Everything is to know about iPhone 3GS
We know, we know, we got caught up in work and the holidays, so we haven’t published any post for a while, BUT WE ARE BACK !
This new article contains EVERYTHING IS TO KNOW ABOUT iPHONE 3GS.
Let’s start
iPhone 3GS (or iPhone 3rd generation 2009) specifications :
Dimensions :
Height: 4.5 inches (115.5 mm)
Width: 2.4 inches (62.1 mm)
Depth: 0.48 inch (12.3 mm)
Weight: 4.8 ounces (135 grams)
Networks :
UMTS/HSDPA (850, 1900, 2100 MHz)
GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
Wi-Fi (802.11b/g)
Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
A-GPS
Battery :
Talk time:
Up to 12 hours on 2G
Up to 5 hours on 3G
Standby time: Up to 300 hours
Internet use:
Up to 5 hours on 3G
Up to 9 hours on Wi-Fi
Video playback: Up to 10 hours
Audio playback: Up to 30 hours
(of course this is in ideal/best test conditions, in reality/actual life, the numbers are much smaller. For example the audio playback usually is tested with no-screen and 20% volume - but I know you just can’t resist to make it louder and scroll thorough your library)
Colors : black or white
Capacity : 16Gb and 32Gb (start with)
Display :
3.5-inch (diagonal) widescreen Multi-Touch display
480-by-320-pixel resolution at 163 ppi
Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating
(we all know the fingerprint-resistant works, but not as advertised)
Audio playback
Frequency response: 20Hz to 20,000Hz
Audio formats supported: AAC, Protected AAC, MP3, MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, and 4), Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAV
Video playback
Video formats supported: H.264 video, up to 1.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Low-Complexity version of the H.264 Baseline Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; H.264 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Baseline Profile up to Level 3.0 with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; MPEG-4 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats
(still no DivX)
Camera, photos, and video: 3 megapixels, Autofocus, Tap to focus, Video recording, VGA up to 30 fps with audio, Photo and video geotagging
(finally VIDEO)
iPhone 3GS NOT SPECIFIED ON APPLE WEBSITE:
- Faster CPU and OpenGL 2.0 - this means more complex textures, shading operations - basically better graphics in high-end video games (not chess
) - Voice Control recognizes the names in your Contacts and knows the music on your iPod.
- Built-in digital compass, iPhone 3G S can point the way. Use the new Compass app, or watch as it automatically reorients maps to match the direction youÕre facing.
- Cut, copy, and paste words and photos, even between applications. Copy and paste images and content from the web, too.
- Large keyboard at landscape mode makes life easier: Rotate iPhone to landscape to use a larger keyboard in Mail, Messages, Notes, and Safari.
- 7.2 Mbps HSDPA for faster networking speeds
- Spotlight Search: Spotlight searches all your contacts, email, calendars, and notes, as well as everything in your iPod.
- Messages: Send messages with text, video, photos, audio, locations, and contact information. You can even forward one or more messages to others. (MMS support from AT&T coming in late summer.)
- Built-in Nike + iPod support: Slip the Nike + iPod Sensor (available separately) into your Nike+ shoe and start your workout.
The “S”
Oh yes the BIG “S”
The S stands for “SPEED”. This means that iPhone 3GS has a faster CPU (processor), better 3D graphics acceleration.
These hardware upgrades should make the new iPhone 3GS 2.4-3 times faster.
Here is an iPhone 3GS video tour:
Here is a quick compare between iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS
iPhone 3G VS iPhone 3GS - FIGHT !!!
ROUND 1 hardware !
