As you’ve probably guessed by now, and by my own admission, I love having the latest and greatest technology. I purchased the first generation iPhone on release day last year, waiting in line for 2 hours to get one. And although the 1st generation iPhone can also make use of the 2.0 firmware update that comes stock on the 3G iPhone, I felt the inevitable, undeniable need to get the new 3G iPhone to replace it. So, off I went to a local Apple store to try to acquire one bright and early on the morning of Friday, July 11. In the end, it was a distinctly unpleasant experienced (I live-blogged about it in my mobile blog here), far worse than what I experienced getting the first iPhone last year.
I have more thoughts about the 3G iPhone purchasing debacle, but I’ll refrain from adding them to this review. Here, I want to go over the two versions of the iPhone for those of you who currently own a first generation iPhone and aren’t sure about upgrading, or for those of you who are in the market for an iPhone and want to see which one you should buy (obviously, your only outlet to buy the first generation iPhone at this point would be to find a used one on eBay, Craigslist, or some other similar venue).
Hardware Comparison
Materials and Fit & Finish
The biggest difference in this category between the two versions of the iPhone is the casing material for the back - the first generation is primarily aluminum with a small black plastic section at the bottom. The 3G iPhone’s back is encased entirely in glossy plastic. Along with many others, I was concerned that this would make the iPhone feel cheaper and less substantial than the first generation version. I’m surprised to say that this is not as big of an issue as I’d expected. The plastic is not flimsy at all and there is no flex or give when squeezed.
I really like the aluminum look of the first generation iPhone and will miss it. It did make the iPhone feel very sturdy, though the plastic section at the bottom did flex and creak a bit when squeezed. I do wish that Apple had kept the aluminum back, but I am more in favor of better reception for the cellular radio and for the GPS antenna, so I won’t complain too much.
I am concerned about the durability of the 3G’s plastic back. My first generation iPhone is now just over 1 year old, and the back is still nearly flawless, though I admit I did baby it and almost always had it in case - but that is still over one year of every-day use. In the first few days of use, my 3G iPhone is still completely unmarked, but I have been meticulous about not placing it on hard surfaces where it could get scratched, and am now using a Griffin Nu-Form case (review coming soon!) and Brando screen protector on it.
A quick note: I have anti-glare screen protectors installed on both iPhones pictured.
Screen Quality/Color
The viewable screen size is the same between the two versions. Some, including me, have noticed that the 3G iPhone has a more yellow tint to it than the first generation iPhone. Below are a couple of pictures of the two side-by-side (both iPhones have screen brightness set at the maximum level) - I'm not the best photographer and I'm not sure the color difference will be noticeable here, however. My first generation iPhone does indeed have a cooler (more blue) cast to it in comparison to the 3G iPhone. This doesn’t really bother me, but I do prefer the look of my first generation iPhone’s screen. Some have reported that restoring the firmware on the 3G iPhone in iTunes will help address this issue, but I did not notice any significant difference after restoring my 3G iPhone with that firmware version (5A347).
WirelessInfo.com did some scientific testing, which you can read about here, and found that the 3G screens are significantly brighter than the first generation iPhone and do have a warmer color temperature overall. And Bob Borchers of Apple told Engadget that this color shift was intentional to “produce warmer, more natural tones, sharper images, and deeper blacks.”
Size & Feel
The 3G iPhone is slightly wider than the first generation iPhone, as well as slightly thinner along the edges (though thicker in the middle), and a wee bit lighter as well. As a result, none of the fitted cases I had for my first generation iPhone fit the 3G iPhone (this was not a surprise to me since the different dimensions of the 3G iPhone were revealed at the WWDC keynote).
In normal use, the most salient difference to me is the lighter weight of the 3G iPhone. Those few grams are surprisingly noticeable, and combined with the thinner edges, the end result is that the 3G iPhone is easier to hold compared to the first generation iPhone. And, as I mentioned before in a fit of over-sharing, I do tend to have warm hands that sweat more often than I’d like, and the first generation iPhone was hard to get a good grip on and I frequently worried about dropping it the few times I handled it without a case on it. Despite being glossy, the 3G iPhone is a bit easier to hold on to, though I should probably give more credit to the tapered shape at the edges rather than the case material and texture.
I’ve been writing pieces of this review each day since I got my 3G iPhone, and I just want to note that I *really* like the feel of it compared to the first generation iPhone. The tapered edges really do make a difference and it’s actually more comfortable to hold it up to my ear to talk.
