Consumer Reports Advises Against iPhone 4 for Verizon

Last year, Consumer Reports made a recommendation against purchasing the iPhone 4 due to its controversial antenna issues. Of course, the recommendation fell on deaf ears as AT&T and Apple saw record sales of the device. This time, Consumer Reports is at it again advising Verizon customers, or would-be Verizon customers, not to purchase the device. Why?

The iPhone 4 isn’t new or revolutionary. No kidding? The magazine says, according to InformationWeek:

The well-respected nonprofit magazine says that in the die-young world of smartphones, the iPhone 4 is already less than the cutting edge. Examples cited include its inability to run on fourth-generation data networks, including Verizon’s; and its 3.5-inch screen in an era where a number of smartphones are shipping with 4-inch-plus displays.

Already less than cutting edge? OK, let’s just jump into this huge gray area and define “cutting edge.” According to Consumer Reports, the latest and greatest ought to have a 4-inch display or bigger and 4G capabilities. The HTC Evo 4G has both of those features on Sprint, but I bet the magazine would also call it less than cutting edge, too.

Let’s face it: you can never predict what will happen in the smartphone market. To advise against purchasing a device because a better one will be released in a few months is asinine.

Android owners felt that pain when the Nexus One was released, and two-and-a-half months later the HTC Droid Incredible was being touted as the best Android device ever. That was quickly followed by the HTC Evo 4G and Droid X. Many folks who purchased a Samsung Galaxy S variant in the late summer or early fall felt jilted when the Nexus S, which featured the latest version of Android (2.3 Gingerbread), launched just a few short months after.

Consumer Reports also says that Verizon’s network may not be able to handle the added load that the iPhone may bring. Fair enough, but you’ll have to pick your poison: do you want to use the iPhone 4 on a network that has already been lambasted by the media, or take your chances on the one that has proven to be reliably solid as it saw a surge of data-hungry Android handsets?

The advice goes on about considering the two-year contract commitment and whether Verizon will change its data plans for the iPhone 4. InformationWeek reports:

The magazine’s bottom line is that if an iPhone-addicted consumer doesn’t care about the device’s shortcomings and can’t wait to switch to Verizon, then they should go for it. People who are less than fanatical about the smartphone “may want to hold off for a newer version of the iPhone before even considering whether to buy one.”

Excellent assessment there, Consumer Reports: If you want it, buy it. If not, maybe wait a little bit and consider your options.

Now where did I leave my giant “Duh!” stamp?

[Via: InformationWeek]

About The Author

Marc Flores

Marc has been a mobile fanatic for the better part of a decade and has had more devices pass through his hands than he would care to count. Originally from Los Angeles and briefly in San Francisco, Marc now lives in Brooklyn where, unlike Will Park, he longs for simpler times and simpler technology. All the while, he writes about gadgets and wireless technology as he tinkers, hacks and ultimately breaks most of his gadgets in the process. Marc has written about the mobile industry for Boy Genius Report, MobileCrunch, Laptop Magazine and has had his work appear in the Wall Street Journal, Gizmodo, CrunchGear and more.

Steven58

uh.. why do I follow this place on twitter? lame.
Anonymous

Consumer Reports is stupid its like saying don’t buy a computer cause it will be outdated quickly, personally I hate the iPhone but this is just retarded.on the other hand their might be some truth to the claim about the network not being able to handle the surge because even though android phones would have caused more data to be used you would be compounding the problem because iPhone users have been wanting to switch to Verizon and that influx of customers could be a nightmare for Verizon’s network(particularly the data side). Also Apple switched chipset provider for their CDMA radio and I have a hunch the phone side of the iPhone will be better just because of that. Meaning Verizon might gain a whole bunch of customers who want a better phone but still want an iPhone, but only time will tell, whether the Verizon iPhone is a better phone.
http://getyourgadgetsgoing.com Tristan Thomas

I sense fanboy-ish in the writter.
Dilly

iPhone 4 was outdated long before it was released. Simply adding features your competitors have had and saying created something new doesn’t mean Apple really did. Apple fanboys can’t see past the pretty “new” gadget that does things slower than others, later than others, crashes constantly and consistently, treats it’s consumers like idiots (well, not hard to see why). Apple is about marketing and making things they make look pretty not functional, not secure, bulky and way over priced for any product they offer.