Summary of Early iPhone 3G S Reviews

[mjtomlin]

Come on reviewers.... I don't think the real question for users is whether or not they should upgrade from the iPhone 3G to the iPhone 3GS, but it should be for those of us on the first gen phone. If you have a 3G it should be really painfully clear that it is the same phone in essence.

I agree. People who have the 3G aren't even eligible for the upgrade price yet. I didn't buy the 3G when it came out because after the OS 2.0 upgrade it was enough to continue using the original iPhone. I don't see why anyone with a 3G would be all that interested in upgrading already. They're most of the features with the OS update.

It'll be more interesting to see the differences between the 3G and the original iPhone. I pretty much had to upgrade; the USB pin on the dock connector broke, so I can no longer connect my iPhone to my computer.

 

[mjtomlin]

You are incorrect.

Actually the only difference between the 3G and the 2G was GPS and, well 3G. (and of course the case).

The 3G has many more improvements over the 3G

 

[dequardo]

Ugh. I sure hope this "feature" can be disabled. Up = North is far far more preferable to the serious GPS user. A map that rotates based on your orientation is annoying, confusing, and verges on useless.

You are as wrong about this as you are about the merits of texting.

 

[cliffjumper68]

Not true. The move from this year to next year will (with multicore processors) is going to be like the move from PowerPC to Intel. If they didn't think that the 3gs couldn't handle multitasking it could only stand to reason that they think next year's model will. I'd seriously doubt Apple will hold off on multitasking another year. If they stuck with the A8, it would only be a bump in processor speed which will only hurt battery lie which is what Apple does not want. The A9 is far faster with better battery life. This is not even mentioning Open CL support. This will give Apple the ability to offer multitasking without battery life suffering. It would also be the intro of a PA Semi modded chip with all the ATI graphics people they hired. A revamped OS to combat the Pre will be coming and next year's hardware will get the full potential of it.

The move next year will signal a new shift in the iPhone's abilities that will stay around a long time. If you're contract is up, get a new one. It's a great product. For those under contract wait until next year because it will be special.

I think I have found my upgrade rythm skip every other model. I have a 2G now to 3GS, then to 4G (LTE) in 2011. Sounds good. I wonder how much of a speed bump this will be from 2G, I have never seen the processor spec's?

 

[winterspan]

Not true. The move from this year to next year will (with multicore processors) is going to be like the move from PowerPC to Intel. If they didn't think that the 3gs couldn't handle multitasking it could only stand to reason that they think next year's model will. I'd seriously doubt Apple will hold off on multitasking another year. If they stuck with the A8, it would only be a bump in processor speed which will only hurt battery lie which is what Apple does not want. The A9 is far faster with better battery life. This is not even mentioning Open CL support. This will give Apple the ability to offer multitasking without battery life suffering. It would also be the intro of a PA Semi modded chip with all the ATI graphics people they hired. A revamped OS to combat the Pre will be coming and next year's hardware will get the full potential of it.

The move next year will signal a new shift in the iPhone's abilities that will stay around a long time. If you're contract is up, get a new one. It's a great product. For those under contract wait until next year because it will be special.

That is all speculation. It was the stupid Mac websites that suggested the 2010 iPhone will automatically have a dual-core Cortex-A9, when we have no idea what will happen. Although Apple uses Samsung (and perhaps PA SEMI + 3rd party fab in the future), volume production of Cortex-A9 based SoCs like TI's OMAP4 or Qualcomm's dual-core Snapdragon are not expected until Q3 2010 at the earliest.

The 2010 iPhone will have to have a Cortex-A9 based SoC integrated with the rest of the components on the PCB and tested, debugged, and validated in incredibly quickly to have volume production ready for a June launch. I find it unlikely unless the time tables move up.

Also, a higher-spec'd ~850-1000Mhz Cortex-A8 does not have to use more power as Apple would surely move to 45nm chips next year. The OMAP36xx and newer Snapdragon are 45nm as well.

 

[TheKDub]

Actually the only difference between the 3G and the 2G was GPS and, well 3G. (and of course the case).

