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iphone 3g to 3gs upgrade worth it?
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myromeo
21-09-2009
as per title really, got 16gb 3G at moment and love it but according to my o2 online account thing I am due for an upgrade.

is the improvements in the 3GS worth upgrading to from a perfectly fine 3G or should I just leave it until next summer when a new iphone is sure to be released and upgrade then?
Rich2k
21-09-2009
There are a number of things to think about here

1) The 3Gs is definitely faster than the 3G for day to day use
2) The camera is better and has that neat focus option
3) You can record video
4) It has a compass

Now the other thing to think about is that Apple have publicly said that the iPhone upgrades are now a yearly event so that means in around June/July next year there will be a new iPhone and it wouldn't surprise me if it was remarkably different to the current 3G/3Gs line.

Now bearing in mind that O2 will lock you into a 18 or 24 month contract you might not even get the chance to get the iPhone after the 3Gs at all if you go for 24 months.

I've used by wife's 3Gs for a bit and as an iPhone developer I've noticed substantial speed improvements and I need to use it to develop anything involving video uploading (and this is what frustrates me the most, I develop iPhone apps yet I can't test the video functionality without paying an huge fee to O2 to do this!)
Dark 1
21-09-2009
The main things the 3GS has over the 3G are:
[LIST][*]Faster internal architecture; will mainly manifest itself in graphics heavy games which will run smoother.[*]Option of more memory; up to 32 gig.[*]Better camera; up from 2 to 3 megapixel, plus gains autofocus and video recording.[*]Electronic compass; useful in for example, Google Maps can orient the map depending on which way you're facing.[*]New screen coating reduces finger marks.[/LIST]
Do any of those things sound like killer features you absolutely positively can't live without for 9 months longer until the next one?
myromeo
21-09-2009
Originally Posted by Dark 1:
“Do any of those things sound like killer features you absolutely positively can't live without for 9 months longer until the next one?”

None of them are things that I need in a phone so I guess ill be holding on to this one a bit longer... nothing wrong with it other than a few bashes and scrapes!

Any rumours out yet as to the next iphone?
clonmult
21-09-2009
Originally Posted by myromeo:
“None of them are things that I need in a phone so I guess ill be holding on to this one a bit longer... nothing wrong with it other than a few bashes and scrapes!

Any rumours out yet as to the next iphone?”

Nothing that I've seen.

The givens are ...
- more memory (ram and storage)
- faster cpu/graphics - apple are apparently trying to aim the platform for gaming
- higher resolution camera ( to help differentiate from the apparent iPod Touch wtih camera)

Possibilities :
- multi tasking
- a variety of colours?
- camera flash - although I can't see SJ going for an LED, as they're generally useless - knowing him he'd want a decent flash
- Adobe flash support

Unlikely :
- slideout keyboard
Gormond
21-09-2009
you also get Nike+ support in the 3GS if that's important to you.

Personally I'm going to wait for the next iPhone and get it on a 24 month contract.
MrKev
21-09-2009
Widely discussed the best way to do it is to buy PAYG (if you can) then go on simplicity for 12 months. That way you get better tariff and a similar total cost of ownership yet you aren't stuck in an 18 month contract and you can upgrade every year.

The 24 month contracts have been shown to offer no incentive at all, in many cases the total cost of ownership is more
Dark 1
21-09-2009
Originally Posted by clonmult:
“Nothing that I've seen.

The givens are ...
- more memory (ram and storage)
- faster cpu/graphics - apple are apparently trying to aim the platform for gaming
- higher resolution camera ( to help differentiate from the apparent iPod Touch wtih camera)

Possibilities :
- multi tasking
- a variety of colours?
- camera flash - although I can't see SJ going for an LED, as they're generally useless - knowing him he'd want a decent flash
- Adobe flash support

Unlikely :
- slideout keyboard”

If they go for a redesign, it would have to be a teeny bit thinner. It's an Apple obsession. Anything that has a contrary effect to that aim will not be implemented.

Other possibles:

FM radio; given that they've finally relented and given the iPod Nano one.

OLED display; although given how comparatively poorly they work in sunlight compared to a good old LCD, maybe not really ideal for a phone.

A new back that isn't shiny and slippery. I'd like that!

A built in tazer to fight off the local chavs who want to relieve you of it. Maybe.
Dark 1
21-09-2009
Originally Posted by MrKev:
“Widely discussed the best way to do it is to buy PAYG (if you can) then go on simplicity for 12 months. That way you get better tariff and a similar total cost of ownership yet you aren't stuck in an 18 month contract and you can upgrade every year.

