Review: The iPhone 4 on Verizon

by Steve Ragan - Feb 28 2011, 10:00

The Tech Herald recently spent some time using the iPhone 4 on Verizon’s network. While Apple’s star device is new to Verizon (after prolonged AT&T exclusivity), it’s still an iPhone and it’s just as snazzy. Yet, for many, the iPhone’s arrival on Verizon has been a long time coming. So here is an overview of our time with it.

When it was first released, we didn’t get a chance to review the iPhone 4 on AT&T’s network. There were two major reasons for this, one of them being that AT&T wouldn’t send us a review unit. The other reason is that we subsequently refused to purchase one in-store simply for review purposes.

However, this doesn’t mean that we haven’t used an AT&T iPhone, as several friends of the site have graciously allowed us to tinker with theirs from time to time.

Aside from the CDMA chip inside Verizon's version, there are no major differences when it comes to the look and feel of the iPhone 4. There are some minor cosmetic changes, but that’s about it.

In this case, an iPhone is an iPhone, no matter who the mobile operator is. So when it comes to what counts, such as voice usage and overall functionality, fans of the iconic smartphone will find the same device quality, should they choose to make the jump to the new carrier.

As we mentioned, there are a few minor cosmetic changes. For example, there are four notches on the Verizon iPhone, two on the top, and two on the bottom, which allow the antenna to function on Verizon’s framework (EV-DO Rev. A). This may seem like a change that's hardly worth a mention, but it means consumers switching from AT&T will need to purchase new cases. Also, the volume and mute buttons are a little bit lower on Verizon’s iPhone.

Verizon’s iPhone has the same vivid display as AT&T’s, which means rich color and awesome video playback. Both carriers offer the iPhone with 512MBs of RAM, Apple’s A4 processor, Wi-Fi access, Bluetooth connectivity, 16GBs or 32GBs of data storage, a three-axis gyroscope, excellent MP3 playback, a great camera, and solid gaming experiences.

You won’t be disappointed by using an iPhone, no matter who the carrier is. Apple's hugley popular handset is addictive, to say the least.

Verizon allows users, for a fee, to use the iPhone as a mobile Hotspot, which is a standout difference between the two available carriers. However, that being said, Verizon users cannot use voice and data simultaneously, unlike AT&T, which offers the feature as standard.

The lack of multi-tasking could be a deal breaker for some wanting to move to Verizon, but the typical consumer likely won't care one way or another. Still, issues with multi-tasking have been a longstanding hang-up on Verizon, no matter which device you’re discussing.

Also, if the mobile Hotspot feature is in use, the data connection is paused if a call comes in. This is true not only for the Verizon iPhone, but every other mobile Hotspot device as well.

The largest concern for consumers, when it comes to the differences between Verizon’s iPhone and AT&T’s iPhone, centers on call quality, coverage, and data usage. This is what we tested when Verizon sent us an iPhone to play with.

In the Indianapolis metro area, where Verizon and AT&T are mostly equals in coverage, our call testing yielded some interesting results. Specifically, the actual quality of a call made with the Verizon iPhone was just as clear as a call made using AT&T’s, provided both devices were tested in an area where the carriers had moderately equal coverage. The same can be said for calls received.

We could also tell when we were near a dead spot while using an AT&T iPhone, as the voice quality dropped severely. When this happened, calls sounded metallic, as if they were in a tin box with an echo. Once inside the dead spot, the AT&T call ended abruptly. The further we travel from the Indianapolis metro area, the worse AT&T’s call quality got.

On the Verizon iPhone, even with a single bar, the quality was on par with a call made at full strength. Again, the same can be said for calls received. At the same time, while we could tell when AT&T was about to drop a call because of quality loss, Verizon’s iPhone just drops the call. One second a call on Verizon is solid and clear, and then it just goes completely.

AT&T’s overall service coverage leaves much to be desired in Indianapolis. AT&T iPhone users nationwide have long complained about dropped calls and issues with AT&T’s network. For us, we can see the issues with AT&T’s network, but Verizon has them too. In our opinion, the difference centers on how the two individual carriers deal with coverage planning and layout.

On AT&T, you are either in a coverage zone or you are not; on Verizon, you can watch the signal go from full strength to single bar simply by walking a few blocks. The main difference is that even with one bar you can make a call on Verizon, whereas on AT&T you perhaps have a 50/50 chance.

To give you an idea, notice the signal strength shown in the images below. All that changed was the rotation of the phone, we were standing in the same spot when they were taken. This is an example of the signal flux on the Verizon network in Indianapolis.

 

Considering the signal flux, as well as the results of the call quality and signal testing on the Verizon’s network, recent events should be addressed.

On Friday, February 25, Consumer Reports issued test results that showed Verizon’s iPhone 4 suffering from the same antenna issues as AT&T’s did. We can confirm that squeezing Verizon’s iPhone in specific chassis areas does indeed cause signal bar quality to drop.

However, as Consumer Reports noted, Verizon’s iPhone “shares with its sibling the possibility of compromised performance in low-signal conditions when used without a bumper or case.”

The key term here is “low-signal conditions”. Aside from areas where Verizon offered a low signal to begin with, we were unable to force a call to drop by bridging the antenna gap on the iPhone.

Most of Verizon’s coverage in Indianapolis would prevent lost calls due to antenna issues, and the same can be said for AT&T. We’d argue this is the case in larger markets as well. If you are in a low-signal area, antenna issues or not, you will risk losing the call.

Should you experience it, the issue can be corrected by wrapping the iPhone in a protective bumper case, which prevents physical contact from the user.

When it comes to speed on Verizon’s network, using the iPhone is the same as any other smartphone. Speed will depend on your geographic area, as well as the network connection itself.

Although we didn’t have any issues with speed, and videos and music streamed just fine, the tests below speak for themselves. Each test was run indoors on a 3G connection. It’s worth a mention that these results will be different depending on your area.

The battery on the iPhone is the same no matter the carrier. We were able to get just under 24 hours out of a single charge. The more we used it, however, and the longer we allowed applications to run in the background, the battery drained as expected. The mobile Hotspot feature will impact battery life as well.

Still, the average iPhone user can expect solid battery performance.

Overall, aside from a few cosmetic changes and the additional Hotspot feature, Verizon’s iPhone is a competitive alternative to AT&T’s. Only the multi-tasking aspect is where the two carriers have a solid split.

In Indianapolis, coverage and network performance were about equal, but AT&T does have more dead zones in the metro area. The carrier is getting better at fixing these issues, but, at present, they are unavoidable.

In the end, the real choice will be one of personal preference based on specific carrier and price. AT&T has started cutting the cost of its existing iPhone stock, but Verizon offers a bit more bang for your buck where options and service plans are concerned.

Our advice? If you are on AT&T, stick with it until your contract expires, thus avoiding the expense of an early termination fee. If that simply isn’t an option, then pick the carrier with better overall coverage, so you can get solid call quality and data rates. Depending on where you live, AT&T might be the better option, but Verizon has the overall edge when it comes to nationwide network coverage.

No matter what, remember that an iPhone is an iPhone, so the same core functionality and features all remain present and accounted for.

The iPhone 4 is available now on Verizon, with a retail price of $199.99 USD for the 16GB model and $299.99 USD for the 32GB model. Prospective buyers will need to sign a new two-year service agreement. Accompanying data plans, including mobile Hotspot, are extra.

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