The first iPhone 3G reviews have surfaced. Coming from experienced journalists of respected publications such as USA Today and NY Times, we cant argue much. Overall all the reviews are positive. Here are a few tidbits that should keep you going till you get into line for the Jesus phone.

1) USA Today -

• No equal among consumer-oriented smartphones."
• Baigs corporate data (through Exchange) was a relative cinch to setup and works well.
• 3G isnt accessible in parts of northern New Jersey, highlighting the at times spotty coverage of the faster network.
• Most websites take 10 to 30 seconds to load through 3G, which is a lot faster than on EDGE (which often takes an extra 30 seconds or more).
• The phone feels perfectly comfortable in the hand courtesy of the plastic back.
• Apple confirms that the plastic should improve reception versus the originals aluminum.
• The journalist is impressed by the accuracy of GPS, but says the phone begs for voiced turn-by-turn directions.
• Audio quality is better overall, particularly the speakerphone; headphones are of course still better.
• Parental controls actually remove icons outright from the home screen; they dont just block access.
• You'll still want to charge the phone about once a day if used regularly.
• Old iPod accessories meant to charge over Firewire circuitry (such as a Belkin car kit) don't work; iPhone 3G still only recognizes USB.
• Overall: an enthusiastic thumbs up.

2) NY Times

• The gracefully curved back feels better in the hand than the original iPhone.




• Call quality takes a gigantic leap forward and is crystal clear on either end of the call; few other phones rival it.




• Apple: the GPS receiver's antenna is too small to replicate turn-by-turn navigation of a full unit.




• Like with most GPS devices, a canyon effect from downtown buildings can block reception.




• Battery replacement will still cost $86.




• Examples of third-party apps: iCall for VoIP calls over Wi-Fi, G-Park for position-based parking, and Urbanspoon for picking a random nearby restaurant by shaking the phone

Read the full reviews:

USA Today

New York Times

Source