Apple iPhone 3GS vs. Apple iPhone 3G

VS.

There's a new iPhone coming. As expected, at Apple's June 8 Worldwide Developer's Conference they introduced the iPhone 3G S with the "S' standing for "Speed". What's new and different about it and how does it stack up against the current iPhone 3G?

For starters, it's faster--way faster! The 3G S gets data speeds of 7.2 Mbps HSDPA, double that of the current iPhone 3G model. Its camera (3 megapixels instead of just 2 now) includes VGA video recording at 30 fps, with built-in editing features. The original iPhone 3G has no video recording capabilities. The camera also has tap-to-autofocus along with auto white balance.

Instead of an 8 GB and a 16 GB model like the iPhone 3G, the iPhone 3G S comes out in a 16 GB ($199) and 32 GB ($299) model. It has a stronger battery, with up to 5 hours of talk and data time in 3G mode, 12 hours in 2G mode, 9 hours of Wi-Fi internet, 30 hours of audio, and 10 hours of video; the current iPhone 3G's battery gets the same 5 hours of talk and data time in 3G mode, but only 10 hours in 2G mode, 6 hours of Wi-Fi, 24 hours audio, and 7 hours of video.

The display screen on the newest iPhone features what Apple is calling a "fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating" and the body features a water- and oil-resistant finish, both of which are lacking in the current iPhone 3G model. Other nifty add-ons the iPhone 3G S has that the iPhone 3G does not are a built-in integrated magnetic compass and support for Nike+. Press the Home button on the S and hold it down, and a new Voice Control interface is enabled, allowing you to make calls, use iTunes, and perform many other functions by voice command alone. The original iPhone 3G has no voice command capabilities.

With all of this extra stuff, you'd expect the iPhone 3G S to look and feel considerably different from its predecessor, but it doesn't, coming in at the same dimensions and weighing only 2 grams more. The iPhone 3G S is slated for release June 19.

Below is a brief summary of the differences between the iPhone 3GS and the iPhone 3G.