iPhone 3G or iPhone 3G S?

[The Californian]

If it was only a $50 difference for me, I would choose the 3GS, BUT ... Think about what you can do with $50 extra. From what you've already stated, the speed difference, the Video, and the Compass won't matter to you ... Couldn't that $50 go to something else more fun?

 

[JamesGorman]

If it was only a $50 difference for me, I would choose the 3GS, BUT ... Think about what you can do with $50 extra. From what you've already stated, the speed difference, the Video, and the Compass won't matter to you ... Couldn't that $50 go to something else more fun?

True enough, I said those thing wont matter, but Now that I think of it, I may end up regretting not having those features down the road. I have made up my mind that I will be getting the 3G S. It's just a matter of Rogers having them in stock now. I guess I could have used that 50 Dollars for something else but I think it will be well used putting into the higher end iPhone

 

[charliehustle]

That could very well be true, But someone stepped on my blackberry so I have no choice but to get a new phone within the next couple weeks. If a new iPhone comes I'll just get an upgrade in a year or so.

ya, rogers has this thing, as long as your bill per month is over a certain amount, you automatically qualify for an upgrade..
and sounds like your 80 bucks a month is high enough, as mine is around the same price and I got the upgrade, even though I just bought the 3G last summer..

I thought rogers was evil, but compared to hearing what At&T does to it's customers, we're super lucky..

 

[christyn]

but I think there will be a big upgrade to the iphone in June. Well that's just my opinion.

The upgrade next year will not be any bigger than the upgrade is from 3G to 3GS. It's not a small upgrade. The only thing that might make people think next years is 'bigger' would be a cosmetic change.

 

[nfl46]

The upgrade next year will not be any bigger than the upgrade is from 3G to 3GS. It's not a small upgrade. The only thing that might make people think next years is 'bigger' would be a cosmetic change.

EXACTLY! Lol. If Apple would have changed the backing of the 3GS, these [kids] would have said it was a major upgrade, lol. Internally is whats matter most, and Apple upgraded substantially here.

 

[Mjmar]

EXACTLY! Lol. If Apple would have changed the backing of the 3GS, these [kids] would have said it was a major upgrade, lol. Internally is whats matter most, and Apple upgraded substantially here.

I agree... I feel that the 3g to 3gs was a bigger upgrade than the 2g to 3g.

 

[megadon]

The upgrade next year will not be any bigger than the upgrade is from 3G to 3GS. It's not a small upgrade. The only thing that might make people think next years is 'bigger' would be a cosmetic change.

there is really no source to what you are claiming..

I'm a financial analyst for tech companies, and from what it looks like, the 3GS was actually put out just because the Palm Pre was released around the same date..

apple needed a "new" product, so they can drop their prices on the 3G, and yet they could still have the "top of the line 3GS" which was their highest priced iphone product..

that actually made a lot of sense, since the last time they dropped the price of the iphone, sales increased by over a 100%.

thats why the "upgrades" were so minimal, and therefore, thats why analysts are expecting a totally brand new iphone from the ground up next summer.

also, when the 3GS was released, every analyst was expecting the "brand new iphone" and you could see that with the rise in their stock price the week before, but as soon as the features came out, and analysts realized this actually wasn't the "new iphone" they were expecting, they sold the stock, because the news of a "new phone" was built into the stock price..
thus why you have a 5% drop in shares of apple right after the announcement of the 3GS.. while the tech sector averaged a 3% increase for that week I believe..

 

[Snide]

Utter insanity to pick 3G over 3Gs (to save a mere $50)

If it was only a $50 difference for me, I would choose the 3GS, BUT ... Think about what you can do with $50 extra. From what you've already stated, the speed difference, the Video, and the Compass won't matter to you ... Couldn't that $50 go to something else more fun?

When you buy the iPhone, you are signing a two year contract.
The minimum service you are committing to is $1656 (plus tax, ect)
over the 2-year period. On the grand scale that $50 is so ridiculously
insignificant when you consider how astoundingly better the 3Gs is over the 3G.
Beside the fact that you're getting double capacity, video camera and Voice Control,
the web-browsing is at least twice as fast (and often times much faster),
and everything about the 3Gs is much snapper.

Here's a test that will sum things up nicely. Put a 3G and 3Gs side by side
on the same Wi-Fi network (or in a area with a solid 3G signal).
Simultaneously launch Google Earth app. Not only does the 3Gs launch much
faster, the zooming and spinning Earth is much smoother as well due to the better video chip.

There's simply no sane justification for picking a 3G over a 3Gs!

