The i.lemon

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john.a-p

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Wannabe Geek

Topic # 25479 22-Aug-2008 14:19

Have just thrown the i.phone back at Vodaphone. Issues (as widely reported)
- battery life - cant even get one working day if heavy use
- reception/connectivity - phone will constantly drop and incoming calls go straight to voicemail even if phone indicates strong signal
- emails - seems no practical way to get connection to MS Exchange server
Vodaphone dealer seemed familier with all of the above and said that Vodaphone were presently replacing phones (not sure if that means they have hardware updates/upgrades or if they are just hoping for issues to magically disappear).

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BDFL - Memuneh
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Reply # 158964 22-Aug-2008 14:35

Battery life is something I don't think Vodafone can fix. Connection to Exchange server is a software thing, so perhaps you need some help with the configuration?

The only thing I think Vodafone could be involved with is the call drops, but even this we have seem discussions around pointing the finger at Apple not the operator.

Obviously I am not saying you shouldn't notify Vodafone of issues, after all they are selling you the product. But I would put the blame on them - instead I would blame the manufacturer.

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john.a-p

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Wannabe Geek

Reply # 158972 22-Aug-2008 15:03

Thanks for your reply.
As you say Vodaphone sold the item (warrenty and consumer guarantees act apply to them) - so no point talking to Apple direct. When you buy a car you take it back to the dealership, not the manufacturer. Vodaphone need to sort out Apple, not me.
As MS Exchange issues got outside my expertise I had a MS certified exchange "expert" deal direct with Apple in the States. I think i am up to $750 in his costs and he has told me that Apple themselves dont seem to know how to fix the problem - althought they are working on patches apparently
I belive that Apple rushed a product on to the market without the bugs being resolved. I see that they have a class action underway against them in the USA on these issues. I wonder if they are considering a mass recall?

JoeBloggs

355 posts

Ultimate Geek

Reply # 158973 22-Aug-2008 15:07

Think of Vodafone as a retailer. Apple made the crappy product but Vodafone chose to back it and sell it. Put some blame on them but ultimately if you want to fix the issues you listed, get another device. There are many out there with a tried and proven history. I hope you learned your lesson, shiny does NOT always mean good

. I honestly don't get the hype surrounding even iPods. I'd hire their marketing division to sell my product but between the mediocre music chipsets, above-average prices and completely inferior proprietary iTunes software required I now believe there are a lot of sheep roaming the electronic stores.

shaneblyth

107 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 158975 22-Aug-2008 15:17

Exchange was as easy as to setup here. No worries at all so makes you wonder whats up there.
As for battery life the iphone has tested as being slightly better than similar 3G smart phone. 3G does suck the hell out of the battery on any device. At least in the states 3G is new for AT&T and is a mess and thats an issue for them. Also 3G coverage or switching between 3g and non 3G towers definietly can cause drop outs. This seems to be a carrier problem. Hunting between tower types oftn looses connect for some reason. 1 solution which is a pain is to turn 3G off and simply use Edge . The battery will last a heap longer the drop off should disappear. The carriers need to seriously look at refining their systems for this newer breed of device. I dont believe they have their act together. Apple has some issues too and can refine these with firmware updates. Steve Jobs has himself said that in Septemeber there will be a firmware update to address some 3G issues. The ist gen phone which lacks the 3G part dosnt seem to have the above issues.You just dont have battery issues or the like and I have never had a drop off on my ist gen iphone. I'd be interested in 3G owners with poor battery life and drop out problems trying to turn 3g off and see if their drop offs disapear. I know their battry life will improve. We basically need some better battery designs coming forward but they dont seem to exist. If you have ever tried a Nokia N95 youll see how u can drain a fully charged battery in less than 2 hours if u hammer it...

NZtechfreak

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Reply # 158976 22-Aug-2008 15:29

Drain an N95 in 2 hours? I had one for around a year, never managed to drain it that fast even with heavy, heavy usage - even on the earliest firmwares. The N95 battery was definitely not up to snuff, but 2 hours is an exageration, and unlike the iPhone you could actually just carry a spare (I had 2-3 spares in my bag for extra heavy-use days).

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shaneblyth

107 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 158980 22-Aug-2008 15:49

NZtechfreak: Drain an N95 in 2 hours? I had one for around a year, never managed to drain it that fast even with heavy, heavy usage - even on the earliest firmwares. The N95 battery was definitely not up to snuff, but 2 hours is an exageration, and unlike the iPhone you could actually just carry a spare (I had 2-3 spares in my bag for extra heavy-use days).

it is an extreme case. Stream video off to the net with qik and youll be lucky to get 3 out of one the 3G Iphones results are only fracttionally better and I mean fractionally. I dont remeber the link but there is a comparison on battery life with 3G smart phones about a month ago that included the iphone 3G and the N95 2.5 to 3 hours was their worse results.
The point wasn't about the N95 just that no smart phone's battery is going to last a whole day's hard work when everything is on and working at full tilt. I personally think Apple should of given us the option to buy a first gen iPhone or one without the Gps and 3G in it. Maybe they will in th future.

NZtechfreak

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Reply # 158987 22-Aug-2008 15:59

Wait a second, do you mean to say that you can't select GSM only on the 3G iPhone?

Regarding getting a full days use, I would think the E90 and E71 (1500mA batteries) must be able to run close even with heavy use. Particularly the E71, since it has a smaller screen to power.

