After months of rumors and speculations, Apple announced their eagerly awaited third generation iPhone at the WWDC Keynote address today. They are calling it iPhone 3G S and as many (including our reader, Gilberto) had guessed ‘S’ stands for speed.
There are no changes in the physical design of iPhone 3G S as compared to iPhone 3G but brings some changes under the hood.
iPhone 3G S has the following features:
Speed:
As mentioned earlier, 'S' in iPhone 3G S stands for speed. It is the fastest iPhone that Apple has created.
Apple mentioned in their Keynote address that it will be 2.1x faster to launch Messages, 2.4x to load SimCity, 3.6x faster to load an Excel attachment, 2.9x faster to load a large website.
I’m guessing that will be mainly due to a faster processor and hopefully more RAM. Apple usually does not mention these details, so we will find out as soon it is available.
Better Camera:
iPhone 3G S comes with a 3-megapixel camera which will allow users to take better still photos, thanks to the built-in autofocus.
The autofocus feature works as we had heard, you can tap on the display to focus on anything or anyone you want.
But one of the killer features of iPhone 3G S has to be the ability to shoot videos at 30 frames per second VGA with audio and with autofocus, auto white balance, and auto exposure in both portrait and landscape mode.
You will also be able to trim the videos right on the iPhone and share them either via email, post them to your MobileMe gallery, publish it on YouTube, or sync it back to your Mac or PC using iTunes.
Faster Internet connectivity:
It supports the 7.2 Mbps HSDPA standard which would mean improved internet connectivity.
A faster processor with support for faster internet connectivity will significantly improve the user experience which is already one of the best in the smartphone market.
Graphics
We missed this while covering the Keynote address but Apple’s new iPhone will support the OpenGL|ES standard, for faster and more complicated 3D games.
Improved Battery Life:
It will have improved battery life as seen in the table below.
Design:
As you can see from the screenshots below, there is no change in the design of the new iPhone when you compare it with iPhone 3G.
However, Apple has used greener materials in the new iPhone such as Arsenic-free glass, BDF-free, Mercury-free LCD. But no OLED, which is a pity as it would have further improved battery life.
So all the so-called leaked images of Apple’s new iPhone were fake.
Digital Compass:
It includes a compass application which makes use of the built-in magnetometer. It will also be integrated with the built-in Maps app which will show orientation with longitude and latitude.
Voice Control:
It also includes a voice control app which can be used to make calls or play music from iPhone’s music library by speaking into the iPhone.
Nike+:
Apple has also included built-in Nike + iPod support in iPhone 3G S,which was included in iPod Touch 2nd generation.
Pricing:
Apple has announced the iPhone 3G S 16GB model for $199 and iPhone 3G S 32GB model for $299. Both the models will be available in black and white color.
Apple has also announced that they will be selling the current iPhone 3G for a reduced price of $99 starting today.
ZedSefi, one of our regular readers has provided a screenshot of the pricing details of iPhone 3G S in UK from O2's website (thanks ZedSefi):
If you are an existing iPhone 3G user then you will have to pay approximately $200 over subsidized pricing to upgrade:
Release date:
iPhone 3G S will be available on June 19th.
So, after months of rumors and speculation, it looks like most of the rumors were spot on except for the front facing camera and design of Apple’s new iPhone.
Kudos again to John Gruber of Daring Fireball, his predictions which we had published yesterday seem to be spot on once again.
Apple did not blow us away with iPhone 3G S, with features like OLED screen and front-facing camera, but I think they have announced enough new features to stay ahead of the competition.
So the big question remains to be seen, if the new features will be enough for people to buy it or upgrade to it?
We would love to know your verdict on Apple's new iPhone 3G S, so please feel free to drop us a line in the comment section below.
Anyone U.K, check out the o2 website, they have announced its release already!
Will we got the option to extend our existing contract and get the new iphone? For the people that have only had the 3G a few months. Like last time?!
If you are an existing AT&T customer who owns an iPhone 3G you will have to
pay approximately $200 over subsidized pricing to upgrade. The details are
mentioned in the post.
Not aware of the options available to folks in UK. Will let you know if I
find out.
Nope, unfortunately not. Would we have to wait until december to get that $100 price deduction by att?
