The CDMA based Verizon iPhone 4 is set to go on sale for everybody in the United States starting February 10th, 2011. The obvious question current AT&T iPhone 4 users would ask themselves is going to be: Is it worthwhile switching to Verizon Wireless? Engadget posted a review of the Verizon iPhone 4 last night and we’re covering that here in order to make it easier for you to decide whether or not you want to purchase the Verizon iPhone 4.
Hardware:
Actually there isn’t a major difference in the hardware of the Verizon iPhone 4 as compared to the AT&T iPhone 4 except for the fact that the former has CDMA radio.
While the phone does basically look identical on the outside, there are a few notable changes. The first of those changes -- and most pronounced -- is the shifting of the iPhone's antenna notches (the little black bands that intersect the frame of the device). On the Verizon version, there are four slits which are symmetrical -- two on the top right and left, and two along the bottom. Apple's Tim Cook told us that the move is all about making the new CDMA chipset play nice with the antenna design. There's no indication that any changes (or improvements) have been made to the underlying antenna structure. And conspiracy theorists take note: in low connectivity settings, we could get both the AT&T phone and the Verizon phone to dip slightly in bars if we covered the bottom half of the devices with our hands. We did not see any noticeable change in call quality or data quality.
Apple has also slightly shifted the mute switch and volume buttons to accommodate the antenna changes, and of course there's no SIM slot. That may not seem like a big deal, but if you already own an iPhone 4 and are switching, your case might not fit the new design (in fact, it's likely that it won't). Apple has issued a "universal" case for both models -- but that means you're shelling out more dough.
There also has been no change in the internal parts of the iPhone 4 on both the networks, Verizon Wireless and AT&T.
You still have Apple's powerful A4 CPU chugging alongside 512MB of RAM, the incredible 960 x 640 IPS Retina Display, and all of the rest of the iPhone 4's stock gear: 16GB or 32GB of storage, WiFi (802.11b/g/n), Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, and all the rest. Just like the previous version, you've also got the iPhone standard ambient light sensor, proximity sensor, accelerometer, and three-axis gyroscope. What it doesn't have, of course, is a GSM radio -- instead there's a CDMA (EV-DO Rev. A) chip onboard. Is it still a feature-packed powerhouse? In a word: yes.
Reception and Sound Quality:
This obviously has been a major issue with the iPhone 4 on AT&T. For long, people have complained about poor signal reception and call dropping issues on the AT&T iPhone 4 which later on lead to the infamous “antennagate”. Apple is also said to be installing additional antennas at its Retail Stores to improve Verizon reception.
Let's be clear here, however. Calls were consistently connected and uninterrupted, far more often than our AT&T calls in the same time period in similar locations. There were sound quality issues (it seemed to be happening more on our outgoing audio than incoming), but they were few and far between according to our friends and family. Overall, our level of confidence in the phone's ability to handle one of its main tasks went way, way up during our testing. If you've been looking for relief from your woes of dropped or failed calls -- right now the Verizon iPhone is making a very serious case for itself. Keep in mind, however, that this network has yet to be hit with the traffic of millions of new iPhones, but given that Verizon is already pushing tons of Android devices into the market, we're not so sure that it's going to be the kind of mess it's been for AT&T.
However, you do realize that the Verizon iPhone 4 handles calls a bit differently as compared to AT&T. First and foremost, you can’t talk and surf at the same time, which is something that AT&T has touted as a plus point against the Verizon iPhone 4.
When using data on 3G, calls take precedent, but if you're in Verizon's 2G territory and using data, your call will go to voicemail. Another thing to consider is how Verizon's network handles multiple calls. You can add up to two people to a call, but after that, everyone gets shot to voicemail, unlike the AT&T phone, where the numbers go way beyond that.
There are a few setbacks as well. Take for example the much hyped Personal Hotspot feature the Verizon iPhone 4 flaunts. If you have the feature on, any incoming calls will kill your connection. Meaning that if your computer is connected to the internet via your Verizon iPhone 4 and you get a call, the page will stop loading until you end the call or it eventually stops ringing. The transition is seamless but it is going to be a nuisance for those who tend to have their cellphones ringing off the hook.
Data:
Verizon on left, AT&T on right
Let's put this as simply as we can: data rates on the Verizon iPhone 4 we tested were dramatically slower than those on its AT&T counterpart. How much slower? Well, even though network speeds fluctuate based on many factors, we didn't see the Verizon device peak much beyond 1.4 Mbps on downloads (and even that high was rare), and it barely hit 0.5 Mbps on upstream. On the other hand, the AT&T device regularly pulled down above 3 Mbps, and 1 Mbps or more going up. We'll admit that the Verizon speeds were more consistent, but the irrefutable fact is that AT&T's network is much, much faster, at least in our neck of the woods.
Battery Life:
As compared to the AT&T iPhone 4, there isn’t any significant change in battery life of the Verizon iPhone 4. However, the Personal Hotspot feature can be pretty heavy on the battery.
Just as with the AT&T model, backgrounding apps like turn-by-turn navigation proved to be the biggest battery draws, alongside some of the streaming video applications currently available. The bottom line, however, is that new users and switchers should be pleased as punch with the number they'll get from the device.
Pricing:
That means you're looking at $29.99 a month for unlimited data, with an optional additional $20 a month charge for 2GB of tethering data. You'll also need a Nationwide voice plan, of course -- the cheapest with unlimited texting is the $59 plan that offers 450 minutes a month, so you're looking at a minimum of $90 a month (or $1,080 yearly) to keep your Verizon iPhone 4 happy and completely functional. (If you drop the texting it's $70 a month, or $840.)
Compared to AT&T, that's actually a good deal, since AT&T caps its data plans. AT&T offers 2GB of data for $25 a month and the same optional additional $20 surcharge for tethering, and the cheapest combination of voice and unlimited texting plans also offers 450 minutes for $59 a month, so in the end you're spending the same $90 a month or $1,080 yearly for less data, and the same $70 a month or $840 yearly if you drop the texting plan.
Final Word:
In terms of hardware, the Verizon iPhone 4 features no major changes except for the fact that it has CDMA radio, and then again, it IS actually the defining feature of this device. However, this just might bring some relief to customers which are fed up with the poor network service of AT&T, while the voice and data limitations might irk some potential Verizon iPhone 4 customers as well.
Engadget sums it up beautifully:
Apple and Verizon did the impossible: they made the best smartphone in America just a little bit better.
After reading the review, do you think its viable to purchase the Verizon iPhone 4? Do let us know in your comments below !
Did you know: Verizon iPhone 4 Pre-orders have started?