The 3G has many more improvements over the 3G

You know what it is? I think more people think 2G to 3G was a bigger shift than 3G to 3GS (myself included) is not so much of the specs (faster speed, bigger capacity), but it was the wow factor of the AT&T subsidized priced vs. the non-subsidized price of the 2G. That's what really pushed the huge adoption of the 3G phone vs. those who got the 2G phone.

While the 3GS can arguably have more features added than the 2G to 3G shift, the expectations are already there and faster speed and video didn't excite me as much as the "1/2" price off (yes, I know... the AT&T rates went up, but people don't think like that).

Just my 2 cents.

 

[MacBoucher]

copy multiple photos to send via email?

I'm running 3.0 on my 3G now and everything is 2 or 3x faster. Can't wait to see how it is on the 3G S.

Use Copy to Email Photos Instead of Share, how does this work? I don't see the copy button in Photos? Hmmm...

 

[Wotan31]

Morse Code? Are you serious? Lmao.

Quite serious. LMAO. But don't take my word for it.

Uhm yeah if north is always up how would you know where north is from the position where you are standing? Sure you can look at street structure and buildings to determine and sync your view with what you see on your phone. But why go through all the hassle when you have a compass? It's got nothing to do with how "serious" a user you are. The orientation is not annoying. You think it is annoying. Don't make your perception a fact. And yeah, if this feature is too sweet for you and want to believe yourself to be a "serious" gps user. You might as well not have a map either. Just gps that tells you your longitude and latitude. OK I admit that's for the real "serious" gps user. Some people really act like humans sometimes.

Your ignorance on this topic doesn't make my statements incorrect. Handheld GPS systems that are used off road i.e. on mountain trails are always displayed in Up = North mode. And all military GPS systems operate in Up = North mode. All Aviation GPS systems display in North = Up mode. All Nautical GPS systems display in North = Up mode. Just FYI.

In those kinds of more serious GPS applications, that you really need to know your track in relation to objects (like land, reefs, etc) that will ruin your day.. The last time I checked the earth doesn't rotate when you change direction.

With North up, you can take a quick glance and know if you are still heading in the overall right direction in relation to your destination. The map constantly rotating makes it more difficult.

I just love it when the guy I work with (who insists on direction up) makes a wrong turn, is driving in a circle on an exit loop and asks which way to go while the map is spinning in circles.. If it were locked in North up, would be no problem to quickly see which way to head.

The aviation industry, coast guard, army, etc. have all performed extensive usability tests and come to this same conclusion - hence the reason all of their systems operate this way. Those are the serious GPS users. Not my "perception" as you say.

You are as wrong about this as you are about the merits of texting.

Is that so? Did you attend public school, or private school there son? I'm just curious which system it was that failed you so miserably.

 

[chr1s60]

I'm just looking forward to the increased speed for my applications and the new camera. I know there is nothing major about the improvements, but I think it is an overall good improvement over the current 3G. I am excited about getting mine next week.

 

[itsmenyc]

Ugh. I sure hope this "feature" can be disabled. Up = North is far far more preferable to the serious GPS user. A map that rotates based on your orientation is annoying, confusing, and verges on useless.

LOL! Are you for real?!

You think for a map to be oriented in the direction you are facing is annoying, confusing and verges on useless?! i'm betting that you have never looked at a map in your life...

I'm sorry but that has to be the most asinine thing I have heard in a loooong time!

 

[itsmenyc]

Quite serious. LMAO. But don't take my word for it.



LOL My perception happens to coincide with fact. Your ignorance on this topic doesn't make my statements incorrect. Handheld GPS systems that are used off road i.e. on mountain trails are always displayed in Up = North mode. And all military GPS systems operate in Up = North mode. All Aviation GPS systems display in North = Up mode. All Nautical GPS systems display in North = Up mode. Just FYI.

In those kinds of more serious GPS applications, that you really need to know your track in relation to objects (like land, reefs, etc) that will ruin your day.. The last time I checked the earth doesn't rotate when you change direction.

With North up, you can take a quick glance and know if you are still heading in the overall right direction in relation to your destination. The map constantly rotating makes it more difficult.

