iPhone 3G vs. iPhone 3GS: the tale of the tape

The very first thing we want to know about this newfangled iPhone 3G S is exactly what we're getting for our extra Benjamin (or two, depending on the model you spring for). We don't have all the answers just yet -- Apple's being coy about processor specs on the 3G S, for example -- but here's what we do know so far.

Basics
	iPhone 3G	iPhone 3G S
Price	$99 8GB ($299 for ineligible upgraders)	$199 16GB, $299 32GB ($399 and $499 for ineligible upgraders)
Processor	412MHz ARM 11	600MHz ARM 11
Graphics capability	OpenGL ES 1.1	OpenGL ES 2.0
Camera	2.0 megapixel fixed focus	3.0 megapixel autofocus with macro mode and auto white balance
Video recording	None	30fps VGA with on-device editing capability
Voice control	None	Dialing, music control
Nike+ support	No	Yes
Wireless technologies	3.6Mbps HSDPA, WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR	7.2Mbps HSDPA, WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
Water- and oil-resistant finish	No	Yes
Integrated magnetic compass	No	Yes
Included headphones	Standard	Inline remote for music control
Battery life	Up to 5 hours talk time / data on 3G, 10 hours on 2G Up to 6 hours data on WiFi Up to 24 hours audio Up to 7 hours video	Up to 5 hours talk time / data on 3G, 12 hours on 2G Up to 9 hours data on WiFi Up to 30 hours audio Up to 10 hours video
Dimensions	115.5 x 62.1 x 12.3mm	115.5 x 62.1 x 12.3mm
Weight	133 grams / 4.69 oz.	135 grams / 4.76 oz.

Update: Turns out the original 3G only supports OpenGL ES 1.1, not 2.0. Thanks, Andri S.!

[escotric @ Jun 8th 2009 4:31PM]

lil wayne < Soulja Boy

[Col. Readily Apparent Upon Cursory Inspection @ Jun 8th 2009 4:34PM]

That is like comparing being shot in the foot versus shot in the arm.

[iLoveApple @ Jun 8th 2009 4:49PM]

Excellent analogy.

But I'd say it's like being shot in the right arm or in the left arm; they both suck equally.

[pwrhavoc @ Jun 17th 2009 12:04AM]

but then again. the things you do with that... right arm arent equally as satisfying as the left. you must think of these things

[Mike @ Jun 8th 2009 4:30PM]

Is the Nike+ really only going to be offered on the 3GS? Why? And why is Apple only allowing certain features on certain models? That would make Nike+ only available on the iPhone 3GS and iPod Nano.

[SirRobert @ Jun 8th 2009 4:32PM]

They don't want you running with a microdrive because it's probably not the best for it.

[Rich @ Jun 8th 2009 4:36PM]

I think that the Nike+ thing won't work on the Bluetooth 2.0 chipset in the earlier iPhone.

[daniel @ Jun 8th 2009 4:50PM]

and the 2nd Gen iPod Touch

[Jamma @ Jun 8th 2009 4:52PM]

And what is their excuse for voice control on the 3GS only- that can't be hardware related

[sua @ Jun 8th 2009 6:55PM]

Actually, voice recognition is pretty processor intensive so that could be a reason.

I still find it lame (I have a 3G)

[droopy1592 @ Jun 8th 2009 8:28PM]

I've been using voice recognition in google's app and it's really good in the Vlingo app. It recoginizes all of my contacts. Hell, Apple's app even looks like Vlingo.

[Joe @ Jun 9th 2009 2:40PM]

sua: My old Razr V3i had voice dial. The real kind with no training and worked universally for all contacts. That's all I want on my iPhone, which has significantly more processing power than the old Razr... Yes, it's processor intensive, but more than doable.

I'm just amazed with the freedom of jailbroken development that no one has come up with a universal voice dial that works no matter what app you're in, or on the lock screen. I know that sort of integration is possible from things like Boss Prefs, so why hasn't it been done?

[smittan @ Jun 10th 2009 3:26PM]

Nike+ is also available on second generation touch - but who wants to go jog with a brick phone style device anyway? That makes for a awkwardly large arm band or an inconvenient fanny pack type unfashionable statement around your waste. I am happy with the nano and will keep it that way.

[mugupo @ Jun 8th 2009 4:30PM]

Nice improvement but still no flash (camera and adobe)

[Aditya @ Jun 8th 2009 4:37PM]

i was initially highly impressed, but now with the 3.0 OS being released for the older versions, I wonder how much of an improvement the 'S' brings.

If its indeed twice as fast, as Apple claims, then this alone will be worth the money imo.

