25 reasons to avoid the new iPhone

The wait is over. The iPhone 3G goes on sale today, and no doubt hordes of Apple fans will be queing outside Carphone Warehouse and outlets of O2 mobile - the only supplier - to get their hands on the hugely hyped handset.

Here at Times Money we were pretty scathing of the original iPhone (take a look at 50 reasons not to buy an iPhone), but Apple claims that its new version is a huge improvement. It is being billed as twice as fast and half as expensive as its debut model.

Given that Apple kept the phone under wraps ahead of the launch it's difficult to know whether the new phone is all its cracked up to be. If the hype is true it will certainly be a huge improvement on the original model. But there are downsides. Maybe not 50 this time around, but here are 25 things to consider before parting with your cash.

1. It's less expensive than its predecessor but still not cheap. The 8GB version is free to O2 customers who spend £45 a month or more on a new 18-month contract. The handset, available from 02, Carphone Warehouse and Apple outlets will cost £99 on a new £30 monthly tariff and the existing £35 per month tariff.

2. For the more powerful 16GB version it will cost £159 on the £30 and £35 tariffs, £59 on the £45 tariff and will only be free on the £75 tariff. So the cheapest deal over 18 months - the 8GB version on the £30 tariff - costs £599. For that you get "unlimited" internet surfing but a measly 75 free calls a month and 125 texts.  You can compare it with existing deals here.

3. It will not be available on Pay & Go till later this year. This has angered some O2 customers. Moreover, it is in super-short supply even on contract, with only a few dozen initially supplied to each O2 store.

4. The touch screen isn't great if you're an obsessive texter. This was a problem with the first iPhone, although this guy seems to have cracked it.

5. Like the Model T-Ford the 8GB model is available in any colour - as long as its black.

6. Go for the more expensive 16GB version and you can get it in white too. Rumours had been that Apple was going to be a little more adventurous.

7. Its camera is rubbish. At just two megapixels with no flash it's worse than many standard phones leaving even fans feeling short changed. Phones such as the Nokia N95 boast five megapixels.

8. You can’t use it to take videos, leading some critics to the conclusion that it’s not sexy enough.

9. Like its predecessor the 3G handset is large and bulky. Not something you can just stick in your pocket and forget about. True, the new phone is thinner at the edges and weighs slightly less than the debut model, but otherwise the measurements are the same. It’s even been nicknamed the monolith.

10. To enable Apple to cut costs something had to go. The original iPhone had a hard-wearing silver aluminum back; the new one a less durable black plastic skin. So will it be able to cope with a beating like this?

11. The absence of a metal back means that it is unlikely to blend as prettily as its predecessor.

12. It’s going to be popular with terrorists if Apple's official ad is anything to go by.

13. Battery life is poor - just five to six hours of 3G calls or web browsing. One reviewer found that the indicator fell below 20 per cent by early to mid-afternoon on some trial days.

14. The battery is sealed into the handset, which must be sent off for replacement when it starts to wear out. This is a hassle and means that you can't carry around a spare for use on the move.

15. It inspires people with anger issues to post pointless and mistitled videos at Youtube.

16. If you are an Apple fan, you already own the old iPhone. Much of the new handset's improved functionality is already available in the free 2.0 software update.

17. If you are not an Apple fan, you may be an Apple "hater". In that case, you wouldn't want one.

18. If you live away from the big cities, you may well not have 3G coverage (check here). That would make the whole 3G phone thing pointless...

19. It has no instant messaging function - forcing users to SMS. But it doesn't have multimedia messaging (MMS), which means that users must send and receive photos by email.

20. The web browser has limited Adobe Flash support, so cannot display videos from many sites.

21. Incredibly for a "smart" phone, it has no copy and paste ability. Duh.

22. Who needs a phone with GPS? Anyway, it can't find a decent pizza when you need one.

23. The iPhone is sometimes termed the "Jesusphone". Tasteless.

24. Bluetooth enables headset voice calls on the new handset. A less-limited Bluetooth profile could have enabled wireless music streaming and file sharing, too.

