It really annoys me that no one in the mainstream press has addressed the upload speed/voice reliability issues on the Epic. The GPS issue needs to be taken care of, but many users in major cities rely on public transportation or have GPS systems in their car: 30m off is frustrating but not a deal-breaker. On the other hand, nonexistent 3G coverage in an emergency is, as is losing service in the middle of making a business deal or locating one's spouse and family. I've begun posting in every Epic thread on Engadget and Gizmodo in hopes that someone will finally notice, since writing to the editor has elicited no response.
Here's the last one I posted:
Here's the last one I posted:
I own and love the Epic 4G, so this is not fanboy sniping:
What this article doesn't mention is the Epic's terrible 3G upload speed, which is the primary topic on every Epic 4G forum I've visited. Nearly everyone who traded in their Evo is reporting that other phones they own upload much faster than the Epic, from the iPhone to the G1 to the last Palm Treo.
Users are constantly checking their speed and posting indoor upload rates of less than 150 kbps -- sometimes even 000 kbps. For many, even the download rate is unusable.
Many people are very sad about having to return the Epic for the Evo, because the Epic can do far more, has a querty keyboard, an amazing processor and that gorgeous SAMOLED screen.
I can live with semi-accurate GPS (though I'm not happy about it). What I can't live without is reliable data and voice service on 3G while paying an extra $10 a month for 4G service that doesn't even exist in my city. Samsung and Sprint need to prioritize this problem and Engadget needs to report on it before Sprint customers' refund/exchange period runs out.