You probably heard of this AT&T has the nation’s fastest 3G network. So, is AT&T 3G faster than Verizon’s 3G? Reliability aside, speed does matter to a lot of people who depend on their smartphones for everyday use. Locations can also affect the network performance. In my own test in New York City, I am playing with AT&T’s iPhone 3GS along with Palm Pre Plus from Verizon Warless. Before I give you the result, let’s review the CPU on each phone. The Palm Pre Plus uses a 600 MHz Texas Instruments OMAP with 512 MB DRAM onboard. The iPhone 3GS uses Samsung S5PC100 that runs at 600MHz and also has 256 MB eDRAM onboard. So, by looking at the processor and memory, the Pre Plus has an edge over the iPhone 3GS, test them out and see if AT&T 3G faster than Verizon.
So, were you expecting the Pre Plus to run faster on Verizon Wireless? Sorry to disappoint you. My result shows the iPhone 3GS on AT&T runs twice as fast as the Pre Plus when loading CNN, CNET, and NYTIMES regular sites. Both phones got full-bar reception. Like I said before this test was done in NYC, so the result could be different in other areas. I guess there is a good reason that why AT&T says “233 million people or 75% of the population are covered by AT&T’s 3G network, the nation’s fastest 3G network” in their recent ads. If you happen to have an iPhone 3GS and Palm Pre Plus then test them out and see if AT&T 3G faster than Verizon 3G.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Incorrect. Att claims their NETWORK reaches 300 million people..not their 3g network..they’re very careful with their words.
and I would double check the iphone’s cpu..I believe it runs the same as the Pre’s.
The Pre Plus’ 600Mhz processor is clocked down to 500Mhz and WebOS has NEVER been as fast as the iPhone OS when it comes to web-browsing. The Pre’s software stack also has support for multitasking whereas the iPhone doesn’t. Try loading some jailbroken multitasking onto an iPhone and see just how well it fares then. It’s not the network, I’m sorry to say (especially being a Pre owner) it’s the phone.
AT&T has improved their speed significantly with the rollout of a 7.2Mb HSPA network, BUT that’s only if you if you fall into their HSPA coverage area. Most of their coverage area isn’t even 3G yet. Verizon’s 3G network however IS their network. You’re more likely to strike oil than to find a Verizon 2G area.
And if you’re looking for sheer speed, move to Philly and buy a Sprint WiMax router. Really, if you want speed AT&T probably isn’t the jacked up network you want.