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Why does Apple sell the iPhone 3Gs?

C

cootersgarage6

Guest
Original poster
Nov 6, 2010
215
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Hi, I was wondering why Apple still sells the iPhone 3Gs? Here are my questions

1. Yeah, why do they still sell it
2. does that mean the 3Gs is still into date?
3. Do a lot of people still buy the 3Gs?
4. Will they stop selling it when the iPhone 5 comes out?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Because they know 4G won't be a standard throughout most of the US until at least 2013. 3GS phones are priced cheaper now so anyone can afford an iPhone. iPhone 5 won't be significant improvement over the iPhone 4.
 
cootersgarage6 said:
Hi, I was wondering why Apple still sells the iPhone 3Gs? Here are my questions

1. Yeah, why do they still sell it - Is that a question? I'm assuming because it's profitable, but that's just me.
2. does that mean the 3Gs is still into date? I'm not sure what this means
3. Do a lot of people still buy the 3Gs? Apparently, I mean, it's not a bad phone by any means, and the $50.00 price point is pretty attractive.
4. Will they stop selling it when the iPhone 4 comes out? Well, clearly they have...for the last 8 months. If you mean will they still sell it when the 5 comes out, it's doubtful, the 4 will just take it's place.
Click to expand...


Did you really need two threads for this?

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1093801/
 
1. Yeah, why do they still sell it Its the cheaper alternative
2. does that mean the 3Gs is still into date? Kind of/ though in the last update it lacked some features that the iPhone 4 got.
3. Do a lot of people still buy the 3Gs? Is this vital information
4. Will they stop selling it when the iPhone 4 comes out? The iPhone 4 has been out now for 8 months.
 
I didn't post 2 threads

I didn't post 2 threads... I'm on my iPad so it's probably a glitch. Macrumors always domes it to mr, it's like a duplicate
 
Last edited by a moderator:
If you can sell a phone for as long as possible without having to retool manufacturing plants, and its still a great money maker, why wouldn't you? :confused:
 
I just bought the 3GS to replace my iphone4. I find it to be more solid. Its a great phone. The Iphone 4 is not all that. JMHO
 
And for some people--the 3gs is a cheaper alternative to "testing the waters" in the iPhone world. I know many people who bought a 3g when the 3gs was hot...because a) it was cheaper and b) they weren't sure if they were really ready to have an iPhone. Once they realized they loved it, they knew they wanted the next version, for sure.
 
cootersgarage6 said:
Hi, I was wondering why Apple still sells the iPhone 3Gs? Here are my questions

1. Yeah, why do they still sell it
2. does that mean the 3Gs is still into date?
3. Do a lot of people still buy the 3Gs?
4. Will they stop selling it when the iPhone 5 comes out?
Click to expand...

1 Because people buy it
2. 3GS can run 4.2.1
3. It was top 5 selling phone last year. http://www.mobile88.com/news/read.asp?file=/2011/1/6/20110105120616&phone=best_selling-phones-2010
4. yep and the iPhone 4 will be priced like the 3GS is now
 
cootersgarage6 said:
Hi, I was wondering why Apple still sells the iPhone 3Gs? Here are my questions

1. Yeah, why do they still sell it
2. does that mean the 3Gs is still into date?
3. Do a lot of people still buy the 3Gs?
4. Will they stop selling it when the iPhone 5 comes out?
Click to expand...

1) it makes Apple money.
2) have no idea what you mean here. Into date?? Up to date, yes, it runs the latest IOS like the iphone 4.
3) A lot of people still have the 3Gs and for $50 bucks it's a hell of a bargain.
4) nobody knows.
 
It's nothing but a way of getting more subscribers on what is assumed to be a low entry price... it won't cost you much and they still make mad moolah in the long run because of how much the plans cost.

Win!
 
Money is not the issue. Its the quality. Its a solid phone. I also find the camera to be better. Im very sad to see it go.
 