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steve98

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Reply # 158988 22-Aug-2008 16:01

john.a-p:
As MS Exchange issues got outside my expertise I had a MS certified exchange "expert" deal direct with Apple in the States. I think i am up to $750 in his costs and he has told me that Apple themselves dont seem to know how to fix the problem - althought they are working on patches apparently
I belive that Apple rushed a product on to the market without the bugs being resolved. I see that they have a class action underway against them in the USA on these issues. I wonder if they are considering a mass recall?

What MS Exchange issues did you hit? I use my iPod Touch (same OS as iPhone 3G) to connect to MS Exchange and it works like a dream compared to my Okta Touch windows mobile - you don't even have to deal with ActiveSync.

martin308

226 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 158994 22-Aug-2008 16:18

You seemed to have got a bum unit.

Ive had none of these problems apart form the battery life but it is alot better than any previous smart phone I have owned. Have you owned a smart phone before?

I would try to get a hardware replacement first to see if that solves your issues, its definetly worth a try in my opinion :)

Good luck

djbutt

16 posts

Geek

Reply # 159026 22-Aug-2008 18:17

I also use Exchange without problems, and have had a few reception issues but nothing too bad.

The 3G battery drain was a surprise to me. I was similarly only getting a day's use. Now I leave it off unless I am using the net and battery life is good. Will be interesting to see if they do anything about this.

Bottom line is that this is a fantastic device in its integration and usability despite some annoying issues.

MattD

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Reply # 159070 22-Aug-2008 22:09

john.a-p: Have just thrown the i.phone back at Vodaphone. Issues (as widely reported)
- battery life - cant even get one working day if heavy use

This is not an iPhone issue. I get better battery life with iPhone than my 6210 or JasJam under same usage.

- emails - seems no practical way to get connection to MS Exchange server

As many users are getting push mail from their exchange server this might be a configuration error from user or at server side.

john.a-p: Thanks for your reply.

As you say Vodaphone sold the item (warrenty and consumer guarantees act apply to them) - so no point talking to Apple direct. When you buy a car you take it back to the dealership, not the manufacturer. Vodaphone need to sort out Apple, not me.

That would apply iff there was a material issue with the item itself.

I wonder if they are considering a mass recall?

Have not heard of such an issue to warrant a recall.

freitasm

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Reply # 159076 22-Aug-2008 22:25

john.a-p: - emails - seems no practical way to get connection to MS Exchange server

Let's try some basic troubleshooting, if you could answer those questions we might point in the right direction:

1.Was this user synchronising any other phone with this Exchange server?
2.Are there any other users on this Exchange server using iPhones to synchronise?
3.Are they successful?
4.Are there any other users on this Exchange server using something else to synchronise, such as a Windows Mobile or Symbian handset?
5.Are they successful?
6.Have you looked through logs on your server side to see if the iPhone is actually reaching the server at all?
7.Have you looked through events on your server side to see if there's any error recorded?
8.Are you able to access OMA on your Exchange server from your iPhone?
9.Is Exchange ActiveSync enabled on the server?
10.Is this user authorised to use the synchronisation service?
11.Are you able to access OWA on your Exchange server from your iPhone?
I am asking these questions in the hope that your specialist already looked at this (if not it's a refresh) and perhaps you have the answers.

As reported others are using their iPhones with Exchange Activesync, so it's quite probably it's a configuration problem on your server.

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motorwayne

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Reply # 159161 23-Aug-2008 16:36

Yep..

I have run MobileMe since release and it rocks.

I have setup exchange along side, and it rocks too.

Battery life same or thereabouts as other 3G PDA's I've owned.

Best interface I've used.

dkbaj

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 159731 25-Aug-2008 22:10

HI all,

First time poster but avid reader

I would agree with everyone here and say all 3G devices have an average battery life of 1-2 days. I have used most phones released by Vodafone recently and I have to say the Treo 500v (750v doesnt rate any better) is the worse for battery life.

The iPhone rates quite high compared to others - of course it does depend on usage.

Setting up exchange email was a breeze and I would have to say it has more to do with the setup on the IT side if there is an issue

I have used the N95 and I have drained the battery over a period of 2 hours - using GPS for about 1 hour then a couple of phone calls. I work in an industry that chews through battery life in hours so we charge devices throughout the day. If you want good battery life and email then I suggest getting a Blackberry, of course you would require BES/BIS - I suggest getting a hosted solution if you do not have a Blackberry Server. Since the Blackberry is 2.5G the battery will last a little longer - downside of course is that you won't be able to browse or stream media.

My 2 cents...

shaneblyth

107 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 159732 25-Aug-2008 22:15

dkbaj: HI all,

I have used the N95 and I have drained the battery over a period of 2 hours - using GPS for about 1 hour then a couple of phone calls. I work in an industry that chews through battery life in hours so we charge devices throughout the day. If you want good battery life and email then I suggest getting a Blackberry, of course you would require BES/BIS - I suggest getting a hosted solution if you do not have a Blackberry Server. Since the Blackberry is 2.5G the battery will last a little longer - downside of course is that you won't be able to browse or stream media.

My 2 cents...

agreed not sure about the blackberry though .. if that works because they use 2.5g why not turn 3G off in the iPhone and get alot more battery
you can get a juice pack for the 3G now for u battery hogs

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