But even in version 1.0, the iPhone is still the most sophisticated, outlook-changing piece of electronics to come along in years. It does so many things so well, and so pleasurably, that you tend to forgive its foibles.

The iPhone is a huge step forward in the right direction. The more I use it the more it makes me smile and I catch myself thinking “this is so cool!” The iPhone is not perfect by any means. Show me a smartphone that is. Some of the missing features just make me smack my forehead and say “how in the heck could they have left that off?” However, the iPhone is the most interesting phone I’ve seen to date. Like it or not, the iPhone HAS changed the world of cell phones forever. Apple has raised the bar and everyone else has to now step up. This is good for us all. I’m pleased with my purchase and my gauge is, “would I buy it again?” The answer is a resounding YES!

So would we sign up for a 2-year contact? It’s a tough one. The iPhone is still a great handset, however, it’s also a handset that comes with multiple downsides; as we’ve listed above. We are going to give it top marks, however before you sign up yourself, you must make sure you are aware of its many limitations.

But even in version 1.0, the iPhone is still the most sophisticated, outlook-changing piece of electronics to come along in years. It does so many things so well, and so pleasurably, that you tend to forgive its foibles.

But to look at the iPhone as a laundry list of features and bugs is to miss the point (though if you did, the former would commandingly outweigh the latter). The iPhone isn’t just the gadget du jour, it’s a fresh new platform, an exceptionally powerful mobile computer that’s still in its infancy. There’s a full version of Apple’s desktop operating system in there. The Palm and the Treo, et al., were merely harbingers of the era of true walk-around mobile computing that Jobs has just inaugurated. Hail to the chief.

But is the iPhone worth the two year contract with the oft-maligned AT&T and its steep price of admission? Hopefully we gave you enough information about the iPhone’s every detail to make an informed decision—despite the iPhone’s many shortcomings, we suspect the answer for countless consumers will be a resounding yes

An iPhone is expensive and comes with some major drawbacks. And the most prudent course would be to wait for the next version, one that’ll work out some of the kinks, and we hope, be tied to a faster wireless network. But it’s hard to be patient once you’ve seen one—the future of mobile devices is here and it’s called an iPhone.

I’m not going to lie to you, I do love the iPhone. Even though it’s crazy expensive for a phone, I love the display, love the widescreen iPod, love Safari, love Mail, really like the camera, appreciate automatic syncing through iTunes whenever I plug the iPhone into the computer (think Windows Mobile ActiveSync, only this sync actually works…) and have grown to enjoy the touch keyboard. I also share the excitement with all the hackers out there that are trying to open this device to make it better than it currently is. But all that said, it’s difficult to imagine myself using the iPhone as my main device much longer.

Here’s the verdict I’d give any good friend: Wait to buy the iPhone. Like every other journalist will tell you, its multitouch UI, browser and iPod are all pants-worthy. But as the honeymoon sets, I find myself left with a phone that could be more functional. The real elephant in the room is the fact that I just spent $600 on my iPhone and it can’t do some crucial functions that even $50 handsets can. I’m talking about MMS. Video recording. Custom ringtones. Mass storage. Fully functioning Bluetooth with stereo audio streaming. Voice dialing when you’re using a car kit. Sending contact info to other people. Instant friggin’ messenging. Sending an SMS to more than one recipient at a time.

It might only be an average phone, and it lacks the support for real 3rd party applications a smartphone would have, but it is nonetheless an outstanding device – for the right person. It isn’t going to replace your BlackBerry, and its UI will stifle advanced users, but there is no device on the market today that is even close to being as much fun to use as the iPhone. It is the most entertaining feature phone on the market. I give it a “Recommended” rating. If you are a heavy web and iPod user, though, the iPhone could be your dream come true.

Despite some important missing features, a slow data network, and call quality that doesn’t always deliver, the Apple iPhone sets a new benchmark for an integrated cell phone and MP3 player.

The iPhone is elegant. It’s exciting. And it’s the first device we’ve picked up in a long time that we just did not want to put down. The more we use the iPhone, the more we like it – EDGE network, warts, and all. For many users, the lack of a faster wireless data option is a deal breaker, and we can sympathize. But the iPhone does 98 percent of everything Apple claims it does so flawlessly, so well, that it’s hard to dwell on the downsides.

We bought the iPhone with reservations – particularly about the EDGE data, yet everything else about the iPhone makes us feel so warm and gooey inside that we’re keeping the iPhone for sure. The iPhone will revolutionize the mobile industry, and for once, I’m pretty damn proud to be an early adopter and on the bleeding edge of tomorrow. I can’t wait to see some of the new phones Apples competitors will be coming up with in the next few years, and what kind of long term impact the iPhone will have on the mobile phone market as we know it – consider the bar officially raised!

iPhone succeeds in almost every way. It’s easily the best mobile phone I’ve ever used. It’s a better iPod video than my iPod video. And it’s an awesome hand-held Internet device. If I were allowed to use half stars I’d rate it four and a half. But since I am limited to whole numbers I’m going to have to rate it a 4.

If you want to love this much-hyped gadget, you’ll find plenty to drool over. The iPhone is expensive and comes with some major drawbacks, but it’s hard to be patient once you’ve seen one – the future of mobile devices is here and it’s called an iPhone.

The iPhone overall is a very good device. I think the “i” in iPhone stands for Internet as it’s mainly a communications device which does its job well. Some things really need polish while others just will blow you away. If you are not a heavy communications person then this phone is not for you.

Consumers looking for a gadget fix and who don’t mind paying $60/month for it will be delighted by the iPhone, which is effectively a heavenly widescreen, Wi-Fi iPod with PDA and browser functionality. But for professionals, once you get your feet off your desk and get down to business, excitement gives way to deep disappointment. iPhone is trounced in professional features, including 3G, VOIP, push to talk, IM, voice dialing, and much more, by all comers within $200 of its price range. And because it’s a closed platform in the iPod tradition, these absent features can’t be added by creative third parties. Apple and AT&T ruined iPhone for the professional handset market.