The 24 month contracts have been shown to offer no incentive at all, in many cases the total cost of ownership is more”

I plan to do that with my 3GS, but only after the £120 worth of 12 months free internet access is up on the PAYG deal. For my usage, it works out the cheapest by a good margin.
Gormond
21-09-2009
Originally Posted by MrKev:
“Widely discussed the best way to do it is to buy PAYG (if you can) then go on simplicity for 12 months. That way you get better tariff and a similar total cost of ownership yet you aren't stuck in an 18 month contract and you can upgrade every year.

The 24 month contracts have been shown to offer no incentive at all, in many cases the total cost of ownership is more”

24 month contract seems okay to me assuming your fine with upgrading your phone every 2 years. (which I am).

24 Month Contract
£87.11 + £34.26 / Month for 24 month - Total Cost £909.35

PAYG + Simplicity with Web and Wi-Fi
£440.40 + £26.92 / Month for 24 month - Total Cost £1086.48

So by going with the 24 month contract I would save £177.13 over the PAYG option.

Also you don't have to find £440.40 upfront for the cost of the phone which would be a killer for me personally.
mikey86uk
21-09-2009
doesnt the 3GS have faster data speeds to?
Gormond
21-09-2009
Originally Posted by mikey86uk:
“doesnt the 3GS have faster data speeds to?”

It supports HSPDA 7.2 as apposed to 3.6 but i'm unsure if O2 support that speed anywhere in the country.
Matt D
21-09-2009
Originally Posted by Gormond:
“PAYG + Simplicity with Web and Wi-Fi
£440.40 + £26.92 / Month for 24 month - Total Cost £1086.48
”

http://shop.o2.co.uk/simplicity-12

Is that cost from having WiFi as well as Web?

Is there any need really to pay for WiFi? Why not just the 12 month Simplicity for £19.58, with Unlimited Web as the inclusive Bolt-in?
Aye Up
21-09-2009
Originally Posted by Dark 1:
“ OLED display; although given how comparatively poorly they work in sunlight compared to a good old LCD, maybe not really ideal for a phone.”

Really? the image and visibility I get from a i8910 HD in sunlight is astounding! and thats AMOLED. The whole experience is just crisper and much more vibrant.

Its much easier to view OLED in sunlight than LCD imho......

Logic would have it Apple will move to said technology is the next release to increase power efficiency.
Dark 1
22-09-2009
Originally Posted by Aye Up:
“Really? the image and visibility I get from a i8910 HD in sunlight is astounding! and thats AMOLED. The whole experience is just crisper and much more vibrant.

Its much easier to view OLED in sunlight than LCD imho......”

I suppose that will depend on the quality of the corresponding displays, i.e. a good OLED will be better than a bad LCD.

This site looks at some examples:
http://www.oled-info.com/oleds-direct-sunlight

So basically, OLEDs are getting better at dealing with sunlight, but right now, a good LCD has the edge.
Gormond
22-09-2009
Originally Posted by Matt D:
“http://shop.o2.co.uk/simplicity-12

Is that cost from having WiFi as well as Web?

Is there any need really to pay for WiFi? Why not just the 12 month Simplicity for £19.58, with Unlimited Web as the inclusive Bolt-in?”

Yeah as I was trying to do a like for like comparison, even if you drop Wi-Fi the total cost is £910.32 which is still very slightly more expensive than on a contract.
tdenson
22-09-2009
2 killer features for me on the 3GS, not even mentioned yet are -

voice control for dialling contacts that actually works, great safety feature in the car.

3 finger tap to zoom into text.

The latter in itself (for someone who needs reading glasses) would have justified the upgrade.
kyussmondo
22-09-2009
Originally Posted by Gormond:
“24 month contract seems okay to me assuming your fine with upgrading your phone every 2 years. (which I am).

24 Month Contract
£87.11 + £34.26 / Month for 24 month - Total Cost £909.35

PAYG + Simplicity with Web and Wi-Fi
£440.40 + £26.92 / Month for 24 month - Total Cost £1086.48

So by going with the 24 month contract I would save £177.13 over the PAYG option.

Also you don't have to find £440.40 upfront for the cost of the phone which would be a killer for me personally.”

