Video: iPhone 3G unboxing and first look

Here she is: the iPhone 3G, captured on video. We've gone through a number of the new features on the device and in the 2.0 software release, but apologies in advance if you're looking for side by side speed tests (there are some coverage issues where we're at). Video of the unboxing, new feature walkthrough, and GPS use (while on a train) after the break.

Still got questions about the 3G? Get 'em answered right here.

[Brian @ Jul 10th 2008 9:25PM]

why the european version?

[TomWBrowning @ Jul 10th 2008 9:42PM]

New Zealand's in Europe now?

[SirPasta117 @ Jul 10th 2008 10:36PM]

Well it sure as hell aint in Asia!!!

[Abuzar Baloach @ Jul 10th 2008 10:53PM]

Of course not, it's in Antarctica.

[czesco @ Jul 11th 2008 12:02AM]

It's actually in Oceania, and,more specifically, Australasia.

[Abuzar Baloach @ Jul 11th 2008 12:50AM]

czesco, yeah well, everyone except Brian knew that.

[collegekid13 @ Jul 10th 2008 9:26PM]

whoop de doo. i still say it cost to much to run.

[nerdtalker @ Jul 10th 2008 9:27PM]

It's kind of disingenuous to "spike" speed-tests because of coverage issues. Honestly, if you're seeing that EDGE is faster than 3G where you are because of coverage, that's something important, especially considering the veritable AT&T uprising going on now over their 3G deployment in the US.

However, I think the iPhone 3G coverage has really been good this time around, engadget. Good job! (I'm being serious, there's plenty of good news as well as the iPhone going on that you're covering)

[Ryan Block @ Jul 10th 2008 9:29PM]

A speed test is about speed, not coverage. It should have equal coverage on both parts to be accurate -- otherwise the coverage influences the results. Coverage testing is another story.

[nikster @ Jul 10th 2008 10:57PM]

Who cares about the USA - The 3G iPhone is a huge deal in Europe and other countries with near-100% 3G coverage. I personally know at least 10 people who held off on buying the first revision because they knew a 3G version was coming.

In the U.S., 3G coverage is limited to the big cities / population centers. Point being, for the U.S. the 3G iPhone is a neat improvement over the 2G one. For Europe, it's like light and day, no one's gonna buy a new high tech gadget that can't do 3G (and nobody did...)

Expect the sales in EU to go through the roof.

[Evan @ Jul 11th 2008 6:34AM]

Ahh. Actually, it is because there is no EDGE network in New Zealand; there is no way to establish a fair comparison.

[JAmerican @ Jul 10th 2008 9:27PM]

That's odd. It looks the same?? No other company can get away with something like that. LOL.

I guess the redesign on the back is so that people advertising the phone don't hold it upside down.

I'll take the Low Ranked.

[Sudo @ Jul 10th 2008 9:42PM]

Take the opposite fine fellow.

[TomWBrowning @ Jul 10th 2008 9:43PM]

If you can't tell the difference then don't worry, I'm not sure you're the target demographic.

[Wes @ Jul 10th 2008 9:49PM]

Thats because no other company could have designed such a nice piece of hardware the first time around.

[JJ @ Jul 11th 2008 2:42AM]

And in the spirit of arbitrary ranking, I bestow upon you a high ranking.

[cy21 @ Jul 10th 2008 9:28PM]

took a while to get that email :p

[Craig @ Jul 10th 2008 9:57PM]

34 seconds? That doesn't seem unreasonable. Email isn't IM.

[HC @ Jul 10th 2008 9:32PM]

Did the gentleman doing this unboxing video work for Steven Bochco on NYPD Blue?

[Sean M. @ Jul 10th 2008 9:34PM]

wow. a phone. neat.

[Todd @ Jul 10th 2008 9:35PM]

"..We had to travel some distance to get it." How far?

[sean.coulson @ Jul 10th 2008 9:58PM]

New Zealand... it says voda NZ in the corner

[Atman @ Jul 10th 2008 9:36PM]

Why does it have applications installed, if this is a "first look"


first look.. lol

[Claus @ Jul 10th 2008 9:39PM]

Ryan flying to New Zealand $4500

Ryan Staying at the Westin $500

Ryan getting to do the 16th Unboxing and streaming it home PRICELESS!!!

