Apple introduces the new iPhone 3G S, in stores June 19th
All right boys and girls… It’s time for the big show. For months now, it has been glaringly obvious that Apple would introduce its third-generation handset at WWDC today and sure enough — it’s here. Apple addicts around the world are rejoicing and Apple haters around the world are refining their arguments as to why the iPhone is a non-factor. Love it or hate it, hit the jump to find out how the new iPhone 3G S shapes up.
What we all knew/was rumored:
- Size — The new iPhone 3G S comes with either 16GB or 32GB of internal storage, a 100% bump from the 8GB and 16GB iPhone 3G offerings.
- Guts — Many will tell you that the most significant improvements are found within the new iPhone’s guts. We knew A2DP support was coming, a nice addition of course, but Apple also confirmed today that the new iPhone sports a faster processor and a 7.2Mbps HSDPA-compatible radio. Huzzah.
- Camera — The old 2 megapixel sensor has been bumped up to 3.2 megapixels and there’s still no flash. Apple also added auto-focus and geotagging support.
- Video — This little guy is all about video — 30fps video recording, video editing, video sharing… Yay.
- Compass — Know where north is. Yay.
- Battery life — The new kit features 5 hours of 3G talk time and up to 24 hours of music playback — according to Apple at least.
- OS — Tethering is now covered, though we still don’t know how AT&T will handle it, and the Find My iPhone feature we scooped is a done deal (available to MobileMe subscribers only). Oh and turn-by-turn nav is game on… TomTom was on hand at the keynote to demonstrate its iPhone app/accessory combo. 3.0 will be available beginning June 17th — free for iPhone owners, $9.95 for iPod Touch owners.
- Price — As expected, the new iPhone 3G S will ring up at $199 for the 16GB version and $299 for the 32GB version. The current 8GB iPhone 3G will hang around and drop to $99 starting today.
What we didn’t know:
- The 3G S looks exactly like the 3G — no matte rubbery finish, no matching bezel.
- Voice Control is now built in, hi 2002, so you can dial by voice, control iPod playback by voice and so on. We have to admit though, saying “play more songs like this” to initiate the Genius feature is cool.
- Integrated hardware encryption.
- The iPhone 3G S goes on sale June 19th in the US.
In the end, the jump from second to third generation is very reminiscent of the jump from first to second generation; this is more of an upgrade announcement (as we expected) as opposed to a new product launch. The man of the hour is still OS 3.0 if you ask us, and most of its features are backwards compatible. Those of you in love with your current iPhone but looking for a little more oomph will certainly be pleased while those of you holding out for things like a physical keypad, modern camera with flash, etc will have to continue to look elsewhere for another year. Sound off in the comments section and let us know if there will be a new iPhone 3G S in your future.
FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
Remarkable, In two days Apple made palm go from launch to a none voice controlling, non video capturing, non auto focus camera picture taking, less storaging, non nike plus running, non compass guiding, non encrypting for your security, slow javascript rendering, non accessibility optioning over priced PRE-sa-shit…
Iphone 3gs … yes please
AT$T Sucks by the way
@5th did u keep refreshing the page?
kind of weak. second
i want my fucking TOUR before june 19th verizon.
I’m IN!!!!
im kinda disappointed, i’ll stick to my 3g
Nice update in my opinion.
Looks like a winner to me. Can’t wait.
Goodbye Pre. Made it too late to the party.
A 3GS will definitely be in my future, but only because my 1st gen iPhone is getting a little beat up. Surprised how wrong the rumors were overall re: the physical design (but perhaps that’s what happens when there are no changes to the physical design).
Still can’t get over why AT&T won’t have MMS avail at launch. Really would like some answers on that one, because it’s causing such an extreme level of spite it makes me not want to re-up with them new GS or not.
^^ no, i don’t intend on getting the 3Gs
WOW what a major disappointment. Apple does minor upgrades in some case to match features found in other phone for years and this is an event what a joke
Ummmmm……………..
Pretty much a new OS…the same one announced in March…and a new camera?
No expanded storage??
No front-facing camera??
No FM-transmitter?
No matte back?
ARE YOU SERIOUS? WHAT A SHIT SHOW. OHHHH…big fucking deal…a COMPASS.
This was such a calculated move to nip the Pre’s hype. Talk about a rushed phone.
****JUNE 17TH****not 19th BGR….lol…i was watching the conference….
I work for AT
@grrr
Yup! It was announced at Gizmodo then here. BTW its kinda the same iphone but with more stuff
When is 3.0 available? the “3GS” is lame… just bring on the 3.0
same old iphone with an OS refresh – yawn – hang on office email just got pushed to my blackberry over BIS without needing Exchange. I’ll wait 20 min for it on my iPhone. NOT!
so i am disappointed! they needed to come harder than a faster phone….!? where are the bomb features at?!
And here come the isheep…remember…single file!
time to leave the beloved curve…
Not impressed. I’ve been holding out getting a new phone since Feb when my contract expired to see if the iPhone will finally live up to what I want. And it still doesn’t.
Also, shame on AT&T for not being ready to support MMS yet.