[The new Apple cheese slicer @ Jun 8th 2009 4:34PM]

It is a nice camera upgrade, but I would call it "minor" or "a must".
Still a big gap to current 8+ megapixel phones. Remember 5mp with much better lens and flash have been around for at least 3 years...

[Aguiluz @ Jun 8th 2009 4:34PM]

The "Inline remote for music control" part seriously screams propriety headphones. No thanks.

[Dustin Leiblein @ Jun 8th 2009 4:38PM]

Model Upgrade Early Upgrade No Commitment

iPhone 3G 8GB $99 $299 $499
iPhone 3G 16GB* $149 $349 $549
IPhone 3G S 16GB $199 $399 $599
IPhone 3G S 32GB $299 $499 $699

[Mmmm... Dohnuts. @ Jun 8th 2009 4:39PM]

@Aguiluz

Or an adapter... or maybe a new bluetooth headset/phones. Apple took their old one off the shelves a while ago, so a new headset with the controls would be no surprise (or even bt headphones *fingers crossed*).

[JB @ Jun 8th 2009 4:44PM]

Did something happen with the iPhone today? ....I can't tell as there seems to be the same number of Apple stories on the site as any other day.

[Marc @ Jun 8th 2009 5:16PM]

I wonder if ATT will budge on that "No Upgrade Eligible" Price. $699 is ludicrous. What happened to the $399/$499?

[Patriks7 @ Jun 8th 2009 4:53PM]

"Still a big gap to current 8+ megapixel phones."

Yes, because more megapixels is so = to better pictures...

(/sarcasm for those unaware)

[M. @ Jun 8th 2009 4:55PM]

I noticed something about this picture, they make the 3G seem darker and less attractive, like those before and after shots they show on those horrible infomercials for excercise equipment...

The iPhone 3G used the Absmaster and became the 3GS... it has a satisfying social life now, powered by twitter and facebook

[Sax25 @ Jun 8th 2009 5:00PM]

Totally disappointing upgrade and not worth the money. I was really hoping to upgrade my iPhone 1st generation - but Apple really don't offer that much more to justify the price. Not even a stupid flash! But what is really upsetting is they couldnt't even style it up a bit and give us nice new design. For the kind of money we pay for OLD hardware - the least they could do was make the case look different to the 3G.

So now it looks like I have to skip the 3GS just like I skipped the 3G. So hopefully 2010 will be when I actually upgrade my iPhone. Laptop owners get better features year on year with reduced prices, iPhone users get mediocre hardware updates and pay the same price. This is just effed up. Disappointing is putting it lightly.

If someone told me that at the end of today Palm Pre owners would be smiling - I never would have believed it, but the Pre does look good!

...oh and Apple, it's all about HD video these days - incase you haven't heard.

[Fnuky @ Jun 8th 2009 5:11PM]

Lack of Flash (camera) is an irritation, but I can't see how they could have fitted anything worthwhile into the form factor.

Lack of Flash (software) I am still happy about, because the more popular devices there are that don't support it, the more web developers not to be lazy arses and to use proper open standards instead of shitty Flash.

3MP. "Not enough megapixels!!!" Fed up with this argument - I have one of said 8MP camera phones (C905 plus) and I have it permanently set to 3MP. And there is still visible noise in the background even in good light conditions. The pictures taken at 8MP look no better but are much larger.

If you're desperate to have 8 million pixels in each of your images, regardless of the pointless use of the storage space and the lack of any better quality, then feel free to upscale them afterwards in photoshop.

8+MP in a tiny camera phone sensor is simply pointless at this time.

- happy Sony Ericsson user

Another quick point - I thought iPhone / 3G both only supported OpenGL ES 1.x, not 2.0?

[paulbenjamin @ Jun 8th 2009 5:12PM]

Seems to me this is a stop gap measure.

[reuthermonkey1 @ Jun 8th 2009 5:21PM]

It looks like Apple merely copied the T-Mobile MyTouch3g / HTC Magic specs.

[Brian @ Jun 8th 2009 6:42PM]

He's right. iPhone only supports OpenGL 1.2 and not 2.0 yet.

[UnixSystemsEngineer @ Jun 8th 2009 7:04PM]

sanriver12 must have been molested by Steve Jobs as a child for all the hated he's spewing.

[tobz1000 @ Jun 8th 2009 8:01PM]

I see what you did there.

Nice!

[mike @ Jun 8th 2009 11:46PM]

“i was initially highly impressed, but now with the 3.0 OS being released for the older versions, I wonder how much of an improvement the 'S' brings.”

since this was announced back in march, including the release to older iPhones and iPod touches, what were you impressed by? they always do this, and we expected them to.

