iPodJedi
macrumors 6502a
I don't think so, I think it would be fun and interesting to compare our old tech with what we have now... And it's nice to go "travel back in time" and see what used to be cool!!!
New life for iPhone 2G, would you be able to use it as a main driver?
- Thread starter iBlazed
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I don't think so, I think it would be fun and interesting to compare our old tech with what we have now... And it's nice to go "travel back in time" and see what used to be cool!!!
cambookpro
macrumors 604
I loved my first iPhone, but could I use it today as my main phone? No way.
The main reason is the lack of 3G, Edge just doesn't cut it for data anymore due to how bloated most sites have become.
Could I use an iPhone 3G? Probably, though it wouldn't be that great. A 3GS would still probably function well, as internally it's pretty similar to the iPhone 4, without the burden of having to drive the retina display.
The main reason is the lack of 3G, Edge just doesn't cut it for data anymore due to how bloated most sites have become.
Could I use an iPhone 3G? Probably, though it wouldn't be that great. A 3GS would still probably function well, as internally it's pretty similar to the iPhone 4, without the burden of having to drive the retina display.
MattMJB0188
macrumors 68020
AT&T Edge actually still works pretty well. Slow, yes. But nobody is on it nowadays. It's much faster than it was in 2007-2008. The 2nd gen iPhone (3G) topped out at like 3.2mbps. I think the 3GS was around 7mbps.
cambookpro
macrumors 604
When I'm on Edge in the UK (O2's network), very very rarely can I actually get a data connection. 90% of the time it times out - the only things that load are WAP versions of websites and Google!
iBlazed
macrumors 68000
The GPS is a huge factor for me. I use it all the time and usually through Siri. Can't imagine not being able to use my phone as a GPS now.
Xenomorph
macrumors 65816
The biggest issue with the original iPhone is its battery.
The device itself is difficult to disassemble, and then you get to a battery that is soldered in. It was the only iPhone designed this poorly.
If you want to use something like whited00r, stick with the iPhone 3G.
However, I wouldn't touch anything older than an iPhone 3GS. It was the first device with some real horsepower in it. Then again, moving up to an iPhone 4 gets you the better display, more RAM, and quite a bit better battery (that is also loads easier to swap).
The device itself is difficult to disassemble, and then you get to a battery that is soldered in. It was the only iPhone designed this poorly.
If you want to use something like whited00r, stick with the iPhone 3G.
However, I wouldn't touch anything older than an iPhone 3GS. It was the first device with some real horsepower in it. Then again, moving up to an iPhone 4 gets you the better display, more RAM, and quite a bit better battery (that is also loads easier to swap).
iBlazed
macrumors 68000
I think this is why they completely redesigned the iPhone after the first generation. This was the first and last time they ever did that. Every redesign after that was used for two generations.
lordofthereef
macrumors G5
If the camera wasn't garbage I would hand this thing to my mom and be done with it. $35 is crazy cheap for a phone like this.
Otherwise I don't see a point of me paying for a data plan with this phone. It would be able to do almost none of the things I do on a daily basis.
By the way, you can get Android on the thing. Since you obviously like to tinker, give it a go!
Otherwise I don't see a point of me paying for a data plan with this phone. It would be able to do almost none of the things I do on a daily basis.
By the way, you can get Android on the thing. Since you obviously like to tinker, give it a go!
iBlazed
macrumors 68000
By the way, you can get Android on the thing. Since you obviously like to tinker, give it a go!
Now THAT would be an interesting experiment! I wonder which is the latest version of android the 2g can run, being that even most modern androids aren't even running up to date software.
TacticalDesire
macrumors 68020
Now THAT would be an interesting experiment! I wonder which is the latest version of android the 2g can run, being that even most modern androids aren't even running up to date software.
I think the version people got running was something like v1.6 or 2.0 but I'm not 100% sure on that.
iBlazed
macrumors 68000
Yeah it's 2.0 Froyo. I checked out some screenshots and TBH it's not even tempting for me to do. They even stopped the iDroid project after 2.0 because of a general lack of interest.
The Doctor11
macrumors 603
It's no fun when it looks like iOS 7. You should get the full experience with the original iPhones look.
Crichton333
macrumors 6502
Now THAT would be an interesting experiment! I wonder which is the latest version of android the 2g can run, being that even most modern androids aren't even running up to date software.
Android barely works on normal droid devices, it would lag like crazy on a 2g.
Altemose
macrumors G3
So I recently discovered a custom firmware for old iPhones based on whatever the last version of iOS they were able to use, it's called Whited00r. In the case of this iPhone 2G I got on ebay for $35, it's iOS 3.1.3. It's designed to look like iOS 7 and mimic as much of its functionality as it possibly can. It even has it's own App Store where you can download old versions of apps that will work with iOS 3 since Apple's "Last Compatible Version" works with iOS 4 at minimum. I was able to find a good SIM adapter thanks to this forum that doesn't damage the SIM reader inside the iPhone and I put my nano-sim into the iPhone. It activated right up. Not sure how long I will attempt to actually use this, but it was a pretty fun little project and the iPhone is in great shape and will be fun to show to future generations one day. I even have the original box and everything.
It's crazy how I was so amazed by this phone back in 2007 (I had one but it broke a few years ago, that's why I got one off ebay) and felt like it couldn't possibly get any better. I mean, what else could you need, right?
Would you ever be able to use an original iPhone as your daily driver today?
Whited00r is a great firmware option for older iPhones. I know I could use it as a daily driver even on stock 3.1.3. I wouldn't mind owning one, but for the price that they charge on eBay it isn't worth it since I don't need it to get AT&T unlimited data. Most everyone I know sold them so I can't get my hands on a super cheap one.
iBlazed
macrumors 68000
What do you use your phone for? I could never use it as a main driver. And as I mentioned, they're not expensive. I got mine on ebay for $35
Altemose
macrumors G3
Well, I use my phone as a phone. I mainly do calls and despise texting despite being a teen. Calls and some music files is pretty much it, and sometimes YouTube videos. I use Page Plus Cellular and I actually wrote a guide on it.
iBlazed
macrumors 68000
Wow, that's some very basic usage you got going on there. In that case, I guess the 2g really would work for you.
Altemose
macrumors G3
I have a 5s now but could easily get by on a 2G.
braddick
macrumors 68040
I'd love to read your guide on this.
-Someone mentioned a few days ago on this thread as to what could possibly be the reasoning behind wanting to use the original iPhone. It's a valid question.
I could only think of the analogy of what drives people to, well, drive classic cars.
Certainly the difference between a 1965 Mustang and a 2014 model is staggering, yet I see these older cars out there a lot (and, no- it's not a financial decision among most collectors).
Personally, my wife teases me and predictably guesses the fad of using older electronic devices will waiver and fade away.
It isn't too far into the work week when I do slip the SIM out of the 2G and place it back into my 5C...
iBlazed
macrumors 68000
Yeah but have you ever attempted to load a YouTube video over EDGE?
Altemose
macrumors G3
Good to know. Thanks. Would you still be able to upgrade and keep the unlimited?
Altemose
macrumors G3
That is what many do. They start a line in iTunes then upgrade their device and are able to "grandfather" into the unlimited plan. AT&T, however, will automatically make it the $30.00 3G/LTE unlimited plan and not just the $20.00 2G (EDGE) plan.