Apple iPhone 3G 8, 16 GB Specs (MB046LL/A*)
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Much like the original iPhone, the iPhone 3G combines mobile phone, iPod, and Internet functionality -- although the iPhone 3G most notably adds 3G (UMTS/HSDPA - 850, 1900, 2100 MHz, 3.6 Mbps) support and GPS functionality.
The iPhone 3G features the same 3.5" display with 320x480 resolution at 163 ppi, but uses a slightly thicker case -- .02 of an inch -- with either a black or white plastic back -- rather than aluminum like the original model. It includes 8 GB or 16 GB of storage (white model only available with 16 GB), support for Wi-Fi (802.11b/g), Bluetooth 2.0+EDR and an intergrated 2.0 megapixel camera that supports "geotagging".
Apple reports that the iPhone 3G provides "up to" 24 hours of audio playback, 10 hours of talk time on 2G, 5 hours of talk time on 3G, 5 hours of Internet use on 3G, 6 hours of Internet use on Wi-Fi, 7 hours of video playback and 300 hours of standby time.
The iPhone 3G uses the same "multi-touch" interface, as well as accelerometer, ambient light, and proximity sensor capabilities as the original model, although it has two proximity sensors compared to one in the original.
Also see:
- What are the differences between the original iPhone and the iPhone 3G?
- How does the iPhone 3G compare to the Samsung Instinct, HTC Touch Diamond, and LG Dare?
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 9, 2008 |
Discontinued Date: |
June 8, 2009* |
| Details: |
The "Introduction Date" refers to the date a model was introduced via press release. The "Discontinued Date" generally refers to the date a model either was replaced by a subsequent system or production otherwise ended.
*On June 8, 2009, Apple discontinued the 16 GB model but continues to sell the 8 GB model for US$99 for new AT&T Wireless customers with a two-year contract. |
| Processor Type: |
Samsung ARM 11* |
Processor Speed: |
412 MHz |
| Details: |
*Apple provides no information regarding the iPhone 3G processor, simply that it is a "closed system", but it uses an Apple branded processor, identified as a Samsung ARM 11 (SoC) that is downclocked to 412 MHz. For graphics, it uses a PowerVR MBX-Lite graphics processor.
For more information, please refer to the disassembly guide from the always excellent iFixit. |
| Onboard RAM: |
128 MB* |
Storage Capacity: |
8, 16 GB |
| Details: |
*Apple provides no information regarding the RAM used in the iPhone 3G, but it is believed to have 128 MB onboard like its predecessor. |
| 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 can occupy. However, after the operating system and formatting are accounted for, the original 8 GB model has roughly 7.25 GB available and the original 16 GB model has roughly 15.3 GB available. |
| USB Support: |
Sync & Charge |
Firewire Support: |
None |
| Details: |
The iPhone does not offer a "disk mode" for file transfer, although third-party solutions are available. It does not support Firewire.
Also see: Can you "beam" music, photos, and videos between iPhones? Can you "beam" data files between iPhones? Does the iPhone support "disk mode" when connected to a computer? |
| Connectivity: |
USB |
Ports: |
Dock, Headphone |
| Case Type: |
Handheld |
Form Factor: |
iPhone 3G |
| Housing Color: |
Black & White* |
Controller: |
Multi-touch |
| Details: |
*The 8 GB configuration has a black glass front and a black plastic back, and the 16 GB configuration has 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 has a 3.5" 320 by 480 display (163 ppi).
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: |
2.0+EDR |
| Details: |
*The iPhone 3G also supports 3G (UMTS/HSDPA - 3.6 Mbps) and GSM/EDGE networks.
Also see: What is 3G? How much faster is 3G than EDGE in real-world tests? |
| Cell Network: |
2G/3G* |
Camera: |
2.0 Megapixels** |
| Details: |
*The iPhone 3G supports both 3G (UMTS/HSDPA -- 850, 1900, 2100 MHz - 3.6 Mbps) and GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz) networks.
**The iPhone 3G camera supports geotagging -- the location of a photograph is automatically noted using the integrated GPS module. |
| Battery Type: |
Lithium Ion |
Battery Life (Music): |
24 Hours |
| Battery Life (Voice): |
5-10 Hours* |
Standby Time: |
300 Hours |
| Details: |
*Apple reports that the iPhone 3G provides "up to" 24 hours of audio playback, 10 hours of talk time on 2G, 5 hours of talk time on 3G, 5 hours of Internet use on 3G, 6 hours of Internet use on Wi-Fi, 7 hours of video playback and 300 hours of standby time.
Also see: How does the battery life of the iPhone 3G compare to the original iPhone in real-world tests? Can you replace the battery in the iPhone 3G? |
| Full-Charge Time: |
N/A |
Apple Order No: |
MB046LL/A* |
| Details: |
*MB046LL/A refers to the 8 GB configuration in black, MB048LL refers to the 16 GB configuration in black and MB499LL refers to the 16 GB configuration in white. |
| Apple Subfamily: |
iPhone 3G |
Apple Model No: |
A1241 |
| Details: |
Please note that these identifiers often refer to more than one model.
Also see: All iPhones with the A1241 Model Number. |
| Pre-Installed OS: |
OS X 2.0 (5A345)* |
Maximum OS: |
Current |
| Details: |
*Apple originally just said that the iPhone 3G runs "OS X" and did not release version information. Please note that this is not the same as MacOS X. On March 17, 2009, upon unveiling a developer's preview of the third version of the operating system, Apple started referring to it as the "iPhone OS". This model is capable of running the current version of the operating system. |
| Dimensions: |
4.5 x 2.4 x 0.48 |
Avg. Weight: |
4.7 oz. (133 g) |
| Details: |
In inches - height by width by depth (115.5 x 62.1 x 12.3 mm). |
| Mac Support: |
MacOS X 10.4.10 |
Windows Support: |
Windows XP SP2/Vista |
| Details: |
Apple reports that the iPhone 3G is compatible with a "Mac computer with a USB 2.0 port, MacOS X v10.4.10 or later, and iTunes 7.7 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 7.7 or later." |
| Audio Support: |
Apple reports that the iPhone 3G 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 3G. The Safari web browser, however, supports JPG, GIF, and TIFF images, and the iPod function of the iPhone 3G supports images sychronized from iTunes. |
| Video Support: |
Apple reports that the iPhone 3G 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 768 Kbps, 320 by 240 pixels, 30 frames per second, Baseline Profile up to Level 1.3 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 a "stereo headset with mic, dock connector to USB cable, [a new, tiny] USB power adapter, documentation, cleaning/polishing cloth, and a SIM ejector tool". |
| Original Price: |
US$199, US$299* |
Est. Current Retail: |
US$99** |
| Details: |
*The 8 GB model, available only in black, originally was US$199, the 16 GB model, available in black or white, originally was US$299 with a two-year contract from AT&T Wireless.
**On June 8, 2009, Apple discontinued the 16 GB configuration but continues to sell the 8 GB configuration for US$99 for new AT&T Wireless customers with a two-year contract. Non-qualified/existing customers have to pay US$499.
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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