iPhone for Landout Retrieves - US

Currently I have a Verizon trimode phone [motorola v325]. It did have
the capability to use the analog network in remote areas before that
system was turned off last year. So it had been pretty good at
picking up a signal outside of urban areas/ Soaring=boondocks. Now
that analog is gone are all digital phones about the same?

I wanted to upgrade to a smart phone, probably the iPhone 3s. Does
the iPhone and or AT&T tower network work good for retrieves? Or
would I be better off with a Blackberry or some other smart phone on
the Verizon network?

I suppose having a Spot Messenger make it a bit less critical to get a
phone call trough but after the first spot message a voice call sure
it useful.

Chris
Atlanta