 

[christyn]

there is really no source to what you are claiming..

I'm a financial analyst for tech companies, and from what it looks like, the 3GS was actually put out just because the Palm Pre was released around the same date..

apple needed a "new" product, so they can drop their prices on the 3G, and yet they could still have the "top of the line 3GS" which was their highest priced iphone product..

that actually made a lot of sense, since the last time they dropped the price of the iphone, sales increased by over a 100%.

thats why the "upgrades" were so minimal, and therefore, thats why analysts are expecting a totally brand new iphone from the ground up next summer.

also, when the 3GS was released, every analyst was expecting the "brand new iphone" and you could see that with the rise in their stock price the week before, but as soon as the features came out, and analysts realized this actually wasn't the "new iphone" they were expecting, they sold the stock, because the news of a "new phone" was built into the stock price..
thus why you have a 5% drop in shares of apple right after the announcement of the 3GS.. while the tech sector averaged a 3% increase for that week I believe..

Ok, first of all, Apple would have put out an upgraded phone regardless of what Palm did. It's pretty obvious they plan to do this every year.

None of what you just said changes the fact that the 3GS is NOT a minor upgrade. Several people on here are expecting the new iPhone next year to take their dog for a walk. It's not going to be a HUGE upgrade, and I don't need a source to tell me that. It's not going to be 4G capable no matter how many people here disagree with that. Also IMO IF there is a cosmetic change, and yes there probably will be, it will also be minor.

Yes, I think it's possible it will be just as big of an upgrade, but not more. Anyone who is telling themselves that is just try to make themselves feel better about waiting a year.

 

[jlwillia]

also, when the 3GS was released, every analyst was expecting the "brand new iphone" and you could see that with the rise in their stock price the week before, but as soon as the features came out, and analysts realized this actually wasn't the "new iphone" they were expecting, they sold the stock, because the news of a "new phone" was built into the stock price..
thus why you have a 5% drop in shares of apple right after the announcement of the 3GS.. while the tech sector averaged a 3% increase for that week I believe..

I was with you until this statement. I don't think we can know what will happen next year with the iPhone based on analysts' opinions or what the market does.

This just shows how irrational markets can be. The overall financial strength of the company is solid and will continue to be regardless of that fact that the 3gS wasn't the "completely new iPhone." Apple's market share in both the PC and wireless handset industries continues to rise as exemplified by today's 32% of profits announcement. People are idiots with their money. Markets are irrational.

Look at what Apple's stock price does when Jobs' health comes into question. Steve Jobs could pass away tomorrow (hopefully not, I don't wish ill will upon anyone) and stock prices would plummet. However, the day-to-day operations of Apple would remain unchanged. Steve Jobs has created an environment at Apple that will remain after he is gone. Yet, the irrational market would undoubtedly send Apple shares plummeting if something were to happen to Steve.

 

[megadon]

Ok, first of all, Apple would have put out an upgraded phone regardless of what Palm did. It's pretty obvious they plan to do this every year.

None of what you just said changes the fact that the 3GS is NOT a minor upgrade. Several people on here are expecting the new iPhone next year to take their dog for a walk. It's not going to be a HUGE upgrade, and I don't need a source to tell me that. It's not going to be 4G capable no matter how many people here disagree with that. Also IMO IF there is a cosmetic change, and yes there probably will be, it will also be minor.

Yes, I think it's possible it will be just as big of an upgrade, but not more. Anyone who is telling themselves that is just try to make themselves feel better about waiting a year.

you kinda confused me with your wording, but I assume you think the 3GS was a major upgrade and thus the next one will not be as big right?

well, it's pretty much expected that the iphone will come in different colors by christmas time, so that might be the minor upgrade you're expecting,

but as far as the next summer upgrade, we expect it to be considerably more than the move from 3G to 3GS.

but there is no proof on either side, but the only reason I believe it will be a bigger change is because the financial world was totally expecting a major improvement from the 3G to the 3GS, and the fact that the stock price tumbled on the news of the 3GS proves that investors were not satisfied with the changes... thus why apple will have to make major changes for next year..

 

[megadon]

I was with you until this statement. I don't think we can know what will happen next year with the iPhone based on analysts' opinions or what the market does.

This just shows how irrational markets can be. The overall financial strength of the company is solid and will continue to be regardless of that fact that the 3gS wasn't the "completely new iPhone." Apple's market share in both the PC and wireless handset industries continues to rise as exemplified by today's 32% of profits announcement. People are idiots with their money. Markets are irrational.