What does the S bring? Hardware upgrades, of course. You know specs, which basically make everything about the phone faster. And peep the storage: you pretty much can't NOT get a 3gs unless you want the low end 8gig model.

Since you pay a subscription on the phone, they don't charge 'extra' for the upgrade, but you gotta pay ten bucks on the 'subscriptionless iPod touch.' Of course, anyone who buys a $200 gadget to play games on isn't allowed to bitch about a 10 dollar optional upgrade. I can't wait for Jun 17.

[Silvio @ Jun 8th 2009 10:15PM]

2 grams lighter is a noticeable advantage?

[santela @ Jun 9th 2009 3:57AM]

The camera upgrade is 2 yrs late... now they need at least 5MP and a flash to stay with everyone else.

[Laughing Man @ Jun 9th 2009 8:30PM]

Actually Flash will be added this year. Apple and Adobe stated they would work on a special version of Flash for the iPhone to be released in 2009 back 2 months ago.....they also stated that it would not be released with the 3.0 OS too. Bastards.

[smittan @ Jun 10th 2009 4:49PM]

Don't really care about having a cheesy little flash in the camera. I have a Blackberry Bold for a work device and a iPhone 3G for a personal. I tried taking some shots of a good looking girl I met in a bar down in Medford Oregon in the dark. The flash on the bold was only functional for about 3 foot from the bold. Outside of that distance my 3g took better pictures - without a flash or zoom. I think I am in the same boat as everyone else who admits the cellphone cameras are good for every day life moments when you need something in a pinch when something funny or unexpected happens. I would never use my cellphone to take wedding photos or do a photodocumentary of the polar bears in northern Siberia (just making that up). The last thing I used my cell phone for was a shot of my daughter after she destroyed a cupcake on her birthday. My mom couldn't be there and I wanted to email her a picture - why take out the big camera, turn the megapixels down to something easy to send and then take a shot, get out my cable and dock, import my photo to iPhoto in my iMac, put the picture in an email and then send a message when I can point, click, email and be done in under 30 seconds?

Moving on to adobe flash - is it just me or are more websites ducking away from flash and going to open standards? The great thing about not relying on flash is that it is one lest object that may or may not crash your browser. What do you think crashes internet explorer everytime someone gets on it? It's the browser plugins reacting to the objects on the screen. I will take a browser that is more stable, doesn't react to plugins it doesn't need and surfs the internet reliably. Don't get me wrong - Flash is great, but the only reason most people want it is to view videos. With the internet streaming capabilities and more people going to open formats - like h264 - you are going to see that 3.0 is going to handle most of what people want.

I am okay with no Adobe Flash - give me a Hulu App that can do quality streaming video over the air and I will never complain again.

[db cooper @ Jun 8th 2009 4:31PM]

$200 surcharge for upgrading is radioactive bullshit of the highest order.

[Totalfixation @ Jun 8th 2009 4:33PM]

I totally agree. $499 if i wanted to upgrade from my old old iphone 3g to the 32gb 3GS. So lame. I think I'm giving up on the iphone. Going to try an get me a Palm Pre GSM when it's out.

[jeremyk44 @ Jun 8th 2009 4:42PM]

Yeah, this cancels out any excitement I had for today's announcements. Really thought they were going to do the same kind of upgrade they did last year for original iphone owners.

[PeterF @ Jun 8th 2009 4:48PM]

You are already in a contract and not eligible for a discount on a phone. What is so difficult to understand? I am currently in contract with my FUZE and if I wanted an iPhone, it would cost me $500, too (not that I would EVER buy an iPhone)

[TRAFFICBLOWS @ Jun 8th 2009 4:58PM]

What will refurb 3Gs cost now? (that's 3Gs, not 3GS)

[Dionte @ Jun 8th 2009 7:11PM]

Isn't it cheaper to cancel your current contract after a year and just get a new 3gs

[Brian @ Jun 8th 2009 5:39PM]

@PeterF+++
Yes, exactly. Kids these days seem to want the new thing today and have no concept that they have to pay something for it. In this case, you're in a 2 year contract and, boo-hoo, now you have to wait for it to be over or pay more $$ to upgrade. Welcome to real life.

[Blake @ Jun 8th 2009 5:47PM]

The thing is contract cancel fees are prorated so now someone can just pay the cancel fee and go somewhere else. No more money to AT&T. If they would just give people say after a year in contract the ability to buy at the new customer price they could keep that customer and continue getting the monthly fees. AT&T is very shortsighted.

