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6.9 out of 10

Apple iPhone 3GS

 

Information found in: from 274 sources in 31 countries

Great Deal: $130.50

  • User Score (8167)
    8.4 8.4 from 8167 reviewers
  • Expert Score (96)
    8.6 8.6 from 96 reviewers
  • Design (592)
    6.8 6.8 from 592 reviewers
  • Value for money (366)
    6.3 6.3 from 366 reviewers
  • Features (774)
    6.6 6.6 from 774 reviewers
  • Ease of use (590)
    6.8 6.8 from 590 reviewers
  • Performance (18)
    6.9 6.9 from 18 reviewers
  • Sound quality (42)
    7.3 7.3 from 42 reviewers
  • Picture quality (10)
    6.7 6.7 from 10 reviewers
  • Sound (15)
    7.2 7.2 from 15 reviewers
  • Durability (61)
    6.1 6.1 from 61 reviewers
  • Reliability (26)
    4.9 4.9 from 26 reviewers
  • Overall quality (175)
    7.1 7.1 from 175 reviewers
  • Looks (63)
    7.6 7.6 from 63 reviewers
  • Battery performance (248)
    4.9 4.9 from 248 reviewers
  • Display (116)
    7.5 7.5 from 116 reviewers
  • Weight (14)
    6.4 6.4 from 14 reviewers
  • Reception (81)
    6.8 6.8 from 81 reviewers
  • Ergonomics (24)
    6.7 6.7 from 24 reviewers
  • Portability (2)
    6.5 6.5 from 2 reviewers
  • Connectivity (2)
    8.1 8.1 from 2 reviewers
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  • Best Deals

Glyde
In Stock (Z) $130.50 SEE IT
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In Stock (S) $229.99 SEE IT
eBay
In Stock (S) $239.99 SEE IT

Prices from Shopzilla (Z), Shopping.com (S)

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  • Score Distribution

Experts:
9-10
(52)
7-8
(34)
5-6
(9)
3-4
(1)
1-2
(0)
Users:
9-10
(2598)
7-8
(928)
5-6
(325)
3-4
(161)
1-2
(353)

  • Expert Reviews

  1. PC Magazine

    PC Magazine
    9.0/10
    22 June 2009

    The iPhone 3GS gives new life to the 50,000 available iPhone apps with its much faster performance. This is a terrific handheld computing and Internet device, but understand that voice calls aren't its top priority. Read more

    • Best handheld computer ever. Faster and more powerful than the iPhone 3G. Excellent video camera mode.
    • Phone performance is still mediocre. Browser still lacks Flash. Still won't be IT managers' first choice.

  2. What Digital Camera

    What Digital Camera
    8.6/10
    10 September 2009

    Apple iPhone 3GS, a touchscreen cameraphone that doubles as an iPod, boasts upgraded features from the previous 3G second-generation version, and now includes video. Read more

    • Tap screen auto focus, video mode
    • Still no flash, not a massive improvement to 3G, downloading images & video is overly complicated using iPhoto

  3. Digitaltrends

    Digitaltrends
    9.0/10
    18 June 2009

    The iPhone 3GS 32GB has more storage, speed and the features can only improve an already impeccable smartphone. Read more

    • Offers many new features and improvements over predecessors, Addition of video recording capability, Doubles as portable media player, Bundled with the new iPhone OS 3.0.
    • Camera still lags behind other smartphones (fewer megapixels, no flash or zoom), Still no expandable memory solution.

  4. PhoneArena.com

    PhoneArena.com
    12 November 2011

    At first it was just good enough that the Jesus phone was finally being released, and last year Apps took it to a new level.  This time around Apple is counting on under the hood improvements to continue driving iPhone Read more

  5. Bright Hub

    Bright Hub
    10/10
    19 May 2011

    You’ve seen an iPhone but can you tell the difference between an iPhone 3GS and an iPhone 3G? Probably not - they look identical to each other and it’s hard to differentiate between the two. Read more

  6. maximum pc

    maximum pc
    9.0/10
    1 October 2009

    Finally, a no-compromises smartphone suitable for mass consumption Read more

    • Faster everything; improved camera is great; it's got a compass!
    • Battery life could be better; still can't change some alert tones.

  7. Wired

    Wired
    10 September 2009

    Apple outsmarted the mobile world by releasing the touch-controlled iPhone in June 2007. In July the next year, it rocketed to faster network speeds with the iPhone 3G while creating a massive ecosystem of apps. Read more

    • Faster. More storage. Better camera, with video recording capability. Search encompasses more data, not just one app at a time. Voice navigation. Feature-rich iPhone 3.0 software is free to current iPhone users.
    • Multitasking still limited. No tethering or MMS support yet for AT&T users. Recent iPhone 3G customers must pay a fortune to upgrade.

