Need help: Debeating updating from 3GS to iPhone 4

Question

Hello, all. I'm sure I'm not the first to have asked for help on this but I am debating upgrading from my iPhone 3GS (1 yr old this month) to the iPhone 4. I checked and I am eligible for the early upgrade so the cost for the 16GB is not much of an issue.
Here is my main concern: the network signal. In my house and in many other indoor locations, I am lucky to get 2 bars of AT&T service and most of the time have "Searching . . ." or "No Service" in that upper left corner. From what I understand, I am not the only one with this issue and it appears to be an issue with all iPhones across the AT&T network. I see that the iPhone 4 has a new antenna design that supposedly resolves this issue. Of course, the phone isn't out yet *but has there been any word on whether the signal is vastly better on the iPhone 4?*
I don't want to sign up for a new 2-year contract on a phone and have the same issues when I could just tough it out with my 3GS for another year or less until Apple FINALLY brings the iPhone to Verizon.
On a related note, does the early upgrade promotion only apply to pre-orders and/or to a small window of time after June 24th? I'd like to wait and see what new users think of the signal strength and antenna on the iPhone 4 before making that leap.
Any help you can give would be appreciated. Thanks!

Answer 1

From what I understand, I am not the only one with this issue and it appears to be an issue with all iPhones across the AT&T network.
This is not an issue with ALL iPhones - with each and every single iPhone sold to date in the U.S. across the entire AT&T network.
There isn't a single carrier that guarantees reception when inside any building or structure. CDMA networks and phones are somewhat better in this regard, but can have the same problem depending on the building structure along with other factors. Up until a year ago or so, I had a business phone with Verizon which I carried with my iPhone. Had 1-2 bars of reception with Verizon at my house and I had to step outside in the back or front yard to ensure a call wasn't dropped. The same at my former office - had 4-5 bars of reception but there was something about the the building structure that was not good with Verizon's CDMA network and/or with my phone. Verizon's old "can you hear me now" commercials were most appropriate since I was saying that a lot with Verizon.
Didn't have the problem at both locations with my iPhone and AT&T, so I ended up having my Verizon number forwarded to my iPhone.
I don't believe there has been any word on if reception is vastly better or if any better with the iPhone 4 and the new antenna design, but I seriously doubt it is worse. More than likely this will be an improvement, which may be vastly better for some, or only a little or marginally better for others with a number of various and varying factors that affect this.
I don't want to sign up for a new 2-year contract on a phone and have the same issues when I could just tough it out with my 3GS for another year or less until Apple FINALLY brings the iPhone to Verizon.
You can return the iPhone 4 for payment credit less a 10% restocking fee if the packaging is opened within 30 days of the purchase data and cancel the new two year contract within the same 30 days with no penalty.
I'll bet you dollars to donuts the iPhone will not be with Verizon. Chances are slim to none that Apple would manufacture a CDMA phone for a single carrier only along with all the additional expenses associated with that vs manufacturing a phone for a single network that is the worldwide standard with the iPhone currently available in 88 countries for that reason alone.