[db cooper @ Jun 8th 2009 5:53PM]

Since AT&T is not just charging users $200 for a mid-contract upgrade, but also requiring us to sign an additional 2-year commitment at the same time, I stand by my initial statement: this surcharge is shit for the birds.

[logicbomb.de @ Jun 8th 2009 6:40PM]

@ Blake,


they actually do that.

If you pay your bills every month on time and don't get your service shut off due to non-payment they;ll let you re-new as a new customer with full subsidy discount after on 1-year into a 2 year contract.

I've done it almost every year

[Shaun @ Jun 8th 2009 6:52PM]

You bash on AT&T but contract cancellation as it stands is industry standard for the most part. I agree 100% with PeterF, if you don't have an iPhone and want to upgrade to a new phone mid-contract you have to pay. What makes an iPhone 3g owner so F'n special? Get over it and yourself and shell the bucks for breaking a contract if you want it so bad. I have a 1st gen and may upgrade, I didn't upgrade last year because I wanted my contract to expire so I could play the field. Not seeing anything too intriguing I may re-up with AT&T once I take the Pre on a test drive. You know, cause, that's what adults do....

[Steve @ Jun 8th 2009 7:30PM]

Is two years too long for people to wait? People who can afford $200 phone with $70/mo fees are actually bitching about subsidy. What gives?

[db cooper @ Jun 8th 2009 8:23PM]

Last try. By charging this much to upgrade, and requiring a new commitment on top of that, AT&T is scoring *subsidy-free* 2 year contracts off of any existing customer who has the chutzpah to want to upgrade their hardware mid-contract. Put another way: a contract renewal *comes with a subsidy*. But if you commit to a new contract early, they leave out the subsidy and charge you extra for the privilege, hoping you will be too blinded by the pretty sparklies and fingertip video editing to notice the scam. I'm sorry but this seems shifty and underhanded to me. Charging a penalty or fee is one thing - but this is over the top and if you consider it good customer service or value for money then you have my sympathies.

[loosely_coupled @ Jun 8th 2009 11:24PM]

Can you guys not understand basic logic? If you bought a $199 iPhone, AT&T fronted the other $300 to Apple in exchange for you agreeing to pay your monthly bill for 24 months. If you haven't completed that contract yet, why in the hell would AT&T give you ANOTHER new phone at the subsidized price?

I swear, it seems like half the engadget reader base are 15 year old morons.

[smittan @ Jun 10th 2009 3:27PM]

Think about it this way - AT&T pays a lot more money that $199 for a 16 gig iPhone 3g - let alone a 3GS. As a company they spent 1.7 billion dollars (almost 1/15th of Canada's National debt) last year subsidizing the iPhone - and they also spent almost 17 Billion (over half of Canada's Debt) upgrading the network so you have better and faster coverage all over the US. Not only are they duplicating that this year for us (the upgrades), but they are committing to doubling the speed and spending 17.6 billion dollars this year (in the middle of a economic crisis when other companies are not laying off people and not giving a cent to anyone else) - yet people are griping over the company not wanting to lose another 1.7 billion dollars on phones when last years ones aren't even paid off. As a business owner - I wouldn't give people the full upgrade until I broke even either. As a customer do you want to throw your money away? Do you think AT&T does too?

If you want the full discount - wait the full year after you bought it - until AT&T has had the opportunity to make their investment back off of you and stop being ungrateful. You could be stuck in China without the ability to get the iPhone at all.

As for everyone complaining about the new phone and not being that much of an improvement - I welcome the speed and the better graphics. The video and the autofocus will be awesome (love not having to carry another camera around to share cute stuff my one year old does) and the voice control is much needed for hands free dialing in states like WA (where I live) where it is a $278 dollar ticket if you drive and talk on your phone without a hands free device.

If you are that worried about the price - here's a novel idea. Put your phone on ebay and sell it. Even the 2g is going for rediculous money still. If you are lucky you might even be able to sell the 3g, buy a 3gs and pocket some cash. A friend of mine just came back from China and tried to buy 5 iPhones because they are selling for $1400 dollars over there in some areas!

Stop hating on Apple and AT&T - keep in mind that the iPhone would be twice as thick if it was a CDMA variant on Verizon. That extra radio takes up a lot of room - and it wouldn't work all over the world. AT&T has the current best technology and in WA - they are the only people whose service works all the way to the Canadian border (even on the small two lane roads) and works across the border too.

Thank you AT&T and Apple. I pre-ordered my 3GS on Monday. Can't wait!