Less than a month ago I purchased the iPhone 3G 16GB. The phone came with the 2.0 software which was continually bouncing (every couple of seconds, while the phone was sitting on a table) between 3G and Edge data networks. I upgraded to 2.0.2 immediately. The “issue” went away but 3G performance was poor. When 2.1 was released I upgraded immediately. I have now been on 2.1 since 15 minutes after Apple released it, and have restored twice with the hope that the following issues would go away:

1) Calls are consistantly dropping.
2) While in calls, the audio gets choppy or digitally garbled.
3) Data is constantly unavailable. Even when showing a full signal for either Edge or 3G the phone reports “unable to connect to server”.
4) Strange “freezes” within various applications, both apple and third party.

Last Wednesday I went to the Genius bar for my scheduled 8:20 appointment. I waited until 9PM when I was finially called over to the iPhone/iPod specialist… to whom I explained that the iPhone has made the simple act of placing a phone call and infuriating task. He connected my phone to his terminal and reported that the diagnostics came back fine. 8 dropped calls and 39 total calls from the last restore, and data speeds are acceptable. I dont know how 8/39 dropped calls is normal but that is what I was told. He then asked me to go home and restore the phone to 2.1 (something I have already done as I previously mentioned) but this time configure the phone as a “New” phone in iTunes rather than restoring from a backup. He said he was certain my problems would go away. I went home and restored immediately. After 2 hours spent between the restoration, reconfiguring my phone, and re-organizing the springboard NOTHING HAS CHANGED. I should probably return to the Apple store but I really don’t want to spend another 2 hours of my life driving to the apple store, waiting in a line, and then being told to go home and do the same things Ive already done.

I don’t know if the issue is with AT&T’s network or Apples iPhone but I do know this; This morning I have been experiencing intermittent access to data services for more than 2 hours and still counting. Approximately one of of every 8 attempts connects. I have rebooted the phone three times. I have tried turning off 3G. I have tried multiple applications, including mail – safari – and third party apps. The only way to get data is via WiFi. The iPhone was a major upgrade to the Motorola V400 I used for 4.5 years. The V400 was also 1/2 the cost monthly and was a free device. Why does the iPhone, with a $300 price tag and service charges nearly double that of my old plan work less than 1/2 as well?