From ProductWiki, free unbiased product reports for the consumer.

The iPhone 3G is the successor to the popular cell phone from Apple. The biggest changes over the first version is the addition of 3G high-speed data access, which Apple claims is over two times faster than the original when accessing the Internet, and the addition of Global Positioning System (GPS) capabilities. Outside of these changes, most of the unit remains the same as the previous, with the same touch screen, camera and memory sizes. Apple releases the iPhone 3G in 22 different countries on July 11th, with the goal of 70 countries by the end of 2008. The marketed price of $200/$300USD is with a 2-year contract in the United States, details on contractual plans in other countries are still unknown.

Where to buy

iPhone 3G $24.99 at J&R Music and C...
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Pros & Cons

Pros:
25 people have already voted. Do you agree?

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GPS Support
+17agreedisagree

•
High speed 3G
+15agreedisagree

•
Good selection of free apps available
+8agreedisagree

•
Very vibrant developer community
+7agreedisagree

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Still has the best web browser on a cell phone
+7agreedisagree

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Intuitive interface
+7agreedisagree

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Real time 3D graphic rendering
+4agreedisagree

•
Slimmer contour than previous generation
+1agreedisagree

•
Affordable (depending on service plan)
-1agreedisagree

•
Available in white (16 GB version only)
-6agreedisagree

Cons:
Do you agree?

•
No text selection or copy/paste functionality.
+13agreedisagree

•
Battery life is disappointing when using 3G
+9agreedisagree

•
Can't replace the battery yourself, can't replace with a "spare"
+9agreedisagree

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No improvement in storage
+8agreedisagree

•
Crippled Bluetooth (only hands-free devices supported)
+8agreedisagree

•
Camera didn't get improved
+7agreedisagree

•
Turn by turn directions in Google Maps app isn't fully flushed out
+6agreedisagree

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Map driving directions are text only (no audio)
+5agreedisagree

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No built-in tethering solution for Internet sharing with a laptop
+4agreedisagree

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When switching applications from within another application (ie. sending an email while on map), it doesn't return you to your original app
+4agreedisagree

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Hitting back button in Safari forces the page to reload which is slow
+4agreedisagree

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No front-facing camera lens for video chat
+3agreedisagree

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No MMS capabilities
+3agreedisagree

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Poor search (no email search or web page text search)
+2agreedisagree

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Weak WiFi antenna
+2agreedisagree

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Unresponsive touch screen if it gets greasy..and it gets greasy
+2agreedisagree

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Very quiet speakerphone
+2agreedisagree

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Can't use speakerphone when checking voicemail
+2agreedisagree

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Prone to locking up and crashing when using Safari
+1agreedisagree

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Automatically opens web links from home screen in new Safari tab, so you end up with 8 tabs (the max allowed) open all the time
+1agreedisagree

•
No map-caching for the default maps application, so if you don't have a strong signal, you get slow performance or a blank map
+1agreedisagree

•
Poor on screen keyboard
0agreedisagree

•
Slow at finding WiFi networks
-3agreedisagree

Competing products

iPhone 3G is ranked 2nd.  See the top picks in Cell Phones

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More information

Specs

  • 3.5" multi-touch screen
  • 480x320 resolution with 163ppi
  • WiFi B/G access
  • UTMS, and HSDPA connectivity (GSM only)
  • Bluetooth 2.0
  • 2MP camera
  • Assisted GPS
  • Battery: 10hrs 2G talk | 5 hours 3G talk | 5hrs 3G Data | 6hrs Wi-Fi | 7hrs video | 24hrs audio | 300hrs standby
  • Price: $199 for 8GB | $299 for 16GB. Contract required.
  • UK Price: £Free on 24 Month contract with O2 - Works out to be approx £800-£900 lifetime cost.

Difference between iPhone 2G and iPhone 3G

3G support - when accessing the data network the data transfer speeds are substantially faster (over twice as fast according to Apple).

GPS - the iPhone 2G had basic location finding that was accurate to hundreds of meters, while the iPhone 3G's implementation is accurate to a few feet for most locations. Additionally, the iPhone 3G renders your position in real time.

