iPad vs iPad: FIGHT!
Still wondering which network is best for your 3G-enabled iPad? Well, here’s a very interesting YouTube video in which two iPads, one on Vodafone and one on XT, are put through their paces side-by-side. Can you guess which one wins? Check out the video after the break.
It’s worth noting at this point that for much of the video the iPads are located in a place where Vodafone is transmitting its “extended 3G” signal which operates on the 900MHz frequency and which the iPad cannot pick up. Therefore, it is actually receiving Vodafone’s 2G GPRS signal, and what we are seeing is actually Telecom’s 3G vs Vodafone’s 2G signal.
That having been said, this is still a fair comparison. This isn’t a video showing speed tests between two 3G signals, it’s a video comparing the iPad user experience when connected on one network compared to another. It’s a real-world snapshot for the 99% of users who don’t know the difference between 2G and 3G and frankly don’t care: all that matters is the end result.
Please note: this isn’t *our* speed-test so we can’t claim credit for it — this was brought to our attention on YouTube.
So… thoughts? Share them in the comments.
Ran the same test last night. XT just wiped the floor with Voda. With no contract required on DATA will keep a Micro SIM of both handy though just incase.
(Paul has made 323 comments)
You’re right that most users don’t know the techs on 2G on 3G but they would know that 3G is faster, and they would care. The test is showing what is happens when connected to the different networks – in areas where Vodafone only has ‘extended 3G’ and Telecom has XT. If the test was run on a real Vodafone 3G area that doesn’t have XT coverage (I don’t know if such a zone exists) then you’d also be “comparing the iPad user experience when connected on one network compared to another” but with vastly different results.
Unless the network conditions seen here are actually the norm for NZ then I’m inclined to ignore the results since it is posted by a new youtube user called “iPadRoxOnXT” and I smell a marketing rat.
(Craig has made 57 comments)
@ Craig: Not sure if they were trying to pretend they were “joe shmoe public” testing these or not but Telecom have posted their own test (maybe even the same video?) anyway http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVUs3Lfn28Y
(camtab has made 468 comments)
Yeah same video, different user name, pretty low if you ask me. Clearly XT wins in Piha, but the down down test was even until 60% way. I’d like to see the test repeated a couple of times to be sure they didn’t just film lots and show the one where XT happened to edge out Vodafone.
(Craig has made 57 comments)
They clearly show the locations they are testing in though so not cheating the system or making results up. Just comparing XT vs Voda in those locations. 3G vs 2G etc is irrelevant as in those areas these are the speeds you will get on the Ipad. Seems above board to me and Voda can do a similar comparison if they want…or can find an area they are better (slim chance)
(camtab has made 468 comments)
But what relevance is a comparison in Piha to the majority of iPad users? Even for a ‘real world’ test it’s a bit contrived. I want to know if XT is faster where I’m going to be, and to see full tests in those places. A one-off like we see in that video is not enough to sway me because I’m sure Vodafone could get a single result in their favour and upload that in response. Do a bunch of tests, get the averages, note the outliers etc etc.
(Craig has made 57 comments)
Fair call. Vodafone should hopefully be too busy this week though, they have better things to do like umm give us some Iphone 4 news!!
(camtab has made 468 comments)
I doubt they’re too busy to send me a couple of iPads and a petrol voucher.
(Craig has made 57 comments)
Huh, when I pay my next Vodafone bill….
$142 coming soon, keep you posted next week………
(a week later)
nothing………..
(the week after)
nothing………..
Shame we can’t all behave this way……
(jaytaylor has made 52 comments)
@ jaytaylor: Classic….and so true
(camtab has made 468 comments)
@ jaytaylor: My dad swears that if crims can do their time simultaneously then he should be allowed to pay his taxes that way too.
(Craig has made 57 comments)
@ Craig:
Agreed and easily resolved, run the test in a 3G area, major centre, would resolve, it. End of the day, you have a choice of providers in New Zealand with advantages for Telecom outside of the main centres and a choice of two (soon to be three) in the main centres.
(Topes has made 66 comments)
@ Steve: Right, but that’s only one test. You’d need to repeat it a few times to be able to draw any real conclusions. I’m sure Vodafone could manage to record a single test when they came out the top. A sample size of one is not good science.
(Craig has made 57 comments)
Craig wrote:
Look at it as a snapshot – that’s all it is. Nobody is saying this is scientific proof of the superiority of one network over another.
Well it’s consistent with all the iPhone 3G/3Gs tests that took place too.
But speaking of iPad – here a useful wee graph of the various plans against one another
http://www.whiteandblack.co.nz/2010/07/ipad-data-plans-comparision-xt-vodafone-and-2-degrees/
I hope I got it all correct!
(Richard has made 50 comments)
Craig wrote:
The first half of the video is in Piha, but then it moves to the Auckland CBD so that's pretty relevant.
Finally at last the iPads are made available online in the Apple NZ website.
(alopes has made 70 comments)
Scoobyfink wrote:
Did you watch the whole clip? the second test 2 mins in is right outside Voda head office in AKL am pretty sure thats going to be as fast as Voda get!! The other story here which people need to understand is XT has way better 3G coverage nation wide so if your travelling or going outside if major centres XT will give you a better user experience. Even if this clip was created by Telecom the numbers dont lie……
(Scoobyfink has made 1 comment)
a) The clip was created by telecom, the guy who filmed it is clearly named.
b) Unless Vodafone has a boat load of transmitters sitting on that building it will probably be the worst place for reception down town, since everyone in that building will have cellphones and be on the same network. (You do know that no planes actually land at Air New Zealand’s head office right?)
(Craig has made 57 comments)
The above comment refers to Scoobyfink’s now edit comment with a link to the video on YouTube.
(Craig has made 57 comments)
I’d don’t love Vodafone. I’d dismiss a video that they made showing their network does well under certain conditions just as quickly. What I do love is maths, statistics and accurate reporting. When any of those come along I’ll be sure to point them out.
P.S. I also love being a grammar nazi. Do yourself a favour and learn the difference between “your” and “you’re”.
(Craig has made 57 comments)