The Apple iPhone 3GS Review
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A friend of mine Jonty sent me this review of the Apple iPhone 3GS from Canada. While we wait for the phone to launch in India, Jonty brings us a short review of the device along with some great pics. Go ahead and read the Apple iPhone 3GS Review – the first on any indian site !
I’ve been a long time cellphone connoisseur, and have used phones from all major platforms such as Blackberry OS, iPhone OS X, S60v3, S60v5, and WM6/6.1. Last week, Apple announced a new iPhone. The question that arose after the keynote was – Should you get it?
What’s in the box ?
- iPhone 3GS
- Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic
- Dock Connector to USB Cable
- USB Power Adapter
- Documentation
- SIM eject tool
- And some love from Steve Jobs .
The iPhone 3Gs – S for speed is Apple’s newest iteration of the much-sought after iPhone. Externally the two devices are identical, but internally is wherein the differences are more obvious. I’m not going into technical details of the internal hardware but for those interested – you may read all about it at here
iphone 3g on the left and 3gs on the right
Apple quotes “twice the performance” and my, does it live up to that statement. Due to the enhanced hardware, and double the RAM, the phone really does perform speedily, and performs almost ALL tasks faster than the 3G. There is a noticeable performance bump with the 3Gs and you get a sense of it right from the home screen itself. But the updates don’t stop there. One interesting feature of the iPhone 3GS is the new Oleophobic screen which will not pick up fingerprints easily.
There is a digital compass present now, a 3mp camera (up from 2mp) with continuous AF (comes in very handy!) and video recording. This phone also has now support for MMS (thanks to OS 3.0), and voice command, which is extremely accurate and let’s you control pretty much everything about the phone (native apps only). There’s also an updated 3G radio which supports speeds up to 7.2mbps. A good selection of countries don’t have this HSPA but my carrier, Rogers already supports this speed, so using iPhone 3GS over 3G is more than just pleasant – it’s extremely fast! This isn’t just attributed to the fast 3G network, but overall just a fast phone. All in all, a much needed upgrade.
Home Screen
Its pretty similar to the 3G but loads much faster and is more snappier.
Digital Compass
Voice Control
This is a great feature present only in the 3GS and is damn accurate in detecting voice commands. You can call contacts , play music by just using your voice ! how cool does that sound ?
The following languages are supported
- Chinese (Cantonese)
- Chinese (China)
- Chinese (Taiwan)
- Dutch
- English (UK)
- English (U.S.)
- Finnish
- French (Canada)
- French (France)
- German
- Italian
- Japanese
- Korean
- Norwegian
- Polish
- Portuguese (Brazil)
- Portuguese (Portugal)
- Russian
- Spanish (Mexico)
- Spanish (Spain)
- Swedish
Camera and Video
Image Sample
Sample Video Recording
Sharing Photos and using Email and MMS
You can easily share your photos via Email or MMS. MMS is something which has been there for ages but has just arrived to iPhone via 3.0 software update and Apple does it with style !
And that’s pretty much it. Should you get it? Well, here are the pro’s and cons
Pros
- Faster processor
- More RAM
- Better camera with AF
- Video recording with on-the-fly editing
- Voice command (which works as advertised)
- Faster 3G network (where applicable)
- Slightly better battery life
Cons
- Quite expensive to upgrade to if you are already locked into a contract
- No physical difference from the 3G model (why not?)
- Still no flash
- Video records in 4:3 only
That’s pretty much what I’ve chalked up for now. Maybe I’ll notice a few more pro’s and cons.
I decided speed and performance were justifiable, and everything else along with the updated OS 3.0 was a bonus. Everything the iPhone lacked, has been rapidly added on, but the competition has been slow to react.
To me, the pro’s outweighed the cons, and the performance increase is tremendous. After using this phone for almost a week, I can say that using a phone with ANY lag will be an automatic no-sale in my eyes.
Unfortunately, iPhone 3GS just set the standard higher.
Please feel free to comment if you have any questions regarding the 3G/3Gs. Leaving you with a few comparison shots of the iPhone 3GS and my Blackberry.
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can I bring iphone 3GS from USA and use it here in India with any SIM card? as it is just $200 there…Please suggest me..
You’ll not get it for 200$. There are tax included and moreover its locked with AT&T for 2 year contract. Breaking the contract will cost some 200$ and only 1 iPhone is given to each mobile no. You need to have US SSN and US credit card to buy that.
Hi Dude. Just inform the ice operator that you are traveling abroad for VISIT OR TOURISM, NOT PERMANENTLY. This way no company can bind you into a contract or forced you in a situation where you will have no other choice, but to buy another phone to be used in another country. Each country’s laws in context to consumer rights prevent all companies to create such a situation for any consumer of their product or service……..Ensure they do not charge you for a unlocking or contract cancellation fees………If you are a prepaid customer & have bought your phone outright, then in that case HIGH POSSIBILITY that the unlocking fees may apply. Please check with AT&T…….Adding to this iPhone in USA works on different frequency compared to that of CDMA service available in india (eg: Reliance CDMA, TATA, BSNL Tarang, Virgin Mobile etc) make sure you opt a GSM service in India.
