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iPhone 4 vs iPhone 3GS

  • Manufacturer: Apple 1
  • Retail Price: iPhone 3GS $99, iPhone 4 $199 for 16GB ($299 for 32GB) with two year plan 2
  • Release Date: June 24, 2010 3
  • Primary Function: Smartphone 4
  • Interesting Fact: Prototype found in a bar near Apple Headquarters 5
  • Dimensions: Similar size and weight of iPhone 3GS 6
  • Battery Type: 16% larger than iPhone 3GS 7
  • Memory: 8 GB (3GS), 16-32 GB (4) 8
  • Connectivity:UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA, GSM/EDGE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR 9

Are you wondering what the differences are between the new iPhone and the old iPhone? This page will review the specs and pricing of the iPhone 4 and the iPhone 3GS to help you decide if the new iPhone is worth purchasing or upgrading. While not a free cell phone, the iPhone 3GS will continue to be sold at a discounted price with iOS 4 operating system but now only 8 GB of memory.

  • Thinnest smartphone at 0.37 inches which is 24% thinner than the iPhone 3GS.
  • Retina Display increases pixel density to 326 ppi which allows for a significantly higher resolution 960 X 640 pixel display.
  • 40% increase in talk time due to larger battery (miniaturization of components allows more space)
  • A4 chip and miniaturization of components allows more space for battery
  • Addition of gyroscope for six axis motion sensing in combination with the accelerometer
  • FaceTime – video chat between two iPhone 4’s

For more details visit the iPhone 4 page.

A comparison of key features and pricing follows. Note that many still continue to refer to the iPhone 4 as the iPhone 4G.

The key features of the iPhone 4 are compared with the iPhone 3GS.10 11

FeatureiPhone 3GSiPhone 4
Weight135g137g (4.8 oz)
Dimensions115.5 x 62.1 x 12.3 mm (4.50 X 2.4 X 0.48 inches)115 X 59 X 9 mm (4.50 X 2.31 X 0.37 inches)
Display320 x 480 pixels, 3.5 inches960 x 640 pixels, 3.5 inches + Retina Display
Camera3 megapixel auto-focus5 megapixel auto-focus + front camera + LED Flash
VideoVGA @ 30fpsH.264 video up to 720p @ 30 fps
Talk TimeUp to 5 hours 3GUp to 7 hours 3G
SIM SizeStandard SIMMicro SIM

Pricing and availability of the iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS in the US are compared below. Keep in mind that as of June 7th, AT&T (US provider) charges a $325 early termination fee on the two year contract.

FeatureiPhone 3GSiPhone 4
Price (US)$99 with plan$199 – $299
Memory8 GB (was 16/32 GB)16 or 32 GB
iOS 4 FeaturesMostAll
Upgrade to iPhone 4?30 days prior June 7Up to 6 months end-of-contract
TetheringYes $20/monthYes $20/month

Tethering on the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 (but not iPad) is allowed with the new AT&T data plans that took effect June 7th.12

About the author

iPhone 4 vs iPhone 3GS

  • Manufacturer: Apple 1
  • Retail Price: iPhone 3GS $99, iPhone 4 $199 for 16GB ($299 for 32GB) with two year plan 2
  • Release Date: June 24, 2010 3
  • Primary Function: Smartphone 4
  • Interesting Fact: Prototype found in a bar near Apple Headquarters 5
  • Dimensions: Similar size and weight of iPhone 3GS 6
  • Battery Type: 16% larger than iPhone 3GS 7
  • Memory: 8 GB (3GS), 16-32 GB (4) 8
  • Connectivity:UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA, GSM/EDGE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR 9

Are you wondering what the differences are between the new iPhone and the old iPhone? This page will review the specs and pricing of the iPhone 4 and the iPhone 3GS to help you decide if the new iPhone is worth purchasing or upgrading. While not a free cell phone, the iPhone 3GS will continue to be sold at a discounted price with iOS 4 operating system but now only 8 GB of memory.

  • Thinnest smartphone at 0.37 inches which is 24% thinner than the iPhone 3GS.
  • Retina Display increases pixel density to 326 ppi which allows for a significantly higher resolution 960 X 640 pixel display.
  • 40% increase in talk time due to larger battery (miniaturization of components allows more space)
  • A4 chip and miniaturization of components allows more space for battery
  • Addition of gyroscope for six axis motion sensing in combination with the accelerometer
  • FaceTime – video chat between two iPhone 4’s

For more details visit the iPhone 4 page.

A comparison of key features and pricing follows. Note that many still continue to refer to the iPhone 4 as the iPhone 4G.

The key features of the iPhone 4 are compared with the iPhone 3GS.10 11

FeatureiPhone 3GSiPhone 4
Weight135g137g (4.8 oz)
Dimensions115.5 x 62.1 x 12.3 mm (4.50 X 2.4 X 0.48 inches)115 X 59 X 9 mm (4.50 X 2.31 X 0.37 inches)
Display320 x 480 pixels, 3.5 inches960 x 640 pixels, 3.5 inches + Retina Display
Camera3 megapixel auto-focus5 megapixel auto-focus + front camera + LED Flash
VideoVGA @ 30fpsH.264 video up to 720p @ 30 fps
Talk TimeUp to 5 hours 3GUp to 7 hours 3G
SIM SizeStandard SIMMicro SIM

Pricing and availability of the iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS in the US are compared below. Keep in mind that as of June 7th, AT&T (US provider) charges a $325 early termination fee on the two year contract.

FeatureiPhone 3GSiPhone 4
Price (US)$99 with plan$199 – $299
Memory8 GB (was 16/32 GB)16 or 32 GB
iOS 4 FeaturesMostAll
Upgrade to iPhone 4?30 days prior June 7Up to 6 months end-of-contract
TetheringYes $20/monthYes $20/month

Tethering on the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 (but not iPad) is allowed with the new AT&T data plans that took effect June 7th.12

About the author