Hands-on Review: Apple iPhone - Part 1 of 2

In Hollywood, when they've got a real stinker on their hands, the movie studios don't let the media see it ahead of time. No advance screenings means no bad reviews come Friday. The idea is that the consumer won't know how bad the movie is, and hopefully a bunch of people will show up on opening day anyway, hoping it's good. This is especially true for stuff like horror movies, which have a "critic-proof," built-in audience.

Now it's becoming clear why Apple shunned advance press for the iPhone, sending it only to four reporters, all of whom the company figured would gush their praise for the device or, at the very least, be willing to play down its flaws.

OK, it's not all that bad. The iPhone is not an iShtar. But it's definitely not the blockbuster that the aforementioned reviews have sung about. It's a sexy, eye-catching, and truly fun little device, but it's so filled with flaws I barely know where to start.

Eyes Glaze Over

Well, let's start with first impressions. My editor Roger Hibbert waited in line on Friday for the device and unveiled it at my home that evening to a crowd of about eight people. Everyone ooohed and aaahed (myself included), blinded by the hype and thrilled to see something new. The iPhone is certainly that: Fun to play with, initially exciting, and hard to put down. We had it activated and connected to my Wi-Fi network in minutes (with only one iTunes-related crash). Then we're browsing the web in full color, zooming and panning and scrolling in live pages on a gorgeous screen, not the faux browsing on a blocky cell phone display we've become accustomed to on regular handsets. Can't read the text? Just "pinch" the screen to zoom in or out. Truly incredible.

The hype extended the following day. Take it out in public and people stop their conversations in mid-sentence, their eyes immediately glazing over. "Is that the iPhone? How did you get it?" No one asks whether it's good or not. They don't care. The Kool-Aid seems to have been replenished many times over. Let's cut through some of the hype...

When you first pick it up, it is heavier than you expect. At 5.2 ounces it is quite light compared to some other phones, but the metal and glass construction give it a stout density that you don't quite expect. (Note that many online sources mistakenly list the iPhone as lighter.) What takes getting used to more than the weight is the design. There's no "grip" to the phone, and every edge is rounded. This makes it slippery, especially since you're supposed to be constantly turning it from portrait to landscape mode as you use it, which can become a dangerous juggling act. Be warned.

It Makes Phone Calls

One reader specifically asked me to discuss how well it works as a phone. I'm obliged to say there's not much of interest to report. Side by side with other AT&T network phones, I couldn't tell any difference. Audio is just fine, though San Francisco has great AT&T coverage in general. People on the other end said I came through loud and clear. The only problem I had were dropouts on the AT&T network when crossing the Oakland Bay Bridge. I don't blame the phone for this, of course. On the other hand, I noted that with a lot of use, the phone gets quite warm to the touch. Holding a hot glass screen up against your face is disconcerting.

The speakerphone is perhaps a little too quiet (the same goes for music playback), but with headphones the iPhone can really crank up the volume, especially music. Be warned, though: You'll have to use Apple's included headset unless you buy a third-party adapter due to the recessed jack in the phone.

It's Tops: The Display

The display is hands-down the centerpiece of the device. I've never seen anything like it in years of testing cell phones. Imagine the best and brightest laptop screen you've ever seen, then shrink it down. That's what the iPhone looks like, and the glass overlay makes it even clearer. No other phone comes close. The screen smudges easily, of course, but it wipes right off on your shirt or pants.

[CONTINUED...]

[Please click here to continue to part 2 of this review to read more and leave your own comments.]