View Full Version : iPhone 3GS?
Aerouk
9th Jun 2009, 12:51
Hi all,
So... whos getting one? Whos sticking with their iPhone 3G? Anyone that annoyed with it they're looking elsewhere?
Would be interesting to know.
Akrapovic
9th Jun 2009, 13:18
I'm seriously considering getting one, but O2's tariff's are a bit of a joke and have monopolised the UK market, so they're taking the pi$$ with their prices, and to be honest, for the sake of a few gimmicks, I can't justify signing up for a minimum of 18 months and have to pay for the phone as well. . .
Unless someone can convince me otherwise!
mixture
9th Jun 2009, 13:20
, I can't justify signing up for a minimum of 18 months and have to pay for the phone as well. . .
You can get them iPhones on PAYG you know ?
P.S. I don't like the O2 monopoly either ! :ok:
call100
9th Jun 2009, 19:27
The new one is not worth getting at the price they are quoting.....I'll stick with the old one (Identical in looks) and the big software update that is coming next week...
I don't use video, not fussed about the camera pixels and it does everything quick enough for me....:ok:
Aerouk
9th Jun 2009, 22:34
I've got a 2G one at the moment, but the new MMS and Internet tethering isn't going to work on the 2G so I would like an upgrade..
I'm debating between iPhone 3G or 3GS, can't make up my mind.
Jofm5
10th Jun 2009, 00:51
I've got a 2G one at the moment, but the new MMS and Internet tethering isn't going to work on the 2G so I would like an upgrade..
I'm debating between iPhone 3G or 3GS, can't make up my mind.
From first view the only advabtages of the 3GS over the 3G is as follows:-
3GS is 16gb or 32GB whereas 3G is 8GB or 16gb.
Faster Processor in 3GS (according to apples on speed comparison - processor details I could not find).
Better camera on 3MP on 3gs compared to 2MP on 3g.
Bigger battery (assumption due to browsing times listed - See Below).
Auto focus on camera on 3GS (See Below).
Record video with sound on 3GS (see below).However - this information was taken from Apple - iPhone - Technical Specifications (http://www.apple.com/iphone/specs.html) - which I think is a bit misleading in that some of the things NOT listed on the 3G specifcations but are on the 3GS are coming to the 3G when version 3.0 of the operting system is released next week - for example video is not mentioned on the 3G page but is mentioned in coming in the OS update :- Apple - iPhone - New features in the iPhone 3.0 Software Update. (http://www.apple.com/iphone/softwareupdate/)
Likewise the link says the 3G is only 8gb whereas I own a 16gb one (perhaps this is moving forward - I dont know).
If the camera is not important then I would say try getting a 3G cheap when the 3GS comes out as there is little difference on face value between the hardware that I can see (please correct me) that the OS update does not already address.
Jofm5
10th Jun 2009, 01:01
Internet tethering isn't going to work on the 2G
Just a quick note on the above I was reading on my iphone earlier from the text from 02....
With the internet tethering you need a seperate dataplan bolt on with 02 (not sure about foreign providers) it does not come from your unlimited internet access you already have on the phone.
Prices start at around £14 per month for 3gb (residential users) which is restricted to 3gb on 3G and unlimited over the Cloud/bt openzonei etc - The price drops slightly for corporate users. And the price per mb when you go over is quite steep.
If you are on pay as you go you cannot get/use the tethering service. It is around the same price as a USB dongle so may work out better to get one of those instead.....
The information I am quoting from can be found here:- Internet Tethering - iPhone (http://shop.o2.co.uk/update/internet.html)
preduk
10th Jun 2009, 01:12
Jofm5,
The hardware i.e processors is much quicker on the new iPhone although they haven't yet released the exact processor and memory speeds as of yet.
Just to add on the tethering WiFi, in the past your phones serial number would be the only device that could be used on the Cloud/BT network. From the update, you are going to be able to use two devices on the cloud network only, meaning BT won't work while tethering the device.
Jofm5
10th Jun 2009, 01:37
Just to add on the tethering WiFi, in the past your phones serial number would be the only device that could be used on the Cloud/BT network. From the update, you are going to be able to use two devices on the cloud network only, meaning BT won't work while tethering the device.
