Major differences you should know between the iPhone 2G, 3G and 3GS @ Leawo Software

Major differences you should know between the iPhone 2G, 3G and 3GS

Posted on February 23rd, 2010 Maky 136,304 views | 20 comments

Ever since June, 2007, Apple has debuted three generations of iPhone, marking the advancement of this miraculous invention annually. The iPhone 2G, the first generation of iPhone, introduced the first and the only mobile device exclusively made by Apple. A year later, the iPhone 3G upgrades transmitting module to meet faster 3G mobile network. In June, 2009, the latest iPhone 3GS sees breakthrough on performance and speed. Needless to say, the newer is the better. If you are preparing to purchase an iPhone, or you want to know your iPhone better, come with us to review the differences between the iPhone 2G, 3G and 3GS.

How to identify iPhone 2G, 3G and 3GS?

Basically, the iPhone 2G has a distinctive aluminum back casing with a black strip on the bottom, while the iPhone 3G and 3GS features a smooth glass plastic back lid either in black or white. The iPhone 3G’s and 3GS’s back lids are fashionably rounded and slightly extend out further than that of the iPhone 2G. To speak of build quality, iPhone 2G is no doubt the winner.

Functional comparison between iPhone 2G, 3G and 3GS

Although they are one year apart, the iPhone 2G and the iPhone 3G share basic hardware configurations like the CPU, RAM, GPU and camera, except 3G connectivity and GPS modules which the iPhone 2G lacks. If you have your iPhone 2G jailbroken, you can access external GPS device via Bluetooth with third-party apps. But for 3G accessibility, you need an iPhone 3G or 3GS.

Practically, the iPhone 2G still supports the newest iPhone OS 3.1 and most apps, but some apps developed to take advantage of 3G network won’t run on the iPhone 2G any more. As 3G technology is quickening its pace of dominating mobile communication, the iPhone 2G will not hold much edges against its older brother, the iPhone 3G, not to mention the iPhone 3GS. Let’s see some compare charts and screenshots to get a clear picture of the differences, or specifically, the evolution.

CPU & GPU Performance:

The iPhone 3GS’s S stands for "Speed": CPU, RAM, GPU and camera are all upgraded. With higher frequency, double internal cache, double RAM capacity and enhanced GPU capability, the iPhone 3GS extends extraordinary performance and can accommodate complex, CPU-stressed apps such as 3D games. As you can see in the charts below, the iPhone 3GS tops all three ranks.

CPU Performance Test for floating-point calculation

CPU Performance Test for Web Browser JavaScript Execution

GPU Speed Test for Rendering 1/10 Million Objects

RAM:

What is the tangible benefit brought by doubled RAM size? It is huge.

This is a test conducted on the iPhone 2G and 3GS. The gauge represents the current RAM usage of the iPhone at the same status. Although on the right the app doesn’t change the threshold to match 3GS’s actual RAM size, it clearly indicates there is still 120.30MB, almost half of the RAM, available while 2G’s RAM is pitifully about exhausted. Perhaps the poor margin of RAM in the iPhone 2G/3G can account for the absence of multitasking. Even if we do have multitasking ability, there won’t be enough RAM to run tasks simultaneously and smoothly at all. But for 3GS, with an app called "background", we can listen to music, log on to IM apps and browse the web without interruption. The potential of the iPhone 3GS will be further exploited in the next iPhone OS 4.0.

Camera:

The iPhone 2G and 3G share the same camera with video capability disabled; however, the function can be revived by jailbreaking the iPhone, though it is not suggested by Apple. The new camera installed on the iPhone 3GS has competitive 3 Megapixels, compared to 2 Megapixels of its predecessor. The white balance of 3GS’s camera is improved to present real environmental color. The iPhone 3GS also enables unprecedented auto-focus feature with an ingenuous tap-to-focus interface.

Network Speed on iPhone 2G, 3G & 3GS

3G Network vs. EDGE Network

As for connectivity, the iPhone 2G only supports EDGE network. EDGE network runs at 384 Kbps bandwidth, almost 11 times slower than 3G network supported by the iPhone 3G/3GS.

iPhone 3G (3.5Mbps HSDPA) vs. iPhone 3GS (7.2Mbps HSDPA)

The iPhone 3GS further upgrades its connectivity capability to support 7.2 Mbps HSDPA, which allegedly provides WiFi-like network data speed, though the actual test above doesn’t show much difference between iPhone 3G and 3GS. As we know, the network speed is quite dependent on the quality and the usage of the network. It is another potential yet unrecovered on iPhone 3GS.

