A firmware in this case for the modem is a complete OS. Most current shipped Pinephones come with EG25GGBR07A08M2G_01.002.07. However a newer version called EG25GGBR07A08M2G_01.003.01.003. Both firmwares are more or less designed for the EG25 general usage and provided by Quectel. So based on the version shipped with earlier Pinephones and current ones, software might behave different. Beside software, also the latest hardware revisions have improvements. So a Manjaro Edition and a Beta Edition might be from the same 1.2 series, but the Beta might have slight hardware improvements than the older Manjaro batch.
The Pinephone as it is now is clearly a developer device and NOT recommended for the normal user!!!
You can tinker, you can use it and you have to be willing to experiment. I’m sure there will be a time of the Linux phone and then you can use it also as a daily driver. The hardware and software is also not the only ones here. The ISP or network carrier also plays a big role. If some things don’t work, change the carrier. Most use prepaid options to test if the network is good for the Pinephone or not. So look it up before you blame us with network issues: Carrier list.
Again, the EG25 Modem is not designed to be be put into a phone. It is more used in industrial devices or navigation systems. That is why the pine64 community is creating an alternative firmware especially designed for the Pinephone. It will give you lower heat, as the CPUs are not so high clocked up, longer battery life and other benefits, however, it is still a work in progress. So you have to be willing to adjust, to learn and follow up our developments.
And if you have an issue with our software, please report your issue in rich details.