Hi Dude. Sorry for spelling mistake. It’s the “Service operator AT&T” i was talking about…….cheers
Dear Bhanu Brother
All the i phones apple 3Gs available in USA are locked to AT&T Service provider.
Locked i phones will not work in INDIA.
There are softwares which can be used to unlock the phone and there are experts in india who can unlock the i phone at a price.
The pitfall is if the phone goes out of order there is no warranty and no repairs or replacement of parts will be done in india.
You have to take the phone to USA to get it repaired.
You can get a i phone in hongkong in unlocke condition and will work in india but again no servicing facilities and you have to again go to hongkong for servicing.
Better you pay a higher price and buy only in india thru vodafone or airtel which is safe for a expensive phone like apple i phone 3gs.
The cost will not be less than Rs40000/- in india when it is launched on sept 22 2009.
Think it over!
All the Best
hey! SAM, thanks dude for info, u rock \m/
Hi
Look like another product that will be of Great Market value for Apple in INDIA. How can i book iphone 3GS in India.
I have a IPhone 3G, BB Storm & a HTC Touch & i am expecting another handset & i believe IPHONE 3GS will be cool
So anyone can you tell me the process of booking the IPHONE 3GS with the market prices of the product
Great Going Apple
Hi Sandy,
It is simple!
Just visit the showroom of Vodafone or Airtel and book your mobile apple i phone.
You can pay thru credit card or cheque or cash.
You have to carry your ID like passport or voters id card or driving licence.
The announcement will be made on Sept 22 2009.
All the best!
can any one suggest me if i want to put simcard of other telecome service like bsnl or Idea ,then how can i use that in apple Iphone 3GS, or apple Iphone 3G. It is available in gsm set? if i want to purchase apple i phone3gs or apple i phone3g in india , mumbai, then where i got that set & price? Thank you
You can do that by hacking iPhone. ultrasn0w and quickpwn are the providers to give that for free. All on your risk but you’ll get lots of support from forums and Google search. Warranty may void.
tel me the correct price of apple iphone3GS
hii the price of iphone 3gs is 32000 but in india they ar taking 38000
..can I bring iphone 3GS from USA and unlock it and use it here? or should I unluck in USA itself..plese advice
Can any one tell me when 3G launched in india except BSNL)
Hi Deokota
Unlocking is illegal and the law is much more strictly enforced in US than in India so if you were to do it you are better off trying in India. Since I am strictly against breaking the law I would rather pay the additional cost but even if you are not fussy about the legal aspect, the problems with service and managing any issues you may have later with the phone are important enough to buy in India.
If the price bothers one so much, why not wait till much after the launch. A year or more and buy when the prices will surely come down. For those who do not own an i-phone, buying the earlier model now is a good idea since the prices are going to be lower than when that one was launched.
Unlocking is 100% legal in US since November 2007. If you own the device you have the right to unlock it, the law does not forbid you. Software or Hardware unlock, provided that it will probably void the warranty of the phone.
Siddharth
A legally supported unlocking will not void the warranty, rather those people who do it illegally by paying a lesser fees to a software or hardware junky, will pay a higher price after unlocking that device with the service provider or the manufacturer’s consent, if there is any issue after wards in the phone, even if it’s covered under warranty, that will void it & user will face a loss. So be careful of those people offering mobile phone unlocking by playing with it’s software or hardware, in the end the person spending money to buy or unlock it is losing.
abhijeet kumar
I am from India…one of my relative is in USA who wants to gift me iphone 3GS.. what are the formalities to complete to make it work with any SIM here..? Please advice me.
@ban
Buy only out of contract apple i phone in USA.
Unlock the phone using available software or get it unlocked in USA using one of the standard software.
Bring the phone after taking care of the 3 critical points.
It will cost you around $450 in USA
@Samy,@ban
The iPhone 3GS from the States will cost you $699 and not $450.
To buy without contract $699 is the price.
Please search correctly on the Apple site and you’ll get the information.
ps: I got the iPhone 3GS here in India in grey market. Worked out to be almost the same price. Few grands more and it comes unlocked.
I am amazed at how Apple is fooling most people into thinking that unlocking their phone is “agaist the law”!!!!
What is this? You think they got their way into the constitution and added another amendment and passed it through congress and had Obama sign off it? And if you ever unlock an iphone you will be put behind bars with no chance of parole for 5 years or slapped with hefty fines? What are you thinking?
Think of you buying a product like a grinder or a washing machine or an iphone for that matter. Take your own screw driver and open it and do whatever you want. Can the police show up and arrest you for that?