Case design - the iPhone 3G is slightly thicker at 12.3mm versus the 2G's 11.6mm. The 3G uses a plastic backing instead of brushed metal like on the 2G, and now the iPhone's headphone jack is "flush" which lets you use regular headphones without the need for an adapter.

iPhone 2.0 Software Additions

Enterprise Features - supports VPNs, Exchange Server, remote wiping, expanded documents compatibility (Powerpoint now supported, iWorks support). No document editing supported. Documents can now be viewed in horizontal screen aspect by turning the iPhone on its side. These software features are also available on the first gen iPhone.

  • saves images in e-mails to photo library
  • bulk delete and move
  • contact search
  • more language support
  • parental controls

App Store

iPod Touch and iPhone owners can download new applications and programs developed for the devices from the official App Store. Any 3rd party can develop and publish applications to the App Store and can set the price to anything they want, with Apple getting 30% of the revenue. Unofficial applications have already been created for the iPhone 2G, so Apple is hoping that official support and distribution for 3rd party apps will allow for an improved application ecosystem. The App Store can be accessed from the iPhone itself, or from iTunes.

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Related products

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7 comments about iPhone 3 G

1.  avatar Omar  Jun 10, 2008 12:06pm

I'll start off by saying that I'm disappointed they didn't upgrade the camera. I'd like to have a decent point-and-shoot camera with me at all times, and if the iPhone's camera was just a BIT better I'd be totally set. Oh well, I'm not too concerned about built-in video recording since an app will just get developed that does that.

Other than that, I'm just happy it's finally being officially released in Canada. Call me an optimist but I still have some hope that the data rates won't be TOO bad, and with the awesome browser that means I can surf ProductWiki wherever I am :)

I'm also excited for the apps that will get developed with the official SDK. I've seen my friend's hacked iPhone and that was sweet. Now that devs are actually supported means the apps will be even better.
2.  avatar dialupinternetuser  Jun 11, 2008 4:59pm

I like the price, but the way Apple is handling the App store annoys me. Open-source software and App Store don't mix because the way Apple is controlling it violates the GPL. And with Omar having an iPhone, does that mean we can get a mobile version of PW sometime soon? Cause that'd be awesome.
3.  avatar paul300  Jul 10, 2008 1:00am

The price is a scam
you have to sign up with at&t and all that
4.  avatar ajm48786  Jul 10, 2008 5:37pm

This is overhyped and overrated. 3G is an improvement; however, there are other methods that are quite a bit faster than 3G already available. This falls in line with Apple's long history of adding features that have been available for quite some time in other devices and using "feature X" as a means to promote their product; as though the feature is something totally new. It is deceptive.

The idea people line up in the morning to get these devices is appalling, yet sadly not surprising. Apple uses peoples' ignorance to their advantage. All companies do this to some extent; however, Apple uses peoples' ignorance like a beacon when they add one/two features to a "new" device yet leave everything else intact, even when the "new" features on an Apple product have been available on some other device for 6 months.

The new and the old iphones are RIP OFFS! The storage capacity is pathetic, the pricing is abominable; and you get stuck in a contract designed to leave you unable to purchase food. Where is an SD port!? USB!? Where is bluetooth!? Apple Iphone is way behind the game in terms of quality/features, yet they'll stay ahead due to the sheer blissful ignorance of the masses. Cheers!
5.  avatar purexultra  Jul 11, 2008 12:48am

i love the fact that it comes with gps
6.  avatar urbankudos  Jul 12, 2008 5:57am

I agree that there are still lots room for improvement with the iPhone 3G, but give credit where credit is due, Apple have done a good job in focusing on creating good technology where and not get carried away to do everything.

I'm sure the rest will come in the next product cycle.
7.  avatar LogicX  Aug 04, 2008 9:19pm

It is possible to tether the phone: http://www.modmyifone.com/wiki/index.php/How_to_Tether_the_iPhone_3G
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    Key Features:

    Data Interface 3G, HSDPA
    Manufacturer Apple
    Network UMTS
    Phone Style Candybar
    Price $199.00
    Release Date Jul. 11, 2008

    Sponsors

    Product page stats

    2419 views and 333 edits (see all)
    Created: 06/10/2008 - 11:39
    Modified: 08/30/2008 - 19:06
    Model # variations:

    3, G, 3G