SlashGear Japan
Apple have announced the iPhone 3G S, a super-fast version of the iPhone 3G where the “S” stands for “Speed”. Packed into the same casing as the existing 3G model, the 3G S has a 3-megapixel camera with autofocus, auto white-balance and the ability to record VGA resolution video at 30fps. It also supports 7.2Mbps HSDPA, network depending, and has a faster processor that, Apple say, makes everything on-average twice as fast.
Specifically, messaging is 2.1x faster, games are around 2.4x faster, Excel is 3.6x faster, Javascript is 3x faster and the NY Times loads 2.9x faster. Battery life is rated at 5hrs 3G talktime, 9hrs WiFi internet browsing, 10hrs video playback, 30hrs audio playback, or 12hrs 2G talktime.
Videos are saved in with photos in the Pictures app, and can be played, edited and sent by email or MMS. There’s also a built-in digital compass and Nike+ support, while Apple have also boosted hands-free usability by introducing a voice control mode. Holding down the home button calls up a new voice control menu, which allows voice dialing together with control of iTunes. You can instruct the iPhone 3G S to play certain tracks, play “more tracks like this” and ask for a verbal confirmation of what music is currently playing.
The iPhone 3G S will go on sale alongside the iPhone 3G 8GB, which has a price cut – effective today – to $99 in the US on AT&T. The iPhone 3G S arrives in US, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and UK on June 19th; in the US, it’ll be priced at $199 for the 16GB model and $299 for the 32GB model.
4 Responses to “iPhone 3G S official: 16GB $199, 32GB $299”
LuigiGBA June 8, 2009
Does anyone know who this will affect the iTouch SKUs, or if it will even affect them? AT&T does not support my area well, and I’d really like a iTouch but I don’t want to spend so much, if you’ve heard any news, it’d be great to know.
Neutralsmitty June 8, 2009
Thanks for the live feed for the people who can’t be at there. Will the new IPhone be sold at Best Buy?
+1abcyesn June 10, 2009
They are ripping us off! They want only $199 from new customers, but existing customers must pay $499… Even with a 2 year extension. It’s right on their website: “For non-qualified customers, including existing AT&T customers who want to upgrade from another phone or replace an iPhone 3G, the price with a new two-year agreement is $499 (8GB), $599 (16GB), or $699 (32GB).”
We have to rise up and stop this. Apple has listened before. We have to make them listen again.
-2Chris Davies June 10, 2009
gvardia – I don’t know why AT&T aren’t accepting giftcards, that seems a pretty strange decision on their part.
abcyesn – You’re not alone in feeling that way; there are people complaining all over the world. Unfortunately, I doubt AT&T, Apple or any of the other carriers (e.g. O2 in the UK) will change their mind on this one. The issue is, the first iPhone was unsubsidized, so it was in AT&T’s best interest to allow existing owners to upgrade to the iPhone 3G mid-contract as they were basically just locking themselves into a new, longer agreement.
The iPhone 3G, though, WAS carrier-subsidized: AT&T or Apple sold it to you on the understanding that they’d recoup the cost of the subsidy over the course of your two-year contract. There’s no motivation for them to offer iPhone 3G users (or any other existing subscriber) a discount or even the new-user sticker price, as they’ll end up losing money depending on how long your current contract has to run. I understand it’s frustrating, but I can’t see Apple or any of the carriers changing their minds this time.
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