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8 features iPhone 3GS has that iPhone 3G doesn't.

I

iDeve1oper

macrumors member
Original poster
Jul 8, 2009
35
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There's been a lot of talk in the smartphone world about the new iPhone 3GS and if it's a worthwhile upgrade from the iPhone 3G or from any other smartphone for that matter. Here is a list of new features and capabilities of iPhone 3GS over iPhone 3G:

1) Faster CPU -- The iPhone 3GS CPU (central processing unit) upgraded from ARM 11 412 MHz to ARM Cortex 600 MHz,

2) Faster graphics -- the GPU (graphics processing unit) upgraded from PowerVR MBX Lite to PowerVR SGX

3) More system memory -- RAM (random access memory) upgraded from 128 MB to 256 MB.

4) 3-megapixel autofocus camera -- Megapixel count is only part of the story when it comes to quality of digital photos. When comparing photo quality the small jump from 2mp to 3mp does not give one a full picture the vast improvements. Clarity and color correctness are greatly improved. (See below video)

5) Video recording -- Not only can the new 3GS record video but videos can be edited on the fly. A tap of the camera toggle switches from photo to video. Then you’re ready to record 30-fps VGA video in portrait or widescreen landscape. As far as editing goes, it is VERY basic. You can "trim" videos. That is useful however, because how many times have you wanted to share a video from your smartphone and couldn't because of it's beginning or ending frames.

6) Compass -- The built-in digital compass works just like a magnetic needle compass and can instantly let you know which way you’re facing. (See video below)

7) Voice Control -- Voice Control recognizes the names in your Contacts and knows the songs on your iPod. Also voice control supports a host of languages... Chinese (Cantonese), Chinese (China), Chinese (Taiwan), DutchEnglish (UK), English (U.S.), FinnishFrench (Canada), French (France), German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Portuguese (Portugal), Russian, Spanish (Mexico), Spanish (Spain) and Swedish

8) Nike + iPod -- More details here
 
iDeve1oper said:
There's been a lot of talk in the smartphone world about the new iPhone 3GS and if it's a worthwhile upgrade from the :apple: iPhone 3G or from any other smartphone for that matter. Here is a list of new features and capabilities of iPhone 3GS over iPhone 3G:

1) Improved performance - The iPhone 3GS CPU (central processing unit) upgraded from ARM 11 412 MHz to ARM Cortex 600 MHz, the GPU (graphics processing unit) upgraded from PowerVR MBX Lite to PowerVR SGX and RAM (random access memory) from 128 MB to 256 MB.

2) 3-megapixel autofocus camera - Megapixel count is only part of the story when it comes to quality of digital photos. When comparing photo quality the small jump from 2mp to 3mp does not give one a full picture the vast improvements. Clarity and color correctness are greatly improved.

3) Video recording -- Not only can the new 3GS record video but videos can be edited on the fly. A tap of the camera toggle switches from photo to video. Then you’re ready to record 30-fps VGA video in portrait or widescreen landscape. As far as editing goes, it is VERY basic. You can "trim" videos. That is useful however, because how many times have you wanted to share a video from your smartphone and couldn't because of it's beginning or ending frames.

4) Compass -- The built-in digital compass works just like a magnetic needle compass and can instantly let you know which way you’re facing.

5) Faster web browsing -- The iPhone 3GS Safari web browsing experience is noticeably faster than its predecessor. Multiple 3rd party tests have confirmed this. It also leaves the system more responsive due to it's increased system memory.

6) Voice Control -- Voice Control recognizes the names in your Contacts and knows the songs on your iPod. Also voice control supports a host of languages... Chinese (Cantonese), Chinese (China), Chinese (Taiwan), DutchEnglish (UK), English (U.S.), FinnishFrench (Canada), French (France), German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Portuguese (Portugal), Russian, Spanish (Mexico), Spanish (Spain) and Swedish

7) Cut, Copy & Paste -- You can now copy and paste images and content from the web and between applications. Copy multiple photos and paste them into an email or an MMS. Copy videos you’ve shot. Or copy images from the web to send and share.

8) Nike + iPod -- More details here

Of course, if you are upgrading from the 1st generation iPhone, then in addition to the above list you'll also get 9) MMS, 10) Stereo Bluetooh and 11) Internet tethering as all-new iPhone features. (Some depend on carrier/location).
Click to expand...


