Apple · iPhone

iPhone 3GS

Released June 2009

The iPhone 3GS is Apple's third iPhone, from 2009, keeping the 3G's 3.5-inch display and design but adding a faster processor, a 3-megapixel autofocus camera with video recording and a digital compass, suited to collectors and anyone comparing early iPhones.

Model history · 3 models, 2007–2009

2007iPhone Compare
2008iPhone 3G Compare
2009iPhone 3GS

Screen: 3.5″
Display: LCD, 60 Hz
Chip: Samsung S5PC100
Memory: 256 MB
Storage: 8 GB – 32 GB
Main camera: 3 MP
Zoom: –
Battery: 1,219 mAh
Weight: 135 g

Compact

What reviewers say

Both reviews found the 3GS noticeably faster than the 3G and welcomed the better camera with autofocus, video recording and new software features. Both criticise patchy signal reception; CNET found call quality unimproved, and TechRadar judged it expensive to upgrade to and saw no gain in battery life, where CNET found battery life longer.

From techradar.com and cnet.com

Specifications

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Display

Screen size: 3.5″
Resolution: 480 × 320
Sharpness: 165 pixels per inch
Panel: LCD
Refresh rate: 60 Hz
Display type: 3.5-inch (diagonal) widescreen Multi-Touch display
Pixel density: 163 ppi
Screen protection: Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating

Performance

Chip: Samsung S5PC100
Memory: 256 MB
Storage: 8 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB
CPU: 600 MHz Cortex-A8 in Samsung S5PC100; 256 MB of RAM (Wired's 2009 teardown report)
GPU: PowerVR SGX535 (Apple developer documentation)

Cameras

Main camera: 3 MP
Ultra wide camera: None
Telephoto camera: None
Optical zoom: None
Main camera: 3-megapixel still camera with tap to focus
Video recording: VGA up to 30 fps with audio
Camera features: Photo and video geotagging

Battery and charging

Battery: 1,219 mAh
Video playback (maker's claim): Up to 10 hours
Wireless charging: None
Battery life detail: Talk time up to 5 hours on 3G or 12 hours on 2G; standby up to 300 hours; internet use up to 5 hours on 3G or 9 hours on Wi-Fi; video playback up to 10 hours; audio playback up to 30 hours; 3.7 V, 4.51 Wh, 1,219 mAh (iFixit)
Wired charging: Charging via USB to a computer or power adapter

Design

Type: Standard
Weight: 135 g
Thickness: 12.3 mm
Height × width: 115.5 × 62.1 mm
Colours: Black (8GB)
Buttons: Sleep/wake; ring/silent; volume up/down; Home
Sensors: Accelerometer; proximity sensor; ambient light sensor

Software

Operating system: iOS
Software at launch: iPhone OS 3.0

Connectivity

Mobile network: UMTS/HSDPA (850, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi (802.11b/g)
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
USB: 30-pin dock connector; 3.5 mm stereo headphone minijack; 576p and 480p video out with Apple Component AV Cable (sold separately)
Positioning: Assisted GPS; digital compass; Wi-Fi; cellular

Storage options

Storage
8 GB
16 GB
32 GB

Pros and cons

Pros

3-megapixel camera with tap to focus and VGA video recording
Up to 10 hours of video playback, against 7 hours for the iPhone 3G
Digital compass and a fingerprint-resistant oleophobic screen coating

Cons

No front camera
480 × 320 display at 163 ppi, unchanged from the first iPhone
Up to 5 hours of talk time on 3G

Closest rivals

Model	Screen	Display	Chip	Memory	Storage	Main camera	Zoom	Battery	Weight	Released
Sony EricssonSatio	3.5″	LCD	–	–	68 MB	12.1 MP	–	–	126 g	2009
NokiaN8	3.5″	OLED	ARM11 680 MHz (GSMArena)	256 MB	16 GB	12 MP	–	1,200 mAh	135 g	Oct 2010
AppleiPhone 3G	3.5″	LCD, 60 Hz	Samsung S5L8900	128 MB	8 GB – 16 GB	2 MP	–	–	133 g	Jul 2008

Previous model: iPhone 3G. Newer model: iPhone 4.

Sources

Photo: cdsassets.apple.com

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