I just love it when the guy I work with (who insists on direction up) makes a wrong turn, is driving in a circle on an exit loop and asks which way to go while the map is spinning in circles.. If it were locked in North up, would be no problem to quickly see which way to head.

The aviation industry, coast guard, army, etc. have all performed extensive usability tests and come to this same conclusion - hence the reason all of their systems operate this way. Those are the serious GPS users.

UMMM... Genius, has it ever occurred to you that most people are using the compass feature in conjunction with google maps so that they can orient themselves, not in the middle of nowhere, but in a city where they actually get CELL SERVICE!

Huh? Yeah, I didn't think so...

 

[Wotan31]

UMMM... Genius, has it ever occurred to you that most people are using the compass feature in conjunction with google maps so that they can orient themselves, not in the middle of nowhere, but in a city where they actually get CELL SERVICE!

Huh? Yeah, I didn't think so...

After reading my post, this is your response? I mean seriously? You're actually making some kind of coorelation between having cell service, and navigating maps? And that getting from point A to point B is somehow intrinsically different when you're in a city vs. not in a city??? Good grief. I'm speechless over your atrocious reading comprehension. Seriously.

I'll quote myself here, cause this clearly applies to you too:

Is that so? Did you attend public school, or private school there son? I'm just curious which system it was that failed you so miserably.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

It's interesting that Macrumors only highlighted the positive stuff. For example, Engadget completely contradicted Walt Mossberg's review on the battery, stating that they didn't find it any better on the 3Gs than it is on the 3G... but only the highlights are on MR... Classy, real classy.

 

[PharmD]

Use Copy to Email Photos Instead of Share, how does this work? I don't see the copy button in Photos? Hmmm...

http://www.ismashphone.com/2009/06/how_to_use_best_40_features_of_iphone_3.html

#2 has your answer.

 

[cliffjumper68]

After reading my post, are you really asking this question? I mean seriously? Either your reading comprehension is below that of a 2nd grader, or the average IQ around here is plummeting. You're actually making some kind of coorelation between having cell service, and navigating maps? And that getting from point A to point B is somehow intrinsically different when you're in a city vs. not in a city???

I'll quote myself here, cause this clearly applies to you as well:

Makes sense for a cell data sourced gps service for casual users (google maps). This is not a high performance gps device nor meant to be one. I am assuming the Garmin, Tom Tom, and Navigon aps will have North always up as is expected for a more serious user. That being said a serious GPS user would have a better GPS chip set like those in the Garmin GPS60csx. This is fine for finding starbucks, but I would never go far from a road with one.

As for txting, more people in the world txt than talk on cell phones world wide. Drives me crazy, but I travel alot and that is how it works (especially in 3rd world nations).

 

[iMacoo7]

Looks like allot of mixed feelings. I think the more the reviews come in the more diverse they will be. Each review toting the feature/features they really liKe over others.

 

[itsmenyc]

After reading my post, this is your response? I mean seriously? You're actually making some kind of coorelation between having cell service, and navigating maps? And that getting from point A to point B is somehow intrinsically different when you're in a city vs. not in a city??? Good grief. I'm speechless over your atrocious reading comprehension. Seriously.

I'll quote myself here, cause this clearly applies to you too:

Ok, let me requote you as well:

"Your ignorance on this topic doesn't make my statements incorrect. Handheld GPS systems that are used off road i.e. on mountain trails are always displayed in Up = North mode. And all military GPS systems operate in Up = North mode. All Aviation GPS systems display in North = Up mode. All Nautical GPS systems display in North = Up mode. Just FYI.

In those kinds of more serious GPS applications, that you really need to know your track in relation to objects (like land, reefs, etc) that will ruin your day.. The last time I checked the earth doesn't rotate when you change direction."

Mountain trails, in the air, on the water: no cell service, means your iPhone's Google maps won't help you. That is what I was talking about. Is that really that hard to understand?

Let me quote you again:

"A map that rotates based on your orientation is annoying, confusing, and verges on useless."

That defies any kind of logic whatsoever!

