Coverage: Dropped Calls & Data Speed

If we step away for a moment from all the bells and whistles (or in this case itunes and app stores) of the Apple iPhone 3Gs and the Motorola Droid, we can take a closer look at some of the more overlooked features of these phones, not seen by the naked "i". But enough with the iPuns, let's get down to discussing how AT&T supports the iPhone compared to Verizon Wireless and the Droid.

Just like in football, where it's the kicker's job to kick the ball, it's the cell phone carrier's job to provide phone coverage. But with the recent Verizon and AT&T commercial media battles, who's to know which company is telling the truth. Hands down Verizon has the best call quality and service. It is what they have stood by from the beginning, "Can you hear me now?" AT&T doesn't compare to Verizon's call service, but they make up for it in their superb data coverage, thanks in large part to the iPhone. But don't just take my word for it, take it from me and my friends! I did a review with a group of my friends who are spread out all over the continental U.S., with an equal amount of iPhone and Droid users.

I've had data plans with all the major carriers, except for T-mobile (they're just way too far behind in technology and devices, but granted they do have the best customer service). I rank the following carriers in light of my own personal experience and the general census of the circle of people I know that use the Apple iPhone 3Gs and Motorola Droid, respectively.

The results are below.

We ranked voice coverage as follows:

1.) Verizon Wireless 2.) Sprint 3.) T-Mobile 4.) AT&T Wireless

This is how we rated each carrier according to data coverage:

1.) AT&T Wireless 2.) Sprint 3.) T-Mobile 4.) Verizon Wireless

Equipment: Pure touchscreen vs Touchscreen with slide-out keyboard

Let me preface this section by acknowledging that whether or not someone would rather use a touch keyboard or a full QWERTY keyboard is a matter of personal preference of course, but to take the debate further I examine the difference in touch screens themselves.

The Apple iPhone 3Gs has a "capacitive" touch screen, a proprietary technology which they developed (at least according to the lawsuit Apple filed against HTC for allegedly infringing upon their patent). The iPhone 3Gs touch screen relies specifically on the electrical properties of the human body to detect when and where on a display the user is touching. This makes the responsiveness of the screen more receptive compared to the other type of "resistive touch screen" found in most other phones like the Motorola Droid. This resistive technology uses multiple layers within the screen that are separated by thin spaces. The pressure applied to the surface by a finger or a stylus causes the layers to touch, so it requires more pressure to initiate a response.

The QWERTY keyboard of the Motorola Droid is pretty standard in structure and function. For those who simply hate typing with a touch keyboard it will definitely be a bonus. But it does add some weight and bulk to the Motorola Droid design.

No matter what manufacturers continue to crank out, the iPhone 3Gs is still the standard by which all other smart phones are judged. The Droid came out with a ton of media hype and it has proven itself worthy to be in the same room with the iPhone, though not usurping it in any way. However, until the Apple iPhone is officially available on the other networks it will continue to be judged not only on its own merits, but that of AT&T Wireless as well. I guess that means we'll still be seeing a lot of Luke Wilson in the near future.