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Verizon vs. AT&T
So the iPhone is coming to Verizon and you’ve held out for years because you knew in your heart that Verizon would one day get the iPhone. Well, here it is and you’re about to take the leap, but before you do, here’s “the tech guy’s” take on the two companies.
Now, I’ve been an iPhone user since the first generation in 2007 and I’m quite happy with my phone. I’ve upgraded every two years and if Steve Jobs follows suit from the past 4 years, I’ll be upgrading again this summer and more likely than not, I’ll be staying with AT&T. Here’s why.
Surf and Talk
A big feature for me is being able to surf the web and talk at the same time. That may seem like a silly reason to stay, but it’s big! So often I’m on the phone and someone will ask a question about a phone number or I simply need to multi-task and look something else up while waiting on hold and with AT&T, I can do that. Wither Verizon? Not so much.
4G? Pish Posh
You’ve heard talk about 4G and maybe you’re using that as a reason to go over to Verizon, but let it be known that neither Verizon or AT&T’s iPhones are 4G capable. Verizon is simply rebranding their current 3G network as 4G and revamping the network speed in select cities.
Data Speed
Verizon claims that their download speeds are between 600 kbps-1.4 mbps, but independent tests from PC World received an average of 800 kbps. Compared to AT&T, PC World received an average of 1.4 mbps. One particular user who has been testing both the Verizon and AT&T iPhones since last summer has recorded on average AT&T network to be 46% faster at download speeds and 24% faster at upload speeds nationwide. This speed is big when you’re trying to download an email attachement.
World Roaming
If you’re travelling outside the states, you’ll wish you stuck with AT&T. The reason is that Verizon’s network uses the CDMA technology rather than the world-wide GSM standard. Guess who uses GSM and not CDMA? That’s right, AT&T. Now, for most of you, this probably doesn’t impact you at all, but if you do travel, it’s something to consider.
Ok, so I’ve pointed out a lot of negative things, but what about the positives?
Tethering vs. Hotspot
Verizon is one-upping AT&T by offering the hotspot technology that the Android phones have boasted about for years. You can set your phone up to allow up to five devices (iPad, laptop, etc…) to use the iPhone to get out to the web. With AT&T, you can do this, but you need your USB cable and can only get online with one device at a time, although AT&T did announce that they will offer the hotspot feature at an unspecified date. We’ll see.
Price
AT&T and Verizon will go head to head in a battle over price and it will be on-going. They’re both trying to win the customer and AT&T knows that Verizon has better coverage, so they’ll be looking to win customers over through features. That’s good news for us consumers because they’ll surely have some great features come out.
Have you already made up your mind? Which one will you choose?
