iPhone Complaints – It’s been 16 months since the original iPhone was released. With its sleek design and impressive gadgetry the iPhone has been a consumer hit and a commercial success — in spite of its high price tag and mandatory two-year wireless commitment with AT&T. As the honeymoon comes to an end, even enthusiasts are groaning over what some critics call an apparent lack of detail and disclosure in a rushed to market device. Scouring the web, and streets, malls and restaurants here in Los Angeles we’ve been able to come up with the top 10 iPhone complaints. Some of which you may have known and others that might surprise you.
Most iPhone users appear to be genuinely happy with their phone for the most part. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement especially as it relates to functions users expect from their cell phone: connectivity, battery time, chatting/texting and replacement programs.
Among the top iPhone complaints among current users is the amount of dropped calls and poor reception. Neither AT&T nor Apple are taking responsibility or pointing the finger. Many iPhone users also expressed their discontent with the battery life and begrudged the fact that it’s not removable. Some of the applications and features that the phone uses drain the battery quickly. Last September, Apple issued its iPhone 2.1 software update aimed at reducing the amount of dropped calls and improving battery life.
Apple’s iPhone 3G was released last July and sold more than a million units during the first weekend. It continues to feel the wrath of angry users on message boards and discussion forums. The iPhone uses AT&T’s 3G network when it’s in a 3G-rich location and is supposed to automatically switch to its slower EDGE network when the 3G signal gets low. Sometimes, there is a lag or a delay in that jump causing spotty service or dropped calls.
Next, Apple enthusiasts were disappointed with the phone replacement program. AT&T does not offer insurance on the handset. Apple asks that users bring their handsets to the Apple Store or send them off where they are covered by a 1 year manufacturer’s warranty. Users do have the option of signing up for the two year Apple Care plan but at a cost of $79.
Apple loyalists consistently complain about the lack of the iChat program that many use on their Macs. Third party iPhone applications like Fring already offer ways to chat using AIM, MSN, and Yahoo, but even though users have been asking for it since the beginning still no iChat.
Next on the list of iPhone complaints, more gripes that Apple could resolve with software updates or third party applications. Issues like the lack of a cut and paste function, flash support, or video recording frustrate a lot of users. People are also a bit perturbed that they couldn’t tilt the keyboard sideways to use the landscape view for easier typing when emailing or texting (this has been solved by Big Keyboard Email). Users also expressed disappointment in the fact that users can’t forward a text — something that seems like a fairly simple function.
There is no doubt in our minds that Apple is already aware of these complaints and will likely resolve them — eventually — with future software updates or newer models of the handset.
Here’s our condensed list of Top 10 iPhone Complaints.
1. Dropped Calls/Reception
2. Battery Life- No removable battery
3. Inconsistent internet speeds
4. Disappointment with the Apple replacement program
5. No iChat program
6. Not good for business users- No ability to cut and paste or edit MS Office documents
7. No ability to tilt phone during emails or use the keyboard sideways
8. Flash support
9. No video recording
10. Text issues- No picture messaging or forwarding