Apple iPhone 3G

Editor's Review of the iPhone 3G

The Apple iPhone 3G, also called the Apple iPhone 2, measures 12.3 x 62.1 x 115.5 millimetres and weighs a total of 133 grams. Users can own the iPhone 3G in either glossy black or white casing. The front part showcases a touchscreen that measures 88.90 millimetres, and displays a host of animated wallpapers in more than 16 million colours over a high resolution of 320 x 480 pixels. Right under the touchscreen, the handset reveals a QWERTY keyboard.

Internally, the phone works on iPhone Operating System version 2.0, with a user-friendly interface and menu system characterised by icons. It comes with language support and has International keyboard. The mobile phone works on quadband technology, supporting GSM 850, GSM 900, GMS 1800, GMS 1900 and UMTS. Its network coverage may vary depending on its user's network provider.

Browsing the Internet is easy with the HTML Web browser Safari that is integrated in the handset. Users can also share or transfer files and data using the USB cable and Bluetooth for wireless connectivity with compatible devices. The handset is equipped with support for WiFi, making Internet connection easy in various hotspots. As the phone is equipped with EDGE and HSDPA technologies, Internet downloads and file transfers are assuredly speedy. The 3G support feature of mobile phone also translates to the multitasking capability.

The Apple iPhone 3G comes with an advanced navigation system powered by GPS, which assists users in terms of full directions in various selected locations. The handset is also equipped with the Google Maps application, which zooms in on destinations and helps users look for locations. There is Microsoft Exchange Support, as well as MobileMe for synchronisation with computers in Windows or Mac operating systems.

The handset also supports the Widgets feature that offers news and information on live stock and weather reports.

As for its messaging services, you can use text messaging on Predictive Text. Owing to the handset's Internet connectivity, users can also check their e-mails, or send and receive e-mail messages, and supports Push Email technology. Users can communicate with multiple contacts through conference calls.

The Apple iPhone 3G can pass for a portable organiser for its business-oriented users. Its basic organiser features include a photo address book, a calendar, a to-do list, a world clock, an alarm clock and a calculator. The handset will please travelling users with its international keyboard and language support features.

Among the full entertainment features of the Apple iPhone 3G is its two-megapixel camera with easy-to-tweak photo settings that enables users to put in their desired effect and finish during photoshoots. A photo editor can also be utilized to ensure that final picture outputs are the perfect shots. A viewfinder display allows the user to easily capture photo subjects. Additionally, it has a built-in photo gallery that is used to store the pictures. Users who opt to view their photos on their Mac or PC can use the automatic iSync synchronisation feature. Sharing the photos is also possible for the handset's users through posting them to the MobileMe gallery.

Users can also view videos in H264, MPEG4 and AAC formats on the Apple iPhone 3G's wide touchscreen. The handset also comes with a movie and TV player, complete with video controls.

The Apple iPhone 3G is well-known for the iPod audio player that is integrated into the handset, making it a portable track player with music controls right on the touchscreen. Users are able to create and search their tracks through a playlist that displays song title, song artist and album. There is a feature called cover flow through which users can scroll the mobile phone's album artwork display. The box includes stereo earphones and microphone.

For purposes of entertaining its game-focused users, the iPhone 3G is embedded with games in popular formats. Users may also opt to download games from the Web.

The Apple iPhone 3G comes in versions of 8 Gigabyte and 16 Gigabyte flash memory. It operates on rechargeable battery that provides 300 hours maximum in standby time when fully charged. It is quoted as having 5 hours of 3G talk time.

While the Apple iPhone 3G impresses with its exquisitely modern look and features, some users complain that its external casing easily attracts fingerprints and smudges. Other users also point to the lack of MMS service support, which should have been part of its basic features.