Other New Features on iPhone 3GS

The latest iPhone OS 3.0 takes a large stride from where iPhone OS 2.2 stands. In conjunction with the latest hardware configuration of the iPhone 3GS, the iPhone OS 3.0 scores considerably better than its predecessor.

Another fascinating feature added to iPhone 3GS is the built-in digital compass. Cooperated with this Compass app, the Map will rotate to match the orientation you face. When hiking in mountains or groping at starless night, you will find this Compass come in handy.

Efforts have been made on the iPhone 3GS’s screen as well. The screen has been applied an oleophobic coating. Finger prints and smudges will easily come off to make the screen as shiny as the new.

Obsolete Features on iPhone 2G
- No 3G network support
- No built-in GPS module
- No standard 3.5mm headset slot
- Uses a non standard slot requiring users to purchase an adaptor
- Old iPhone OS 2.2
To wrap up, this table will give you a straight-forward comparison on the major differences between the three gen iPhones.

Have a stack of DVD and want to watch them on your iPhone without paying to get them via iTunes? Get the best video quality without hassles? Try Leawo DVD to iPhone Converter, the best DVD to video solution for iPhone users.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Related posts:
Gadget News, iPhone Converter difference between iphone 2g 3g 3gs, iPhone, iphone 2g, iphone 2g 3g 3gs, iphone 2g 3g 3gs comparison, iphone 2g 3g 3gs difference, iphone 2g vs 3g, iphone 3g, iphone 3gs
20 responses to “Major differences you should know between the iPhone 2G, 3G and 3GS”
- Noni February 23rd, 2011 at 23:34
  
  Awesome Post. I add this Post to my bookmarks.
- Illa Zaniboni November 3rd, 2010 at 08:41
  
  I want to marry my iphone
- Ana May 1st, 2010 at 17:10
  
  Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love learning more on this topic. If possible, as you gain expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more information? It is extremely helpful for me.
- Wendy April 21st, 2010 at 04:17
  
  Hi. This information proved to be very useful. Can you please provide more aspects of this subject? Thanks.
- Holidays April 12th, 2010 at 03:22
  
  You made great points there. I made a search on the topic and found most peoples will agree with your blog.
- wenniefamily April 9th, 2010 at 11:24
  
  You gave honest ideas there. I did a search on the issue and got most peoples will agree with your blog.
- Polish Pottery April 6th, 2010 at 20:35
  
  Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love learning more on this topic. If possible, as you gain expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more information? It is extremely helpful for me.
- Seth April 6th, 2010 at 02:28
  
  You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be really something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and very broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!
- Miles Ridgel April 5th, 2010 at 10:33
  
  I retain listening into the news speak about acquiring cost-free on-line grant applications so I have been seeking around for your greatest web site to acquire a single. Thank you for your support!
- Mirian Bewick April 5th, 2010 at 10:25
  
  I looked as a result of your prior posts. Decent work there….
- Reiland@yahoo.com April 2nd, 2010 at 14:35
  
  Arrive on dude, these facts* and proof* i indicate who is posting* lol
- Arauz@yahoo.com April 2nd, 2010 at 14:08
  
  This can be a excellent submit. With thanks Search Made Easy
- Grupp@yahoo.com April 1st, 2010 at 11:55
  
  Preserve operating ,fantastic work!
- cna training March 29th, 2010 at 19:43
  
  What a great resource!
- building games online March 26th, 2010 at 00:25
  
  I believe you just help to make the point. I would state this really is just a good post that i maintained to find. I do hope that more individuals may have an opportunity to observe in this article as well as for sure they will get some benefit from this.
- Valene Crossland March 22nd, 2010 at 10:36
  
  This topic was very informative and well written. I plan to do some more research on this. Thanks for sharing this timely information. We need more like this.
- Lorena Barthelemy March 21st, 2010 at 11:58
  
  Wow You did a really good job on this thing.
- Myrle Wojick March 20th, 2010 at 08:15
  
  I really like your site
- Isaias Linssen March 20th, 2010 at 04:41
  
  Very good site. Thanks!,
- Warren Balfe March 20th, 2010 at 03:12
  
  I have to say, that I could not agree with you in 100%, but it’s just my opinion, which could be wrong.
Leave a reply

Click here to cancel reply.

Name (required)

Mail (will not be published) (required)

Website

Spam Protection by WP-SpamFree