  8. PC World

    PC World
    8.0/10
    23 June 2009

    Performance Read more

    • Faster processor improves performance Improved camera with video recording, Bright, high-quality fingerprint-resistant touchscreen, Built-in GPS and compass, Decent autofocus camera with SD video capability, Extremely fast...
    • Battery life still disappoints Still no true multitasking, Onboard video trimming is destructive, Requires two-year commitment to AT&T Wireless for lowest prices, Soft-looking video, Voice Control lacks some polish

  9. DigitalCameraInfo.com

    DigitalCameraInfo.com
    19 June 2009

    The Apple iPhone 3G S is a relatively minor upgrade from last year's iPhone 3G. It increases processor speed, adds more memory, bumps the megapixel count up from two to three, and adds video recording. Read more

  10. What Hi-Fi?

    What Hi-Fi?
    10/10
    20 January 2010

    At the time of writing Steve Jobs had only just returned to Apple after six months' medical leave. With Nokia and others mounting fresh challenges to his empire, the iPhone 3G S is the company's latest move to consolidation. Read more

    • Faster and more powerful; new features and holes in spec plugged; larger hard disk; same sky-high AV performance; class-leading interface
    • It's not cheap – if you're paying for it that is...

  • User Reviews

  1. Everything perfect, time, presentation, etc....., but... comes without headphones, and difficult to claim,,,

    Amazon
    6.0/10
    Reviewer: Ignacio, Amazon
    2 weeks ago

    Everything perfect, time, presentation, etc....., but... comes without headphones, and difficult to claim.... To be honest, I'm living outside US and is almost impossible to claim for the headphones Read more

  2. Apple 32GB iPhone 3GS

    8.0/10
    Reviewer: chixking, pcworld.com
    2 weeks ago

    Got the 32GB GS model and I love it. Waiting for the next big thing from apple. Had lots of phones over the years and this one is the best. Can do a lot with this phone. Read more

    • Fast;easy to use;great graphics;easy to navigate;responsive keyboard
    • poor battery life-bought a solar battery charger case for mine-unable to use adobe flash player-no flash for the camera-freezes up-gets hot after using it for a period of time;lack of updates available for phone software.

  3. "Worst customer service ATT n iphone"

    CNET
    5.0/10
    Reviewer: SIRIPAYU, CNET
    28 December 2011

    I have 3gs iphone from past 1 year and its works good and awesome phone. I have upgrade to 5.0.1 itunes then i have a problem with phone and its says not able to activate and its no service area. Read more

    • As long phone works good life is good. once you have a problem with iphone life sucks. You can not get rid of issues until unless you replace the phone.
    • when ever they have upgrade phones we need to buy otherwise exiting phones wont work( until if don't upgrade to newer version).

  4. Best phone out there,.

    PriceGrabber
    10/10
    Reviewer: AgKhem, PriceGrabber
    21 April 2010

    I've had 1fr0 different phones over the years. This phone is the best yet. A great phone that is more than a phone. With all the apps you can use with this phone its uses are almost endless. Read more

    • Tons of free applications that can work with this phone. Good size and weight. Very versatile.. more than a phone. Good battery life.
    • Volume button on my phone seems to turn down when I have it in my pocket. ATT service drops calls in dead spots along the road at times.

  5. Iphone 3GS is really a wonderful phone.

    Ebay
    10/10
    Reviewer: razorwolrd, Ebay
    2 weeks ago See Product at eBay ($239.99)

    Iphone 3GS is really a wonderful phone!!His finally adds common cell phone features like multimedia messaging, video recording, and voice dialing. Read more or see product

  6. This phone exceeded my expectations!

    Overstock
    10/10
    Reviewer: boobookenny1, Overstock
    4 January 2012

    I just love this phone and the wonderful shipping I got it before I had expected it. Overstock you made me a fan of your site! The price was half of everyone else. I will be buying from you again! Read more

  7. Class and user friendly

    InfiBeam
    8.0/10
    Reviewer: Mohan, InfiBeam
    21 November 2011

    Iphones are an all time preferred phones even though they are bit expensive. But the kind of technology and the features Iphones exhibits is unmatched with any other mobile. Read more

  8. iPhone 3Gs still Rocks

    Phone Scoop
    9.0/10
    Reviewer: Jay Mobile, Phone Scoop
    24 August 2011

    I have had this phone for 2 years and see no reason to upgrade. This phone does everything and I mean everything. Many who upgrade are doing for the sake of upgrading but when it comes to knowing what you want then this phone... Read more

