New Iphone 3GS Review: Nothing new
June 10, 2009 by dragon
At the Apple Developer Connection – Worldwide Developers Conference 2009 (WWDC), the New Iphone 3GS was announced. S, they say, stands for speed.
The iPhone 3G S comes in two models: 16GB and 32GB, which doubles the capacity offered by the iPhone 3G. As usual, they sport a 3.5-inch touchscreen, offer 3G and WiFi connectivity, and have built-in GPS.
Price and availability
• $199 for 16GB version.
• $299 for 32GB version.
• Available on June 19th.
If you are "a valued AT&T customer," AT&T offers an "early iPhone upgrade with a new 2-yr commitment and an $18 upgrade fee." The price? $399.00 for the 16GB iPhone 3G S and $499.00 for the 32GB iPhone 3G S. It gets worse: For non-qualified customers, including existing AT&T customers who want to upgrade from another phone or replace an iPhone 3G, the price with a new two-year agreement is $499 (8GB), $599 (16GB), or $699 (32GB).
New Features in the iPhone 3G S
The iPhone 3G S' new features include:
- Overall faster performance
- a 7.2 Mbps 3G network connection (faster than the iPhone 3G connection)
- Increased storage capacity
- 3 megapixel camera, with video recording at 30 frames/second
- Onboard video-editing software, with sharing over text, email, YouTube
- Onboard digital compass
- Hardware encryption
- Voice control interface letting users dial and control iTunes by voice; the phone can also speak what songs are playing
- Improved accessibility based on the phone speaking content
- Built-in support for Nike+
- Improved battery life
But with all this, nothing much was really improved for Iphone 3G users to consider an upgrade.
- 3mpxl camera – if you want a decent camera, go buy one.The phone's camera is only incidental really.
- Video recording – duhhh. Iphone had Cycorder as a 3rd party app for a while now
- Improved battery life. I bet it does. For how much improved, this we got to see first. We heard the "press release" improvement is only about 15 to 20%.
- Voice control. For the "old" 3g, there were already third party apps: Fonix's Ispeak, speechcloud, iphonevoicedial, VoiceBoxDial
- Same size as the old iPhone 3G: 4.5 x 2.4 x 0.48 inches.
- The weight increases a bit: One ounce to 4.8 ounces (135 grams vs 133 grams).
- It supports video, 30 frames per second VGA with auto focus, auto white balance, and auto exposure.–why would you want to watch video on your iphone anyway?\
- increased storage — i really don't use my iphone for storage for fear that data corruption might corrupt the whole installation and I would have to reinstall all over again. Go get a USB flash/thumb/pen drive for this purpose!
What I'm trying to say is that most of these "new features" are just software upgrades that could already be done by last year's Iphone 3. Software updates are part of the iPhone 3.0 software and will also be available to current iPhone 3G customers, so these are definitely not reasons to upgrade.
The iPhone 3G S will look exactly the same as the former, with the same glossy, black plastic finish and the same on-screen interface. In comparison, the difference between Nokia's upcoming N97 and last year's N96 is enormous; a different aesthetic, a new operating platform and interface, and the inclusion of a full-QWERTY keyboard rather than a standard numeric keypad.
[...] Go here to review a rest: New Iphone 3GS Review: Nothing brand brand new | Finance Manila – Philippines … [...]
Will this gadget work in the Philippines?
this gadget will likely be loaded with iphone os 3.0 or higher, which has no available cracks or jailbreaks yet, but I’m sure there will be soon. So once it is jailbroken and unlocked, other telephone carriers and third party apps can once again be used in this new generation iphone. Give it a little time.
[...] 3G S. The real difference is what’s inside, which is, well, nothing really according to this review in financemanila. So how will Apple’s iPhone 3G s compare to the Palm Pre? I’ve put together a chart for [...]
[...] dragon wrote an interesting post today onNew <b>Iphone 3GS Review</b>: Nothing new | Finance Manila – Philippines <b>…</b>Here’s a quick excerpt [...]
3Gs is a nice phone in terms of battery life BUT, since this is not the one being given away, I’d stick to the previous version of this. At least I can win it for almost nothing.
I don’t want another doodad on my list haha!
The problem is.. When an average folk talks about something that they know nothing about. I really can’t imagine how amateurish your content is. These are all utter nonsense and biased review. You are only speaking out of personal opinion and not technical facts. This can be so misleading.. I bet talk this way because you bought an iPhone 3G, now here comes 3Gs with the wealth of upgrade worth features, while cannot afford to buy one yet, now trying to convince people not to upgrade because of envy.
You said:
” What I’m trying to say is that most of these “new features” are just software upgrades that could already be done by last year’s Iphone 3. Software updates are part of the iPhone 3.0 software and will also be available to current iPhone 3G customers, so these are definitely not reasons to upgrade. ”
…Just pathetic.
While it is true that some are software upgrades, but it should also be noted that apple did some drastic changes to the iphone 3gs’ hardware:
* re-engineered the circuit board for optimal electrical signal transmission
* from the 3gs, “s” means speed – upgraded to a faster processor which now has 600Mhz compared to 412Mhz in the old iphone 3G.
