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iPhone 3G vs. iPhone 2G – A hands on review

July 25, 2008

Apple News

iphone3gvs2g 300x228 iPhone 3G vs. iPhone 2G A hands on review

Update: Here is the iPhone 3G vs iPhone 3GS review!

We just got the iPhone 3G in yesterday after ordering it a week or two ago. Today I had the pleasure of reviewing and comparing it with my own first generation iPhone. So now I’m here to give you the low down between the two, and what I like better about each.

The Look and Feel

My iPhone has the smooth metal finish with the black strip on the bottom. The front has a shinny metal bezel which ends around the screen. The buttons are all constructed on plastic and move very easily. The earpiece is back with a black plastic, and the bottom speakers/speakerphone is hidden behind plastic mesh. The headphone jack, is unfortunately recessed.

The iPhone 3G has a smooth glass black finish (also available in white). This finish runs unbrokenall around the 3G, and ends in the same place as mine with the shiny metal bezel. All the buttons on the 3G are now constructed with shiny metal (except the home button). This gives them a thicker feel over the cheap feel of the iPhone’s plastic buttons. Instead of a black finish behind the ear piece, there is now a silver perforated mesh. This same mesh is used for the bottom speakers/speaker phone. A new aspect on the bottom side of the 3G is the inclusion of two screws, which could presumably be used to open the case. The second greatest difference is the new inclusion of a no-recessed headphone jack.

The main difference between the interior and exterior of the iPhone and the iPhone 3G, is of course the backside casing. Another key difference is the shape of the back of the two phones. My iPhone is flat across the backside, with rounding near the edges. On the 3G, this rounding much more pronounced as it take on the form of a drawn out dome that tapers near the edges. The rounded back of the 3G also extends out further than that of the original iPhone. The iPhone 3G is also slightly wider than the original iPhone, though not enough to notice. The screen of the iPhone 3G is also slightly warmer than the original, as was mentioned on the news a few weeks ago.

iphone3gvs2g back 300x217 iPhone 3G vs. iPhone 2G A hands on review

iphone3gvs2g dock 300x191 iPhone 3G vs. iPhone 2G A hands on review

iphone3gvs2g ear 300x173 iPhone 3G vs. iPhone 2G A hands on review

iphone3gvs2g side 300x99 iPhone 3G vs. iPhone 2G A hands on review

The Features

The difference in features between the iPhone and the iPhone 3G are not large. The 3g does have GPS, and the capability to download data at higher speeds over the 3G network. After testing the GPS, I found it to be very accurate, finding our location within a matter of seconds. Comparing this to the cellphone tower triangulation on the original iPhone, the 3G is clearly more precise.iphone3gvs2ggpscompare 300x201 iPhone 3G vs. iPhone 2G A hands on review

The 3G network is much faster than the 2G.  The 3G showed less bars, whereas my 2G showed full bars.  Turning off 3G showed the same results as my iPhone on the 3G.  The 3G was faster downloading App’s and browsing the internet.

Other than the GPS and the 3G network, there is no real difference between the original iPhone and the iPhone 3G as features go.

Overall comparison

Comparing the original iPhone and the iPhone 3G side by side, it is obvious that the iPhone 3G wins as far as new hardware goes.  The only thing that I dislike about the 3G is the black backing.  I much prefer the aluminum backing on my 2G iPhone.  The other thing I dislike about the 3G is it’s more expensive data plan and lack of included text messaging.  I don’t want to pay $15 more dollars a month than already do, so I think for now I will be keeping my iPhone.  I imagine I will wait until the next iteration of the iPhone is out to trade my 2G in. If you guys are interested in knowing more, consider the iPhone vs iPod Touch comparison which is another hot topic!

-Jameson

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  • Christie

    I also like my 2G iPhone better, from what I hear – I have never used it. I hear the 3G’s battery life is only half of what the 2G’s is because of the extra power used to make the everything faster. I also hear that the 3G network is not always accessible to users, that people may not live where they get 3G coverage or that they get it very sporadicly. I personally would not want to pay an extra $10 per month for a service that will likely not be available to me at all times. Plus, I think I can do with a slightly slower internet (much more a fan of the actual touchscreen browser than the speed) until the next generation iPhone comes out. Until then, I’m keeping my 2G iPhone.

  • Christie

    *Never used the 3G… is what I meant at the top, there.

  • Ness

    So get an iPhone 3G, unlock/jailbreak it, and use it with T-Mobile or ATT (Prepaid) to avoid paying those horrific charges.

  • http://- Yuvraj Vij

    I’ve never touched an iphone 3g but i always liked it. I think it is much more better than iphone 2g and looks very stylish. It’s feature are also a lot more better than the old iphone. Not forgetting, its much more fast because of its 3g service and now we can browse the net 30 times faster. It also looks very good when carrying by hand. No problem, if its battery life is lesser than the old iphone. But the only problem is it is very expensive.

