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Apple iPhone 3GS 16GB Smartphone Review

By ar31an on Jul 01, 2009 with Comments 0

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Pricing and Availability

Pricing of the iPhone 3GS is a little difficult to explain. The prices range from $199 (for the 16GB flavor with a new line or contact) all the way up to $699 if you are not getting any service and want the 32GB flavor. If you are an existing iPhone owner you will want to contact your carrier to see what your options are. Personally, I added a new line to my AT&T account to get the discount.

The 3GS was available in eight countries globally and while Apple did manage to flog a large number of them this last weekend, there is not a large shortage of them if you forgo the carrier stores (such as AT&T). My advice to you is to hit the Apple Stores; you might encounter a short line but you will not be told that there are none (like I was at an AT&T store in Oviedo, FL) and that you have to place an order for one and wait 7-14 days.

Final Thoughts

After a few days of playing with the new iPhone 3GS I have found myself missing the freedom I had with my jailbroken 3G. It’s true that I did not have the speed I have now, but I miss the ability to really make the phone mine. Most of the items that I find myself using would have been available in the 3G with an OS 3.0 upgrade and I would have gotten more with a quick jailbreak.

I do not see the current implementation of Voice Control or the magnetic compass as compelling enough to be worthy of an upgrade if you have a jailbroken 3G with OS 3.0. Even if you are new to the iPhone scene you might still be better off with a $99 8GB 3G and redsn0w.

Considering the hype that was evident at the WWDC launch of the iPhone 3GS, I feel let down by this new release and have been having buyers’ remorse, something I have never had with a new gadget before.

The Bottom Line: The Apple iPhone 3GS is a nice product, but would have been a great one if Apple had released this instead of the first 3G. If you are upgrading from the 2G or just buying an iPhone, it is great. But as it stands it is not really worth the extra money for the current 3G owners.

Rating: 10.0/10 (2 votes cast)