Engadget on iPhone 3G - Price Seals the Deal

Engadget posted its review of the iPhone at 8:32 this morning. While the piece doesn't add much to the Pogue / Mossberg / Baig assessments released pre-launch (actual lab tests results are not included), the site does quote a few interesting findings:

- They experienced data speeds in the 300-500Kbps range, and report 700-800Kbps abroad. This indicates that US customers can expect faster throughput as AT&T improves its 3G network.

- GPS signal acquisition, which uses both cellphone tower triangulation and Skyhook's Wi-Fi location-tracking system to speed GPS performance, took as little as a second or two.

- The iPhone speakerphone is noticeably louder, though still not loud enough to be used for GPS turn-by-turn directions while driving. And Engadget has no more insight into the possibility that turn-by-turn routing will ever come to the iPhone than anyone else to date.

- The review flags the lack of real-time signal detection to figure out whether your current reception makes 3G or GSM a better choice for voice calls as a flaw. In  areas where 3G is available but weak, call quality can be better using GSM, which also means lower battery drain.

The review's conclusion, though, isn't based on features. "Price is what really seals the deal" according to Engadget. "For our money, you're going to have a hard time finding a better device for two hundred bucks – or maybe even for any price."