The Wall Street Journal’s Walt Mossberg and assistant Katherine Boehret have just released a detailed review based on two weeks of iPhone use in multiple scenarios across the U.S. The upshot: not too surprisingly given Mossberg’s earlier reviews of iPod and other recent Apple introductions, they like it—“on balance.” The full quote: “Our verdict is that, despite some flaws and feature omissions, the iPhone is, on balance, a beautiful and breakthrough handheld computer.”

The review concludes: “Expectations for the iPhone have been so high that it can’t possibly meet them all. It isn’t for the average person who just wants a cheap, small phone for calling and texting. But, despite its network limitations, the iPhone is a whole new experience and a pleasure to use.” The
‘major drawback” for them? The iPhone is limited to AT&T T and its Edge network. Having automatically discovered WiFi helps but not enough.

Check the review for most of the details. A few aspects that popped out:

-- We reported earlier today about the iPhone rate plans. Unlike the usual AT&T process of picking rate plans when you get the phone and leaving the store (usually) with a working phone, Mossberg and Boehret report that iPhone buyers will choose their plans and activate their phones when they first connect the iPhone to iTunes.

-- They like the battery time in various scenarios. Good thing because unlike most smartphones and PDAs, the iPhone’s battery can’t be swapped with a spare-- only recharged a la the iPod. Also, iPod-like—the lack of expansion slot.

-- People who really want an iPhone aren’t likely to care but some of the missing features include no video recording, no Flash, no instant messaging, no ability to use your own songs as ringtones, no games, no direct access to iTunes Music Store. Some of this probably will be changed via software updates.

-- They like the touchscreen interface but found some faults with the keyboard. Also, there’s “no way to cut, copy, or paste text.” (In the video review, Mossberg says three days into using the keyboard he wanted to toss it out a window but five days in he was using it with the same speed as his Palm Treo.)

-- Not all current iPod accessories will work. The biggest gap may be for those who find their car adapters charge but don’t play music.

By the way, the lack of Flash player means iPhone users won’t be able to watch Mossberg’s video review from their handheld computer.