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Apple iPhone 3GS review

8.3/10 AVG.
RATING
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Apple iPhone 3GS
Apple iPhone 3GS
Apple iPhone 3GS
Apple iPhone 3GS
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8.3/10
Informr score
The Apple iPhone 3GS currently has an Informr score of 8.3 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 21 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.
iOS
Operating system
Operating system
iOS
600 MHz
Processor
Processor
600 MHz
3.5"
Screen Size
Screen Size
3.5"
3+ MP
Camera
Camera
3+ MP
1219 mAh
Battery

What the Critics Are Saying...

GSMArena
GSMArena

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...

- GSMArena team, GSMArena
GottaBeMobile
GottaBeMobile

My experience with the iPhone 3GS over the past three years has been a good one. It has gone progressively downhill with each software upgrade, but again, that was to be expected given the amount of features Apple packed into the software and the hardware that powers the device. Still, I don’t know...

- Adam Mills, GottaBeMobile
What Hi-Fi
What Hi-Fi

The integrated version 3.0 software (also available to all existing iPhone and iPod Touch users) also brings features such as text cut, copy and paste, picture messaging, the ability to buy or rent movies, a search function, landscape keyboard operation and turn-by-turn navigation.This certainly fee...

- What Hi-Fi team, What Hi-Fi
HowardChui
HowardChui

Chech what are the advantagies and disadvatagies of Apple iPhone 3GS in comparison with 3G  

- Howard Chui, HowardChui
The Guardian
The Guardian

It's fabulously expensive, isn't it? Minimum £29.38 a month, and £184.98 upfront. For an 18-month contract, the cheapest totals £714.And yet the iPhone 3GS is still best in class: the simple interface, the ease of setup, all of that before you get onto the thousands of third-party apps. As a phone,...

- Charles Arthur, The Guardian
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Prices (Where to Buy)

Common Questions

We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Apple iPhone 3GS user manual here.

Apple backs up the iPhone 3GS with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.

If your iPhone 3GS has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Apple support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Apple's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.

Resources

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Quick view

Screen Size
3.5"

The Apple iPhone 3GS's screen size is 3.5 inches with x pixels resolution.
Processor
600 MHz

There is a ARM Cortex-A8 600 MHz processor (CPU).
OS

The phone runs on proprietary operating system firmware.
Camera
3+ MP

You can take photos or capture video with the phone's onboard 3+ MP camera.

There's no secondary front camera.
Storage
8/16/32 GB

Internal memory is 8/16/32 GB. No external card slot is available for expansion.
Battery
1219mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 1219 mAh battery. Apple's performance ratings are 12.5 days standby time, 720 minutes, 540 minutes Wi-Fi surfing.

iPhone 3GS Specs

Overview
Release Date June 8, 2009
Regions Available USA, Canada, United Kingdom
Operating System

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Processor ARM Cortex-A8 600 MHz
Internal Storage 32 GB
RAM 256 MB
Hearing Aid Compatible
TTY/TDD
Noise Cancellation
SAR Head: 1.19 W/kg
Body: 0.67 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Manual, Standard Battery
Cellular
Networks
GPRS, EDGE, HSDPA 7.2
Details
Mobile / Cellular Data
Push-to-talk (PTT)
Wi-Fi Calling
Voice over LTE (VoLTE)
SIM card size
Yes
Dual SIM
Connectivity
USB
USB OTG Support
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared
Bluetooth
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, HFP, HSP
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
Mobile Hotspot
Memory Expansion Slot
Expansion Slot Info
NFC
Data Tethering Compatibility
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
 3+ Megapixels
Zoom
Flash
Additional Rear Camera Info
 Auto focus
Video Recording Formats
 H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4
Video Recording Parameters
 VGA (640 x 480 pixels), 30 fps
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
Additional Front Camera Info
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD (TFT)
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution x pixels
Pixel Density 163 pixels
Size 3.5 inches
Secondary Display
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer, Digital Compass
Multi-Touch
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating
Additional Display Features Capacitive touch screen
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 1219 mAh
Removable Battery
Wireless Charging
Fast Charging
Video Playback Time Up to 600 minutes
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 540 minutes
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Talk Time Up to 720 minutes
Standby Time Up to 12.5 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Bar
Material Plastic
Colors Black, White
Dimensions [H x W x D] 11.6 x 6.2 x 1.2 cm (4.6 x 2.4 x 0.5 in)
Weight 135 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design
IP Rating
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key
Home Key
Input / Keyboard Type Touchscreen
Navigation Type Touchscreen
External Volume Control
Fingerprint Sensor
More
Additional Information Messaging: SMS, EMS, MMS
Multi-Use Smart Phone / PDA: Yes
Graphics: Wallpapers
Themes: Yes
Backlit Illumination: Yes
Zoom / Magnification: Yes
Mute Key: Yes
Predictive Text Entry: Yes
Voice Commands: Yes
Multiple Numbers Per Contact: Email address, Other fields
Contact Groups: Yes
Voice Activated Dialing: Yes
Photo Caller ID: Yes
Web Browser: Yes
Email Client: Yes
Email Protocols: POP3, IMAP, SMTP, Microsoft Exchange
PC Synchronization: Yes
Audio Formats: MP3, Protected AAC, AAC, Audible, Apple Lossless, AIFF, WAV
Video Playback Formats: H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4
Streaming Video: Yes
Custom Ringtones: No
Vibration Alert: Yes
Downloadable Ringtones: Yes
Ringer ID: Yes
Speakerphone: Yes
Viewable document types: DOC, DOCX, GIF, HTML, JPG, PDF, PPT, PPTX, RTF, TIFF, TXT, XLS
Games: Downloadable
Apps: Downloadable
Included Software / Apps: -
To-Do / Task List, Calendar, World Clock, Alarm, Stop Watch, Timer, Calculator, Currency Converter, Weather, Stocks, Maps, NotePad, Voice Memos / Recorder

Other Names (AKA): iPhone 3G S
Related Links Manual (PDF)
Apple iPhone 3GS Reviews
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