One other minor difference in the 3G iPhone is the material of the volume, ring/silent toggle, and sleep/wake buttons. On the first generation iPhone, they were black plastic. On the 3G iPhone, they are metal with a chrome-like finish. They operate exactly the same way and still offer good tactile feedback.
Feature/Specifications Differences
Of course, the biggest spec change in the new iPhone is the 3G radio that can transmit more data and do it faster, and makes use of the 3G networks of AT&T and other various carriers around the world. But does this 3G capability really make a big enough difference for you to upgrade or go for the new iPhone over the previous version? Let’s see...
Call quality
I just wanted to note here that, in order to use my first generation iPhone to make the test phone calls, I had to jailbreak and unlock it (I upgraded it to the 2.0 firmware and used the Pwnage tool for this). Upon the purchase of the 3G iPhone with AT&T, any first generation iPhone automatically deactivates, and will not operate as a phone even if you put the SIM from your new 3G iPhone in it, though everything else still works (wifi, bluetooth, all applications, etc.). Personally, I think it’s BS that AT&T deactivates your previous iPhone - I paid full price for it and should be able to continue to use it as a phone.
I’ll start first with call quality for those on the receiving end. I left voicemails for myself using the K7.net messaging service, calling from each version of the iPhone - these calls were made in my house where I consistently get 5 bars on AT&T’s EDGE network on both phones, and 4-5 bars on the 3G network (luckily, we’re on a hill and I can see the cell tower on the opposite hill maybe a couple of miles away as the crow flies).
1.) 1st generation iPhone: iPhone on EDGE
2.) 3G iPhone with 3G radio on: 3G iPhone on 3G
3.) 3G iPhone with 3G radio turned off: 3G iPhone on EDGE
As you can hear from these voicemails, the call quality is good overall for both iPhones - with a strong signal, there were no breaks or any distortion. I would posit, though, that the 3G iPhone on both the EDGE and 3G networks yielded a higher volume and more depth and clarity to my voice (I was speaking normally on all three calls). Overall, the 3G iPhone on the 3G network yielded the best call quality results using just the built-in microphone.
Bluetooth performance
I’ve read comments online where people state that the Bluetooth performance of the 3G iPhone appears to have improved from the first generation. Using my first generation Aliph Jawbone bluetooth headset with each in the same calling area/signal strength as the call quality test voicemails above, here are voicemails I left for myself:
1.) 1st generation iPhone: iPhone on Jawbone
2.) 3G iPhone with 3G radio turned off: 3G iPhone Jawbone EDGE
3.) 3G iPhone with 3G radio on: 3G iPhone Jawbone 3G
The first generation iPhone yielded good call quality with my Aliph Jawbone headset, with just a little bit of crackling in some portions. Unexpectedly, I heard a little more distortion with my 3G iPhone on the EDGE network. But, as with the first test calls above, the 3G iPhone yielded the most depth and clarity even via bluetooth while on the 3G network.
Speakerphone performance
In the WWDC keynote where the 3G iPhone was announced, Steve Jobs stated that speakerphone performance has been greatly improved. To test this, here are voicemails I’ve left for myself using the speakerphone only. Again, all calls were made in an area where I get 5 bars of signal strength on the EDGE network on both phones, and 4-5 bars on the 3G network.
1.) 1st generation iPhone: iPhone Speakerphone
2.) 3G iPhone with 3G radio turned off: 3G iPhone speakerphone EDGE
3.) 3G iPhone with 3G radio on: 3G iPhone speakerphone 3G
The speakerphone on my first generation iPhone transmitted my voice well when it was right in front of me, but did not when I placed it on the couch next to me at a distance that is probably more typical when using the speakerphone function on a cell phone. I rarely use the speakerphone anyway, so this never posed a problem for me before, to be honest. With my 3G iPhone, also on the EDGE network, the performance is just slightly better - there are still fluctuations in the volume level, but you can still hear me throughout and the clarity is decent.
As with the two previous sets of test calls, the 3G iPhone on the 3G network yielded the loudest and clearest results overall. It transmits my voice more or less clearly even when I move the iPhone away from me.