They are not all features:

5) is a by product of improved hardware.
7) is an operating system feature... look I can do copy and paste on my iPhone...I must have a 3G... but it has a silver and black back, so it can't be a 3G S!
 
iDeve1oper said:
7) Cut, Copy & Paste -- You can now copy and paste images and content from the web and between applications. Copy multiple photos and paste them into an email or an MMS. Copy videos you’ve shot. Or copy images from the web to send and share.
Click to expand...

Yeah. About #7. That's 3.0 - not hardware related. Any iPhone user that downloads OS 3.0 has cut/copy/paste - not just 3GS
 
Good points will make edits. Do you think #1 can be split into 3? CPU, GPU and RAM?
 
Number 4 is slightly misleading. What the 3GS has that the previous models don't is a magnetometer. Apple has provided the compass application which uses that sensor but for most people it will be completely redundant.

However, there will be other applications that use that sensor that people will be much more excited about such as augmented reality.
 
iDeve1oper said:
Good points will make edits. Do you think #1 can be split into 3? CPU, GPU and RAM?
Click to expand...

Umm... It could I suppose. You'd be off the point though. The "feature" of those improvements is an increase in speed. That's about it. So you can take off the safari one, take off the Cut, Copy & Paste one and make this title 6. :D
 
iDeve1oper said:
There's been a lot of talk in the smartphone world about the new iPhone 3GS and if it's a worthwhile upgrade from the iPhone 3G or from any other smartphone for that matter. Here is a list of new features and capabilities of iPhone 3GS over iPhone 3G:

1) Faster CPU -- The iPhone 3GS CPU (central processing unit) upgraded from ARM 11 412 MHz to ARM Cortex 600 MHz,

2) Faster graphics -- the GPU (graphics processing unit) upgraded from PowerVR MBX Lite to PowerVR SGX

3) More system memory -- RAM (random access memory) upgraded from 128 MB to 256 MB.

4) 3-megapixel autofocus camera -- Megapixel count is only part of the story when it comes to quality of digital photos. When comparing photo quality the small jump from 2mp to 3mp does not give one a full picture the vast improvements. Clarity and color correctness are greatly improved. (See below video)

5) Video recording -- Not only can the new 3GS record video but videos can be edited on the fly. A tap of the camera toggle switches from photo to video. Then you’re ready to record 30-fps VGA video in portrait or widescreen landscape. As far as editing goes, it is VERY basic. You can "trim" videos. That is useful however, because how many times have you wanted to share a video from your smartphone and couldn't because of it's beginning or ending frames.

6) Compass -- The built-in digital compass works just like a magnetic needle compass and can instantly let you know which way you’re facing. (See video below)

7) Voice Control -- Voice Control recognizes the names in your Contacts and knows the songs on your iPod. Also voice control supports a host of languages... Chinese (Cantonese), Chinese (China), Chinese (Taiwan), DutchEnglish (UK), English (U.S.), FinnishFrench (Canada), French (France), German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Portuguese (Portugal), Russian, Spanish (Mexico), Spanish (Spain) and Swedish

8) Nike + iPod -- More details here
Click to expand...

My 3G works well, don't gain a whole lot, I'll wait for the next gen, then it might be worth the cost.
 
what about how you can pull down the screen when you're in the mail app or itunes to get the search feature at the top..

I'm not sure if the 3G has that, cuz my friend has an older iphone with 3.0 on it and he doesn't have the search pull down option
 

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megadon said:
what about how you can pull down the screen when you're in the mail app or itunes to get the search feature at the top..

I'm not sure if the 3G has that, cuz my friend has an older iphone with 3.0 on it and he doesn't have the search pull down option
Click to expand...

No, all 7 iphones on 3.0 have that feature.
 
DaGreat01 said:
No, all 7 iphones on 3.0 have that feature.
Click to expand...

so even the original 2G iphone with 3.0 will have that feature?

I'm not talking about the actual search, I was talking about the pull down search within the itunes app..

just curious because my friends 2G doesn't do that, or I guess he's just an idiot who cant figure it out..
 
Good list. But re-affirms my choice in NOT upgrading. I see things on there that are nice, but none are worth upgrading for.
 
I hate to ask this but why this thread now - its old news.

Its not anything new and in fact these items were discussed ad nauseam when the 3gs hit the street.
 
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