The most recent iPhone is the first to be available on three of the major carriers in the States. AT&T and Verizon were joined by the long awaited Sprint partnership which saw the iPhone 4S and 4 make their way over to “Big Yellow”. Much has been said about Sprint’s poor data speeds, and many still wonder which carrier is the best to go for. So, AppleInsider put together a really in-depth look at which network was quickest, most reliable and why you should consider each one.

Although the test don’t claim to cover every area of the United States, it’s by far the most thorough testing I’ve seen so far. AT&T typically comes out quickest, with VZW coming in a distant second place. Sprint, however, often give data speeds so slow that the unlimited plan means absolutely nothing.

The spreadsheet above details the average performance. With over half of all tests falling below 0.5Mbps, Sprint – in my opinion – should only be an option if it’s the only carrier with signal where you live. Otherwise, I see no advantage. What is the purpose of an unlimited data plan if you can’t us the data? It’s like selling a car with an unlimited mileage warranty, but fitting it with square wheels.

Which carriers have you used, and which do you currently use? Which – in your experience – has given you the best 3G speeds and reliable coverage? Comment below or tweet me: @TiP_Cam

Via: AppleInsider