Iphone 2G and 3G differences?

[Necrosaro420]

Im looking to purchase an unlocked Iphone. I really wont be using it much on the web, just more for applications, games, etc, as well as a phone of course.

My question is, what is the differences between a 2G and a 3G? I know 3G is on the 3G network, and also has a black back instead of a silver, also has GPS on it, is that the only differences between the two? Thanks!


Phone'd.

ATOT Moderator ElFenix

 

[Crono]

3G is faster. Doesn't matter for calls as much as internet.
Call quality is improved slightly with 3G, and you can make calls while on internet.

 

[pm]

Things that are different about the 3G as compared to the 2G:
1. The inclusion of a 3G radio which allows data to be transferred at about 200-300% faster rates (roughly, assuming good signal quality), compared the to the EDGE radio in the original iPhone. The voice quality of 3G is also improved.

2. They changed the case. The design is more of a wedge shape versus the rounded shape of the original iPhone. According to most people, this makes the new 3G iPhone more comfortable to hold in the hand. The original had a brushed aluminium backplate, and the new one has more of a hard plastic back. Also they added a new color choice to the phone: white.

3. They added a GPS - so Google maps now has a real-time updating GPS versus the previous system which relied on something like trangulation of cell phone towers to determine location but which only gave a relative idea.

4. They improved the battery life - the battery lasts about 2 hours longer for calls.

5. They unrecessed the headphone jack on the new iPhone - the original iPhone had a recessed jack that made it hard to plug in a lot of headphones.

6. They changed the screen color from a vaguely bluish tinge to more of a yellowish tinge. It's not easily noticed but some people prefer the original over the newer one.

7. They improved the microphone quality and the speaker quality to make it easier to listen to music without headphones and it makes calls clearer.

8. They changed the method of signing up for a contract - you used to be able to wander in to a store and buy one... with cash originally without having to sign a contract. You just walked in and bought it and walked out and then figured out the contract when you plugged it into a computer at home.

9. They changed the price. It appears that they lowered the price by lowering it from $399 to $199 (for the 8GB model), but they raised the monthly fee by $10 - which adds $240 over the two year mandatory contract period... so it costs $40 more (over 2 years) than the original one.

 

[Wonderful Pork]

Just to expand on the pm's post on the differences:

1. data transfer for 3G is much faster....when you can get the signal. Check that first.

2. The plastic cases of the 3G have been known to crack around the headphone jack, switches and/or dock connector, with or without a case. Apple may have changed the plastic to account for this (by now, I'd hope). Go check out the demo units at the Apple store (the white ones show it better).

4. They did change the battery, but with 3G turned on the battery life is SHORTER than with 3G off FYI, especially in marginal signal areas. The 2hr longer comparison is probably w/ 3G turned off for a more direct comparison.

8 & 9. AT&T now subsidizes the phone. its cheaper up front (199, 299 depending on the model) but the data plan increased from $20 to $30 per month (not including text messaging so $35 total for a compatible 3G data plan). Another major change is that the iPhone 3G allows Company/FAN discounts to be applied, while the original didn't. For my discount (23%) it actually works out to about the same amount...its within $.50/month for the cheapest plan.

If you're going to purchase this for use on AT&T, there are stories about how they force you to put on the iPhone data plan whether its unlocked or not. Take that with a grain of salt; its just what I've read on other forums.

If you plan on using with T-Mobile, the 3G bands are different, so you won't get the faster data speed.

Personally, I kept my 2G since I didn't find the updates worth using my "new every 2" subsidy from AT&T. We'll see what this years model brings. Several of my friends have the 3G and love it, so I dont really think you can go wrong in either case.