Apple unveils new iPhone 3G S
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Apple yesterday revealed the successor to the highly successful iPhone 3G.
Apple calls the iPhone 3G S the most powerful iPhone yet, saying its twice as the iPhone 3G, has a longer battery life, the latest iPhone operating system (OS 3.0), video recording and voice control.
The new 3G S supports faster broadband speeds of up to 7.2Mbps over a HSDPA (3.5G) network. However, the iPhone is tied to the O2 network and the maximum line speed currently available on their HSDPA network is 3.6Mbps. Again that’s also dependant on coverage, signal strength and how busy the network is.
The retail price of the original iPhone 3G has also fallen, but O2 has kept the existing pricing.
Existing O2 customers are also angry at O2’s decision not to allow an immediate upgrade to the 3G S, as it did with the original iPhone. Existing customers would instead have to buy out their existing contract to sign-up.
The new OS 3.0, which can be downloaded for any iPhone, includes a new feature called Internet tethering, allows users to connect an iPhone to their PC or laptop and use the iPhone to access the Internet over a 3G / HSDPA network. However, Apple has disgruntled users by announcing that it will charge £14.68 per month for the privilege.
The iPhone 3G S will be available from free on O2 and costs from £34.26 per month. It will be available to buy from the O2 Website from 19 June 2009.
Buying
iPhone users are going to get a very bad name if they continue to get stroppy about upgrading every time a new handset comes out. I love Apple’s products (I have an iMac G5) but I’m not what you’d call a ‘fanboy’. However, I’m thinking about getting a 3GS but certainly won’t be nagging O2 when Apple announces the next version next June.
Comment by Rob — June 10, 2009 #