25. Its unveiling by Steve Jobs, of Apple, was predictably and unbearably smug.

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Comments

[Dale]

The Onions report on the new Macbook Wheel says it all for me.

http://www.theonion.com/content/video/apple_introduces_revolutionary

[Lindsay]

I love my iphone - i dont use MMS I can get internet free almost anywhere. My first contract phone so I was happy with the cost and I have no problem texting - although I am a very fast typer so have experience of the querty keyboard - guess Iphone is for savvy computer literate people. Only bad point is that I have dropped it once. It is so slim (not bulky as suggested unless you wanted a toothpick as a phone) that it slipped out of my grasp and i scratched the back - but covers can be bought.

Dont be so miserable - its a fun phone!

[luke]

I own a macbook pro (old version now) iphone and now the iphone 3G. Also an airport express and there is one other macbook pro (old version) and macbook (old version) in my house.

Since the swtich from PC the household has been pleased and none of us would switch back to PC.

Why am i telling you this... because many mac owners feel the same, we want to express how good Apple is, and whilst this may stir up arguements with hardcore PC fans, so be it....

The iphone 3G is great, the plastic back in black or white looks better than the metal, i see no problems with it. ALl products have their drawbacks, the Iphones are mentioned above, however Instant Messaging among others can be solved using the App Store, with FREE applications to download which offer MSN, Yahoo, AIM and a host of others all in one.

Also on the camera issue, there are apps which allow you to zoom in etc. etc.

yes Steve came accross abit smug, but wouldnt you when releasing what was at the time without a doubt the best phone on the market. Now rivals like google phone and LG to arguably take that throne....

Some of the 25 points above, were clealy not thought through properly and whilst YES this is a person's opinion. To have a opinion which is suitable for the readers use in making their own opinion, as is the case with this blog - the write should only include facts.

My opinion is that the iphone 3G is worth getting, OK there are some drawbacks, but the App Store adds fun, life and may also remdie these drawbacks.

Shazam is a great application - it listens to music being played in the background, finds out the artists name, song name etc. and then reports back to you inseconds.

Also somewhere on here some1 posted about it not being able to find a pizza place -- there is an App which finds all restaurants in a desginated area e.g. 100m, 500m, 1km, 10km whichever distance you input, and shows all types of restaurants, from American, Japanese, Italien French etc. etc. etc.

Also on the expensive note... ever wonder if O2 wanted to maximise profits from being the only provider of Iphones in the UK? Maybe its not just Apple....

Kinds Regards,

luke (probably considered one of those 'ravin' Apple fans..)

[Josh]

yes, not such a factual article. I feel the writer has had no experience using the actual device and has been mislead by other sources. Some of the points are simply name calling at best.

[Josh]

yes, not such a factual article. I feel the writer has had no experience using the actual device and has been mislead by other sources. Some of the points are simply name calling at best.

[GJ Tryon]

The "Jesusphone" designation, "tasteless" as it is, is nonetheless borne out by the sacrosanctity that this junk commands in most of the press- and in some of the above posts. This kind of critique - or is it blasphemy?- is as refreshing as it is rare. Apple is a smug and overrated company whose eternally bejeaned 14 year old CEO is a joke. Its website is all about selling us more junk rather than responding to the concerns we may have with the stuff we've already bought. I could do a similar list on the iPod, a machine whose many defects are routinely airbrushed away by the media like warts on a pin-up.

[John Bull]

Some people really struggle with satire. Loosen up, the world is going to end whether you have an i-phone or not, be happy!

[Toto]

I can't believe that one of the most important reason is not mentioned. You can't use a local sim card when you are abroad and want to avoid paying hefty roaming costs.

[justerino]

Howard: "Of course, the network crashed in front of us as a result of virus infection."

Really? Do tell us which Mac virus it was that crashed the network. You know something the rest of the IT world doesn't…

[Howard]

Just read this article and found it gently amusing. Most of the criticisms were valid to me.
I think general readers of the paper may be shocked to encounter the humourless Apple Users for the first time.
You simply cannot direct any sort of criticism at Apple products without stirring them from their coffins (where they sleep on earth taken from Cupertino, Caifornia).
I was once in a school with an Apple network, being lectured on the reliablity of Apple computers and their invulnerability to viruses. Of course, the network crashed in front of us as a result of virus infection. It was funny but our hosts didn't think so.
Apple users never do.

