iPhone 3GS In 2020! (11 Years Later!) (Review)

TL;DR

Exploring the iPhone 3GS highlights its historical significance and performance comparison.

Transcript

while everyone today is a special day we get to talk about your mom's favorite iPhone and that would actually be the iPhone 3GS now I think I've covered every single iPhone this year besides this 1 2 3 G and the 2 G so I'm going to go ahead and knock those three out hopefully within this week and then move on with my life and what's cool about the ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🎅 The iPhone 3GS was Apple's first "S" series device, focusing on significant performance enhancements, namely speed.
• 🪘 A distinguishing feature of the 3GS is that it could support software updates for longer than previous models, enhancing its longevity.
• 😘 Its display resolution (320 by 480 pixels) seems exceptionally low by today's standards, highlighting the rapid evolution of smartphone technology.
• 🫵 Despite its limitations, the iPhone 3GS is viewed positively in retrospect for its role in Apple's development and user experience.
• 🤫 The 3GS’s camera capabilities, with a basic lens, emphasize how far mobile photography has progressed since its launch.
• 🚗 The device's RAM and CPU specifications are inadequate for modern applications, highlighting significant advancements in mobile hardware.
• 🎨 The original design closely resembles the iPhone 3G, demonstrating Apple’s cautious approach to hardware evolution.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why is the iPhone 3GS considered significant in Apple's history?

The iPhone 3GS is significant because it introduced the "S" series, which indicated substantial performance upgrades, specifically doubling the speed compared to its predecessor. This innovation was crucial in setting higher expectations for future iPhone models and established a pattern for Apple’s iterative improvements in technology.

Q: How does the iPhone 3GS's camera perform by today’s standards?

The iPhone 3GS features a 3.15-megapixel camera that is considered extremely basic by current standards. Although capable of shooting 480p video, the quality is akin to a low-resolution webcam, producing grainy images that are only suitable for quick snapshots rather than high-quality photography.

Q: What limitations does the iPhone 3GS face with modern applications?

The iPhone 3GS is limited by its outdated operating system, having maxed out at iOS 6. As a result, many current apps are no longer supported, which restricts functionality. Though there are methods to install some apps, they are often unreliable, making the device impractical for everyday use today.

Q: Would you recommend purchasing an iPhone 3GS today?

I would not recommend purchasing an iPhone 3GS as a daily device due to its outdated capabilities and lack of app support. However, as a collector’s item, it holds significant historical value. It’s an interesting piece of technology that represents an important phase in Apple’s evolution.

Q: How does the battery life of the iPhone 3GS compare to modern smartphones?

The battery life of the iPhone 3GS was considered decent for its time, often lasting several days with moderate use, especially since some users treated it like an iPod. In contrast, modern smartphones now tend to have advanced power management and larger batteries that provide extended usage between charges.

Q: What were some unique features of the iPhone 3GS?

Unique features of the iPhone 3GS include its initial speed capabilities, a 3.5-inch display, and the introduction of video recording for the first time on an iPhone. It maintained a familiar design while also delivering improved performance and software support up to iOS 6.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The iPhone 3GS marked the introduction of the "S" series, emphasizing speed and substantial upgrades over the iPhone 3G, boasting double the performance.

• The design showcases a 3.5-inch TFT display with a low resolution compared to modern standards, while retaining recognizable features like the home button.

• Despite its outdated software and performance limits by today's standards, the iPhone 3GS can be appreciated as a collector's item for its historical value.