* Added GPU (graphics processor) which supports OpenGL 2.0, enables you to play extremely heavy graphics 3D games right inside your iphone.
* Doubled the RAM from 128mb to 256mb.
* The iphone 3gs also boast a “oleophobic” screen which means that, while it doesn’t keep your phone from getting smudged, its coating repels oils making it much easier to wipe clean.
* replaced some old function-specific dedicated chips with new and better ones from a different chip manufacturer
* added a magnetometer chip which opened new posibilities, like compass, metal detection and some magnet related function. See the new compass app? That can’t be replicated through software.
* cell network boost from 3G (3.0G) to 3.5G/HSPA 7.2
* 3mpx camera HDR capable, with auto focus and auto white balance on tap, also video at 30 fps, faster than film (movies)
the list could go on..
iPhone 3Gs has better hardware compared to iphone 3g.
iPhone 3Gs performs twice the speed of iPhone 3G.
iPhone 3Gs is not just a software upgrade. ** Which makes you sound STUPID. **
iPhone 3Gs is a full blown multimedia device.
iPhone 3Gs is completely a different phone with the familiar looks of last years iphone 3G.
In other words, iPhone 3Gs is worth the upgrade, period.
I really recommend it.
-Nat
You said:
” It supports video, 30 frames per second VGA with auto focus, auto white balance, and auto exposure.–why would you want to watch video on your iphone anyway? ”
Are you serious? Damn.. This just proves that you don’t know what you are talking about. 30 fps, auto focus, auto white balance, auto exposure IS not about watching video/movies.
* 30 fps, this makes video recording smoother, no lags, no chops.
* auto focus, auto white balance and auto exprosure, for better photography.
- auto focus, not just provides clear shots but also makes photos look like a work of a pro. On photography, it’s called DOF.
- auto white balance, provides color correction. Ever taken pictures with weird colors tones? Blueish? Orange tone? It sucks right? well auto white balance fixes this.
- auto exposure, provides control over bright and dark areas of the image. This prevents overly bright or washed out image, and extremely dark pictures.
You know what?
‘ wise man thinks before he speaks.. fools speaks before thinking.. ‘
-Nat
gee, you’re so smart and know all there is to know about everything in the world. how i wish everyone can be like you so there will be no more people that are dumber than the next guy.
you are totally missing the point that this review is my opinion that the upgrade is not worth it for me. it may be worth it to you. good for you. i just don’t really like to watch videos or take hi tech photos on my iphone. for that i can use my other various gadgets.
im sure you get your kicks out of all those ram and graphics upgrades and the like, but for me, its no giant leap forward. if i’d like extensive processing power for that price, i’d use my macbook air or souped up desktop. all said, does the 3gs now have a radio? or tv? or even a slot for strap tethering? bluetooth universal compatibility? all none. pathetic!
Your reply is even more pathetic.
Anyways, Yes and No.
Yes – I am smart my friend. I don’t want to sound like a 7 year old kid blabbering on the net, which I am afraid exactly describes you. Whether it’s worth the upgrade or not, your article is still junk and stupid. Just look at this, you said:
” … these “new features” are just software upgrades that could already be done by last year’s Iphone 3 ”
Just software upgrades? Just plain stupid.
” It supports video, 30 frames per second VGA with auto focus, auto white balance, and auto exposure.–why would you want to watch video on your iphone anyway? ”
Even more stupid.. I really don’t see any substance in your post. It is not recommended for potential buyers.
And..
No – I’m not missing anything. This article’s made to convince people that this new phone is no different from the former, and just because of that it’s not worth it which is not true. The article is so misleading, you are not entitled to recommend things when you only speak out of your own personal theory. If you think, it’s not worth the upgrade then you should have noted that it’s your personal opinion and it doesn’t not apply to all.
If you insist your point here, then there’s nothing I can do about it but just accept that you are just stupid.
Get real.
-Nat
blah blah blah. i pity you pitying me. get a life. stuckass beeyatch
moving on, please take time out to comment at other sites that don’t agree with you
http://kotaku.com/5302588/3g-versus-3gs-game-comparison-slooooooow-load-times
http://www.switched.com/2009/06/12/should-you-get-the-new-iphone/
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090608210816AA75WPQ
http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/06/30/the-iphone-3gs-should-you-get-it/
http://smarterware.org/2159/iphone-3gs-not-enough-to-justify-the-cost-and-att-sucks
http://www.ipodtouchfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=204698
http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/06/08/why-the-iphone-3g-s-may-be-a-suckers-bet-right-now/
http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/5_reasons_you_shouldn%E2%80%99t_upgrade_iphone_3g_s
hi ppl im from india
i was planning 2 buy iphone 3gs
a lady 4m manila told that she will ship iphone 3gs 32gb
for $250 her mail id is selectnbuy@gmail.com and she told
she lives near exchange road in manila
if anybody can go n c the product i can giv her address
Hey.
I have the same question as Naveen. Is selectnbuy@gmail.com genuine? Do they actually deliver?
If any of you know about this, please let me know.