[tom]

kid

[Ross]

It shows that the Times is in the same publishing group as the Sun. Terrible.

[David]

This article really was terrible-it did not even have any real valid points. How did the Editor agree to print this? My 10 month old daughter could have written a more articulate article!

[Jedsil]

I bought my iphone 3G in August. It is the most enjoyable mobile phone I have owned. It's greatest feature is that it operates intuitively. Unlike other phones that I have owned, you don't need to read the instructions. It is very user friendly. I disagree with much of this tongue-in-cheek article, especially the assertion that it is insufficiently compact. I carry it in my front pants pocket and it's so slim and light weight I sometimes tap the outside of my pocket to reassure myself I haven't left it at home.

[Freeman Pete]

Compared to what? I have the Nokia N95 and its no good. Apple versus who? What has any manufacturer got in comparrason to any Apple product that is in competition? Mmm. 25 reasons why the author of this article has his head firmly up his anterior demi orbs.

[Kirsty Fingland]

This article is embarrassing.

I guarantee if you were lucky enough to have one you would love it, Mr/Ms Pessimistic.

[Ryche]

It's clear. The ones that admire Apple products are the ones that actually owe them. The others just talk or write because the have the ability of doing so, but never even have encountered an Apple screw in their life. However I agree that this enthusiasm over the Mac is annoying. I have spent few bobs at Apple and I am satisfied with everything I have, why should I bother to push others to do so? I know what I need to do with my machines, what I can do and how quick I can do it. It is simply none else business. If you want it, you buy it at the terms and conditions of Mr Jobs. You don't like it? You leave it where it is.
Cheers

[Bao Tan]

i will buy the iphone when it starts selling like a normal phone, no queues, no hype, no exclusivity. i'm from singapore, and phones sold here are not locked in any way to any operator. Normally you can just walk into a shop, pick a phone and insert your SIM in. The iphone is very very cool, but it should be treated as just a phone. I can even get a MAC any time i want; but i cant do that with iphone.

[Douglas]

Apple, 02 and Carphone Warehouse do not mention the necessity of computer ownership when buying an iPhone. And if an Apple the OS needs to be the latest 10.4. Earlier OS systems, and no computer means no registration and no phone (or any function but emergency calls). IPhone is ok with the very old Windows XP, so one can wonder how many cheap computer users will switch to an old PC to use the iPhone.

[Jean-Claude]

Not a good telphone I believe. Too many peoples love these technology without reason, no?

[Alex]

Clutching at straws, aren't you? I agree with 3 of the above reasons, but some of them are VERY tenuous.

[shane]

There seem to be a lot of americans who contribute to this message board. Remember guys, its just a bit of plastic, and just because it was made by apple doesn't automatically mean that it is god's gift to the hman race. The author has raised 25 top-notch points on why not to buy it!

p.s. you are right, Steve Dobbs is sooooo smug! (why!??) :¬)

[SMT]

Come on - when has a Times article not just been a opinion piece. They went tabloid a long time ago. Anyway like Richard Littlejohn all this guy wanted to do is throw beer bottles from the back row and provoke a reaction. British tabloid journalists have always prided themselves on being the disruptive boorish party guest you secretly laugh at from a distance hoping they don't bully or pick on you next! This guy is just enjoying being a hack. Let him be.

[Mark]

I find it amazing that people get so wound up if a journalist slates a piece of technology they like. For god's sake its a piece of electronics and flashing lights, anyone would think he insulted their god - or maybe he did? Pathetic.

[Mat]

Seems this article has attracted A LOT of fanboy attention. I've had both iPhones, im now gone back to Nokia. The writer of this article couldn't be more accurate. Poor camera, no flash, no mms, no copy/paste, no voice navigation etc. etc. The iPhone lacks so many features that were standard in phones that were out 10 years ago. Its Apple, It SUCKS!

[Sam]

First, I'm not a fanboy. I own no other Apple products apart from a dead iPod which died after 4 years dedicated service (I probably used it 20 hours a week so I'm not complaining).

In response to Mazza about the quality of the post, yes it is a blog, but if its associated with the Times, I would expect a little better. Still, it provides some entertainment value!

