Launched a few weeks ago via Rogers Wireless, the new Apple iPhone 3GS has been put through its paces and our experience with the new upgrade is that it does offer features that might benefit power users and those relying on the iPhone’s 3G data functionality and speed.
Regular users, those whose use of the iPhone is primarily to make calls, listen to audio and run a few non graphic intensive applications- we fell the iPhone OS 3.0 upgrade is more than enough to sustain their current iPhone 3G handsets.
Overview
The iPhone 3GS is so named for the overall increase in Speed. A new 600 MHz ARM processor powers the new models. The extra horsepower is further boosted by improvements to the graphic architecture with a PowerVR SGX graphics chip that now enables 30 frames per second video recording at VGA mode. RAM has also been doubled from 128MB to 256MB as has the 3G data throughput of 7.2 Mbps where available.
Our initial impressions of the iPhone 3GS is that it is clearly twice as fast than the iPhone 3G, especially when rendering complex websites or when loading graphics intensive games. The increased RAM and the graphics boost do make things run a lot faster.
Even negligible tasks like booting up or synching with iTunes are much faster because of the new components. Not to take anything away from the iPhone 3G, which is still an excellent device, but next to the 3GS it just seems slower.
Compass, camera and voice commands
The iPhone 3GS also offers a digital compass that works in tandem with the GPS and Google Maps to enhance location and direction based applications. The compass is accurate and although a bit gimmicky, is a good thing to have.
Apple also bundled the Nike+ component that interacts with the Nike sensors for managing and tracking your workouts. All you need are the Nike+ sensors and you are good to go.
Shutterbugs will love the improved 3 Megapixel cameras that does video, offers geotagging, auto-focus and white balance plus exposure. A neat add on is the touch-to-focus feature that can help when separating an object from the foreground.
The camera, even at 3 Megapixels, sealed the deal for us since we often need to take snapshots of events, products or people but don’t want to lug our digicams with us. The addition of video is a big bonus, especially since videos can be edited in camera and uploaded to MobileMe or YouTube.
One of he biggest pluses for us, and a good enough reason to upgrade, is the availability of a 32GB model that is even more storage capacity than some netbooks offer.
As a journalist who often needs to bring a camera, voice recorder, video recorder and notebook on the road –the iPhone 3GS with its new features is an astonishing replacement.
The Voice Memos function works great and we managed to get a clear interview from a person in a noisy bar. Audio can be easily synched to one’s PC and filed away or even sent as an email attachment.
We’ve not really had a chance to use the video feature much but the results so far have been good. The quality of video and audio is as good or better than a Flip video camera. Although not in HD (which is fine for most uses), the video is crisp and clear even in a darkened concert venue and can be shared instantly via email or upload to YouTube.
The camera and its auto white balance, auto focus and auto exposure makes taking photos on the fly a lot better. Is there marked difference between the 2 Megapixel camera and the old 2 Megapixel camera, it doesn’t seem to be noticeable. The increase in storage on the high end from 16GB to 32GB, however, give users more room to play with in terms of the number of files they can keep.
Unchanged yet Reduxed
Apple kept the basic design of the iPhone 3G for the iPhone 3GS and for us who have already spent a small fortune on cases, accessories and battery extenders (like the amazing Mophie Juice Pack Air) can breathe a sigh of relief.
Apple focused on squeezing even more features in the package and adding only one once more of weight while extending the battery life by 30% specially for web surfing on Wi-Fi. Tethering, currently being offered by Rogers Wireless to those with a data plan greater than 1GB a month, works exceedingly well and is surprisingly fast. iPhone 3G or 3GS owners with a netbook or notebooks should be able to access the web and email from their cottages this summer without much fuss provided they have the coverage.
The screen seems similar to the iPhone 3G and side-by-side there is very little difference. The iPhone 3G S also features a new fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating that attracts fewer smudges and wipes off easily.
With its speedy processor, increased storage space and multimedia and communications features, The iPhone 3GS is a handheld computer as much as it is a phone. An evolutionary, rather than revolutionary leap, the iPhone 3GS is the definitive smartphone to beat today.