Preduk,
Not sure what your saying about the above about 2 devices and BT Wont work. Please clarify...
My understanding from what I have read (and I could be wrong and its late now) is that you pair your device(s) to the iphone via either blue tooth or wifi (or both) and that you use your iphone as the modem/access point - which then decides whether to use the 3G connection or the WiFi connection if available to access the net.
According to the O2 link I posted above on tethering it is Cloud/BT Openzone and partners that the unlimited access is on with you paying based upon 3g/cellular allowance.
RAAus_Pilot
10th Jun 2009, 01:46
I'm pretty happy with the current 16GB iPhone. Battery life isn't an issue and I don't use the camera that much. Mind you the photos it does take are pretty good anyway.
Good chance that I'll upgrade in 12 to 18 months to the 3GS.
This new firmware 3.0 update will make the current iPhones a much better platform anyway.
preduk
10th Jun 2009, 13:55
At the moment, when you connect to the Cloud/BT WiFi Network, it registers you with a Mac Address and a phone number. Your Mac Address is assigned to your handset, meaning you can only connect to those wifi providers using the iPhone.
From the new update, when you make your iPhone a dongle you will have one added Mac address for the laptop/computer of your choice on the Cloud network.
What that basically means is that you can use your iPhone device on both BT/Cloud Unlimited without any problems, but when your iPhone become a dongle and your laptop becomes the device you can only use the cloud because BT aren't letting us add an extra Mac Address...
I'm sorry if it's not any clearer, it's hard to explain lol
If they'd allow a contract extension so i could move straight from my 3G to the 3GS I might consider it, but they don't.
Those who bought the 3G a year ago have a minimum of 6 months to go on the present contract. The only options you have are to buy your way out of the previous contract or buy a new one and run them in parallel.
For the minor improvements it will provide over the 3G with V3.0 software it's just not worth it. I'll see out my present contract and think about replacing it then.
I have my suspicions that an awful lot of other users will think the same and I don't believe that there are a lot of possible new buyers out there, as opposed to upgraders, especially with the Palm pre about to hit the shops.
So I suspect that, after a few weeks to catch the few who will pay the extra, they'll have to offer a deal to shift the new phones. We'll see.
Jofm5
10th Jun 2009, 15:29
From the new update, when you make your iPhone a dongle you will have one added Mac address for the laptop/computer of your choice on the Cloud network.
PredUK I think what your saying is that your internet access through the Iphone itself will be represented on the WIFI as one MAC address and the internet access via the tethering side is another MAC address. This makes sense as the routined portion of iphone being able to be identified differently as this would allow seperation of devices traffic.
What is not clear is how many devices can be tethered at the same time, I read what you were saying as one and after you have tethered one you wont be able to tether another - however from the links text to me by 02 it appears you can have devices connected by wifi and blue tooth which also implies (and is not entirely clear) that many devices can be tethered at once.
Will have to wait and see I guess.
call100
10th Jun 2009, 19:17
But, at £14 a month extra on your contract it's not worth buying a new one just so that you can have tethering. You would be better off getting a seperate dongle and saving 500 quid!!
This picture (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3409/3615683376_422978a68e_o.png) compares the running costs of the iPhone 3GS and its competitors, over a 24-month period, in the USA. (It's too big to embed.)
Scary. I think I'll hang on to my nearly 3-year-old HTC S620 for a little while longer, thank you very much. :eek:
Jofm5
11th Jun 2009, 19:01
I get photo unavailable when viewing that bnt.
Saab Dastard
11th Jun 2009, 22:00
It did work earlier today. Iphone was the most expensive at $3600 over 24 months, unlimited talk and data? Seems like a lot of money for a mobile phone. :8
SD
call100
11th Jun 2009, 22:23
24 months would be around £840 pounds on O2. A way bit less than the yanks...Take out the cost of the phone and I don't think it's that bad.....:bored:
Tried the image link again - definitely working. I do check links before I post them, y'know ... :hmm:
Jofm5
12th Jun 2009, 13:33
bnt -
all a bit strange - still says photo unavailable to me.
call100
12th Jun 2009, 14:30
If it's any help it says pic not available for me also....:bored:
Saab Dastard
12th Jun 2009, 14:43
Unavailable to me still - have you changed permissions on the photo / album or moved the pic?
