Apple iPhone 3GS 16, 32 GB Specs (MB715LL/A*)
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Although it looks essentially identical to the iPhone 3G before it with the same black or white plastic case design and the same 3.5" display with 320x480 resolution at 163 ppi (albeit with a new "oleophobic" oil repellent coating) -- and still combines mobile phone, iPod, and Internet functionality -- the iPhone 3GS* has a variety of significant additions.
Perhaps most notably, the iPhone 3GS is faster -- "S" refers to its enhanced speed (600 MHz up from 412 MHz, with a dramatically improved graphics processor as well), twice the RAM (256 MB up from 128 MB) -- and adds support for faster 7.2 Mbps HSDPA (802.11g/n and Bluetooth are supported too), a 3.0 megapixel camera -- with VGA video recording at 30 FPS -- as well as autofocus, macro, and white balance support, a "tap to focus" feature, and the ability to trim the beginning and ending of videos, along with a digital compass.
It also includes new accessibility features (VoiceOver), voice control functionality, integrated Nike + iPod support, and an inline remote on the headphone cable (like the iPod shuffle 3G).
The iPhone 3GS includes 16 GB or 32 GB of storage and Apple reports that it provides "up to" 30 hours of audio playback, 12 hours of talk time on 2G, 5 hours of talk time on 3G, 5 hours of Internet use on 3G, 9 hours of Internet use on Wi-Fi, 7 hours of video playback and 300 hours of standby time.
*For those truly interested in minutia, this model was introduced on June 8, 2009 as the iPhone 3G S (with a space between "3G" and "S"), and on June 23, 2009, Apple changed it to iPhone 3GS (no space).
Also see:
- What are the differences between the iPhone 3G and the iPhone 3GS?
- How does the iPhone 3GS compare to the Palm Pre?
Visit site sponsor PowerMax to purchase new & used iPods and accessories.
Visit site sponsor Other World Computing to buy batteries, drives, speakers, and more.
Click on the underlined category text for related details. The most commonly needed info is "open" by default, but all info is important.
| Introduction Date: |
June 8, 2009 |
Discontinued Date: |
N/A |
| Details: |
The "Introduction Date" refers to the date a model was introduced via press release. The "Discontinued Date" refers to the date a model either was replaced by a subsequent system or production otherwise ended. |
| Processor Type: |
Samsung ARM Cortex A8* |
Processor Speed: |
600 MHz |
| Details: |
*Apple provides no information regarding the iPhone 3GS processor, simply that it is a "closed system", but it is believed to use an ARM Cortex A8 running at 600 MHz (downclocked from 800 MHz). For graphics, it uses a PowerVR SGX graphics processor.
For more details, check out an analysis from the always excellent AnandTech.
Also see: How much faster is the iPhone 3GS than the iPhone 3G? How much difference does this speed boost make in actual use? |
| Onboard RAM: |
256 MB* |
Storage Capacity: |
16, 32 GB |
| Details: |
*Apple provides no information regarding the RAM used in the iPhone 3GS, but it is believed to have 256 MB onboard. |
| Song Capacity: |
N/A* |
Photo Capacity: |
N/A* |
| Details: |
*Apple does not provide an official estimate for the number of songs, photos, and videos that the iPhone 3GS can hold, instead opting for just gigabytes. |
| USB Support: |
Sync & Charge |
Firewire Support: |
None |
| Connectivity: |
USB |
Ports: |
Dock, Headphone |
| Case Type: |
Handheld |
Form Factor: |
iPhone 3GS |
| Housing Color: |
Black & White* |
Controller: |
Multi-touch |
| Details: |
*Available with a black glass front and choice of black or white plastic back.
The patented "multi-touch" interface allows one to control the functions of the system by dragging one or more fingers across the display.
Also see: How does the iPhone "multi-touch" interface work? Who developed the "multi-touch" interface originally? |
| Built-in Display: |
3.5" Color |
Display Resolution: |
320x480 (163 ppi) |
| Details: |
*The iPhone 3GS has a 3.5" 320 by 480 display (163 ppi) with an "oleophobic" (oil repellent) coating.