Does anyone have an Apple developer account with licenses left?
I don't get it. WIll I have to pay 299 dollars to upgrade to the 3GS (i have an iphone 3g 8GB blac) as an upgrade? Your fancy words scare me. Or will I just have to pay $18?
Yes I am in the UK and I have checked O2 website. If you want to upgrade to the cheapest monthly contract for £35 a month (600 min talk plus 500 messages) then the best option is if you sign a two years contract (not just 18 months) and you should pay approximately £174 if you want to have iPhone 3G S 32 GB.
Thanks for the info.
ok I am lost all the new iPhone 3gs options sounds great however what does 3.0 give me as a iPhone 3g user. Do I get video recorder or do I need the new 3 meg camera to do that. The compass app will that work on the 3g. It's sounds like to take advantage of all 3.0 offers I have to spend 399 for a new phone. Some one explain what I get when I upgrade to 3.0 and have the 3g
Both. $299 is the price of the phone itself. $18 is for AT&T to go out of its way to activate your new phone that you paid for. Just because they both bear the name "iPhone 3G" doesn't mean you'll get any sort of incremental discount. You're essentially buying a brand new phone.
How many of these features are enhanced by new OS? Question is except for Camera and Faster Ram/processor what are the hardware changes in 3Gs that will be missed in 3G?
Also I heard with 3Gs it would be limited Data plan?
All the features mentioned here are features of new iPhone 3G S, they won't
be available for iPhone 3G users.
We will be publishing an article soon on the features in iPhone OS 3.0
mentioned today during the Keynote address, so please check back later.
All the features mentioned here are features of new iPhone 3G S, they won't
be available for iPhone 3G users as these are hardware enhancements.
As for iPhone 3G S having limited data plan, this is the first time we are
hearing it. We will find out and let you in case we get any more info on
that, I would shocked if AT&T brings such limitations.
499.99 ? HELL NO!
Pure BS!!! Iphone owners have to pay full retail. No upgrade unless you are out of contract.
According to apple most of the features will be available for 3g users. http://www.apple.com/iphone/softwareupdate/ At least we will have that.
iPhoneHacks, I can send you a screen shot of O2-UK page for the prices list available for monthly contract users who want to buy iPhone 3G S. Can you please provide me with your email address?
I don't know if these prices are available to upgrade our contracts from an existing iPhone 3G instantly or maybe we should wait till last month of contract to expire. This sucks 'cause it means I will have to wait till January 2010 to get my hands on the new iPhone
Please don't confuse the features in iPhone OS 3.0 with the new hardware
features in iPhone 3G S. If you notice, the features mentioned here aren't
mentioned on the iPhone OS 3.0 webpage.
Please feel to send them to admin@iphonehacks.com.
Odd question… but now that the (iPhone 3.0 GM) has been released to developers, is it available for anyone else??
I googled it, and a few torrent sites claim to have it (demonoid, tpb..etc) , but i'm skeptical to download it right now, as I don't know if I need a developers phone?!?!..
Should I ?
Odd question… but now that the (iPhone 3.0 GM) has been released to developers, is it available for anyone else??
I googled it, and a few torrent sites claim to have it (demonoid, tpb..etc) , but i'm skeptical to download it right now, as I don't know if I need a developers phone?!?!..
Should I ?
iPhone 3.0 GM is available to developers of iPhone developer program. You
will need a developer account to activate your iPhone after installing the
beta version.
If you have waited so long then I guess you can wait for 9 more days when it
is available to iPhone users. Dev team has also advised users to stay away,
if they want to unlock their iPhone.
So our advice, avoid it.
Image has been sent. I hope you can use it in a new article
Cheers mate
I imagine some jailbreaker will unlock the video for the 3g and other stuff like that.
Well I'm glad I didn't get my hopes up. I had a feeling Apple would focus more on necessities rather than wants. At least we can separate fact from fiction now and maybe expect physical changes next year.
I like to think of the iPhone like a car were the model doesn't necessarily change it's entire look, just makes a few improvements. This saves Apple money on parts where they can then pass the savings on to its customers. You can always go to the bank (AT&T) and get the 09 model or you can go to the dealership (Apple) and get a free tune-up. I would just like to see them work on getting us a trade-in deal.
