iPhone 3GS advantages over iPhone 3G:
A faster 600MHz CPU and double the RAM at 256MB
Noticeably faster performance
Faster network speeds of HSDPA 7.2Mbps
3.2 megapixel auto focus camera with VGA@30fps video recording, touch focus with subject tracking, macro mode from as close as 10 cm
Double the storage space - 3GS is selling in 16GB and 32GB versions
Digital compass with automatic map orientation in Maps app
Better audio quality (as recorded and analyzed in our office)
Louder loudspeaker results (with performance gains primarily in music playback)
Purportedly better battery life
Oleophobic display coating supposed to make fingerprints easier to clean
Voice Control, speaker independent. Can be use to call a phone number, play music by song/album/artist name, shuffle music
Built-in support for Nike+ jogging system
Text-to-speech feature called VoiceOver is included in the new Accessibility menu
System-wide Screen Zoom is also included in the Accessibility menu
Main disadvantages of iPhone 3GS (OS disadvantages not counted here):
The new iPhone 3GS lacks the same novelty factor as its predecessors - the lack of design changes is a turn-down
3 megapixel camera with limited feature set hardly cuts it for a high-end device
There's still no flash or hardware shutter key for the camera
Despite the upgrade, battery life is still generally poor (2-year old iPhone 2G are still doing way better)
No stereo speakers (or are we pushing it too far already?)
It's true that the iPhone 3GS brings over only incrementing changes, there's nothing ground breaking about it. But before everything else, the newly introduced changes on both software AND hardware level will make the new iPhone 3GS a more balanced smartphone most of all. That will give it some more charisma and it will hopefully lure some new users and get most current iPhone 2G users trade in their devices for a piece of Apple's latest tech.
Sounds like quite a plan and indeed, the iPhone 3GS is a top-notch hardware platform for experiencing one of the most advanced touch user interfaces to date (not to mention the ridiculously easy and dun way to get yourself geared with tons of apps).
But by keeping the old design of the device Apple took quite a risky step. As if they wanted to keep their 3G user base where they are - consuming apps at a fast rate - and are willingly putting them off from upgrading. As we can't really imagine how many people would want to shell out the cash for a new phone that looks just the same as their old one.
The real truth about the iPhone 3GS is that though it may look the same, the 3GS has got some new feel to it that certainly makes a difference.
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