Deciding between an Iphone 3GS or 4

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  • jimkel
    Pro
    • Apr 2005
    • 512

    #1

    Deciding between an Iphone 3GS or 4

    I am getting my first smart phone and decided on the IPhone. I was intent on getting the 3GS, but hearing the features on the 4, I started questioning myself. I was wondering what people thought about the two phones, if it would be worth the extra $100 to go to a 4. Thanks
  • murph17
    Rock Band FTW!
    • Sep 2003
    • 1014

    #2
    Re: Deciding between an Iphone 3GS or 4

    if this is a brand new, new contract purchase...go for the 4. you will be future-proofing yourself for longer.

    6-9 months from now the iPhone 5 will be released. the 3GS will be 2 generations behind the latest and start getting less support from Apple.

    however if you are getting a deal on a used one, or not renewing your contract - you might be better off with the 3GS.

    this advice comes from someone who WAS gonna get the white iPhone 4 (which has been delayed like 6 times already) and is perfectly happy with my 3GS. even if the white one comes out at this point...i decided to just wait for the iPhone 5.

    Comment

    • CaptainZombie
      Brains
      • Jul 2003
      • 37851

      #3
      Re: Deciding between an Iphone 3GS or 4

      Originally posted by murph17
      if this is a brand new, new contract purchase...go for the 4. you will be future-proofing yourself for longer.

      6-9 months from now the iPhone 5 will be released. the 3GS will be 2 generations behind the latest and start getting less support from Apple.

      however if you are getting a deal on a used one, or not renewing your contract - you might be better off with the 3GS.

      this advice comes from someone who WAS gonna get the white iPhone 4 (which has been delayed like 6 times already) and is perfectly happy with my 3GS. even if the white one comes out at this point...i decided to just wait for the iPhone 5.
      I second this...........go with the 4 if you can.
      HDMovie Room

      Comment

      • DickDalewood
        All Star
        • Aug 2010
        • 6263

        #4
        Re: Deciding between an Iphone 3GS or 4

        My 4 was a huge upgrade over the 3Gs IMO... the screen alone is worth the entry fee.

        Comment

        • Scottdau
          Banned
          • Feb 2003
          • 32580

          #5
          Yep the screen is a big difference.

          Comment

          • jimkel
            Pro
            • Apr 2005
            • 512

            #6
            Re: Deciding between an Iphone 3GS or 4

            appreciate your feedback....not a new contract, just upgrading my phone.

            Comment

            • mgoblue
              Go Wings!
              • Jul 2002
              • 25477

              #7
              Re: Deciding between an Iphone 3GS or 4

              I have a coworker who got a 3G after the 3GS came out (he got it cheaper refurb) and a couple months later he was pissed. Yeah he saved money, but his phone is slower and not as nice. With phones becoming outdated so fast I'd be very hesitant to get a old phone.
              Nintendo Switch Friend Code: SW-7009-7102-8818

              Comment

              • murph17
                Rock Band FTW!
                • Sep 2003
                • 1014

                #8
                Re: Deciding between an Iphone 3GS or 4

                did you email CNet too?

                Ask Maggie: Am I better off with an iPhone 3GS? | Signal Strength - CNET News
                CNET is the world's leader in tech product reviews, news, prices, videos, forums, how-tos and more.


                Dear Maggie,

                I have the original iPhone. My contract is up and I'm ready for a new phone. My current iPhone only rings when it's plugged in and charging. Anyway, I've heard that the iPhone 4 has had a lot of problems. I haven't heard of many problems with the iPhone 3GS. And I was wondering if you think it's better to get the 3GS instead of the iPhone 4?

                Thanks,

                Brian

                Dear Brian,

                This is a great question. Initially, my gut reaction to your question was to tell you to get the iPhone 4. It's the latest and greatest in technology that Apple has to offer, so why would you get the previous generation, which doesn't have all the bells and whistles? But that might just be my inner geek talking.

                There is actually nothing wrong with the iPhone 3GS. In fact, the iPhone 3GS and the iPhone 4 use the same AT&T 3G wireless network. While some people believe the iPhone 4 uses a faster 4G wireless network, the reality is that AT&T does not have a 4G wireless network yet. And when it does, the iPhone 4 will not be able to take advantage of it. Since you have been using the original iPhone for the past couple of years, which uses AT&T's slower 2.5G network, either device is going to feel like a big leap in performance for you.

                In an effort to help you make your decision, I'm going to lay out the pros and cons of each device for you:

                iPhone 4

                Pros: The iPhone 4 comes with a slew of new hardware features that are not offered on previous generations of the iPhone. The most important update is the camera. The iPhone 4 not only has the traditional camera on the back, but it also has a front-facing camera that when used with the Face Time app allows users to video chat while in a Wi-Fi hot spot. The front-facing camera is also great for taking pictures or video of yourself.

                The updated camera has a resolution of 5 megapixels and shoots video in high-definition. And for the first time, Apple has added a flash to the camera so that you can take pictures in low light. And it has a 5x zoom that allows you to get closer to your subject when you are far away.

                The other major improvement on the iPhone 4 is the high-quality Retina display. The display is one of the best in the industry offering some of the most crisp and brightest images.

                Cons: As you alluded to in your question, the iPhone 4 has had some problems with dropped calls due to the construction of the antenna. Because the antenna is exposed and wraps around the phone if you put your hand over a spot near the bottom of the phone, the signal is often disrupted and calls can be interrupted.

                Apple says that this is a common problem with many cell phones that have the antenna situated on the bottom of the phone. But Kent German, a senior Reviews editor at CNET, who has tested the iPhone among hundreds of other devices, said he believes the iPhone 4 antenna issues are different.