SD
Weird - it must be Flickr moving stuff about. Never mind - the point was, it costs way too much in the USA, and here in Ireland too. Can't speak for the UK.
buzzz737
28th Jun 2009, 22:52
If you are buying an iPhone to use only as a phone, then you are purchasing the wrong mobile device. It is way more than that. If you plan on using even 10% of the features, then the high cost is worth it!
My 2.5 cents worth
Akrapovic
29th Jun 2009, 09:27
Guys/Gals,
Is it possible to get push email on the iphone and more than one account - eg - Personal and work email accounts . . . ?
Ta
Akrapovic
AppleMacster
29th Jun 2009, 09:38
Is it possible to get push email on the iphone and more than one account - eg - Personal and work email accounts . . . ?
Yes, if the email account supports it. I have my iPhone accessing three such accounts: two MobileMe accounts and one (work) Exchange account. I have a fourth POP account on there which doesn't support push email. The iPhone also supports push contacts and calendar events, too.
Applemacster
Keygrip
29th Jun 2009, 10:11
Can I ask.....what's a "push mail"?
call100
29th Jun 2009, 11:32
It's email that is sent to your phone as and when it arrives on the servers without you having to ask for them manually. They are 'pushed' to your phone. Basically it's like having your email programme permanently open.
A more technical explanation here....
Push Email - An Introduction (http://www.pushemail.co.uk/)
Jofm5
29th Jun 2009, 11:34
Push email is what the blackberry is renowned for.
The blackberry enterprise server will push a new mail when it arrives to your phone, likewise microsoft have active sync for exchange server which will push new mail as it arrives to your iphone.
Pushing email to a mobile device will result in the mail arriving on your phone/pda almost the same time it hits your enterprise mail server. The advantage is you dont have to get your phone to poll the mail server every few minutes which will consume the battery on the mobile device.
I have 4 push email accounts on my iPhone, 3 Hotmail and one Google mail, works just fine....except for the junk mail that keeps coming in...
Only poor point is deleting the Hotmail messages only deletes them off the iPhone, I have to do the same thing again on my computer when I getr home.
Akrapovic
29th Jun 2009, 16:59
Thanks people.
I'm due to change phones end of next month - torn between iphone and new HTC Touch Diamond 2 . . . .
Jofm5
29th Jun 2009, 17:42
The new nokia N97 looks a funky bit of kit also - has a touch screen and a slide out qwerty keyboard and is pretty similar in functionality to the iphone.
I already have a iPhone 3g on pay as you go which I think is a great phone - I use it for everything but calls, my n95 contract phone is up in september but I can get a free upgrade to an N97 now with 3, or wait till sept and port my number over to 02 and get a get a 3gs.
The thing that is putting me off the 3gs is the cost of the phone on top of the high tariffs you have to pay - whereas a N97 would be free for me.
call100
29th Jun 2009, 20:11
Thanks people.
I'm due to change phones end of next month - torn between iphone and new HTC Touch Diamond 2 . . . .
The HTC Hero is the closest to the IPhone in the HTC range. Brand new and running Android operating system.
HTC - Products - HTC Hero - Overview (http://www.htc.com/www/product/hero/overview.html)
If I didn't already have the IPhone (which I love) I would be torn!!!
Make your choice based on what you want it for.....:ok:
Aerouk
30th Jun 2009, 00:15
Jofm5,
My advice, stick to your iPhone 3G. The 3GS is a good phone if your going from iPhone 2G to iPhone 3GS, if your going from 3G to 3GS it's a waste of money.
The Nokia N97 is getting pretty poor reviews from what I've been reading, the software is supposed to be slow, unfriendly and sluggish.
Jofm5
30th Jun 2009, 01:34
Cheers aerouk,
But still not sure what you say to do as you say dont do either lol
I have an iphone 3g on pay as you go - love it and only use it for pda type stuff at the mo.
I have an N95 on contract (this will be second renewal of 18 month contract) and just coming to end of 18 month contract in sept but can upgrade now.
I guess I have 2 options right now...
