Physical difference between 3g and 3gs?

rileyb76 · Apr 23, 2010

Hey guys,
Occassionally I'll see some iphones at pawn shops for sale. I currently have a non-jailbroken and non-unlocked 3G and would love to upgrade to the 3GS until the new iphone gets here this summer. My question is... is there any way to tell the difference physically between a 3G and 3GS? Sometimes, the iphones don't have any battery juice left so I can't tell.

Also, say I did find a 3GS and bought it. Couldn't I just put my SIM from my 3G to a new 3GS and it work instantly, or is the SIM somehow tied to the iphone? And yes, I do pay AT&T for data.

Thanks for the input.

profets · Apr 23, 2010

The only physical difference I could think of is the writing on the back of the iPhone. on the 3G its grey, and on the 3GS its chrome/metallic looking like the Apple logo. Also, the model no in the writing there should give it away too.

As for the sim, just take your existing sim and pop it in the new phone.

Small White Car · Apr 23, 2010

If you can turn it on then just look for the 'Compass' app and you'll know you have a 3GS.

If you can't turn it on, there's not many easy ways. A 32 GB phone HAS to be a 3GS, but if it's a 16 that doesn't help you. Someone may be able to tell you what the model numbers on the back mean, but I don't know them. With BOTH of those methods, be careful as it's possible to replace the back so someone could be lying to you if you only read the back.

That's why the compass method is best.

SAD*FACED*CLOWN · Apr 23, 2010

in addition to the compass, check the camera to see if it records video or click the home button three times... if it switches to white on black it's a 3GS

terraphantm · Apr 24, 2010

On the 3GS, the text that says "iPhone", "Designed by Apple in California etc..." is reflective, while on the 3G it's just a dull gray.

gloss · Apr 24, 2010

Yeah. Shiny text versus gray is the easiest differentiator.

acfusion29 · Apr 24, 2010

SAD*FACED*CLOWN said:
click the home button three times... if it switches to white on black it's a 3GS

this feature needs to be enabled.

appleguy123 · Apr 24, 2010

SAD*FACED*CLOWN said:
in addition to the compass, check the camera to see if it records video or click the home button three times... if it switches to white on black it's a 3GS

My 3GS doesn't do this. How do I turn it on?

Lexoticstylez02 · Apr 24, 2010

appleguy123 said:
My 3GS doesn't do this. How do I turn it on?

Settings, General, Accessibility, Triple Click Option

punisher1-1 · Apr 24, 2010

SAD*FACED*CLOWN said:
in addition to the compass, check the camera to see if it records video or click the home button three times... if it switches to white on black it's a 3GS

Now that is good to know I had no idea about that thanks

Search

Search

Physical difference between 3g and 3gs?

rileyb76

macrumors member

profets

macrumors 603

Small White Car

macrumors G4

SADFACEDCLOWN

macrumors 65816

terraphantm

macrumors 68040

gloss

macrumors 601

acfusion29

macrumors 68040

appleguy123

macrumors 604

Lexoticstylez02

macrumors 6502a

punisher1-1

macrumors member

Our Staff