My point is all Apple can do is “void” their warranties and might even jam your phone if you try to update with their next version of OS. I would say they are called ‘terms of agreement’ and you agree to it. Please do not bring the word ‘law’, ‘illegal’, ‘unlawful’ into this. Apple is more than happy to have you think that way.
- I am not a lawyer but it seems like basic common sense to me.
The motive to lock a phone with a service provider’s network is to keep the users locked with their service as they are spending a higher amount on buying those handsets, of which the costs are covered after sometime as the users keep paying their bills for service used or keep recharging (a particular amount, upto a period). Rules differ from company to company…….. Only one exception stand in between, especially for people opting for postpaid service & in contract for the mobile phone devices is the INTERNATIONAL ROAMING necessity with their device, with local service provider of that country of the users choice, as the international roaming rates are whooping high & can give a major bill shock to any one……. Unfortunately for Prepaid customers, the unlocking fees will apply as there is no guarantee of the user will do the “RIGHT THING”, i.e. continue using the service of the original provider of the device, instead of using some other provider in same nation. That will be a business loss to that provider.
Airtel & Vodafone are fooling us on the launch date of iPhone 3G S. earlier sources were saying that it is 22nd of Sep. but it has surpassed the date now…… so, if anyone have a fair idea just let me know……
Hi Rocky
Airtel and Vodafone together i understand from newspaper reports that around 40000 i phones are lying unsold of the older version already imported and customs duty paid.
Unless solution is found to dispose off this stock, fresh stocks of the new i phone 3Gs unlikely to be imported and sold in india.
Also 3G network will come only next year as auction of 3G spectrum is scheduled now in Jan 2010.
Its simple to get iPhone 3GS from USA here are the steps
1>buy an Iphone with contract
2>Use it for a month
3>then break the contract
thats it price comes around 550$
299$for mobile+175$ for termination charge+50$ for processing fee
So whats the deal here…???
But unlocking the phone is our way …
Hi Kowshik
If the i phone conks out due to some harware problem.
Will apple india honour the warranty??
Please clarify !
This answer can only be given by Apple support staff, as the cost of warranty repairs differs from country to country. For ex: Apple usually charges $99 for extended year of warranty on phones sold in Australia. If the cost of repairs is more in India, then it’s a business loss to them. So the better idea is to speak with Apple support staff & ask them for internationally covered warranty, instead of country specific.
Hi Kowshik
After bringing the i phone to india if the i phone conks out due to hardware problems will apple india honour the warranty of apple USA??
Reply immediately
hi
Look like another product that will be of Great Market value for Apple in INDIA. How can i book iphone 3GS in India.
@ above and Sam
No it wont get covers in warranty..but we get the mobile at low prices..
You know what even at warranty these people wont care much its the info I got frm my frnds over there so I prefer for the mobile if I have any problem I will try to repair it with some repair men who is expert in iphones she is my baby after all
Hi I need Apple 3Gs phone so please tell when it will be lanuch.
i want 2 know if there is an FM radio, Bluetooth and Sms forwarding in new 3GS
No FM radio and bluetooth is there but you cant transfer files,music,or video only yto pair with bluetooth headset you can transfer music if you install some application and sms forwarding is available…
Hi,
can any one tell me the original price of apple 3gs, for india, in indian currency……
pls less as early as possible,,,,,,,,
thanks
Dear Ricky
Original price of Apple i phone 3Gs is not yet announced as on date by airtel and vodafone.
Anxiously waiting for the announcement.
Hi Sam
I have a question. I live in brasil but I will be going to the states in a week and there i am planning on buying the new iphone 3GS. however i have heard from many people that it is not possible to bring the iphone to brasil and use it here. I am planning on unlocking it in the States. Can u please tell if what you think I should do! Are the people right about me not being able to use the Iphone in Brasil? I really want to the new Iphone and I think buying it in the States is the best idea, or what do you think?
//Emma
from what I know is, you need US SSN and US credit card to buy it. You can do that using you friend’s but then he/she will not be able to buy new one for them self.
Please refer to my other comments. You might find some useful info in it. Regards Atul
novebmer has come but no signs of iphone 3gs still….when will it come to india…i am eagerly waiting for it….do you have any info??????
hi,
iphone 3g very nice mobile but price not good i like iphone
I have a few questions of my own.
1) Does file trsansfer via Blue tooth works on iPhone 3GS, if not, WHY?
2) Most of the mobile handsets operating on the Android OS, they don’t allow file transfer via BLUETOOTH & can’t be used as a modem with a computer, Unless you have a software for that installed on PC or tweek the phone software to make it work for the above mentioned. Again WHY? Any reason the phone developers put such a painful restriction on them???????
Also some people out there who are reading this question or comments, please don’t leave suggestions for choosing an alternate. I’m rather looking for technical info & suggestions on this, instead of SMART ASS COMMENTS & money spending solutions.
Thanks ——– BYE
how i can buy iphone 3gs?
Thanking you,
Right choice compared with nokia N97. Lesser Upto half but more than mini:) $325