Regarding pricing of the iPhone, on the £35 tariff, the 8Gb phone costs £99. Looking at the o2 website, a Nokia N95 8Gb costs £200 on a comparable tariff. I know which one I'd rather have...

... which is the iPhone. I've had it for a week now and overall, I'm pretty happy with it.

Yes, the battery is pretty rubbish. Not sure how Ginger has managed to charge it so in-frequently whilst using it all the time. I have to charge it everyday. This is the thing that annoys me most but I just dock it at work and all is fine.

"The camera takes better pictures than my actual digital camera"? Bold claim. Sorry, but your camera must be pretty rubbish. But seriously, its a phone, not a camera so if you want great photos, take a camera.

The thing that makes the iPhone great is the user interface. This is true for all Apple products and is what makes them stand out from the rest of the crowd. Its very intuitive and anybody with a few grey cells should be able to work out how to use the iPhone.

Thanks Apple!

[Andy]

Great issue here:)
I had several Ericssons, Psions, Bang Olufsen, Nokias, Samsungs, "smart" Sony Ericsson again (oh-ful shit), Qteks, Motorolas, worked in Symbian, Windows Mobile, carried devices big and small... It's been 12 years I'm using this stuff. I am happy with iPhone with all these and more reasons why not to buy it. Strange, isn't it? Still have four other phones catching dust in my kitchen. Can't sell them...

[Ginger]

So Aparently you've never even used the iPhone 3G judging by your list. I've had it since july 11th and in my experience:

1. I use it all day every day and have only had to charge it twice in the past 2 weeks. The battery is great.

2. The camera takes better pictures than my actual digital camera.

3. Texting on iPhone is easier and faster than on a cell phone. If you have problems with the keyboard you are either retarded or have sausage fingers.

4. I'm jewish, so it's Mosesphone.

[Ben]

I find it rather funny how individuals (the 2nd comment being a prime example) are quick to attack this without actually disproving it. I am sure this time next year another one will be bought out, cheaper smaller and with less issues. Everyone will run out and buy it, rave about how great it is and how much better it is than the one they are currently defending.

Simply it is an interesting piece of technology that as with most things is flawed in some ways and excels in others.

[Ricardo]

Well I found it funny, I don't particularly like Apple products as they are ridiculously overpriced, the software (iTunes) is rubbish and is following the same route Microsoft did with Internet Explorer and quite possibly the main reason why I won't is because I don't want to be classified as one of these idiots (there's plenty see above) that take offence to this article. Applephiles - Someone with little personality and imagination.

[Mazza]

Posted this on the 50 reasons one but feel the need to do it again.

Am slightly annoyed and embarrassed by the number of people bashing whoever for this piece. This a blog post, not a serious, hard hitting article in The Times. It is one person's opinion and should be treated as such. OK, so the research wasn't amazing but how many blogs do you read that are?

Blogs are meant to be an expression of someone thoughts and they don't have to be well researched or accurate and this one wasn't, it seemed to be more fo a rant about how they don't like the iphone, which they are allowed to do. It's their opinion and nothing more. It's not the Times advocating what they have said, it's just that they happen to work for the paper and have a place to put it.

I have no thoughts or feelings about the iphone other than it's a nice looking and innovative piece of kit (which will encourage some people to purchase) with some flaws that people don't like (and will therefore deter them from buying it) and hopefully they will either fix them or someone else will come along and surpass what they've done. However, I do think some people need to keep their perspective rather than just bashing someone because of an opinion. They are allowed one and they are allowed to post where they like and they unlike the rest of us get to use The Times. Lucky them

Remember people blog does not equal article.

You don't have to like it but you can go to bed safe in the knowledge that he was wrong. In your opinion.

[colin]

What a poor piece of journalism, I would expect to read this sort of piece on a forum or chatroom.

POOR waste of space, pointless, no real depth, just a rant...

bad advert for Times.

[Bill T.]

Aren't there any guidelines to what can and can't be written in these observations? Too much nipping and name calling...the phone isn't the best and it isn't the worst, but it does have outstanding features, and for the most part is practical.

[adam]

All you Apple freaks need to calm down.

I have a friend with the new iphone and he regrets buying it.

Most of you who have commented here are idiots.

