Okay, so being some what of a gadget nut (although not always an "early adopter"), I had to get my hands on an Apple iPhone, especially after all this hype. And especially after being in Korea last month, and seeing how superior their cell phones are compared to ours, I just had to see if an American product will be able to compete on a global level.
After purchasing a 4 GB iPhone ($499), going through the activation process and using the phone for a little while... I'd have to say that I'm just fine sticking with my Tmobile Dash (and Tmobile service).
It's clear that the iPhone is a superior device. It does everything the Dash does, only a little bit better. The screen looks better, the video looks better, the internet looks better, the music interface looks great, and the external speakers are better. Both use EDGE wireless for internet content (and yes, both are fairly slow at connecting to the internet). And both syncronize with Microsoft Outlook just fine (the Dash through Microsoft ActiveSync and the iPhone through iTunes). Both offer features such as wi-fi and Bluetooth.
However, the whole process left me a little bitter towards AT&T and Apple. Usually when you buy a phone with a 2-year contract, you get a significant discount. My $350 Dash cost $150 after rebates and contract. The iPhone is $499 (4 GB) or $599 (8 GB), with no rebates, and there's no getting around that, for now. Even on an existing AT&T plan, they make you sign a "new" 2-year agreement just to continue on the same plan you've been using when you activate the iPhone. So in a way, they're really screwing over loyal AT&T / Cingular customers, and not giving other wireless users enough of an incentive to switch wireless companies (it's hard to drop $600 on a cell phone when I can buy a new laptop for that amount, or 5 or 6 'basic' cell phones).
And with most phones, I can pop my SIM card into the new phone and at least have "phone" functionality (not necessarily voicemail or internet access right away). With the iPhone, I think every single one must be activated separately. When sticking in a SIM card from another active AT&T phone, it asks for a valid SIM card.
And you would think that the iPhone would at least work as an iPod "out of the box". But nope. It's a brick until it's activated with a new 2-year contract. When you plug it in and turn it on, it asks for a valid SIM card and only allows 911-emergency access. You can't go to the main menu or anything. It won't sync with iTunes either, until you activate it... get what I'm saying? My main problem with the 2-year contract is that I feel like, come December, there's going to be a new improved iPhone out on the market. And perhaps they'll even offer a discount or rebate.
But still, it's a tempting package. I don't ever want people looking over my shoulder while writing a text message, or have strangers asking me if they can check out my phone, but you should expect that if you get the iPhone. It's definitely an attention getter.
So for a quick rundown...
Price : Tmobile Dash
Functionality : It's a tie. Both do what busy self-employed people want them to do
Screen : Hands down, Apple iPhone, no contest
Typing : Slightly easier on the Dash since they're physical buttons you have to push. Although after practicing on the iPhone, it became easier.