  9. Very low-tech with ugly design

    CNET
    2.0/10
    Reviewer: CNET
    21 May 2010

    Iphone has done it again! 3gs nothing much has changed though it has inaccurate voice command. I am afraid people are overwhelmed by brand and thought that they can give a damn lot of money to use 100% useless staff. WHY? Read more

    • fast, touch phone with 3.5mm audio jet
    • Lousy battery, no camera, no flash, no flash for browser, sounds are unclear when you make call or answer

  10. disappointing battery

    Newegg
    4.0/10
    Reviewer: disappointed, Newegg
    13 July 2010

    The covers that have an extended battery would help, but they reduce the signal strength and make the phone unusable Read more

    • Beautiful hardware, responsive screen, excellent app store
    • horrible battery life, doesn't multi-task non-apple applications

  • WikiFreak Description

iPhone 3GS

The iPhone 3GS is a GSM 850/900/1800/1900/HSDPA 850/1900/2100MHz network phone designed in a block form factor that measures 116x62x12mm and weighs 135 g, and runs the iPhone OS 3.0 operating system. The phone is powered by a lithium-ion battery that provides up to 5 hours of talk time/data on 3G, 12 hours on 2G network; 9 hours data on Wi-Fi; 30 hours on audio and 10 hours on video. The phone supports a 16GB (at the price of $199) or 32GB ($299) internal storage capacity, and features a …

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iPhone 3GS

The iPhone 3GS is a GSM 850/900/1800/1900/HSDPA 850/1900/2100MHz network phone designed in a block form factor that measures 116x62x12mm and weighs 135 g, and runs the iPhone OS 3.0 operating system. The phone is powered by a lithium-ion battery that provides up to 5 hours of talk time/data on 3G, 12 hours on 2G network; 9 hours data on Wi-Fi; 30 hours on audio and 10 hours on video. The phone supports a 16GB (at the price of $199) or 32GB ($299) internal storage capacity, and features a 16.7 million color TFT 320x480 pixel resolution display that has an accelerometer, proximity sensor and ambient light sensor. The phone also supports a 3.0-megapixel autofocus camera with macro mode and auto white balance, as well as geo tagging and video recording (30fps VGA format with on-device editing) capabilities. It also has an MP3 player that is supported by iTunes, Cover Flow and AT&T Music; speakerphone:, supports 320x480 px wallpapers and screesavers, MP3 ringtones, themes, games and multimedia streaming (iTunes/AT&T Mobile TV/AT&T Video). The iPhone 3G S has OpenGL ES 2.0 Graphics capability, voice dial and voice music control; Nike + support, a 7.2Mbps HSDPA, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g and Bluetooth 2.1 with EDR connectivity feature; is coated with water- and oil-resistant finish, has an integrated magnetic compass (GPS with AT&T Navigator) and comes with headphones with inline remote for music control. It also comes with "Find My iPhone" phone locating service and TomTom navigation (subscription required).

Features

The iPhone 3GS is a mobile phone that runs the iPhone OS 3.0 operating system and allows users to rent and purchase movies from the phone, along with audiobooks. The phone also supports Bluetooth® and USB connectivity to Macs and PCs, Safari web browser with JavaScript, and supports QuickTime X-style HTTP streaming of audio and video. The phone also features AutoFill for forms, HTML 5 support including audio and video tags; “Find My iPhone” which functions to track down a lost phone using MobileMe from any browser. It locates the phone on a map, and also allows users to remotely erase data on the device, or play a sound on the phone for locating it around the house even in vibration mode. The phone also features ScrollMotion Iceberg in-app purchases, Bluetooth and dock connector communication with other devices, embedded Google Maps™ for turn by turn navigation, push notifications of text alerts, number badges and sound alerts.

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  • Manufacturer's Description

The first thing youâ.

  • GPS Capability: aGPS
  • Network Type: GSM 850 GSM 900 GSM 1800 GSM 1900 GSM EDGE HSDPA 850 HSDPA 2100 HSDPA UMTS
  • Style: Unique Shape, Smartphone
  • Design: Mobile
  • Screen Size (Diagonal): 3.5 inch
  • Installed Memory: 32 GB

Specifications

  • Alternative names
    8GB 3GS Black, iPhone 3G S

Release Date

  • First seen
    11 January 2009

Ask the community

Need more advice? Ask the community a question.

Questions asked: 2 Answers: 1

Previous questions about this product

  • Apple iphone3G s

    I am looking at buying this phone. My main questions is reception? I am in and out of commercial buildings all day and am worried I wont get the reception I am used to w/ a traditional Cell.

    Answered by Lean 2009-10-22:

    Yes, the reception is good on the Apple iPhone 3Gs.

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