It’s been just over a day since I managed to locate a 3G iPhone in Victoria (after being denied on launch day). I wrote a mini review yesterday, so today I’m going to elaborate about my experience from moving to 3G from the first gen. Overall, I am very happy with the phone and the new features (GPS rocks, 3G is really fast). However, it’s not an “OMG I LOVE THIS AND WANT TO MARRY IT” happy since after owning the first gen, Apple really did set the bar high.
Rogers iPhone 3G Unboxing Pics + Comparison to First Generation iPhone
Here are some side by side pictures comparing the iPhone 3G to the first generation iPhone. As you can see, the 3G unit is a bit slimmer on the sides, plus the back is plastic. The iPhone 3G is on the left in that side by side homescreen comparison shot. I did notice that the iPhone 3G was brighter than the first gen at full brightness, plus there is a tiny yellow tint as well. No dock is included with the iPhone 3G–you gotta pay for it this time around!
More Random Musings from Using iPhone 3G
The 3G unit feels lighter than the first gen when it’s in your hands even though there is only a 2 gram difference. At 133g compared to 135g of the first gen, I prefer the feel of the first gen in my hands. It just feels more solid…very hard to explain what I’m trying to say. You gotta check out a first gen to know what I’m talking about. OH…and this thing is a fingerprint magnet. I’ve had to be pretty careful with it since I don’t have an invisibleSHIELD installed yet. That will soon change–wait for it (contest soon)!
Surfing the web on the iPhone seems faster this time around. Embedded YouTube is great, plus there is now better support for webpages that did not load properly before. Email works great, being able to save image files is awesome, so is the mass email delete. I used the phone today for 3 hours and 30 mins after a full charge, with light surfing and sending emails. No YouTube. Used about 9.9MB today–exceeding 6GB is going to be a challenge. The battery shows 1/3 remaining. Will continue to do more testing. iPhone 2.0 firmware seems to be a bit buggy at times. I’ve had some slowdowns and Safari crashes periodically. I would expect a tiny firmware update to be around the corner.
After using the phone for a day and a half, I must say having unlimited data is pretty awesome. Prior to having a data plan many people make themselves believe that using WiFi everywhere is a viable solution. Yes, it is pretty easy to find a hotspot but it’s even easier to not have to do the painful search for an open SSID (or make your way to that “open” hotspot location in town). Knowing that you can just access email/web/maps anywhere and anytime is pretty cool. Can you say good bye “Disconnect Anxiety” anyone? haha.
iPhone 3G is Sold Out Across Canada
Well it looks like the iPhone 3G launch has resulted in all iPhones being sold out from coast to coast. Apple recently sent out a .PDF poster to all Rogers retail outlets to advertising the following message (which you will see at your local store):
Don’t worry though, more shipments are going to arrive by this week. Trying to find an iPhone? Best bet is to locate all the Rogers Wireless locations in your area and call them the day of. It’ll save you some time and gas. Try also going to Costco as their cellphone kiosk there is an authorized Rogers reseller. While you’re there, go spend $200 on things you don’t really need, just because you know they’re gonna disappear by next week. Ahh, the joys of Costco.;)
Summary of my iPhone 3G Experience So Far
I’m pretty pleased with the latest enhancements Apple has accomplished with the latest iPhone 3G. I’m actually enjoying it a lot more than my first generation iPhone. I think a big reason for that is because of the unlimited data plan. 3G is blazing on the Rogers network and having that “always on” capability is a pretty neat thing. We never had that chance before because Rogers was charging you an arm and a leg for data–but that has changed temporarily for now.
If you have never used an iPhone before and plan on getting one, make sure you get the 6GB data plan for $30! It’s totally worth it and makes using the iPhone that much better! Would you pay $1/day for unlimited internet in your pocket? It’s a choice you’ll have to make–but I would!
PS – Just wanted to clarify the situation regarding so called “knife” guy from the Vancouver iPhone 3G launch day. David contacted me to let me know he wasn’t using the box cutter to take out his SIM card. He was just making cuts to keep the factory plastic on his iPhone 3G:
“When coworkers brought me 1st gen iPhones to unlock, that were sealed, I’d make
the same incisions on the sealed plastic (top for SIM, bottom for dock
connection) so their iPhone was still in mint condition when unlocked.”
I guess from 25 feet away standing outside, and peering through glass it looked like a different story. Our apologies if we caused any harm. Thanks for the email David!
**Looking for an iPhone 3G case? Go get an invisibleSHIELD, the strongest protection for your iPhone backed by a 30 day moneyback guarantee, lifetime replacement warranty, and FREE shipping! Order today!**
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Awesome, thanks! I’m waiting for mine in the mail, from Rogers.