Also see: How does the iPhone touchscreen feel? Is the touchscreen really better than a keypad with tactile feedback? |
| Standard Wireless: |
802.11b/g* |
Standard Bluetooth: |
2.1+EDR |
| Details: |
*The iPhone 3GS also supports 3G (UMTS/HSDPA - 7.2 Mbps) and GSM/EDGE networks. |
| Cell Network: |
2G/3G* |
Camera: |
3.0 Megapixels** |
| Details: |
*The iPhone 3GS supports both 3G (UMTS/HSDPA -- 850, 1900, 2100 MHz - 7.2 Mbps) and GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz) networks.
**The iPhone 3G S camera supports geotagging, like its predecessor, but also shoots VGA video at 30 FPS with audio, supports autofocus, macro, and white balance support, a "tap to focus" feature, and the ability to trim the beginning and ending of videos.
Also see: How does the camera in the iPhone 3GS compare to the camera in earlier iPhone models? |
| Battery Type: |
Lithium Ion |
Battery Life (Music): |
30 Hours |
| Battery Life (Voice): |
5-12 Hours* |
Standby Time: |
300 Hours |
| Details: |
*Apple reports that the iPhone 3GS provides "up to" 30 hours of audio playback, 12 hours of talk time on 2G, 5 hours of talk time on 3G, 5 hours of Internet use on 3G, 9 hours of Internet use on Wi-Fi, 10 hours of video playback and 300 hours of standby time.
Also see: How does the battery life of the iPhone 3GS compare to the iPhone 3G in "real-world" tests? Is the battery replaceable? |
| Full-Charge Time: |
N/A |
Apple Order No: |
MB715LL/A* |
| Details: |
*MB715LL/A refers to the 16 GB configuration in black. 16 GB in white is MB716LL/A, 32 GB in black is MB717LL/A, 32 GB in white is MB718LL/A. The 8 GB configuration retains the same MB046LL/A order number as the 8 GB configuration in the previous series. |
| Apple Subfamily: |
iPhone 3GS |
Apple Model No: |
A1303 |
| Details: |
Please note that these identifiers often refer to more than one model.
Also see: All iPhones with the A1303 Model Number. |
| Pre-Installed OS: |
iPhone OS 3.0 |
Maximum OS: |
Current |
| Dimensions: |
4.5 x 2.4 x 0.48 |
Avg. Weight: |
4.8 oz. (135 g) |
| Details: |
In inches - height by width by depth (115.5 x 62.1 x 12.3 mm). |
| Mac Support: |
MacOS X 10.4.11 |
Windows Support: |
Windows XP SP2/Vista |
| Details: |
Apple reports that the iPhone 3GS is compatible with a "Mac computer with a USB 2.0 port, MacOS X v10.4.11 or later, and iTunes 8.2 or later."
It is compatible with a "PC with a USB 2.0 port, Windows Vista; or Windows XP Home or Professional with Service Pack 2 or later, and iTunes 8.2 or later." |
| Audio Support: |
Apple reports that the iPhone 3GS supports "AAC, Protected AAC, MP3, MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 1, 2, and 3), Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAV." |
| Photo Support: |
Apple does not formally specify photo formats for the iPhone 3GS. The Safari web browser, however, supports JPG, GIF, and TIFF images, and the iPod function of the iPhone 3GS supports images sychronized from iTunes. |
| Video Support: |
Apple reports that the iPhone 3GS supports "H.264 video, up to 1.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Low-Complexity version of the H.264 Baseline Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; H.264 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Baseline Profile up to Level 3.0 with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; MPEG-4 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats" |
| Incl. Accessories: |
Ships with "Apple Earphones with Remote and mic, dock connector to USB cable, USB power adapter, documentation, and a SIM eject tool". |
| Original Price: |
US$199, US$299* |
Est. Current Retail: |
US$199, US$299* |
| Details: |
*For new AT&T Wireless customers only the 16 GB configuration is US$199 and the 32 GB configuration is US$299. For "non-qualified customers, the price with a new two-year agreement is US$599 or US$699.
Unfortunately, the iPhone is only available direct from Apple or the carrier, so one generally has to pay sales tax. To purchase an iPod, free of sales tax, please visit site sponsor PowerMax.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. |
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