Whether you love or hate Apple, you must admit that the iPhone revolutionized cell phones as we know them today. Before the 1st generation iPhone hit the market, the top selling phone for the past three years was the Motorola RAZR. However, not too long ago, the iPhone and Apple enjoyed monumental achievement by becoming the best selling phone in the third-quarter of 2008. It’s been almost two years since the release of the original iPhone, and only a few months ago Apple released the iPhone 3G. Both phones are still missing some basic features, but there has been an improvement in the latter version. In this article, we will cover the differences between the iPhone 2G (or first generation) iPhone and it’s newer counterpart, the iPhone 3G.
Design and Dimensions
Even though there aren’t too many differences in the exterior of the models, we are going to point them out before we get to the hardware. The screen size is exactly the same at 3.5" on both models, which provides for an ultra-clear 480×320 screen resolution. The rear of the original iPhone has a smooth metal finish with a black strip at the bottom. The front of it has a shiny metal piece that surrounds the side of the phone and ends behind the screen. The iPhone 3G has a smooth piano black or white finish. It also has the shiny metal piece around the outside of the screen. The iPhone 3G features buttons that are made from a shiny metal, excluding the home button. This gives them a sturdier feel compared to its predecessor. The shape of the 3G phone is a major difference as the original iPhone is a little thicker and completely flat when set down. The 3G has more of a round feel to it that flattens out slightly around the edges. It has been said that the screen of the 3G heats to a warmer temperature than that of the original iPhone.
Features & Technical Specifications
Once we get under the hood, we begin to see where the 3G separates itself from it’s older brother. The iPhone 2G only supported WiFi, GSM, and Bluetooth. This means its speed surfing the Internet were quite limited. The iPhone 3G introduced 3G speeds to Apple’s flagship model, and it also supports WiFi, GSM, and Bluetooth. This makes for a better experience surfing, watching Youtube videos, and downloading data onto the phone from the Internet. The first generation iPhone supported the following frequencies: GSM and Quad-Band (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz). The iPhone 3G supports all of those frequencies, but added to the list quite a few more to enable running at 3G speeds, including UMTS/HSDPA (850, 1900, 2100 MHz). The iPhone 3G also supports GPS, which was not included in the original iPhone.
Both phones have a 2MP camera, but do not feature a video recorder. The iPhone 3G weighs 4.7 ounces compared to the 2G’s weight of 4.8 ounces (not a notable difference). The only downside to 3G capabilities is that it eats into battery life. The iPhone 2G beats out the newer version in that regard by providing up to 8 hours of talk-time compared to 5 hours with the 3G.
Bottom Line
Comparing two great phones is always hard, but Apple made a great move by creating the 3G iPhone. The iPhone 2G is impressive, but with the features the 3G provides and the transition with new phones all moving to 3G, it’s a definite requirement if Apple wants to maintain its new status as the #1 selling phone in the US.
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I have the original iPhone, and haven’t upgraded since 3G is not offered in my area. They advertise the phone for its 3G capabilities all over the nation, but the actual service only works in major cities. I’m sure some people have been disappointed after getting the phone home and not being able to get the 3G symbol to show up.
December 2nd, 2008 at 9:54 am
I am fine with my iPhone 2G. The new 3G looks cool, but considering the battery life, I do not feel like upgrading. Apple has yet to address the basic phone features that are missing. How can they possibly ignore SMS forwarding, copy/paste etc…
December 2nd, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Yea, I agree with Matthew and Zeb. I’ve had the iPhone 2G for almost 1 year, and yesterday I received my iPhone 3G. The iPhone 3G is cool, but Apple still didn’t implement copy/paste, SMD Fwd, MMS, and video. What they wanna prove…that they don’t care at all?
December 14th, 2008 at 5:55 am
I’m another still using the original 2G iPhone. I’ve been contemplating the 3G since its release, especially since my 2G’s been acting funny, oddly, since DAY 1 of the 3G release (my vibe has died and the speaker seems a lot quieter, all this maybe due to age and being dropped a few times). Being that its now December, about halfway to a major revision or close to a minor one (32GB soon?), I’m unsure what to do. I still have my $100 Apple credit from the price drop. I’d surely love the speed difference in the city along with the GPS, but I don’t find those things worth the extra money up front as well as monthly.
What would absolutely get me to upgrade is a tethering option along with more memory and a faster processor, which I feel are necessary. A better camera, option for video, a plastic back that won’t crack would be bonuses along with all the features we should have had since the beginning.
December 17th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
I just got the 3G as an upgrade from my old 2G iPhone. The technology is much faster for the 3G. Although I do agree that some features, like the copy/paste, wide screen typing, and a few other things should be included, I still am happy with my new 3G iPhone.
I’m sure they will include those things in future upgrades…hopefully SOON!
December 18th, 2008 at 11:21 am
If you unlock/jailbreak either iPhone and use it with T-Mobile, can you download apps from the apps store?
December 23rd, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Mike, you can still download apps from the app store as long as you login to an iTunes account. I have the iPhone for t-Moblie, and use the app store all the time.
January 6th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
I want to buy an iphone but i dont know which one is better 2g or 3g?
July 21st, 2009 at 8:32 am
HI I LIVE IN COLOMBIA AND I WOULD LIKE TO BUY AN IPHONE,I AM NOT SURE TO BUY THE IPHONE 2G OR THE 3G OR WHAT I DONT KNOW.I WISH SOMEONE WHO HAD ALREADY THIS TYPES OF IPHONE WOULD SAY ME IF IT IS BETTER BUYING A IPHONE 2G OR A IPHONE 3 G
July 21st, 2009 at 7:31 pm