I see the difference in screen color(tint). Not sure if it would bother me too much though, although i read about a fix in firmware updates.
Sold out across Canada? Way to protest Rogers rate gouging people! $30/mth/6GB was just a intro carrot. Rogers sure learned their lesson, didn’t they. After Aug 31, it will be business as usual. Well at least I’ve held out until these consumer data phone plans become reasonable…and believe me, I want an iPhone REAL BAD, but not so bad that I’ll take food out of my daughter’s mouth to pay for the Rogers rape… I mean rate plans.
What baffles me is this. There were tons of iPhones in Canada ever since the iPhone was released a year and some ago, geeks outsourcing the gadget via friends, fleabay :-), going shopping across the border etc….. taking the risk of bricking the device with the unlocks and sim stuff you know the whole nine yards. Nobody foresaw that when it is going to be officially available for us canucks there will be demand on it especially the 16GB Model ?!?! I mean “Duuude where is my car” I called and reserved my 16GB early in the morning will be getting it by mail “Oh I have a 16gb 1st Gen”, a few hours after I called to order one for my friend and the rep was eh hehe we are out of stock. within HOURS out of stock might be getting some in three weeks, kept asking different reps until I got a Tuesday date …. who’s fault is it? Rogers? Fido? Apple?
Thanks for this review. I will not be getting a 3G phone now, perhaps later, as I am happy with the 1st gen that I have. I just purchased a separate $30 6GB plan and added to existing phone (though I had to sign for 3-years), so I can do whatever I want to do even if I do not have a 3G phone. Download and browsing speed is not an issue for me (Edge is fine on the road, and wifi for the rest) an I alaready have a real GPS in my car. All i need now is a jailbroken upate to version 2.0 firmware! Apparently coming any time now…
Regards to all!
$1 unlimited internet in your pocket per day? Are you kidding me? I use about almost 500mb a day w/out video watching…
Also. Way to go protesting against rogers… what a waste. As mikey twit said.. its just the intro carrot.
Teejay: You use 500mb/day? What are you doing to use that much data?
I agree…frickn hell Rogers can do whatever it wants in Canada. Must be fun!
I see that iphone fan is able to determine the amount of data he uses daily. Do you determine this yourself, or is there a feature on the phone that tells you? (sorry I’m a beginner), please let me know, I also have the $30 plan and want to be careful how I use it daily.
Sebastian: I track my usage via the Settings on the iPhone.
Settings—General—Usage. Just remember what the numbers are when you start your day, then compare them at the end of the day. That should help you determine how much you’ve used for the day.
Hey guys, I think the fido on Lougheed Mall on burnaby has iphones…just in case someone is looking for an iphone….just give them a call tho to double check
I just went and got mine!!! WOW its beautiful… BUT this is what happened: I called the store around 9am and the lady told me: “Oh you want a white one?” and I’m like: YESSSS; “actually I have one right here” it came in on Saturday, delivered by UPS and its the only one that came in. So I drove as fast as I could and got it! BUT the iPhone itself was without the clear plastic that usually comes with the new devices and she had it in her file cabinet along with a black one… and I’m like: excuse me; that iPhone is not a returned, is it? and she is like ” No sir, I just removed the plastic from it”……….. so then I noticed that I had 55 contacts on my brand new iPhone so I went back inside the store and said that I believed the iPhone I just purchased was used….. she replied: ” Is not used sir, what happened was that it sync with my blackberry on this computer and those are my contacts…… etc etc…. I feel a little weird :-[
I have an unlocked Iphone – will the $30 data package work? please can someone let me know. thanks
Yes, it’s used. She used it.
Take it back or get a discount. Seriously.
God knowns what else she’s done with it. She’s obviously not trustworthy.
Brand new ones will be available in a few days….
Has anyone had any issues with GPS? A 2 buddies of mine used it to track their movements from their homes in the suburbs into the downtown but as soon as they got into downtown the map went wonky, the screen then went black, and then reverted to the home screen. Anyone else run into a similar issue?
500mb per day? Seriously? How much iPorn are you watching on your iPhone?
Are you masturbating while driving? In the washroom at work?