Conclusion: 3G vs. GSM
If you talk on the phone frequently and call quality is important to you, I’m sure you care whether or not you’ll be able to have clear conversations. As you can hear from comparing the test messages above, the 3G iPhone on the 3G network performs better than the first generation iPhone on EDGE in all situations. To my ear, the 3G iPhone on EDGE does not sound much different than the first generation iPhone on EDGE. If you have good 3G coverage in the are where you’ll be using your iPhone the most, I do think the 3G iPhone will give you better call quality overall.
Unfortunately, I do not have any testing equipment to measure or demonstrate how callers sound to me on the 3G iPhone. I will say, however, that calls sound far clearer on the 3G iPhone in comparison to my first generation iPhone. On the first generation version, there were some occasional cut-outs and I had to turn the volume up all the way when I was in a loud environment to be sure I heard the other person. While I still find that the speaker volume is lower than I’d like it to be on the 3G iPhone, I don’t have any problems using it at all.
Other Specifications/Performance
Battery life
A number of sites have already performed rigorous battery tests of the 3G iPhone - Gizmodo provides a great summary of them here. In general, most have found that the 3G iPhone roughly lives up to the stated 5 hours of talk time while on the 3G network. Performance under mixed use (between phone calls, video playback, and internet surfing) varies greatly. I hesitate to say how my 3G iPhone’s battery has performed in the first couple of weeks of use without solid scientific testing and given the fact that I am using it far more each day since it’s still quite a novelty to me. I have noticed, however, that my battery level decreases much more quickly with regular use in comparison to my first generation iPhone. I do keep 3G on all the time, though I understand that turning it off can increase the battery life. But, frankly, I am loathe to turn it off since I am now paying $10 more per month for a 3G data plan, and I want my money’s worth out of that. And I’ll live with charging my 3G iPhone during the day to do this if I need to (which I already do with my first generation iPhone anyway).
3G Data Speeds
This area is a mixed bag for me - the speed tests I’ve done so far while on the 3G network (using the iNetworkTest.com site) show that I’m not getting the advertised “twice as fast” data speeds compared to EDGE. Since I don’t know the exact details of the network around me (though AT&T’s coverage viewer shows me solidly in the 3G coverage area both at home and at work), I can’t say if this is just a function of the area I’m in or if this is typical of the wider AT&T 3G network. From anecdotal accounts I’ve read online, it seems that my lower speeds are not typical as some people are truly experiencing very fast 3G data transfer speeds. I would post my 3G and EDGE data speed summaries, but the iNetWorkTest site isn’t set up to show my 3G results on the summary screen, for some reason (and I’ve submitted feedback to request that they add this).
GPS
This is not an area where the two iPhones can be compared since the first generation does not contain a GPS chip, so I have no comparison comments for this feature.
If you are interested in turn-by-turn GPS applications for the 3G iPhone, as I am, both TomTom and TeleNav have stated that they are working on applications for it. I currently have a TomTom 720 as a dedicated GPS device, but I would happily put it on eBay if I could use my 3G iPhone in this way. But as it is, I am quite happy with the accuracy of the GPS tracking that can be done in Google Maps on the 3G iPhone out of the box. I’ve even managed to get a signal indoors when sitting by a window - while I would expect this in a dedicated GPS device, I don’t in a cell phone and am pleased by this level of performance.
Included Accessories
The first generation iPhone came with a wired headset, USB cord, AC adapter, and a dock. The 3G iPhone comes includes all of these as well, except for the dock. To get a 3G iPhone-specific dock from Apple, you must now buy it separately for $29. With a lower price relative to the first generation iPhone, particularly in comparison to the first iPhone’s price at its release, it makes business sense that Apple would not include the same number of accessories with it, but it’s still disappointing nonetheless. I had purchased an extra set of accessories for my first generation iPhone to have spares for traveling and/or to keep at work, and I’m a little dissatisfied with the fact that I can’t use either of the docks I still have with my new iPhone. If you think you will upgrade your iPhone and/or iPods regularly, I would suggest you get Apple’s universal dock and simply get the new dock inserts for each product instead of springing for a dedicated dock for each device since future products may not fit in it.
I was curious to see if they would change the included headset since the new iPhone has a flush headset jack, no longer requiring a headset with a connector made specifically to fit a recessed jack, but the one that comes with the 3G iPhone appears to be exactly the same as the one that came with the last version.