Not to start a pissing contest, but in so far as education and prestigious schools are concerned, I recommend that you don't go there. Besides, your education and schools clearly have not made up for your obvious intellectual limitations.

 

[kas23]

This is a bigger upgrade over the 3g than the 3g was to 2g, if this one is not worth upgrading to, then I guess the 3g was an even worse upgrade.

As you can see, statements like these get people really hot and bothered. How dare you tell them they upgraded for nothing!!

 

[mkoval11]

Still Missing

I like the new features of OS 3.0 which I'm using on my 16GB 3G. I won't be getting a new unit until the following features are added.

• Tethering (In the US)
• A real spell checker
• Auto Text (like the Blackberry)

The good news is that the iPhone is getting better and better. The interface blows the Storm out of the water and the App Store is second to none.

If I was in need of a new device, I'd go for the new 3GS but for now I'm just fine with my 3G and OS 3.0. I can't wait for next June for OS 4.0 and the next Gen iPhone. I won't be first in line but I'll certainly be getting one.

 

[iMaggot]

This just makes me look forward to the next model next summer.

Yep me to. It's to soon to switch my 3G for a 3Gs, plus i don't see a $299 difference between the two.

 

[vansouza]

Well the positive reviews are to be expected.

They should just come out and say it:


The iPhone saves lives.

Too funny... Heals the sick and raises the dead.

 

[muskratboy]

Ugh. I sure hope this "feature" can be disabled. Up = North is far far more preferable to the serious GPS user. A map that rotates based on your orientation is annoying, confusing, and verges on useless.

actually, when reading a 'real' map, the first thing you do is orient the map / yourself so the map matches up with what you are looking at.

finally, that orienteering merit badge comes through!

 

[redkamel]

+3 about the 3gs being a stopgap till the contract runs out. Poor ATT, too stupid to run a phone a network. Money they'd put in to upgrade their data network for iphone would have been repaid many times over in upgrades/new buyers...and even when it went multinetwork, theyd still have the rep, and a big data network. They can't even get MMS working for the most visible cellphone, and they had 2 years to figure it out, since everyone knew it was coming. Idiots.

Agreed. A 10 min text conversation would take 30s - 1min on the PHONE. Texting blows, unless you want a one way conversation (i.e - update someone on the status of "something" )

...or unless the conversation is going on in the background of what you are actually doing, like typing, so you can pay attention to two things. Or if you have more than one conversation going. Or if you want several minutes to think about your reply. Or if its not really that important, like most conversations. Or if its noisy where one person is. Or if they get REALLY bad reception....need I go on? Not saying texting is better, but its definelty very useful.

And seriously, morse code; better and faster than texting? Are you telling me in WWII the allies would have rather had morse code than text messaging? R.O.T.F.L.M.A.O. Got that study, whoever posted it?

 

[Ping Guo]

Originally Posted by Wotan31
Texting is idiotic. Tests have shown Morse Code to be a faster and more efficient method of transmitting text than SMS on a cell phone. Seriously.

Not to mention all the idiots who do it while driving down the highway.

Agreed. A 10 min text conversation would take 30s - 1min on the PHONE. Texting blows, unless you want a one way conversation (i.e - update someone on the status of "something" )

No, not really. Texting is pretty d*mn useful in a lot of cases. Like if you need to receive important info about a meeting, an address, etc. Would you rather have someone tell you over a crappy connection and hope you remember it, or have the info stored on your phone in a text?

When you're in an area with said crappy reception, or a noisy environment and don't hear your phone, or a quiet environment where you don't want to disturb others, texting is indeed very, very useful. You can miss a call, but not a text. The text is there waiting for your with the info you need, and if you're busy doing something you can read it when you're free, without worrying about missing an important call.

Not everyone uses their phone just to have conversations. Sometimes it is to send and receive important info, and before someone says "just send an email", A. not everyone has a phone that can do email, and B. typing an email on the iphone takes just as long as a text, if not longer.

But I suppose you think email is useless too? Why not just use VOIP all the time?

 

[ibosie]

The BBC chimes in with a video of iPhone 3G S versus Nokia N97

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8105203.stm