Updated: 1:00 p.m. PDT with Web-page viewingperformance test info.
Innovative design and seamless integration between software andhardware propelled the first-generation iPhone to instant stardom. Its successor, the iPhone 3G, at once expands upon that innovation--and delivers it at half the entry price of its predecessor. The result is a classy device whose abilities continue to make it a strong choice for smartphone shoppers who value form that supports function--but less of a must-have upgrade than you might think.
What's new about the camera application is its integration with the iPhone 3G's GPS system. Now, you can add geotagging to your photos, which may become useful when you use your images in conjunction with geodata-aware applications.
Battery Life
Apple claims the iPhone 3G is capable of up to 300 hours of standby time, up to 10 hours of 2G talk time (up from 8 hours on the first-gen model), and up to 5 hours of 3G talk time. Testing is underway at the PC World Test Center; we'll report on the iPhone 3G's talk time when our tests are complete.
[Update on Sunday, July 13: We've completed our battery tests, and sure enough, the iPhone 3G fell far short of its predecessor, averaging 5 hours, 38 minutes of talk time. But that's still better than that ofother 3G phones we've tested so far. Read our full battery life test story for more details.]
Furthermore, Apple also reports the iPhone 3G is capable of surfing the Web for 5 to 6 hours using the 3G connection; playing videos for up to 7 hours; and playing audio for up to 24 hours (which puts the iPhone 3G on a par with Apple's current iPods).
Price Halved, Service Plan Jumps
To get the subsidized $199 (8GB) and $299 (16GB) iPhone pricing, you'll have to sign a two-year contract with AT&T. AT&T plans to sell the phones at an as-yet-to-be-determined date without a contract, but those iPhones will cost $599 and $699, respectively.
The big difference with the pricing is that up-front, you pay less--but you will pay more over the long haul. AT&T now treats the iPhone 3G like any other smart phone. Now, you choose your voice rate plan, add in $30 for unlimited data use ($10 more than the previous iPhone's data plans; and that jumps to $45 for business users), and factor in $5 more for text messaging, too (previously, 200 text messages were included in the iPhone rate plan).
Assuming you want to send and receive text messages, that means you'll be spending $15 a month more for the iPhone 3G than you did for the original iPhone. That's $180 annually extra on your cell phone bill--not including taxes.
Bottom Line
A year and an upgrade later, Apple's iPhone 3G stands in a class all its own. While this smart phone is still not perfect, its lower entry price, 3G radio, GPS, and business-friendly security features broaden the iPhone's appeal--and cements Apple's position as a defining force in the cell phone industry. I fully expect Apple to at least match its sales of the first-gen iPhone--Apple says it sold 6 million of those.
If you already own a first-generation iPhone, though, you should be wary of upgrading. You'll pay more for service, and if you don't live in a 3G-friendly area, or can manage well enough using a Wi-Fi network for Web browsing instead of a cellular network, the iPhone 3G doesn't represent a good value.