Look at what Apple's stock price does when Jobs' health comes into question. Steve Jobs could pass away tomorrow (hopefully not, I don't wish ill will upon anyone) and stock prices would plummet. However, the day-to-day operations of Apple would remain unchanged. Steve Jobs has created an environment at Apple that will remain after he is gone. Yet, the irrational market would undoubtedly send Apple shares plummeting if something were to happen to Steve.

I agree to a certain extent, but lets say for example that the last quarter has been very profitable for the tech sector, and analysts have an earnings expectation of $3 per share (for microsoft) , (and that is 10% more than last quarter)

so now lets say that during the last week leading up to earnings, microsoft has gone up 6% on the expectations of a good earnings,

now if those earnings come in line, or just a little bellow the consensus, the stock price will tumble, regardless of profit margins, economic outlook or anything else..

although the market can be irrational at times, news is instantly priced into the price of the stock...

so what I was trying to point out is that the only reason the apple stocks had gone up prior to the 3GS release was because investors were buying up the stock and the demand for the stock was higher than supply, thats a fact, but during that week, apple had not come out with any news that would justify a 5% increase when the tech sector and its competitors were around 1% gains..

so if no news came out about the stock and the price went up 5%, thats mostly because of expectations about news, and when the news did come, it disappointed the investors to the level of them selling the stock..

 

[christyn]

you kinda confused me with your wording, but I assume you think the 3GS was a major upgrade and thus the next one will not be as big right?

well, it's pretty much expected that the iphone will come in different colors by christmas time, so that might be the minor upgrade you're expecting,

but as far as the next summer upgrade, we expect it to be considerably more than the move from 3G to 3GS.

but there is no proof on either side, but the only reason I believe it will be a bigger change is because the financial world was totally expecting a major improvement from the 3G to the 3GS, and the fact that the stock price tumbled on the news of the 3GS proves that investors were not satisfied with the changes... thus why apple will have to make major changes for next year..

I have my doubts about the colors by Christmas, but sure that's possible.

And no, I was not saying it will be a smaller upgrade next year, I think it will be as big. I just don't buy that it will be as big as many people on here think, as far as being 4G capable, etc.

The 3GS may not have been as big of an upgrade cosmetically as some hoped, but it was significant nonetheless. As far as function goes, I'm not buying that the upgrade will be huge over the 3GS. Every upgrade gets better, but other than a cosmetic change, I doubt it will knock the socks off the 3GS.

 

[STEVESKI07]

I would get the 3GS for the sole purpose of when you want to sell it you will get a lot more money (more then the $50 difference in price now). Oh yeah, and because it's a much nicer phone and you WILL notice the speed difference.

 

[megadon]

I have my doubts about the colors by Christmas, but sure that's possible.

And no, I was not saying it will be a smaller upgrade next year, I think it will be as big. I just don't buy that it will be as big as many people on here think, as far as being 4G capable, etc.

The 3GS may not have been as big of an upgrade cosmetically as some hoped, but it was significant nonetheless. As far as function goes, I'm not buying that the upgrade will be huge over the 3GS. Every upgrade gets better, but other than a cosmetic change, I doubt it will knock the socks off the 3GS.

ya..
it's all speculation when it comes to specific details.... only thing to discuss would be the magnitude of the changes, and even on that, there really isn't solid facts on either side.. mostly expectations..

 

[jlwillia]

so what I was trying to point out is that the only reason the apple stocks had gone up prior to the 3GS release was because investors were buying up the stock and the demand for the stock was higher than supply, thats a fact, but during that week, apple had not come out with any news that would justify a 5% increase when the tech sector and its competitors were around 1% gains..

so if no news came out about the stock and the price went up 5%, thats mostly because of expectations about news, and when the news did come, it disappointed the investors to the level of them selling the stock..

True, but financial investors (including myself) always seem to have high expectations in the tech sector, especially for Apple product releases. The fact that they were disappointed by the 3g S is no surprise to me. I think they would have been disappointed by any product that Apple could have realistically released.

I don't think we can predict anything about next year's iPhone update based on this year's 3g S update. Do you think the "powers that be" at Apple feel the need to have a bigger update because the investors were disappointed by this year's update? I think that would be an impossible game to win if that were the case.

I love this debate/discussion. Please don't feel as though I'm attacking your position; I'm not. I agree with most of what you're saying and enjoy your responses. I feel as though some people take debate as a personal attack on this forum and I wanted to throw out that disclaimer to clear the air.