Purely out of curiosity, I wanted to test the call sound quality of the OEM headphones. If you recall from my V-Moda Vibe Duo review, my test there revealed that the OEM headphones that came with the first generation iPhone made me sound much more muffled on calls than expected. Here are three voicemails I left for myself, each with the respective set of OEM headphones for the first-generation iPhone and the 3G iPhone:
1.) First generation iPhone with OEM headset: iPhone OEM headset
2.) 3G iPhone with OEM headset on EDGE: 3G iPhone OEM headset EDGE
3.) 3G iPhone with OEM headset on 3G: 3G iPhone OEM headset 3G
Listening to the messages made using the EDGE network on both phones yields the same sound quality to my ears. The only thing that does seem to make a difference is the 3G network where my voice is louder and has more depth, as found with all of the previous test calls in the Call Quality section. From these calls, it does not appear that Apple made any changes to the OEM headphones between the first generation iPhone and the 3G version.
2.0 Firmware
I won’t go over much in this section since both generations of the iPhone can take advantage of this firmware, so it isn’t a real advantage for either version. The main thing to note, however, is that the 3G iPhone can make better use of current and future location-based apps that can use the GPS chip in the 3G iPhone. For example, the Google Maps application can pinpoint your location almost exactly if you are outdoors with a clear view of the sky. And without a GPS chip, the 1st generation iPhone will not be able to make use of any 3rd party navigation software that may come in the future.
If location-aware/focused apps are important to you, the 3G iPhone is clearly the one you should buy since it has a GPS chip.
If you want to know more about what the 2.0 firmware brings, there are highlights on Apple's site here. The features that I have enjoyed most in the new firmware, beyond the ability to use 3rd party apps, are the push-capabilities for email, contacts, and the calendar with MobileMe (I am a long-time .Mac subscriber), the ability to use wifi even when in Airplane mode, and the ability to save pictures from Safari to the Camera Roll. I do still miss the ability to record videos, copy and paste, and multi-media messaging. I will continue to keep my fingers crossed that these features will come from Apple or via a 3rd party app in the future.
If you’re looking for reviews of the apps available in the App Store, I highly recommend checking out Just Another iPhone Blog (JAIB) and The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).
Summary
Well, this is a tough recommendation to make. Let me summarize the pros and cons of the 3G iPhone relative to the first generation iPhone...
Pros:
- Clearer calls on the 3G network in all modes (handset only, Bluetooth, speakerphone and with OEM headset)
- GPS is a nice addition, particularly for location-based apps
- Slightly lighter and nicer feel in hand, despite the plastic back
Cons:
- Plastic back more susceptible to scratches and smudges
- No dock included at purchase
- Different dimensions means any fitted cases you had for the first generation iPhone will not fit
There are other negatives in my view, but these are plan-related and specific to AT&T in the U.S.:
- More expensive 3G data plan to the tune of $10 more per month in comparison to the first generation iPhone plans
- No text messages included with any plan - the first generation iPhone plans automatically include 200 text messages with all of the voice plans
[rant]
As I’ve mentioned in my blog, I am really disappointed that AT&T decided to not include any text messages with the plans for the 3G iPhone. This is definitely their prerogative to do so, but for those of us coming from a first generation iPhone, it feels like a take-away. To get the equivalent text messages and unlimited data with my 3G iPhone, I must now pay AT&T $15 more per month ($10 more for the data plan, and $5 for 200 text messages). I’ve worked that into my budget, but any more nickel & diming like this for future iPhone plans will most likely cause me to do what I can to get an unlocked iPhone to not be forced into their iPhone-specific plans.
Again, if you are disappointed with AT&T about this as well, I encourage you to submit feedback to them with this feedback form.
[/rant] (Sorry about that!)
So, should you upgrade to the 3G iPhone if you already have the first generation iPhone? I don’t think you need to unless you absolutely must have better call quality and GPS-capability. If you’re looking to buy your first iPhone, there aren’t so many hardware differences between the two versions to make the 3G a huge leap forward and the clear choice between the two. Unless you’re in an area where 3G coverage is solid and you need 3G, the first generation iPhone will still be an excellent choice, particularly since it can also take advantage of the 2.0 firmware and 3rd party applications sold on the App Store. The first generation iPhone is exactly the same when it comes to functionality as a music/video player, internet browsing device, and personal information manager.
I hope this review has helped you! Feel free to email me or leave me a voicemail on my GrandCentral number (see the button on my About page here) if you have any questions!