Apple iPhone 3GS Getting Started and First Impressions

I got my hands on an iPhone 3GS 8GB early today, and as usual I will be putting up a review of the device here on Mobility Nigeria.

While some may consider the 3GS a little old (it was released back in June 2009), the consequences of its age are not so severe, seeing that it runs the latest iOS versions. Minus the higher resolution display, higher specified camera, video calling, and some other features, the 3GS is a pretty much up-to-date device in the iPhone world.

iPhone 3GS Specifications

Here are the specifications of the device:

• iOS 4.1
• Weight: 135g
• Size: 115.5 x 62.1 x 12.3 mm
• 3.15 MP camera with autofocus
• 3.5-inch TFT capacitive touchscreen that displays 16 million colors at 320 x 480 pixels with Scratch-resistant surface
• 8 GB internal storage, 256 MB RAM
• ARM Cortex A8 600 MHz, PowerVR SGX535 graphics
• GPRS/EDGE/UMTS/HSDPA
• Multi-tasking
• Cut, copy, and paste
• TV-out
• GPS with A-GPS support
• Wi-Fi 802.11b/g, Bluetooth v2.1, USB 2.0
• 3.5 mm headset jack

Setting Up The iPhone 3GS

The 3GS looks sleek and feels good in the hands. Turn on that screen and it looks even better.

Setting it up was just as easy as setting up my X10 Mini Pro. By setting up, I mean getting my contacts, mails and calendar entries on it. All I had to do was setup an Exchange account with my Google Apps email and in a few moments, I was home dry. This is something that Samsung/Bada and Nokia/Symbian in particular need to learn from and implement well. I remember the nightmares that I had setting up the S8003 Jet and N900.

Of course, for the very first time in my life I had to download and install iTunes (eeeek!) to my netbook. I connected the 3GS to my netbook and was prompted to setup an iTunes account. Thereafter, I was notified of an iOS 4.1 update, which I am currently running.

First Impressions

In the meantime, email looks good, web browsing has been good. My network’s internet settings were downloaded in the background and everything that needs data just worked out of the box. I am also glad that multitasking is here on the 3GS, as the absence of that would have been an immediate turn-off for me. I am also happy to see the cut, copy, and paste function.

Oh, I must mention too that taking screenshots is dead easy! Phew! No rooting; no hunting for 3rd party apps; no PC needed.

After completing the ongoing firmware update, I intend to download some free apps from the App Store, including: Yahoo Messenger, Skype, and hopefully Dropbox.

In the meantime, I am having to copy my files (documents, music, and video) from my MicroSD card to my PC so iTunes can sync them to the 3GS later. Why didn’t Apple just put a MicroSD card slot on this thing? Everything has to go through iTunes. Sheessh.

Anyway, so far so good. The iPhone 3GS has left me with good impressions, and I look forward to bringing you the usual drill.

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Author: Mister Mobility

Master storyteller and founder of Mobility Nigeria, Mister Mobility, has used and reviewed hundreds of mobile phones since 2001.