Spiffiness: GPS works better when you’re outside and away from big buildings. I’ve had similar issues, but the screen has never turned black on me. I wish we could send out our GPS locations…
Listen people. The $30 dollar plan for 6Gigs, which is pretty much unlimited internet. (Did we find out if AT&T caps “unlimited” at 5GB) I was not going to get an Iphone when the first plans came out. Once the $30 = 6GB offer came out, I was prepared to pay for it because it is what I expected to get around that price. The Iphone is a killer toy, with that said, it is an expensive toy – made even more expensive by Rogers. This means it might not be for everyone, eventhough it’s the coolest thing ever. I am glad I have bought one and I’m able to enjoy one. I’m not married, I don’t have children… etc. Perhaps if I had to worry about a family I would rethink this purchase/contract. This is the best we are going to get for a data plan in some time, and it’s a limited time offer, so we’re not giving in to Rogers. We are taking in the small temporary victory and enjoying the device that some of us have waited for a year, or for the upgrade of an already fantastic phone that some people went through great lengths to get into Canada. Now that the device can be used at it’s full potential, we will take what Rogers have given us. In no way does this mean that we do not think that Cellular charges in this country are ridiculous. We can only hope it gets better. The Iphone was going to sell, maybe not in the strong numbers it did this weekend, but Rogers would have made more money from overcharges had it not been for our fight & I thank Iphonefan for being a big part of that fight.
Arturo, I wouldn’t worry about it. If it works great you should enjoy one of the few 16Gb white iphones in Canada. I understand the feeling though, the first sign you see anything wrong you should ask for an exchange. If not, enjoy.
So i ordered my iphone friday through Fido Costumer services, and I got the shock of my life the following day (saturday). UPS showed up at my door with a very special package!YUP it only took 24 hours for fido to have the phone delivered to me. Very impressive if I may say so. Anyways, i thought i’d share with you all my monthly plan i have with Fido.
$45 city plan
$30 6G
I dont know how much i’ll be paying monthly just yet, but I think it’s a really good deal.
The rogers store rep here told me that the $30 data plan will be part of the contract for 36 months. Meaning I won’t have flexibility to turn iPhone back into a wifi device and save some money. Is that the case with all of you?
I agree with “Orange Monkey”
I don’t have kids or a wife to tell me not to buy it… I can’t wait to get one, I use’d to spend $ 3.00 bucks a day at Starbucks but have stopped that all together, so I might as well give my money to the another “evil empire” 🙂
Hey Beth, what time did you order your phone from Fido. They are telling me the earliest I can get mine is August 1st. I ordered mine on Friday at noon.
Very Angry!
Has anyone been able to get an iphone with retention credits??
My contract expires next month and I currently have a $15 credit on a $25 unlimited incoming plan. I don’t want to give up this voiceplan, but I am told that if I get an iphone with the data plan they’ll take out the credits.
Fido rep told me they can renew a 2-yr contract with the $15 credit on any other phone. Any suggestions? Loopholes around this?
So I called Rogers Customer Service today to find out about a hardware upgrade and was told that the $199 price for the 8 GB iphone is only for new customers. She even told me that customers who spend thousands of dollars a year are not eligible for the $199 price. Is she correct or is she just blowing smoke out her ass?
fido users are getting the better side of this deal, if you check the essential packages that go with the iphones from fido and rogers everything looks the same except on the $20 deal fido ppl get evenings at 5pm, whereas rogers get them at 6pm, i guess that can make rogers an extra billion a year…. bad deal for being loyal to rogers… could really cut down on daytime mins that one hour after ppl get off of work.
@PC
The data plan is part of the contract, but is a separate part. If you cancel the data plan only, the early cancellation fee is $100 max.
It is true that the new iPhone 3G is living up to it’s pre-launch hype. It is the most feature loaded techno-gadget that any geek, business person or average Joe would like to own. Canadians, here’s your chance to get a free iPhone!
I am/was going to get the iPhone 3G, and I am an existing rogers customer, on family plan, AND THEY WANT ME TO 400$ FOR AN 8GB BECAUSE I AM AN EXISTING CUSTOMER AND AM JUST TRYING TO UPGRADE HARDWARE. Bulls–t man, i was looking forward to this. They didn’t even know the price of the 16 GB, because it wasn’t in stock? (that was their excuse) A great way to treat your loyal customers.
Yeah, exactly what Matt said up there^^^^
Does anybody know if it’s true or not? I’m still going in-store to talk to the employees, just in case.
If it’s true… goodbye iphone dreams, goodbye rogers, the second my contract is done.
3g is amazing…it’s just as fast or faster than my wireless at home….
Matt,
That is true I just ordered my 16gb iPhone over the phone they have them instock and said the only people that were eligible were new customers .. Currently Im with Telus so I got about 7 months left so i’ll bite the bullet and either pay the penalty or try to talk my way out of the contract. Can’t wait they said this coming Wed / Thurs should be at my doorstep 🙂
I am a Rogers employee. I bought the iPhone. I got it from a wireless wave…. while everyone was lined up at rogers or fido.
with regards to the hardware upgrades… if you are eligible, you can get it for the 199, assuming your plan is over 30 dollars a month base rate.
i have a corporate voice plan for 20 bucks a month.
i was going to just keep that and use only wifi (and get rogers to cut off all data to the phone due to its crazy rates, prior to the 6 gig 30 bucks.)
its too bad that you had to sign away 3 years on data, but i did… and i’m not regretting it yet… although if i become broke soon… it may be due to the extra 1080+ Tax (3 years of 30 bucks extra a month)
Anyho. With my just keeping the 20 dollar plan, they wanted to charge me i beleive 499 for 8 gig phone. With the Data, it was 249 (which i got) The extra 50 (the diff between 199 and 249) was due to my plan being less than 30 bucks a month.
