Since the first day I was loaned the iPhone 3GS, I committed the crime of neglecting my personal phone – but on the plus side I could see my phone’s battery life lasting dramatically longer. This is probably the only phone that does not need an introduction, but just so you know, the only way to identify the physical difference between the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS is by looking at the text written on the bottom back of the device. While it may be obvious that a 32GB version is the iPhone 3GS, the only way to differentiate the 16GB devices is the color of the text – the older version appears grayish while the newer version have the same color as the logo above. In terms of functionality, the iPhone 3GS is much quicker than it’s predecessor – from opening applications to even loading websites using the Safari browser provided.
The improved 3MP camera is able to whip out some rather pleasant photos with the touch focus capability – you can make it focus wherever you want simply by touching the area. While the onscreen shutter button for the camera may not be the nicest shutter button to operate, it is pretty quick in snapping and saving your images, reducing the chances of blurry pictures caused by shaky hands. However, in low light conditions, the picture gets extremely noisy and there is no flash to smoothen things out. Even though the video function is rather new, it allows autofocus, something most phone camera lacks. The processor is also quick enough to capture movements and sound at the same time – some camera lags and movements that comes before sound can get very annoying. The only down side is it only autofocus once before capturing video and you can’t make it focus while recording.
Another new feature is using voice to control the iPhone 3GS – it’s not exactly a hands-free feature though; you still need to hold the phone to activate voice command. This is the feature that probably turned few heads towards me because people think that I’m talking to myself, but it was fun nonetheless. Unlike most programs that uses words that feels like you’re in a military school, the iPhone 3GS comes with simple normal everyday English commands such as “what song is this?”, “play songs by…”, and more that are very self explanatory
What impresses me the most is how quickly its GPS is able to point out your location – not 100% accurate, but good enough. Almost immediately after every time I launch Google Maps, it shows my whereabouts and together with the new Compass feature in iPhone 3GS, the map is able to automatically rotate itself according to the direction I am facing. Pretty useful, but I would prefer a GPS software that is able to tell me when to turn rather than having to check out the map myself – dangerous while driving and prone to snatch thieves when walking.
With the new OS, the iPhone 3GS is able to send and receive MMS without the help of other apps. The new cut, copy and paste function comes in rather handy especially if you wish to save something from a webpage or just the URL for future reference.
The phone is packaged with an earphone similar to the one used by the latest iPod Shuffle. With the earphone, the phone can be completely hands-free because it comes with a small controller that allows you skip between songs, play and pause, and with a built-in mic, voice control can even be activated on the earphone alone. The earphone may be small, but it does provide a very strong sound quality. The package also includes a guide and instruction leaflet available in both English and Malay. Apple also packed a cute little SIM eject tool – you can use a paperclip if you want, the one Apple gives is just very cute.
A prerequisite for those vain ones out there who wish to use an iPhone is loosing those fingernails – but seriously, who needs pretty nails when all people will be looking at is the iPhone? I used to think that if you don’t need the new features of the iPhone 3GS such as speed and voice control, it’ll be fine to live with the iPhone 3G, but the truth is, how can you know that you don’t need the features when you haven’t even tried it yet?
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