Anybody know the release date of the new iphone for Canada??
http://www.demonoid.com/files/details/1953296/?show_files=&page=4#comments
looks like people have already uploaded the 3.0 GM to Demonoid…. and by the looks of the comments, it's working fine!!
There's like 8 people that say it's fully activated & working good!!!
http://www.demonoid.com/files/details/1953296/?show_files=&page=4#comments
looks like people have already uploaded the 3.0 GM to Demonoid…. and by the looks of the comments, it's working fine!!
There's like 8 people that say it's fully activated & working good!!!
Many of you had guessed iphone 3gs "s" stands for speed.
That I. Know of I was the only one that guessed that. And I didn't get any credit, I made that point on the iPhone 3gs code name article you made.
Please make that correction or prove that many had guessed it.
It was guessed by various commentators across the blogosphere which was the
reason for the statement.
But good one in guessing it right.
We have updated the post as you were the only one of our site.
Good one!!!
On Tue, Jun 9, 2009 at 2:17 AM, Admin@iPhoneHacks.com
If I have an iphone3g
Can I upgrade for free?
I would still say avoid it.
actually, you'll have to pay at least 499
We have updated this post with the screenshot.
Thanks a lot.
cheers!
Yes the 3.0 Software is free for all iPhone customers and $9.99 for iPod touch users.
No.
Does anyone know the reasoning behind punishing loyal iPhone users by making us pay an additional 200 dollars just to get a new phone? That is the most ridiculous marketing I have ever heard of. I am on my third as of now, and would love to have the video capabilities of the new one. But not for 500 dollars. It really makes me wanna just dump them altogether.
Sorry Palm Pre, better luck next time! (If you ever get a next time,) :O
I also don't quite understand the reasoning behind this, but I take it that it's got something to do with the fact that within two or so years there are millions of new ATT customers thanks to the iphone, and since they see demand for the phone not falling anytime soon, all of a sudden, we are not so special anymore!
Anyhow, I was wondering if maybe we could get away with paying the additional $200 by adding a new line to our existing ATT account, buying the 3GS for the new line and then canceling the old one…could it be possible to do this?
Can't wait!!!!!!!!! Hopefully the Dev team can quicky unlock this iphone so I can get rid of my 2g. I NEED to be able to send and receive pictures and videos.
CT from http://www.putonairs.blogspot.com/
Then you just end up paying an early termination fee. They've got our money either way. Kind of sucks. It's BS that they let owners of the first iPhone upgrade to the 3G for the new customer price, but aren't doing the same for 3G owners?
wah!
I just checked on pricing on the new phone. Right now if I up Replace my 3G phone on my account with the new 3GS iPhone it will cost me 500.00 for the new phone and I will have to pay over 100.00 a month on the new plan.
AT&T Rate Plan $35.00
* Data Plan for iPhone $30.00
* 200 SMS Text Messages $5.00
One-time AT&T Activation Fee $18.00
One-time AT&T Upgrade Fee $18.00
2-Year AT&T Service Agreement
Right now I only pay 70.00 a month on the plan I have now. AT&T needs to rethink on how they charge us for plans. I'll be staying with the 3g phone for a long time.
Max
I meant can I upgrade my 3g to the new iPhone for free or do I have to pay more?
Definitely not for free.
The above posts say that the cost to upgrade can range from 200 to 500 dollars… in America at least…
*sigh*
Looks like I'm sticking with the original iPhone…
*wipes dust out of speakers and 3.5 mm headphone jack that doesnt work for the majority of headphones in America*
I have cycorder and another video recorder on my iPhone 3g jailbroken and altought the video is clear thanks to the fantastic camera it sports I get no more than 15fps and the video can appear choppy.
Altough apple did not please me 100% with they're latest version I can tell you that I will be getting it because they did just enough to win me over. But at&t has been a real letdown.
hey does anybody know since theres iphones 3g all over the world now if i take an iphone to mexico and put their sim card in it would it work since they have iphones 3g there too?
Just report you lost your old phone (sell it or give it to your friend who lives outside this country). Then you will only pay $199 for a 16GB or $299 for the 32GB iPhone 3GS and extend your contract for 2 more years.
why isn't the voice control also in the 3G ? i mean does that really need a hardware upgrade? i think that is just an app