The previous iPhone 3G has a 412Mhz ARM11 CPU , the new 3GS gets a tweaked version of ARM11 with 600Mhz. That is almost 50% more speed. 0 - 1
OpenGL ES 1.1 vs 2.0 (should get you in real gaming, yes this is a phone) 0 - 2
2Mp digital camera vs 3Mp digital camera. The 3Mp are good but nowadays 8Mp is the ‘normal’ and 10-12Mp represent evolution. Any 8Mp vs the “improved” 3Mp are superior. Tough luck there, we will give one point to 3GS but he doesn’t deserve it. 0 - 3
Bluetooth 2.0 vs Bluetooth 2.1 (YES the 0.1 does count for something but I am sure that 99.99% of iPhone users don’t give a s$it) 0 - 3 (no points here)
HSDPA 3.6Mbps vs HSDPA 7.2 Mbps . If the networks allows you to navigate at that speed and you are somewhere where the signal strength is perfect - you might benefit from the doubled speed. Otherwise, most of the networks are max 3.6 Mbps and the speed increase won’t do you any good. 0 - 4 (although the 3GS must be in 7.2Mbps range)
Weight: the 3G has 133 grams / 4.69 oz. and the 3GS is heavier with 135 grams / 4.76 oz. 2 grams isn’t a LOT but is something. Go iPhone 3G 1 - 4
ROUND 2 battery !
The 3GS vs 3G battery promises an increase of 3 hours on WiFi, 6 hours in audio and 3 hours in video. But our user reviews say the increase is minimal and insignificant. The iPhone still need better batteries. No points here.
ROUND 3 other stuff !
The new iPhone 3GS is water-resistant, oil-resistant - this is good news and music to our ears. 1 - 5 (point for 3GS)
Video, voice control, integrated compass - GO BOY - 1 - 6.
THE RESULT
The new iPhone 3GS wins the battle. In our little fight we discovered something.
If you have already an iPhone 3G and :
- you don’t care about Bluetooth 0.1 more
- you think your phone is quick enough in menus
- you don’t live somewhere in a big city with 7.2 Mbps coverage (also a HSDPA internet data pack)
- you are pretty careful with your $600 phone, not jumping in the pool with it
THEN you DON’T NEED the new 3GS.
iPhone 3GS official AD
We also found a video that can really show us the video VGA 30fps recording looks like
GUYS Sony works on bringing HD video recording 720p to phones. Apple knows VGA.
Let’s look on the Apple profit for this handset : Here is a little picture explaining the parts cost. Of course there are also fees for transporting and commercializing.
So if you already own an iPhone 3G and have enough money to throw out the windows - then go for iPhone 3GS. OTHERWISE :
Jailbreaking and tweaking !
According to “Rapid Repair” they discovered that iPhone 3GS’s camera is more capable than you think of. The iPhone 3GS could and can support up to 720p High definition video recording. But this will completely drain his battery and hardware resources (the 256Mb ram that iPhone 3GS has).
So now you must be saying : ” I want to jailbreak my iPhone 3GS, what should I do, what are the steps ? ”
Here you can find a step-by-step guide to jailbreak and unlock your phone. Unfortunately no 720p HD recording yet for iPhone 3GS.
Sources : google, youtube, engadget, 2daybog, ubergizmo, techfresh, cnet and more. We read everything is there to know about iPhone 3GS and wrote a full article about it. Saved you the trouble.
August 21st, 2009 at 2:29 pm
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June 2nd, 2010 at 9:58 am
great post, thanks. theres great stuff in this blog
June 7th, 2010 at 2:44 am
As far as unlocking iPhones, I don’t want to shell out cash for an iPhone unlocking program.
I found a free program here: http://softunlock.com
June 14th, 2010 at 10:53 am
Hey, just been looking through this site - it’s great. The iPhone is definitely changing for the better with the announcement of the iPhone 4 don’t you think? I’m a bit skint at the moment so looking forward to getting my free iPhone in a week or two. Unbelievably there aren’t many guides for the iPhone 4 yet, when I get mine I’ll be writing a few - feel free to check my site if you want to use them at all. Martin
June 24th, 2010 at 11:49 am
I enjoyed this. thanks alot..