[Nick Riley]

I think that you are being overharsh on the author. As far as I can see, this device doesn't do that much that is particularly great other than store useless junk that only those without friends thrive on. Handheld devices are meant to make life easier rather than reinvent equally difficult ways to do the same thing. 2 mp camera, no copy & paste, sealed in battery, low life battery. Doubtless Mr Jobbs will be milking you all for more money shortly with the next version and the next version and the next version etc.Laughing all the way to the bank just like he did a couple of months ago!

[John]

So this is what happens when you let the interns write the articles.

[Judith]

I am an apple "fangirl" and I have had the phone since its release. It can replace my computer, my Palm PDA and my phone.. and oh, my camera and i-Pod (though I have the first generation so that stays ;-) The images are excellent BTW. It is a truly amazaing device and I have helped many tourists in Sth Ken find their way via the SatNav. Did the journalist watch the video from Apple on what the iPhone can do? Probably not.

[Olly]

I do not own any apple products but would be interested to know of the other posters how many they own ?
No A2dp ? My interest has just waned considerably.

[Shaz]

This show that iphone owners take themselves to seriously. It's not new tech and this stuff has been around for a while. People just jump on the bandwagon and hype the iphone up, when its not all that. Get over yourselves for gods sake, what a bunch of whimps.

[Jonas]

I can only agree with the fellow poster who wrote this:

"Is this representative of the journalistic standards at the Times these days?

Shocking, as it's 99% wrong or senseless."

Totally agree. I'm not an Apple "fanboy", but I acknowledge their phone is revolutionary in the industry (what other manufacturer had a hardened glass display before the iPhone that is almost impossible to scratch?) and yes, you can text with it.

What a dumb article this is. This person receives money to write this junk?

[Ross]

Seems to me it was written to add iPhone content to The Times - judging by the comments it backfired somewhat.

I have to agree with the majority though - why was this commissioned in the first place? I don't suppose anyone really cares about the content because it's largely rubbish and humourless anyway, but the fact that The Times would entertain this bilge is quite insulting to the readership. It's decisions like this that led me to cancel my subscription and just read the headlines online...

[Scott @ Elara]

I'd expect an article of this quality to appear in the sun newspaper and certainly not in the times.

I could quite easily counter this 'article' by giving you 25 reasons to go out and buy one tomorrow.

It's a fantastic bit of technology that this author clearly has no idea about.

[Rob Taylor]

Absolutely appalling journalism. Some of the things listed there aren't even true. No instant messaging? What about AIM or the Facebook application?

Most of those things are either repeated "problems", although more like opinions, or unneeded features. It's 2008, who on earth still uses MMS messages?

[Rupert]

I don't have an iPhone, and I don't plan to get one any time soon (although my decision would have nothing to do with this article). My BlackBerry does most of what I need on the move - although the iPhone would be better for some things.

However, if this is supposed to be an amusing article, it's failed miserably - it's not funny (lame, maybe, but not funny). If it's supposed to be a factual article, then it's time the Times shut up shop!

[Mr Motown]

@Flora: "I got led to this site through another non related [sic] article, [sic] I now need to rethink the quality of information I just received for [sic] this website. Think better."

Please do 'think better' before commenting in future. Thanks!

[Toby]

I am happy with the new iPhone. I would never have bought the old one as I need wirelass lan and gps.

It is really great and good value for money...you can also buy them in other countries without a contract....here in Germany I only paid 1 Euro with a contract that includes a data flatrate, a t-mobile hotspot flatrate etc...

SMS is old fashioned and 100 sms per month is ok for me - I prefer sending emails which is for free.

I love watching the Simpsons on my iPhone on the bus...anyway..I dont know any other phone that would be an alternative.

[iKnow]

@ all you apple fans. Please get a life. It is a phone. This is a light hearted article with some valid points. It is clearly desinged to wind you up and it has succeeded...

[D Shepherd]

@Dennis Murphy, can I politely suggest that you are the idiot not the author. You cannot be "a" idiot but you can be "an" idiot, you idiot.

[Mark Gibaud]

This is a truly atrocious piece of writing.

[Mike Anderson]

This is a completely pointless article. Complete waste of time. How did this pass the Editor?