1) keep iphone 3g and upgrade N95 to N97 or something else.
2) sell iphone 3g on ebay and port number to 02 and sign contract on iphone 3gs and use 3g money to pay for iphone3g and port the number.
lol
call100
30th Jun 2009, 10:41
or.....just keep the Iphone 3G and use it as your PDA and phone and save yourself the N97 contract money!!!! You can change it to a contract if that's what you want...
As said if you have the 3G the cost of moving to a 3Gs is not worth it. Great if you are new to IPhone or are upgrading but not worth the extra layout.
Why would you need two phones anyway????:)
Bushfiva
30th Jun 2009, 14:13
Why would you need two phones anyway????
The one in the left pocket doesn't get answered between 9 pm and 8 am...
If what I'm reading is true, the 3GS can also be used to keep you warm in winter: IPhone 3GS Handsets Overheat, Turn Brown | Gadget Lab | Wired.com (http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/06/iphone-3gs-handsets-overheat-turn-brown/) :ok:
call100
30th Jun 2009, 15:01
The one in the left pocket doesn't get answered between 9 pm and 8 am...
I'm with you there. I just have different group ring tones for different contact groups...Works a treat...Still only one phone. The OP didn't use the IPhone as a phone though so it wasn't for that reason he had two....:)
Jofm5
30th Jun 2009, 15:37
The OP didn't use the IPhone as a phone though so it wasn't for that reason he had two....http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:www.pprune.org/get/images/smilies/smile.gif
That is sort of correct but not quite - it is tending to work that way as because I work for myself my personal contract phone (n95) is being used more and more for business so is being ignored more and more. Caller groups are fine if the number is not witheld.
The iPhone I origanlly bought as an on the side project to write software for (yet to find the time) - it is however proving useful as a PDA for a number of reasons - I have my gripes but nothing I cant work around at the moment.
My comment was more that I need an iphone for my projects but am not sure whether to accept a free upgrade on the N95 to a N97 and keep with two or go for the 02 route and port my number. Either way I will end up keeping one phone with me for day to day use - I was more interested to see how the n97 compares in things like web browsing and mail use which is very good on the iphone.
Keeping the iphone and going onto contract is an option but at the minute the phone is costing me nothing (and will cost nothing till may 2010) in upkeep as all data is free for the first year and I make outgoing calls on my nokia. The contracts on the iphone are expensive and not worth migrating to as I would end up paying for the phone twice, so if I was going to go for an iphone tariff I would get a new phone and sell the old.
SyllogismCheck
30th Jun 2009, 21:47
Why pay over the odds for an iPhone when you can get as good, probably better, elsewhere for free and on more competitive contract terms. :confused:
eg. Free HTC Touch HD, 600 mins, unlimited texts and unlimited data for £30 a month on an 18 month contract. :ok:
buzzz737
1st Jul 2009, 18:33
the iPhone 3GS also takes video and at 30 frames per second, the connection between the eye and brain won't register any flicker. Not as good as a video camera but darn near!
Kick Butt
2nd Jul 2009, 00:45
The iPhone offers so much more in the way of applications right now that the others are left behind! As long as you understand you are getting more than a mobile phone that it makes the extra cost worth it!!!
:ok:
Hmmm, so using the 3GS in a hot car environment is advised against, with a recommendation also to minimise use of applications that use GPS tracking (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2101).
that doesn't bode well for the TomTom iPhone stuck in the windscreen (http://iphone.tomtom.com/), does it? :suspect::suspect:
Kick Butt
8th Jul 2009, 19:15
I heard that they were coming out with the Tom Tom for the iPhone... just awaiting details before I do a blog article on it next!
That's the first I've heard about heating issues with the iPhones though. I hadn't heard of any probs with the regular 3G.
Kick Butt
shinobi1
8th Jul 2009, 23:01
Yes, Tomtom was displayed at the WWDC in June. the link in an earlier post shows the Tomtom page with more info.
AS far as the overheating goes , I feel it may be pre-emptive against any impending legislation. I seem to remember an article about an ipod touch igniting in someones pocket and the legal case that the mother tried to get going.
As the 3GS operates faster with a better processor, Maybe Apple are covering their a**e ?