IPhone 3G
Introduction
The iPhone 3G is the second generation of iPhone, succeeding the first generation iPhone, and was introduced on June 9, 2008, at the Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco. It was the first iPhone model to introduce 3G network support, hence the name "iPhone 3G". The iPhone 3G was available in 8 and 16 GB variants and was released in twenty-two countries initially.
Design
The iPhone 3G marked a significant shift in design from its predecessor. The device featured a full plastic back to increase the strength of the GSM signal. The design also included a flush headphone jack to address the criticism of its predecessor, which required an adapter for some types of headphones. The screen size remained the same at 3.5 inches, but the iPhone 3G had a slightly thicker body than the original iPhone.
Hardware
The iPhone 3G was powered by a 412 MHz ARM11 processor and a PowerVR MBX-Lite graphics processor. It had 128 MB of eDRAM, which allowed the smartphone to keep multiple applications open at the same time. The iPhone 3G's battery had a slightly higher capacity than the original iPhone, which provided up to ten hours of 2G talk time, five hours of 3G talk time, five hours of internet use on 3G, six hours of internet use on Wi-Fi, seven hours of video playback, or 24 hours of audio playback.
Software
The iPhone 3G was released with iPhone OS 2.0. This version of the operating system introduced the App Store, which allowed third-party applications for the first time. iPhone OS 2.0 also introduced other features, such as push email and turn-by-turn navigation. The iPhone 3G was officially supported by Apple for two major OS releases, iPhone OS 3.0 and iOS 4.
Reception
Upon its release, the iPhone 3G received generally positive reviews. Critics praised the introduction of 3G network support and the lower price tag compared to the original iPhone. However, some criticized the iPhone 3G for its decreased battery life when 3G was enabled and the lack of certain features, such as video recording and multimedia messaging, which were common on other smartphones at the time.
Legacy
The iPhone 3G was discontinued on June 7, 2010, with the announcement of the iPhone 4. Despite its discontinuation, the iPhone 3G has left a lasting legacy on the smartphone industry. It was the first iPhone to support 3G networks, which significantly improved internet speeds on mobile devices. The introduction of the App Store also marked a significant shift in the mobile industry, paving the way for the rise of mobile applications.