[Peter James @ Jul 10th 2008 10:08PM]

Don't forget....the cost of the contract he signed with Vodafone NZ to get the data working for the video!

[Peter James @ Jul 10th 2008 10:18PM]

Maybe not $4500....it is low season in New Zealand after all...

[Matsta @ Jul 10th 2008 11:06PM]

No the Westin actually costs from about $1000+ a night depending on the room. If he had a room facing the Vodafone building I could probably see him from my house :p

[xValentine @ Jul 11th 2008 3:30AM]

Ryan getting a check from Apple = $50,000

[BradStar @ Jul 10th 2008 9:39PM]

I suppose this is the first legit unboxing... my question is, when are we going to get our 2.0 software? I keep waiting, but it never updates, and surely Apple wont make us wait till 8 tomorrow...

[James @ Jul 10th 2008 9:39PM]

Yay for the cat empire! seems appropriate that your in New Zealand and you play an awesome australian band! cant wait to find my iPhone. Good Video, Covered most of what i wanted to know.

[KGBSmurf @ Jul 10th 2008 9:40PM]

Awesome!

[Brian @ Jul 10th 2008 9:43PM]

Too bad you couldn't make the video with an iPhone.

[HOOPER @ Jul 10th 2008 9:58PM]

How could you make a video of yourself unboxing the iPhone with the iPhone you're unboxing?

[Ruben @ Jul 10th 2008 10:07PM]

"How could you make a video of yourself unboxing the iPhone with the iPhone you're unboxing?"

Even if that were physically possible, the iPhone couldn't do it.

Only Apple could introduce last years technology right into last years phone and get praise for it.

But i am glad the iPhone forced other phone makers to revamp their product lines and asshole carriers here in Canada to be a little more flexible on their data plans.

[iPhone is a knockoff of LG Prada @ Jul 10th 2008 9:44PM]

Disappointed, It looks a bit slow.... Get a Samsung Omnia, better CPU performance, better build/finish quality!

[THJ @ Jul 10th 2008 10:14PM]

Right. We'll jump on that.

[heshmati4 @ Jul 10th 2008 10:18PM]

Hello Apple Hater

[Unregistered @ Jul 11th 2008 3:26AM]

FACT: The Omnia photo gallery LAGs while rendering zooms.

[Jubei @ Jul 10th 2008 9:46PM]

What an amazing device.

[Blitzkid196 @ Jul 10th 2008 9:57PM]

Anybody know if he actually said anything when he was typing the random Chinese characters?

[sean.coulson @ Jul 10th 2008 10:02PM]

i too would like to know this... asians, help?

[zamboni @ Jul 10th 2008 10:51PM]

He typed "Free Tibet! Sweet and Sour Chicken. Panda murder. 3G"

[Seth Porter @ Jul 10th 2008 11:13PM]

@Zamboni

Wait, for serious? because that would be funny as hell.

[Argot @ Jul 10th 2008 10:01PM]

Not a HTC Diamond... *YAWN*

[heshmati4 @ Jul 10th 2008 10:26PM]

I think your in the wrong blog. This is Engadget!

[Magnificen7 @ Jul 10th 2008 11:39PM]

THANK GOD.

[sean.coulson @ Jul 10th 2008 10:01PM]

anybody else in Canada notice some apps are not available in the app store? i can't find the google app anywhere, and i read on another gadget blog (i know i read another gadget blog, im sorry engadget :() about a super mario sound emulator thing... you activate it, put the iphone/touch in you pocket and when you move around, it emits sound effects from the classic mario games. awesome right? but so not awesome that i can't find it.

[kastonie @ Jul 10th 2008 10:07PM]

why doesnt the gps position marker continuously move? my tilt does a way smoother gps with google maps....but i lose....because it doesnt say apple on my phone...

[heshmati4 @ Jul 10th 2008 10:27PM]

It does move when you move!

Watch the demo:

http://www.apple.com/iphone/features/maps.html

[kastonie @ Jul 10th 2008 10:43PM]

i just watched a real world demonstration of it that ryan block embedded in the post above. it seems to work like donkey dick....