                "None of the older iPhones suffered from the same antenna problems in our testing," he said. "I think those were unique to the iPhone 4."

                Of course, you can use a rubber bumper on your phone, and that should alleviate the problem. But there have been other reports of minor issues with the phone including, the fact that the display screen scratches more easily. Apple stopped selling a particular sliding case because of complaints about scratched displays.

                Another potential con when compared to the iPhone 3GS is that an iPhone 4 costs more. The iPhone 4 with 16GB of memory costs $199 with a two-year contract, whereas the 8GB iPhone 3GS will only set you back $99 with a two-year contract.

                iPhone 3GS

                Pros: As I mentioned in the cons of the iPhone 4, the 8GB iPhone 3GS is half the price of the 16GB iPhone 4. And the 16GB iPhone 3GS is $50 less than the 16GB iPhone 4. This may not sway most people, but if you're on a tight budget, it's something to consider.

                Another bit of good news is that many of the new software enhancements for the iPhone 4 came from an update to the device's iOS software. And these updates are also available for the iPhone 3GS.

                For example, multitasking was originally missing from the iPhone 3GS and other versions of the iPhone. But the iOS 4.0 released the same day the iPhone 4 went on sale offered the ability to run multiple applications at once. Another key software update in iOS 4.0 was the ability to turn the iPhone into a wireless modem. There is an additional fee associated with "tethering", but this capability had been missing from previous versions of the product. Another addition is the ability to group apps together to create home screen folders with multiple apps that helps users conserve space on the home screen display. The iPhone 3GS also offers the consolidated mailbox, so that you can merge multiple e-mail accounts.

                Cons: As mentioned before, the iPhone 3GS lacks the hardware enhancements of the iPhone 4. There is no front-facing camera, no zoom, and no flash. There is video, but it's not in high-definition.

                Another consideration is that Apple is an innovative company that is constantly moving forward technologically. It has a poor history of making sure its older products are compatible with new features it introduces in newer products. So even though many of the iOS 4.0 and subsequent updates have worked on both the iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS, you may not be able to count on this going forward.

                "With Apple often you have to upgrade or lose out on new features," Kent German, CNET Reviews senior editor, said. "Faithful Apple fans are happy to do this, so if you get something older, the danger is that when something new comes out, you might get left behind."

                So the bottom line is that the issues you are concerned about on the iPhone can be mitigated with a rubber bumper. But if you don't care about all the fancy hardware enhancements, the iPhone 3GS would be a fine choice for you. And you wouldn't have to pay as much for it.

                And depending on how much you want to spend on a new phone, you might also want to check out refurbished iPhones from AT&T. Both the iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS are sold used on AT&T's Web site for a discount.

                Comment

                • jimkel
                  Pro
                  • Apr 2005
                  • 512

                  #9
                  Re: Deciding between an Iphone 3GS or 4

                  nope, did not do that

                  Comment

                  • Gotmadskillzson
                    Live your life
                    • Apr 2008
                    • 23433

                    #10
                    Re: Deciding between an Iphone 3GS or 4

                    Yeah just spend the extra money and get the 4.

                    Comment

                    • EnigmaNemesis
                      Animal Liberation
                      • Apr 2006
                      • 12216

                      #11
                      Re: Deciding between an Iphone 3GS or 4

                      I bought my 32 gig 3Gs last August (was my first smart phone too)... and it was one of the best electronic items I have ever purchased (next to the PS3 for The Show, and my PCs I build every few years). I love it. It has done me very well.

                      The 4 is that much better (faster, camera, 720p video recording, the screen is just yum). Not to mention I love its look. Much more sleek!

                      I would just jump on the 4. You would NOT be sorry.

                      I was going to get the 4, and still might, but something tells me to wait a bit more for the (4s/5) since my 3Gs is still going strong.
                      Boston Red Sox | Miami Dolphins

                      Comment

                      • SuperBowlNachos
                        All Star
                        • Jul 2004
                        • 10218

                        #12
                        Re: Deciding between an Iphone 3GS or 4

                        4

                        .........

                        Comment

                        • ddtrane
                          Pro
                          • Jul 2003
                          • 633

                          #13
                          Re: Deciding between an Iphone 3GS or 4

                          Originally posted by EnigmaNemesis
                          I bought my 32 gig 3Gs last August (was my first smart phone too)... and it was one of the best electronic items I have ever purchased (next to the PS3 for The Show, and my PCs I build every few years). I love it. It has done me very well.

                          The 4 is that much better (faster, camera, 720p video recording, the screen is just yum). Not to mention I love its look. Much more sleek!

                          I would just jump on the 4. You would NOT be sorry.

                          I was going to get the 4, and still might, but something tells me to wait a bit more for the (4s/5) since my 3Gs is still going strong.
                          My thoughts exactly. My 3GS is strong so I will be waiting for the 5.

                          Comment

                          • luv_mist
                            Older
                            • May 2004
                            • 9596

                            #14
                            Re: Deciding between an Iphone 3GS or 4

                            Originally posted by ddtrane
                            My thoughts exactly. My 3GS is strong so I will be waiting for the 5.
                            My wife and I are both waiting for the next one to come out. The 4 is nice but I think that she'd be pissed if I got the next one and she was still on the 4. I have to say that the camera is pretty nice. Can clearly see the difference. If you can somehow get the 3Gs and still be able to upgrade to the next one that comes out in the summer, then that would be your best bet. Going to be a long wait but it'll be worth it.

                            Comment

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