The iPhone: Some issues to consider

With the initial clamor about Apple's first phone now over, non-Apple-aficionados can ponder whether to pony up $499 or $599 for the device. As our tests wrap up, here's what to consider if you're still on the iFence about the iPhone:

• How important is phone performance? As we mentioned previously in our video review, the iPhone offers superb multimedia functionality via its unique touchscreen and integration with services like YouTube and Google Maps. But, as we've also said: As a phone, it's only so-so in voice quality and AT&T's service has some issues.


• Is your present phone under contract? If so, you'll need to pay out the contract or pay its termination fee of up to $200. (If you have a contract with AT&T, the termination fee will be forgiven. Read Consumer Reports' recent report on the high costs for changing your cell service for other money saving tips.)


• Are you shopping for an iPod? The iPhone's 4- or 8-GB iPod is the best MP3 player built into a phone that we've ever tested, and offers a new and appealing interface. However, we'd be surprised if new iPods with those features didn't arrive later this year.


• Do you now text a lot on a keypad? The iPhone's text-entry interface is fine, and easy enough to learn. But it's very different from sending text messages on the QWERTY keyboard found on most smartphones. Speed texters on that type of keyboard may want to stick with it.


• Do you need PDA functions? The Palm Treos and most Blackberrys are better at these. With the iPhone, you can't edit or create documents , nor can you enter or edit calendar appointments on the phone itself--you can do that only through iTunes on your computer .

[July 9, 2007 Update: As blog reader Shawn Duncan notes in this post's comments, we goofed on this. There is a way to create and edit new documents and calendar entries on the iPhone. --Ed.]

More next week from our continuing tests of the iPhone. But please add your own comments here and in the iPhone thread of our online discussion forums. (Our boards are free to read, but registration is required to post messages.)

--Mike Gikas

—Paul Eng