  • martin

    the iPhone 3G dosen’t even have a non internet software like other phone and the 3g coverage isn’t as good as other phones.many problem with the iPhone 3G but the the only thing is different that works perfect from the 2g is the sylish finish and better position of button of the iPhone 3g. iPod touch 2g rules!

  • martin

    The gps dosen’t have non Internet software so I uses google earth.

  • Simon

    how much faster is the internet on the 3g then the 2g

  • erika

    i love my iphone 3g. its great. the only downside is the battery life, but overall, its really a very great devise. the 2g doesnt look as good as the 3g.

  • http://yea Jose

    it rokcs

  • http://yea Jose

    get the 2g instead the 3g the 3g is wack and its not even on the holiday gift list of 2008 so yea 2g is better

  • Batman

    Ive used both the 3G and 2G iPhones. 3G wins hands down

    [/epic win]

  • Mobilephonemafia

    Well you guys in the US are more fortunate than us in the middle East. We have a monopoly here of Internet/telephone providers who have done a deal with microsoft. Therefore no iPhone. I bought two 3g units from Italy unlocked from an apple store. 499E each can use any sim card.
    Australia is the cheapest place to buy phones at present.
    2g vs 3g+gps for asthetic reasons only.. It’s like comparing danny devito vs Arnold Swartzenigger. One is puny and fun while the otherone is packed for action.
    If you wear your trousers up higher than your navel then the 2g will suit.

  • Mobilephonemafia

    Just read the blog with the guy who meantioned that the iPhone 3g is not on the Christmas list for 2008 in a lame magazine.
    Good heavens- I bet apple is terrified that it is not rated as high as autographed golf balls and matching his and hers cashmere knitted jumpers.
    Really. If someone gave you a 3g iPhone or George Forman grill I think you would be keeping the phone. That’s of course if you are a moron.

  • special

    special’s review::
    well…I have my 2G and I love it. I compared my phone with my sisters 3G. I noticed many differences. As mentioned above the back finish of the 2G is a lot better (NO FINGERPRINTS…LOL) it also seems more heavy duty. The internet on the 3G is a lot faster, but many times it closes out if it is a serious website like myspace or facebook (this doesn’t happen nearly as often with my 2G the difference is say 200:1), which is why she uses the applications instead, but I personally prefer the regular site, becuase you can zoom in and out, which isn’t allowed with the application. There is only one thing that I wish the 2G could do that the 3G doesn’t and that is allow you to use the internet and talk on the phone at the same time…now that is hott…lol We also noticed a major difference in our bills I pay 20 dollars less than she per month… I am just upset that there aren’t anymore 2Gs being sold…that is so whack

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  • u900

    my SMG u900 is way better than these shit phone

    u900 for life

  • The Guy Who Raped Ur Sister

    This Phone is the shitest phone ever i had it and it broke in 1 day.
    the memory goes down to 1 gb from 20 for no reason and the camara takes piic for no reason..
    wat the hell >?
    it also rings for no reason one wen i was raping oyur sister it rang your mum =|
    Cum on man …..
    den ur mum came but lucky for me she joined in wid it …
    anyway if u want to buy this phone i swear i’ll fuck u up nd kill ur litlle sista u fucking bastards

  • Need Help

    i just got an iphone 2g (1.1.4)…its unlocked and all…my questions:

    1) how do i install latest apps on it? (as in apps made for firmware 2.0 and above)

    should i update the firmware? how do i do it without locking the phone again?

  • iphoneMAINIA

    Yes, u do. Many new apps run on 2.2 or higher, If u have a iphone that is unlocked at 2.0 and want to run 2.2 apps., You may need to update the firmware to 2.2. by itunes., If your iphone is unlock/jailbroken and want to upgrade to the newest unlock/jailbroken 2.2 firmware., You have to back up your old apps in itunes and install them later using iphone browser.

  • iphoneiphone

    Unlocking and Jailbreaking your iphone with the 2.2 firmware will override your 2.0

  • Marllus

    Good morning,
    I bought a 2g iphone, and i want to know where can i download programs for my iphone?
    My wireless internet works much better and faster than the 3g, because 2g has antenna and the 3g doesnt have it.

  • Marllus
  • taurusx5

    Can the iphone 3G access the internet for free on t-mobile?

  • brooklynbridge

    Sure, and it’ll clean your house and bring in the newspaper too,

  • iphone 3G ALL THE WAY

    yoooo the ihpne 3G rules
    the problem of battery is overcome because the battery charges very fast
    i find only one problem
    sometimes the applications closes by itself and it gets really slow at times especially if your listening to the ipod at the same time running appz
    anyway all in all the iphone is the best :D

  • M3MANNY

    2 G RULES
    THE ONLY PHONE THAT WORKS RIGHT
    3G IS GOOD IF YOUR ON ATT
    IF U WANT AN UNLOCKED PHONE AND USE TMOBILE 2G IS THE WAY TO GO

  • http://yahoo sandy

    i want the clear difference between 2g and 3 g

  • yusuf

    well u should go on apple.com to find out the differences…mainly 3g is faster while usng the internet….and 2g has better battery life!…so its ur choice!and for more details as i said go to the main site

  • http://www.HeLL.com D3viL

    To all who are seeking place to download cracked applications

    go to
    http://iphoneapplist.net/

    and
    ttp://appulo.us/appdb/

    just download as much as u can
    but only for jailbreaked

    Enjoy Da Shit!