The 499 is equivalent to signing onto a data plan, and then cancelling it (max 100 bucks) and then the 50 dollar downgrade fee
iphonefan…
does downloading apps from the app store on the iphone take up data… and does everytime you play the game or use the app take up data
Anthony: Yes…downloading from the App Store will require data, or WiFi. If the game/app requires data, it’ll use it. So far, I have used phone lots and have yet to break 100MB. Granted, I haven’t been using a lot of YouTube, but I’ll put it to the test. 🙂
WOW I’m loving my iPhone!!! I have a question though, if you guys know the answer that would be fantastic!! At home, can I surf, check my emails and download applications without using Rogers Internet service? Like if I join my airport signal, would I get charge anyways? Please let me know because I am using the device like crazy! and I don’t want a $7000 bill at the end of the month:]
Arturo: Yes, you can use WiFi at home to do all that stuff without using 3G. It should actually auto switch to WiFi…you just need to configure it first.
wow i finally got the iphone off at this small rogers retailer. The customer service representative was very nice and all. Separated my family plan and got myself 35 megatime plan. So after using the iphone, honestly this is the best phone. 3G is really fast and all. i just love it! ^_^
Where do i pickup an invisible shield in Canada
Is it just me? When I go to Fido’s website to look at the plans they have, it shows a blank white section. I tried IE and firefox. Same result.
To those wondering if rogers won’t do hardware upgrade (HUP) for current customers … not true. I phoned on saturday and had a great rep on the phone (just front line guy too). Found out that I had a tier 5 HUP and got 16gb for $324 – $50 + no admin fee ($35). So $274 as per previous posts listing the HUP eligibility and cost outlines. Could have got the 8 gb for $174 + no admin fee.
Matt, et al – you should call back and speak to someone who knows the real deal.
Listen pepople. The IPhone, even if it’s a very amazing device, it still sucks. Despite the fact that it has many extras, the battery is still a problem. Apple did not make any modifications yet since the first gen of IPhone. So when you will charge your IPhone over 100 times, the battery will then run out. All you have to do is to send your IPhone to Rogers or…Apple and they will charge you an extra $50 for a new battery. That really sucks. Actually I am a Fido customer and I still have my beloved Hiptop. Wanted to switch to the IPhone, but since Apple did not make any modifications to the battery, it’s really hard to buy this device. I better wait for the next gen of IPhone that is due in 2009 or 2010.
Have the speakers improved from iphone v 1.0?
@ Chris
What is the meaning of tear 5 HUP? like what does that depend on? for example last time I upgraded my phone was dec/07 and my plan is $40 a month..well and on top are like VM etc etc but i dont think that matters…so yeah… what does it depen on to be on a specific tier?
Thanks
The I phone is very nice
I have one old g but is good
enough for me my plan
Is one of the best around
250 plus voice mail plus call id
after 6 pm free to 7am with tax
is $37 per month
I’m using wi fi for 3hours the battery
is still half way what better deal can
any one have
I ordered mine on Saturday at like 10:00 AM EST, and they were apparently all sold out at that point, and didn’t know, or atleast the Customer Service Rep that I was talking to didn’t know. I have to wait now until they get some more in, I am hoping that I will be able to get it soon… maybe by next friday? Anyone have any insight as to when Rogers is getting some more in?
Ryan,
I ordered mine on Monday and it is already here. I didn’t goto a kiosk or anything just called up Rogers and they hooked me up!
That is a crock of bull… good for you, but Rogers is screwing me on this one…. damnit.
Ryan,
Just call again, if you are a new customer than you shouldn’t have any issues ordering one by phone just have your Visa ready call this number 18002687347 hope this helps
I am not a new customer, doing a HUP. I called again, they said that it will be sent when ever they get one…
rogers is olny try to get new costumers I have one
order its only on Nov they let me ge one
if you can’t get one know
You should order for the 6g of
data for the $30.00 they will start
charging me on Aug 31 2008 but
on Nov the data could be
a lot more for 6g of data
I have 3 plans with rogers one of them
is about 2 year old they let me
up grade my plan to the new I phone
16g the cost will be $449.00 with
3year I have used the old I phone
and its real cool I’m sure with the
new one will be even better with
6 g of data should be on the top
If you looking for the iphone don’t
let the sale on the data go away
its only until Aug 30/2008 6 g for
$30.00