Alternatively you can just buy the PAYG phone and then get a 1 month Simplicity tariff. In the short term it is more expensive. If you decide you want another phone or a new iPhone then you should make most of your money back by selling the handset and take your simplicity tariff elsewhere or cancel the contract.

I would prefer to pay more up front now and have more flexibility. If you get a 24 month contract you have to pay the £909 regardless. On Simplicity you could end the contract after 12 months which would cost £323.04. You could probably get around £250 back for your 3GS after 12 months so you have only spent £190.40 on the phone. So you only pay £513.44. Even less if you get a monthly contract. I am not locked in to paying £909 plus I can have the latest handset.

I wouldn't say it is worth upgrading to the iPhone 3GS. I am still happy with the iPhone 3G and will be holding out to see what is in-store for June 2010.
Gormond
22-09-2009
Originally Posted by kyussmondo:
“Alternatively you can just buy the PAYG phone and then get a 1 month Simplicity tariff. In the short term it is more expensive. If you decide you want another phone or a new iPhone then you should make most of your money back by selling the handset and take your simplicity tariff elsewhere or cancel the contract.

I would prefer to pay more up front now and have more flexibility. If you get a 24 month contract you have to pay the £909 regardless. On Simplicity you could end the contract after 12 months which would cost £323.04. You could probably get around £250 back for your 3GS after 12 months so you have only spent £190.40 on the phone. So you only pay £513.44. Even less if you get a monthly contract. I am not locked in to paying £909 plus I can have the latest handset.

I wouldn't say it is worth upgrading to the iPhone 3GS. I am still happy with the iPhone 3G and will be holding out to see what is in-store for June 2010.”

I guess it all comes down to how often you like to upgrade, for me there isn't enough new features in a yearly basis so I am happy to get every second model (every 24 month) as I have AppleCare anyway incase my phone breaks before 2 year is up.

I also wasn't saying that Simplicity isn't a good way to go, I was just replying to MrKev's comment of "The 24 month contracts have been shown to offer no incentive at all" which I found to be untrue as for people who only want to upgrade every 24 month like me it's the cheapest way to go.

To add, I would love the Nike+ feature that the 3GS offers but I am quite happy to wait till June to get that and more, hopefully HD
Rich2k
22-09-2009
What gets me is technically there is really no reason why the 3G can't run most of these software features... if my old Nokia 3 years ago can take video or do voice control I'm sure the 3G can too (albeit a bit slower than the 3Gs)
MrKev
22-09-2009
I was talking in comparison to the 18 month contracts and total cost of ownership, the price you pay to get you to your next iPhone.

24 month @ £35/month + £88 = £928 TCO
18 month @ £35/month + 185 = £815 TCO
MrKev
22-09-2009
Originally Posted by Rich2k:
“What gets me is technically there is really no reason why the 3G can't run most of these software features... if my old Nokia 3 years ago can take video or do voice control I'm sure the 3G can too (albeit a bit slower than the 3Gs)”

The camera in the 3G is simply not good enough to take acceptable video. You can use cycorder to take video (3rd party jailbreak app) but the framerate and quality are poor.

I'll admit there are other features that Apple claim is a technical issue when clearly it isn't (MMS on the original iPhone, voice control).
Gormond
22-09-2009
Originally Posted by MrKev:
“I was talking in comparison to the 18 month contracts and total cost of ownership, the price you pay to get you to your next iPhone.

24 month @ £35/month + £88 = £928 TCO
18 month @ £35/month + 185 = £815 TCO”

If you then dropped the 18 month to Simplicity for 6 month to bring it to 24 month that would bring your total to £935. So as I said if you plan to only get a new phone every 2 years then the 24 month is the best way to go.
Rich2k
22-09-2009
Originally Posted by MrKev:
“The camera in the 3G is simply not good enough to take acceptable video. You can use cycorder to take video (3rd party jailbreak app) but the framerate and quality are poor.

I'll admit there are other features that Apple claim is a technical issue when clearly it isn't (MMS on the original iPhone, voice control).”

That's clearly rubbish though because other phones that are less powerful and lower res camera always had video. What they mean is it's not capable of a higher res video!
myromeo
22-09-2009
the reason I thought apple havnt given the 3G video recording feature is because whilst yes it can do it, it is not capable of doing so to the standard that apple have set out.


for me video is not a feature that matters. i rarely use camera!


I am going to hold on to my 3G until word of soemthing worth upgrading to is out, be that next summer or sooner I do not mind
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