Current iPhone w/T-Mobile or 3G w/AT&T?

[Sillisquid]

Sorry if this has been discussed....I searched but couldn't find a thread that applies to my situation.

I am happy with my T-Mobile service in the Denver area. I want to get the iPhone, but am shying away from AT&T based on the overwhelming negative comments on their service.

So, I have several options open to me right now:

1) Get the current iPhone while they're still in stock, and unlock it for T-Mobile.

2) Wait for the 3G, and deal with AT&T service. Is it really that bad?

3) Wait for the 3G, and unlock it for T-Mobile. I don't think this will work, since T-Mobile's 3G is very limited right now.

Can anyone please provide some advice for me here? Or point me to a thread that I missed in my searches?

Also, how much faster will AT&T's 3G network be, compared to T-Mobile's EDGE network?

Thanks,
Silli

[deftdrummer1]

Hey, I will attempt to try and help you.

1) If you went with the current generation iphone you would be saving yourself quite a bit of money, and still be getting an awesome phone. I have no doubt in my mind that when the 3G iphone comes out, people will still say that the first generation was better. You may find yourself in this boat, so if you like the current iphone I would suggest going with it. Also, you are happy with T-mobile from the sounds of it, so why fix what ain't broken? You won't get visual voicemail, but it is not all its cracked up to be anyways (for example not knowing when the message is over and sitting foolishly with the phone still up to your ear when it has ended).

2) I have not found AT&T to be too bad at all, and I live in rural northern California where service is so/so. The gripe I do have is that the "fewest dropped calls" claim is nowhere near true, I get dropped calls all the time. Read up on Wikipedia why this claim is invalid. I checked the coverage map in Denver, and 3G is pretty wide spread there. There are patches that aren't covered, so you might want to check by your zip code if you haven't

3) Your third option, getting the 3G iphone will be the longest, most drawn out and most expensive. Assuming it will even work on T-mobile, you're still months away (likely the end of summer at the soonest) that you will be able to do this. There is however much supported talk that the 3G iphone will be far less closed than the current iphone is now. It may be available on multiple networks, even in the US.

As far as speed, 3G can be expected to have a 2Mbit/s bandwidth specification for a stationary user depending on the area. I believe wifi and 3G are about the same speeds, but 3G is obviously more widespread.

[Sillisquid]

Deftdrummer1,

Thanks for your response. A lot of good info, organized in a helpful manner.

I ended up going with option 1, and although I would love the higher 3G speed, I'm very, very happy with my purchase. When I called T-Mobile, they were more than happy to help me set the iPhone up. The guy even said their "smartphone" department was trained to help set iPhones up with T-Mobile. Funny how they embraced all of the people who want to avoid AT&T.

Thanks again,
Silli

[deftdrummer1]

Good, i'm glad you are satisfied with your decision. In the long run that's what matters anyways right? It is indeed interesting that T-mobile was helpful in setting up your iphone, I would never have suspected that.

Have fun with your new iphone!

[skytalon]

How fast is the speed on iphone with tmobile?

I am currently with tmo and using sidekick 2. I am considering going for 3g iphone...

But now I am having second thought due to the sim card, I do not want to reenter the numbers allover again.

[PINOY3000]

Get a 2G iPhone if you are going to Unlock it for use with T-Mobile. There is no use in using/purchasing the 3G as it is harder to unlock (though possible) and tend to be more problematic than the 2G iPhone.

PS. I have a 2G 16GB iPhone Fully Unlocked with T-Mobile and using it with the Sidekick Plan giving me unlimited text and internet for $1.00/day :D

The internet is fully functional now too... I have no idea how it happened.... And no I am not using wifi like many people suggest since they still believe that the Sidekick Data Plan will not work on the iPhone.