iPhone 3G

iPhone 3G

Developer	Apple Inc.
Manufacturer	Foxconn[1]
Slogan	"The iPhone you have been waiting for." "The first phone to beat the iPhone." "Twice as fast, for half the price." "The most advanced mobile OS. Now even more advanced." "New features, new price."
Generation	2nd
Model	A1324 (China) A1241[2]
First released	July 11, 2008[3]
Discontinued	June 7, 2010
Units sold	1 million over first weekend[4]
Predecessor	iPhone (1st generation)
Successor	iPhone 3GS
Related	iPad, iPod Touch (comparison)
Type	Smartphone
Form factor	Slate
Dimensions	115.5 mm (4.55 in) H 62.1 mm (2.44 in) W 12.3 mm (0.48 in) D
Weight	133 g (4.7 oz)
Operating system	Original: iPhone OS 2.0 Current: iOS 4.2.1, released November 22, 2010
CPU	Samsung 32-bit RISC ARM 1176JZ(F)-S v1.0[5] 620 MHz Underclocked to 412 MHz[6]
Memory	128 MB DRAM[7]
Storage	8 or 16 GB flash memory
Battery	1150 mAh, 3.7 V Internal, user inaccessible Rechargeable Li-ion[8]
Data inputs	Multi-touch touchscreen display 3-axis accelerometer Proximity sensor Ambient light sensor Microphone Headset controls
Display	3.5-inch screen (diagonally) 480×320 pixel resolution at 163 ppi 2:3 aspect ratio 18-bit (262,144-color) LCD
Rear camera	2.0 MP with geotagging
Sound	3.5 mm TRRS One speaker 20 Hz to 20 kHz frequency response (internal, headset) Microphone
Connectivity	Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850 900 1,800 1,900 MHz) Tri-band UMTS/HSDPA 3.6 (850 1,900 2,100 MHz) Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g) Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR USB 2.0/Dock connector[9] Online: App Store, iTunes Store, iBookstore, MobileMe
Website	apple.com/iphone

The iPhone 3G is a smartphone that was designed and marketed by Apple Inc. It is the second generation of iPhone, and was introduced on June 9, 2008, at the WWDC 2008 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, United States.

The iPhone 3G is internally similar to its predecessor, but includes several new hardware features, such as GPS, 3G data and tri-band UMTS/HSDPA. The device was originally loaded with the concurrently launched iPhone OS 2.0. In addition to other features (including push email and turn-by-turn navigation), this new operating system introduced the App Store—Apple's new distribution platform for third-party applications.^[10]

History

On July 11, 2008, Apple released the iPhone 3G across twenty-two countries in two storage options, 8GB and 16GB. The 16GB model was produced in either black or white.^[11][12]

Following the release of the successor iPhone 3GS model one year later, the iPhone 3G remained on sale but became Apple's budget phone offer, with its price cut in half. This $99 iPhone 3G required a two-year contract and was available only in black and with 8 GB of storage, but came bundled with updated iPhone OS 3.0 software.^[13] On June 7, 2010, the iPhone 3G was finally discontinued, and replaced as Apple's budget phone by an 8 GB iPhone 3GS selling for the same price of $99 with a 2-year contract.

Software

The iPhone 3G came preloaded with the latest version of iPhone OS, and continued to receive updates to its software for over two years, with major iterations released on an annual basis. However, the phone had access to a decreasing proportion of new features with each update as its hardware became superseded by later models.

At launch in July 2008, the iPhone 3G came preloaded with iPhone OS 2.0. This introduced the App Store, Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync support, Apple’s MobileMe service, and push email support, along with other new features and bug fixes.

In June 2009, iPhone 3G users received the iPhone OS 3.0 software update, which introduced the long-awaited MMS feature, copy and paste, landscape support for more applications, Bluetooth stereo support, and other improvements.

In June 2010, Apple released the iOS 4.0 software update. Unlike its successor models, the iPhone 3G does not support important features of iOS 4.0 such as multitasking, the ability to set a home screen wallpaper, or Bluetooth keyboard support. However, it does provide access to a unified mailbox feature, homescreen folders to better organize apps, playlist creation, and other enhancements. This update was widely criticized for slow performance on iPhone 3G, though September 2010's iOS 4.1 release improved this problem. However, unlike more modern iOS devices, this update again does not provide iPhone 3G owners with access to important features, in this case the Game Center application.^[14]

On November 22, 2010, the iPhone 3G received the iOS 4.2 software update, which introduced features such as YouTube voting, and security fixes. However, the iPhone 3G is unable to use many features included in this update, such as AirPlay and Safari Text Search.

The last release of iOS to support the 3G model is 4.2.1, released on November 22, 2010. iOS 4.3, released on March 11, 2011, does not support the iPhone 3G, with Apple discontinuing further updates, due to hardware limitations and performance issues.^[15]

Hardware

Design

A rear view of the original iPhone (left) made of aluminum and plastic, and the iPhone 3G, made entirely from a hard plastic material.^[16]

The iPhone 3G's back featured a redesigned plastic polycarbonate housing, replacing the aluminum back of the first generation. Buttons were changed from plastic to metal, and the edges of the phone were tapered, providing a better grip. The iPhone 3G introduced the first official color options for the outer casing, with the 16GB version available in black and white.