 

[megadon]

True, but financial investors (including myself) always seem to have high expectations in the tech sector, especially for Apple product releases. The fact that they were disappointed by the 3g S is no surprise to me. I think they would have been disappointed by any product that Apple could have realistically released.

I don't think we can predict anything about next year's iPhone update based on this year's 3g S update. Do you think the "powers that be" at Apple feel the need to have a bigger update because the investors were disappointed by this year's update? I think that would be an impossible game to win if that were the case.

I love this debate/discussion. Please don't feel as though I'm attacking your position; I'm not. I agree with most of what you're saying and enjoy your responses. I feel as though some people take debate as a personal attack on this forum and I wanted to throw out that disclaimer to clear the air.

umm..no I don't think creators at apple are slaves to investors, and they're not going to upgrade it because people were disappointed, but I just thought because most the people who have major buying power are the institutions who control most of the volume in the stock market, so they pretty much control the prices when they sell or buy, and usually, those guys have analysts that are very close to the companies they're covering, and my guess was that prior to the release, analysts had the impression that the upgrade was going to be big, and I guess by their expectations, it wasn't that big... other than showing people were expecting more, this does not lead to anything that might say what is coming down the production line..

my guess was since people were expecting something big, then they might be right the second time around..

but who knows..with this new "tablet" rumors going around, that might put an major iphone upgrade on the back burner..

and I'm always down for good discussions, not gonna take anything personally here...thanks for the disclosure though..ahah

 

[JamesGorman]

Well everyone, I will be going with the 3G S. Thanks a lot for all the replies, They helped me come to my decision for sure.


Also I agree with you guys/girls who said that the internal is so much more important than cosmetics. I would not be to upset if apple released something new that was only really cosmetic after I bought my 3G S, as some people have suggested. If the hardware itself remind basically the same it would not bother me at all.

 

[HarryAndAGuitar]

I had iphone 3g from release, wanted to upgrade but stuck in 18 month contract and i don't any spare money so..... but i wish i had 3GS but i gonna wait to the new iphone is released so i can upgrade straight to that instead of upgrading to that in december and then not being able to upgrade in june/july if apple release a new iphone, what do you guys think?

 

[JamesGorman]

I had iphone 3g from release, wanted to upgrade but stuck in 18 month contract and i don't any spare money so..... but i wish i had 3GS but i gonna wait to the new iphone is released so i can upgrade straight to that instead of upgrading to that in december and then not being able to upgrade in june/july if apple release a new iphone, what do you guys think?

Seems like the most sensible thing to do.

 

[christyn]

I had iphone 3g from release, wanted to upgrade but stuck in 18 month contract and i don't any spare money so..... but i wish i had 3GS but i gonna wait to the new iphone is released so i can upgrade straight to that instead of upgrading to that in december and then not being able to upgrade in june/july if apple release a new iphone, what do you guys think?

Yeah, I would just wait if you don't have the spare cash for it right now.
I did sell my 3G on ebay for almost what it cost me to buy the 3GS (difference was less than $100) and I paid the $399 early upgrade pricing.. but I'm probably one of these ones who will do that every year

 

[ozzyman500]

3GS all the way. I have a birthday coming up in October so I will be upgrading then and using my future step-father in law's upgrade. I really see no point in getting the 32GB. Just sync about 80 albums or songs whatever you like, your apps and you have room for pics/videos...you have the internet/You Tube, Pandora, at your finger tips. Access to anything you want...do you really need that extra 16GB of space on a mobile phone?

 

[STEVESKI07]

3GS all the way. I have a birthday coming up in October so I will be upgrading then and using my future step-father in law's upgrade. I really see no point in getting the 32GB. Just sync about 80 albums or songs whatever you like, your apps and you have room for pics/videos...you have the internet/You Tube, Pandora, at your finger tips. Access to anything you want...do you really need that extra 16GB of space on a mobile phone?

I personally don't need 32GB of space, but I need more then 16GB. Who knows, over time I may end up getting close to filling up the 32GB. If you're fine with 16GB then just get that.

 

[ozzyman500]

I'm fine with getting a 16GB. I can easily sync about 3-4 days of music...I'm usually not away from my laptop more than a day. I sync up about twice a week now. And if I go on trips I'd bring my classic anyway.

 

[JamesGorman]

I'm fine with getting a 16GB. I can easily sync about 3-4 days of music...I'm usually not away from my laptop more than a day. I sync up about twice a week now. And if I go on trips I'd bring my classic anyway.

The extra 16gb of storage may come in handy, But for all intents and purposes, I think 16gb is ideal. I think its a great price for that amount of memory.