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.
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.
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.
-Jameson
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August 19th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
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.
August 19th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
*Never used the 3G… is what I meant at the top, there.
September 7th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
So get an iPhone 3G, unlock/jailbreak it, and use it with T-Mobile or ATT (Prepaid) to avoid paying those horrific charges.
October 29th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
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.
November 1st, 2008 at 2:56 pm
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!
November 1st, 2008 at 2:58 pm
The gps dosen’t have non Internet software so I uses google earth.
December 1st, 2008 at 6:56 pm
how much faster is the internet on the 3g then the 2g
December 6th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
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.
December 8th, 2008 at 7:34 am
it rokcs
December 8th, 2008 at 7:35 am
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
December 12th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
Ive used both the 3G and 2G iPhones. 3G wins hands down
[/epic win]
December 17th, 2008 at 8:20 am
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.
December 17th, 2008 at 8:28 am
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.
December 27th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
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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