iPhone 3G
The 2008 iPhone that brought 3G — and the App Store.
The iPhone 3G is a flagship Apple smartphone released Jul 2008, with a launch price of $199. It pairs the Samsung S5L8900 with a 3.5" LCD display, a 2 MP main camera and a 1,150 mAh battery. In SpecEagle's editorial review it scores 10/100 — The iPhone that launched the App Store era. Standout strengths: launched alongside the app store — the start of the app economy. and added 3g data and gps. Main trade-off: 2 mp fixed-focus camera; no video.
The iPhone that launched the App Store era.
The iPhone 3G added 3G and GPS, but its real legacy is the App Store that launched with it. A foundational device in mobile history.
Read the full review- Launched alongside the App Store — the start of the app economy.
- Added 3G data and GPS.
- Far more affordable on-contract pricing.
- Hugely influential.
Full specifications
Benchmarks
How the iPhone 3G compares
| iPhone 3G | Nexus One | iPhone (1st generation) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SpecEagle score | 10 | 10 | 8 |
| Chipset | Samsung S5L8900 | Snapdragon QSD8250 | Samsung S5L8900 |
| Display | 3.5" LCD | 3.7" WVGA AMOLED | 3.5" LCD |
| Main camera | 2 MP | 5 MP | 2 MP |
| Battery | 1,150 mAh | 1,400 mAh | 1,400 mAh |
| Launch price | $199 | $529 | $499 |
Frequently asked questions
When was the iPhone 3G released?
The iPhone 3G was released in Jul 2008.
How much does the iPhone 3G cost?
The iPhone 3G launched at $199 (manufacturer suggested price at release; street and second-hand prices vary by region, storage tier and time since launch).
What is the iPhone 3G screen size and type?
The iPhone 3G has a 3.5" LCD display.
What chipset does the iPhone 3G use?
The iPhone 3G is powered by the Samsung S5L8900 chipset.
How much RAM and storage does the iPhone 3G have?
The iPhone 3G ships with 128 MB · 8 GB (RAM · base storage); higher configurations may be available.
What is the iPhone 3G battery capacity?
The iPhone 3G has a 1,150 mAh battery.
How fast does the iPhone 3G charge?
The iPhone 3G supports ~5 W (30-pin dock) wired charging.
Does the iPhone 3G have wireless charging?
The iPhone 3G does not support wireless charging.
What is the iPhone 3G main camera?
The iPhone 3G has a 2 MP main camera.
How much does the iPhone 3G weigh?
The iPhone 3G weighs 133 g.
What colours does the iPhone 3G come in?
The iPhone 3G is available in 2 colours: Black, White.
Is the iPhone 3G worth buying?
The iPhone 3G added 3G and GPS, but its real legacy is the App Store that launched with it. A foundational device in mobile history. SpecEagle gives the iPhone 3G an editorial score of 10/100.
Owner opinions
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