  • narendra

    as per the present situations 3G may be the latest version of i-phone but the overall performance and the credit goes to 2G i-phone…………………

  • 2g ftw

    Performance over looks. Although using 3g is a lot faster than the 2g, I find my 2g to last me the whole day unlike the 3g where it starts to die in the afternoon.

  • iPhone iPod Touch

    Is there a interactive online version sort of like for the iPhone 3G?

  • http://ryanwpowell.ning.com ryan powell

    i think that the iphone 3g is better, apart from the back. i absolutely adore the iphone 2g back. i own an iphone 3g with a fully black back. i think the 2g’s back is more stylish and i prefer it.

  • AndreJJ

    im getting a 2G and im just very glad to be getting that. :)

  • http://GMDA Im new to this but im expecting an iphone 2g,is it possible to download apps off the net to your computer then transferw it to the iphone or the iphone must have internet?

    MU

  • http://www.websitesare.us San Diego Web Design

    I’m writing this from my new 3g – it definitely wins hands down vs. the 2g for many reasons – you already described them so I’m not repeating that.

  • http://www.allesgerman.com Learn German

    This is very interesting. Everybody seems to prefer the 2G… but I’d like to get the 3GS camera…. that’s the only reason why I’d like to get a 3GS… now I’m not sure whether it’s worth it…

  • Some random dude

    who the fuck is this iPhoneSpies asshole. fukn get a life and stop advertising here ya pricktard

  • Justin

    The iPhone 2G isn’t much different from the iPhone 3G….

    Also 3G isn’t 30x faster than 2G it’s just around 2-3x faster

    The difference is basically metal buttons on iPhone 3G, back covering is more slimmer and easier to hold when typing in portait, and built-in GPS function instead of relying on inaccurate internet services….

    That’s all….

  • Asia

    hello , i am getting unlockeed 2g iphone can i put the applications that i can put in i phone 3g for abbt 20 pounds to hack the phone to be able to record and give me some more apps .. is 2g network works everywhere ? even slowly i dont care as soon is working.

  • Asia

    2 ? does 2g has a bluetooth?

  • NeverTouchediPhone

    I personally think 2g is better, the internet isn’t that important. It can only take ’bout 9 secs more but at least you don’t run out of battery as fast. I’ve never touched an iPhone but I want one.

  • Paul

    One important difference noone mentioned is that 2G can not do stereo bluetooth, so if you want wire free headphones, you have to plug a hardware adapter onto it. 3G can do it without.

  • david

    I phone 2g is great phone but the iphone 3g is alot more stylish and some of the features are better than the iphone 2g but iphone 2g is great phone.

  • http://www.apple.nl Justin

    I stil like the iPhone 2g more than the iPhone 3g and 3gs. I have an 3gs now but i bought a 2g on ebay.

  • Buddy Krishna

    The chieper price of 3G than 2G not equal with it’s capability…2G is smart choice!!!..I think..

  • http://weblog riyas

    why iphone 2G is better to use..

  • http://potterynursery.wordpress.com/ Bernie Screws

    Hey. I couldn’t get through to this page the other day. Anyone else had the problem?

  • http://www.pakbuzzer.com bill

    i like iphone 2G, thought the 3g has better speed when it came to downloading but i dont like the black back.

  • http://mosdgmodfgm dvg

    i would like to get an iphone! but i dont noe wt one 2 get i only have 150 indian rupees to spend. pundy

  • shalovesred

    This forum is a very big help. Iphone 3g is fine but I think internet is not really important in buying an iphone. Many people from the surveys that I read prefer iphone 2g because it is a smart buy. I agree that Iphone 3g is stylish compared to the original but who cares? I mean looks aren’t that important. All that matters is its functions and features. Having a longer battery life is a plus too.

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  • websale

    So difference only GPS?

  • Jameson

    Good review. We got the same name.

  • Jameson

    Good review. We got the same name.

  • Larchila

    the only difference on the iphone 3g and the 3g is only that the 3g is faster and has a gps? ha thats stupid.

  • Rhetoric 1

    You just did a fucking bad comparison my friend.

    • Aff

      You my friend have know idea what your talking about.this review covers almost all the differences.if you think That the hardware is not the same go check it out for yourself in gsmarena

  • Harish_chw2001

    Just fucking comparision

  • babloo

    i have iphone 2g in 6 thousamd contect me 03335298796

  • babloo

    i have iphone 2g in 6 thousamd contect me 03335298796

  • Joshua_molina13

    yeah you did a fucking hell comparison my friend.. iPhone 3g and iPhone 2g has many difference..