The dimensions of the iPhone 3G were slightly larger than those of the original iPhone. It was 116 millimetres (4.6 in) high, 62 millimetres (2.4 in) wide, and 12 millimetres (0.47 in) deep, compared to its predecessor, which was 110 millimetres (4.3 in) high, 61 millimetres (2.4 in) wide, and 12 millimetres (0.47 in) deep (HVGA) resolution at 163 ppi, with scratch-resistant glass sitting on top of the display. The capacitive touchscreen was designed for a bare finger, or multiple fingers for multi-touch sensing.

The device featured the same sensors as its predecessor. The proximity sensor (which deactivates the display during calls when the face is near) was repositioned to save battery power and to prevent inadvertent inputs from the user’s face and ears. An ambient light sensor was included to adjust the display brightness for different lighting conditions, which helps save battery power. A 3-axis accelerometer was included to sense the orientation of the phone and change the screen accordingly, allowing the user to easily switch between portrait and landscape mode.

Processor and memory

Most of the iPhone 3G's internal hardware is based on the original iPhone. It still includes a Samsung 32-bit RISC ARM11 620 MHz processor (underclocked to 412 MHz), a PowerVR MBX Lite 3D GPU, and 128 MB of package on package (PoP) DRAM.

Rear camera

On the rear of the device, the iPhone 3G features the same fixed-focus 2.0 megapixel camera of its predecessor. It doesn't have optical zoom, flash, autofocus, or native video recording (though various applications became available to allow video recording on the device). The iPhone 3G's operating system also now supports the geotagging of photographs.

Connectivity

In addition to EDGE, the iPhone 3G supports Assisted GPS, 3G data, and tri-band UMTS/HSDPA. These enhancements allow faster data downloads and turn-by-turn navigation with maps compared to previous devices.

Like its predecessor and recent iPods, the iPhone 3G features a proprietary 30-pin dock connector for charging the device. It can also be used to synchronize the device with a computer and to connect various accessories.

The iPhone 3G features a flush-mounted 3.5 mm headphone jack instead of the recessed headphone jack that is included on the original iPhone; it could therefore be used with headphones other than those provided by Apple.

Battery

The iPhone 3G features an internal rechargeable battery rated at 1150 mAh, which, like its predecessor, is not user-replaceable. Apple stated that the iPhone 3G’s battery is capable of providing up to six hours of web browsing via Wi-Fi, or five hours via 3G, or 25 hours of audio playback. Alternatively, it is said to provide 300 hours of standby time.

Reception

The battery life of the iPhone 3G was criticized by several technology journalists as insufficient, and less than claimed by Apple. This was also reflected by a J.D. Power and Associates customer satisfaction survey, which gave the “battery aspects” of the device its lowest rating of 2 out of 5 stars, even after firmware updates.

Issues

Battery drain

iOS 4, which was still compatible with the iPhone 3G, was released on June 21, 2010. An article in the Wall Street Journal's Digits column on July 28, 2010 reported that iPhone 3G phones updating to iOS 4 responded slowly, had diminished battery life, and became excessively hot.^[17]

See also

• List of iOS devices
• Comparison of smartphones

References

1. Dalrymple, Jim (July 28, 2009). "iPhone manufacturer to pay family of dead worker". CNET. Retrieved April 6, 2010.
2. Identifying iPhone models. Support.apple.com (April 8, 2013). Retrieved on July 10, 2013.
3. Robert PalmerFiled (June 8, 2008). "iPhone 3G announced — The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)". Retrieved June 10, 2008.
4. Bowcock, Jennifer. "Apple Sells One Million iPhone 3Gs in First Weekend". Retrieved June 20, 2010.
5. Patterson, Blake (July 7, 2008). "Under the Hood: The iPhone’s Gaming Mettle". touchArcade. Retrieved March 20, 2009.
6. Dilger, Daniel Eran (March 20, 2008). "iPhone 2.0 SDK: Video Games to Rival Nintendo DS, Sony PSP". RoughlyDrafted Magazine. Retrieved May 12, 2009.
7. "Apple (Samsung S5L8900) applications processor with eDRAM". SUBM TechInsights. Archived from the original on July 15, 2010.
8. "iPod and iPhone Battery and Power Specifications". iPodBatteryFAQ.com. Retrieved May 12, 2009.
9. "Apple — iPhone — Tech Specs". Apple; Wayback machine. July 14, 2007. Archived from the original on July 14, 2007. Retrieved January 19, 2009.
10. "Apple Introduces the New iPhone 3G" (Press release). Apple Inc. June 9, 2008. Retrieved June 9, 2008.
11. Costello, Sam. "Initial iPhone 3G Country Availability List". about.com. Retrieved January 11, 2009.
12. "iPhone 3G Coming to countries everywhere". Apple Inc. Retrieved April 12, 2009.
13. Sandoval, Luis. "iPhone 3G only $99, it’s Possible". crenk.com.
14. iPhone 3G Speed Test: iOS 4.0 versus iOS 4.1
15. Gurman, Mark. "iOS 4.3 drops iPhone 3G and iPod touch 2G support". 9to5mac. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
16. Whittle, Stephanie (Jan 25, 2014). "The Original iPhone 3G Was Built Out of Seemingly Stronger than Aluminum Plastic". EZ Buys Direct. Retrieved Jan 25, 2014.
17. Valentino-DeVries, Jennifer (July 28, 2010). "Apple Probes Complaints About iOS4 on iPhone 3G". The Wall Street Journal.

External links

• iPhone 3G - Technical Specifications