iPhone 3G
The iPhone 3G is a smartphone 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, San Francisco.
The iPhone 3G was internally similar to its predecessor, but included several new hardware features, such as Assisted GPS, 3G data and tri-band UMTS/HSDPA. The device also benefited from software improvements introduced with iPhone OS 2.0, which was launched at the same time. As well as 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.[1]
History
On July 11, 2008, Apple released the iPhone 3G across twenty-two countries in two storage options, 8GB and 16GB. The larger capacity 16GB model was available in either black or white.[2][3]
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 was available only in black and with 8 GB of storage, but came bundled with updated iPhone OS 3.0 software.[4] 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.
Software
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The iPhone 3G came preloaded with the latest version of iPhone OS both to offer users the newest and most capable software and to combat efforts at iOS jailbreaking[citation needed]. The device 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 However, the phone had access to a decreasing proportion of new features with each update as its hardware became superseded by later models.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.
On 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.
On June 2010, users received the iOS 4.0 software update. Unlike owners of its successor models, users of the iPhone 3G did not gain access to important features included with iOS 4.0 such as multitasking, the ability to set a home screen wallpaper, or Bluetooth keyboard support. However, it did provide access to a unified mailbox feature, homescreen folders to better organise apps, playlist creation, and other enhancements. This update was widely criticized by users of the iPhone 3G for slow performance, though an updated iOS 4.1, released September 2010, improved this problem. However, unlike more modern iOS devices, this update again did not provide iPhone 3G owners with access to important features, in this case the Game Center application.[5]
On November 23, 2010, the iPhone 3G received the iOS 4.2 software update, which included new features such as YouTube voting, and security fixes. However, the iPhone 3G was 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 was 4.2.1, released on November 22, 2010. iOS 4.3, released on March 11, 2011, did not support the iPhone 3G, with Apple discontinuing further updates.[2]
App Store
A key enhancement introduced with iOS 2.0, and therefore an important feature of the iPhone 3G, was the App Store, an iconic way to find and install third-party applications on users' devices. Before this feature was introduced, the only way to install custom applications on the device was via jailbreaking, which is strongly discouraged and unsupported by Apple. There were 500 applications available for download at the launch of the App Store, though this amount has grown dramatically since then.
Hardware
Design
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 4.55 inches (116 mm) high, 2.44 inches (62 mm) wide, and 0.48 inches (12 mm) deep, compared to its predecessor, which was 4.5 inches (110 mm) high, 2.4 inches (61 mm) wide, and 0.46 inches (12 mm) deep.
Screen and input
The 3.5 inch touchscreen had a 320-by-480 (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 was based on the original iPhone. It still included a Samsung 32-bit RISC ARM11 620 MHz processor (underclocked to 412 MHz), a PowerVR MBX Lite 3D GPU, and 128 MB of eDRAM.
Camera
On the rear of the device, the iPhone 3G featured the same fixed-focus 2.0 megapixel camera of its predecessor. It had no optical zoom, flash, or autofocus, and did not support video recording (though various applications became available to allow video recording on the device). The iPhone 3G's operating system also now supported the geotagging of photographs.
Connectivity
In addition to EDGE, the iPhone 3G added Assisted GPS, 3G data, and tri-band UMTS/HSDPA. These enhancements allowed faster data downloads and turn-by-turn navigation with maps.
Like its predecessor and recent iPods, the iPhone 3G featured 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 also featured a flush-mounted 3.5 mm headphone jack instead of the recessed headphone jack that was included on the original iPhone; it could therefore be used with headphones other than those provided by Apple.
Battery
The iPhone 3G featured an internal rechargeable battery rated at 1150 mAh, which, like its predecessor, was not user-replaceable. Apple stated that the iPhone 3G’s battery was 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 could provide 300 hours of standby time.
Issues
Hairline cracks
Following the iPhone 3G's public release, some users reported hairline cracks, especially on white models.[7] Some owners also complained of easily broken glass following falls onto hard surfaces.
Battery life
The battery life of the iPhone 3G was criticized by several technology journalists as insufficient, and less than claimed by Apple.[citation needed] This was also reflected by a J.D. Power and Associates custom satisfaction survey, which gave the “battery aspects” of the device its lowest rating of 2 out of 5 stars, even after firmware updates.[citation needed]
iOS performance issues
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.[8]
During a media event on September 1, 2010, Apple announced that iOS 4.1 would be released on September 8, 2010, claiming to fix issues with performance on the iPhone 3G, along with fixes for Bluetooth and proximity sensor issues and other updates.
However, there continued to be some complaints of weak signals, increased heat, and performance lagging, with some users choosing to use third party software to downgrade the phone's operating system back to version 3.1.3 - seen by them as offering better performance.[citation needed]
Timeline of iPhone models
| Timeline of iPhone models |
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Source: Apple Newsroom Archive[9]
See also
References
- ^ "Apple Introduces the New iPhone 3G" (Press release). Apple Inc. June 9, 2008. Retrieved June 9, 2008.
- ^ a b Costello, Sam. "Initial iPhone 3G Country Availability List". about.com. Retrieved January 11, 2009. Cite error: The named reference "iPhone 3G launch countries" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ "iPhone 3G Coming to countries everywhere". Apple Inc. Retrieved April 12, 2009.
- ^ Sandoval, Luis. "iPhone 3G only $99, it's Possible". crenk.com.
- ^ iPhone 3G Speed Test: iOS 4.0 versus iOS 4.1[dead link]
- ^ Kirk, Edward (July 13, 2008). "iPhone 3G's "Plastic" Actually Stronger Than Aluminum iPhone?". iPhone Alley. Retrieved March 19, 2009. [dead link]
- ^ Aamoth, Doug (July 30, 2008). "Question: Is your white iPhone cracking?". Crunchgear.com. Retrieved December 19, 2010.
- ^ Valentino-DeVries, Jennifer (July 28, 2010). "Apple Probes Complaints About iOS4 on iPhone 3G". The Wall Street Journal.
- ^ Apple Inc. (2007–2023). iPhone News - Newsroom Archive. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
External links
- Official website, iPhone
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