If you care about LTE/4G use, iPhone 5 isn’t it

I admit that I might be only talking to small subset of the total iPhone 5 audience, but I have a photo here that shows why, if you care about LTE speeds and usability, the iPhone 5 is not for you. I say this with a heavy heart because I was waiting for this phone to come out and was prepared to seriously consider buying one.  But because it has been extensively reported that the iPhone 5 cannot do simultaneous voice + LTE,  it is a deal-breaker for me.

The picture here is one of my friend’s phone where today we ran a simple experiment:

 

1. I called him and he picked up the phone.

2. He went to browse the web.

3. The 4G-LTE icon was lit.

4. Browsing was as fast as it normally is, i.e. LTE speeds.

 

From what has been reported so far, this seemingly simple feat cannot be done by the “latest greatest” phone, the iPhone 5.

 

There are other reports that AT&T can do simultaneous voice and data but only at 3G speeds. From everything I have found so far, you cannot do voice+LTE speeds on iPhone 5.

 

Deal killer for me.

 

Some of my friends say it doesn’t matter, others say they are fine with 3G ATT speeds. That may be true.  But keep in mind, this is what you WILL NOT be able to do while you’re on the phone:

• Check for new email, i.e. send files back and forth.
• Browse the web.
• Keep your wifi hotspot working.

 

For me, the last one is a particular killer.  I spend a lot of time on the phone and online at the same time, many times using a hotspot to get online.  I simply must be able to do this.

 

So perhaps this lack is not an issue for you and you can’t wait to get your iPhone 5.  I share your excitement;  have fun!

 

But for those who must have voice+high speed data from their phone, the iPhone 5 isn’t it.  Either wait for the next iPhone or get yourself an Android now.  However even then, make sure you confirm in advance that you can do voice+LTE at the same time.

 

Did this post change your mind? Why? Why not?