iPhone 3G: More tests, more findings

Update, 7/18/08: We've completed our testing of the iPhone 3G. ConsumerReports.org subscribers can access our full Ratings of the iPhone 3G -- along with our take on more than a dozen other smart phones -- here.

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We didn't expect to find many differences between the old and new iPhone beyond 3G network and GPS capability.

(Our colleagues over at the Cars blog are taking a closer look at the iPhone as a portable GPS navigation device. You can read their initial thoughts on the iPhone's GPS capabilities and watch our short video review of the iPhone 3G for more details.)

Both phones share the same brilliant, high-definition display, the same built-in 1.9 megapixel digital camera, and the same intuitive interface.

But our voice-quality tests turned up a pleasant surprise: Voice quality for talking—how you sound to others—was very good, compared with just good for the previous iPhone. That's especially welcome news considering that its listening quality—how incoming calls sound to you—was still only fair, the same as the old iPhone and most other GSM cell phones.

We also had the chance to download a few of the hundreds of applications on Apple's new App Store, now available to all iPhone and iPod Touch users who upgrade to iTunes 7.7 (Touch owners must pay a $10 upgrade fee), which should take you just a few minutes over a Wi-Fi connection. You can also use the 3G data connection to upgrade, when a hot spot isn't available, but not to download songs from iTunes.

Many of the new applications are free, though a records-tracking program for medical professionals, called My Life, costs a whopping $50. Expect to pay $10 or less for a premium application or game. One we found hard to put down: SEGA's Super Monkey Ball, which takes advantage of iPhone's accelerometer by having you tilt the phone to get the animated monkey to travel a maze rife with pitfalls. In fact, many applications make use of the iPhone 3G's innovative features. This includes Where, a free title that uses iPhone's GPS to help you find nearby businesses and other points of interest.

For more information and help on deciding if the iPhone is for you, see our free How to choose a smartphone section and other cellphone buying advice on ConsumerReports.org.

Stay tuned for more findings as we continue to test the iPhone 3G.

—Mike Gikas