iphone-speed-testIf you’re in the market for a new iPhone, you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to networks now, but which is fastest? Our buddies at FoneHome have slipped SIM cards from all three networks offering the iPhone 3GS into Apple’s handset, stuck them side by side and pointed a camera in their direction. Which will win the ultimate iPhone speed test?

Fonehome popped an O2, Orange and Vodafone iPhone 3GS side by side for a few simple iPhone speed tests: searching YouTube, streaming video from YouTube and pinning down their position with Google Earth. It’s a practical test that has everyday relevancy. Watch the videos below to see which network came out on top.

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It’s worth pointing out that signal strength will vary depending on where you are in the country, but FoneHome tested the iPhones side by side in Zone 2 of London. Not dead centre, but not out in the sticks either. All three phones had 3G signal (although we’re told the O2 SIM kept flitting from Edge to 3G in the run up to the test).

Whack the play buttons below to see the iPhone tests going down and check out the verdict: there’s a clear winner.

Out Now | £varies | Apple (Via FoneHome)

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  • Chris

    That’s all fine but why would anyone want to suffer the customer service (or non-existence of) of Vodafone for a slightly faster 3G?

  • Alex

    At least test them with the same singal strength .. “although we’re told the O2 SIM kept flitting from Edge to 3G in the run up to the test” this one line makes a joke of the whole test, it’s like testing two cars but saying one kept stalling before the drag race …

  • Mike

    What a waste of time, – like it mentions it depends on where you are. Whats the best for me might not be the best for another person. You just need to do your homework and find whats best for YOU personally. God, who comes up with this rubbish. PPL with way too much time on there hands. – Test something sensible or not at all!

    • http://www.gravatar.com James Holland

      What sort of test would you recommend Mike? I’d love to find an all-encompassing one, but like you say it’s impossible to test every location with every phone. Unless you want to let me into your house so I can set up a few hundred phones in your bathroom, kitchen and garden shed?… and then your neighbour’s house, and so on…. Didn’t think so. Snapshots will have to do for the time being then. For my part, I was really surprised by the results here. Around three miles from Central London (West End, Regents Park), and the difference is so stark. Says a lot to me.

  • cscs

    This is great – genuinely useful. I’m already a Vodafone customer (their customer service is as good and bad as any other Chris and their network coverage/speed better – and apart from T Mobile I’ve used them all) and looking for an upgrade/change from Blackberry. Probably wait for next iPhone/Google model for the change though – but stay with Voda.
    Any thoughts?

    • http://www.electricpig.co.uk Ben Sillis

      I’d be tempted to wait at least until 27 January to see what iPhone OS 4.0 offers – the software’s just as important as the ol’ hardware these days, whatever network you’re considering.

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