One of the most frequent comments heard from new users of the iPhone 3G is the nearly non-existent battery life, with some devices needing to be recharged as often as every 3 hours. An article by Center Networks suggests that in order to best maximize battery life, users either forego all the features that make the iPhone 3G desirable, or simply not use the phone at all.
The truth is that turning off one feature can make a world of difference, push email. Switching from push to fetch, as one of the Center Networks' commenters suggested, has upped my battery life from less than 4.5 hours to being able to leave it overnight, even with everything else turned on, including WiFi and Bluetooth. Even pulling at the most frequent interval of 15 minutes doesn't drain as much as having push turned on does. I don't need my emails on my phone the second they hit my inbox; if it's really that important, someone can call me, IM me, or send me an SMS.
There have been some complaints about the plastic case, but many believe that the plastic case has increased signal strength and decreases interference. I don't have the first version to compare to, but when it comes to WiFi signals, the iPhone 3G wins hands down over the MacBook Pro's aluminum case. I'm able to get a more consistent connection with the iPhone at a greater distance from an access point than I am with the laptop, with less noticeable interference. Using iStumbler, I can see huge gaps in the signal with the MacBook Pro, yet can download songs from iTunes on the phone with no issues, making it a better choice for Web tasks in areas with spotty coverage.
The biggest disappointment is the addition of the GPS to the 3G. Aside from determining where you are for location-based apps and letting you watch your little blue dot while you are traveling, the SDK prohibits development of a turn-by-turn program for directions, and entering coordinates for geocaching into the Maps feature (licensed from Google) drops you in the middle of the nearest road. Apple only defines it as a legal issue, but who's responsible for the legal issue? Google, who may roll something out like turn-by-turn in Android, or Apple, who may be developing something itself or selling exclusive rights to a company like TomTom.
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Comments
You mention switching push email off helps. Is that just email or does push contacts/calendar need to go off too?
Joel, I have all push turned off, with Fetch for email, contacts, calendars set to hourly fetches. I'm not using MobileMe.
Here is the link from apple themselves about saving battery life on iPhone 3G
http://www.apple.com/batteries/iphone.html
You can also try this link for other tips and additional ways to save battery life:
http://www.tiphub.com/82_Great_tips_for_using_your_new_3G_iPhone.html
Charles, the Apple article was the one Center Networks was lampooning. The suggestions that Apple made were to essentially eliminate all the phone features that would make anyone want to buy it in the first place. The suggestion to just switch push off can make a dent without eliminating any major functionality.
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