-
I'm sure you own one to go along with you expert hands on review lol. What a joke. Iv'e own a Blackberry and the N97..This is my first iphone and much better than both. Glad i returned them.
-
call quality is mediocre at best. Did you experience freezes?
-
Is the iPhone 3gs one of the most overhyped device of late? Looking at the specs, there is nothing that other mobile can't do and havent been doing for ages. You read articles saying how fast it has gotten. False. It seems that if Apple brought out sliced bread, people would go crazy over it, like it didnt exist before hand. I'm not saying the iPhone is a total waste, but its hardly the best or super ground breaking right now.
-
Great piece! Concise and to the point.
-
A detailed look at "Fil0403"'s profile reveals that he has reviewed all iPhones with the lowest possible ratings, regardless of the model/features. He has also written at least 5 reviews about other smart phones where he consistently reuses the phrase "iPhone owned."
In his other reviews, he gives the lowest rating possible to almost all Apple products he reviews while touting Microsoft Office, Vista, and mobile Windows as the "best products." Obvious bias. Furthermore, I'm supposed to believe that he bought this version of the iPhone after bashing the two previous versions as the worst smart phone ever? He has obviously never used a single Apple product in his life. -
@btr1389; please "hate" should not be used in this case. Look at his Pro,Fil0403 did not eviscerate iPhone, on the contrary there is nothing more one could add about iPhone than what he opined. As for the Cons, all those points are manifest and tangible. I will however, disagree with 25%-75% ratio, I will say is more 50-50. I waited out the first two lame iPhone but with a bang CPU, I will get this one after the Fanbois frenzy died down. Cheers.
-
Why even write a review? It sounds like you don't have one or have even truly used one for an extended period of time. And even if you do have one, why did you buy it? You obviously hate the product. I was going to write some stuff saying why you have some valid points and invalid points, but you wouldn't care if I did. If you hate Apple (it sounds like you do) don't go writing hate reviews on their products that you probably don't use. Thanks.
-
Wow you can't be serious. A bunch of things are in the cellphone.
1. iPhone 3G and 3G s have 3G network.
2. Call Quality is good where I live and anywhere I go. I was the only person who was able to receive calls in the middle of a forest. Everyone else had a Sprint Cellphone.
3. Exchange is integrated in the cellphone and other nice services such as Mobileme, Google, Yahoo.
4. Flash Player, that's one I want to find out why? We can't assume it's Apple's fault and I really don't care much for Flash. But I guess it's a plus if they add it.
5. Multitasking? Not in the way the computer does, but it is still practical since all apps seem to work with each other.
6. USB plug? Your just saying that because Cnet said that, but you don't really need it if there are already other ways to transfer information to it.
7. Office Integration? It's an Apple product. Alternatives already exist.
8. Price? Buy the 3G for $99.00.
9. Windows Integration? Why would that even be a consideration for Apple.
Where to buy
Apple iPhone 3GS - 32GB - black (AT&T):
$299.00 - $299.99
| store | price | in stock? | rating |
|---|---|---|---|
|
$299.00 | Yes |
|
|
Best Buy
|
$299.99 | See Site |
|
%2025%20%25%20quality,%2075%20%25%20hype%22%20-%20Apple%20iPhone%203GS%20-%2032GB%20-%20black%20(AT%26T)%20user%20review%20and%20rating%20-%20CNET%20Reviews&srcUrl=http://reviews.cnet.com./smartphones/apple-iphone-3gs-32gb/4864-6452_7-33674173-1.html){kind=small}