My conclusion is that the iPhone is a mediocre phone, but a wonderful everything else.  When I switched from my Sony Ericsson clamshell phone to the iPhone 3Gs, I immediately noticed a big difference in call quality and dropped calls.  Therefore, I'm not sure how much AT&T is to blame.  When the new iPhone model is announced in a few months, I hope some improvements went into the antenna and other internal phone components.  Apple needs to put the "phone" back in the word "iPhone."  In fact, I dream of a day when they ask Sony Ericsson for help designing the "phone" part, and Apple just concentrated on the OS and interface.  But I know that will never happen.  Apple does everything themselves.  That's what makes Apple "Apple."

Good thing making phone calls is what I do least on the iPhone.  Otherwise I'd be pretty frustrated.