To remind us what a great phone they're capable of making.

Having blown it with the iPhone 4, perhaps Apple will get back on track with iPhone 5... :)
 
They're doing what they did last year with the 3G.

Keep last year's model around as a 8GB "entry level" product for $99 USD. When the next version of the iPhone is released, the 3Gs will be discontinued and replaced with a 8GB iPhone 4.
 
anonymous guy said:
They're doing what they did last year with the 3G.

Keep last year's model around as a 8GB "entry level" product for $99 USD. When the next version of the iPhone is released, the 3Gs will be discontinued and replaced with a 8GB iPhone 4.
Click to expand...

They don't make 8GB iPhone 4s, only 16 and 32. They're not going to start making them just to replace the 3GS. It will be 16GB iPhone 4, 32GB iPhone 5, 64 GB iPhone 5. Probably.
 
Dumbledorelives said:
They don't make 8GB iPhone 4s, only 16 and 32. They're not going to start making them just to replace the 3GS. It will be 16GB iPhone 4, 32GB iPhone 5, 64 GB iPhone 5. Probably.
Click to expand...

Except they did the same thing with the 3GS. There was no 8GB 3GS until after the iPhone 4 came out.

TEG
 
3GS can still run iOS very well and you can't really go wrong with an iPhone for $50. (even in 2011)
 
Alexjones said:
Money is not the issue. Its the quality. Its a solid phone. I also find the camera to be better. Im very sad to see it go.
Click to expand...

If you think the 3GS has a better camera than iPhone 4, you need your eyes tested.

And along with that, you're not stating opinion, you're actually wrong.
 
If you want an entry level 16gig iPhone, then the 3GS is for you. It's perfectly capable, and runs the latest iOS just fine.

I bought a 32gig 3GS about a month and a half before the iP4 came out because I don't like to buy the first production model (and we say what problems it had).

The form-factor is also much nicer to hold and pocket. I honestly expect Apple to go back to a rounded case around iP6.
 
Sedrick said:
If you want an entry level 16gig iPhone, then the 3GS is for you. It's perfectly capable, and runs the latest iOS just fine.

I bought a 32gig 3GS about a month and a half before the iP4 came out because I don't like to buy the first production model (and we say what problems it had).

The form-factor is also much nicer to hold and pocket. I honestly expect Apple to go back to a rounded case around iP6.
Click to expand...

I sure hope not, I hate the rounded case.

And to the guy above saying 3GS is better than iPhone 4--- right, you keep telling yourself that.
 
EvilEvil said:
Because they know 4G won't be a standard throughout most of the US until at least 2013. 3GS phones are priced cheaper now so anyone can afford an iPhone. iPhone 5 won't be significant improvement over the iPhone 4.
Click to expand...

I think you've mistaken that the iphone 4 has 4G capabilities. Both the 4 and the 3GS use 3G.
 
cootersgarage6 said:
1. Yeah, why do they still sell it
2. does that mean the 3Gs is still into date?
3. Do a lot of people still buy the 3Gs?
4. Will they stop selling it when the iPhone 5 comes out?
Click to expand...

1. Still useable. Also serves as a great entry level phone for those wanting an iPhone but not willing to fork over a couple hundred dollars for the newest model. I think BB has the 3GS for $49. Can't beat that.

2. Somewhat. Can still run most apps well or at least a hell of a lot better than the 3G can. And for those wanting in on the iPhone craze, it may be just what they want without all the Facetime, HD recording, etc that the 4 offers.

3. I've known a few that bought them. Most other people I know bought the 4 for themselves and then the 3GS for their kids/wife/girlfriend :D I guess it's good to be greedy every once in awhile.

4. If by they you mean Apple, maybe. Depends on what the latest firmware has in store. It'll still be supported by Apple but whether or not they still sell it on their website/stores is anyone's guess. But, the 3GS will still be available for sale by AT&T, most likely in refurb/cosmetically blemished models.
 
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