Email not stored locally on iphone?

[barristerwa]

I read a review of the iphone and one of the criticisms of it as compared to the Blackberry Bold was that the iphone is "literally tethered to the server because [the email] is not stored locally."

Is this true? In other words, is it NOT possible to download my email from say my mobile-me account or from google or other e-mail location and then go out of the phone service area (say a big deep cave), and read my email downloaded onto the iphone? Is this not possible? Do I have to be connected via a data plan or wifi to see my email?

Thanks for any help. I don't actually own one yet.

David

[gotzaiPhone]

I read a review of the iphone and one of the criticisms of it as compared to the Blackberry Bold was that the iphone is "literally tethered to the server because [the email] is not stored locally."

Is this true? In other words, is it NOT possible to download my email from say my mobile-me account or from google or other e-mail location and then go out of the phone service area (say a big deep cave), and read my email downloaded onto the iphone? Is this not possible? Do I have to be connected via a data plan or wifi to see my email?

Thanks for any help. I don't actually own one yet.

David

I just tested it for you, I turned on airplane mode (shuts off all data transfer) and I was able to read all of my mail prior to the shutting off of data, with the exception of a few pics that wouldn't load from apple emails. All the text loaded though and pics from other people's messages too, so I'd say the review you read is wrong.

[Hawk]

I'll add a little to that as well. If you look in your settings, you will see a option for how long mail stays on your phone. If you think about it, if the email was completely replicated on your phone, it's very likely that you would run out of space after a while.
Since the iphone is made to be an "always connected" device, having email remain for longer than a week is pointless.

[barristerwa]

The first response (gotzaiphone) appears to confirm what I thought was the case before I read the review. Thank you. The second response (Hawk) adds a point that only makes sense. I know the e-mail doesn't stay on the phone indefinitely and I wouldn't want it to, in any event. Thank you for the information.

[psylichon]

I will add that you don't really have total control over how long attachments remains local on the iPhone. For example, I had an MP3 emailed to me a couple days ago that stayed for a day or two but is now gone. That option in settings only determines how long before deleted mail is deleted permanently.