iPhone 3GS no new thunder downunder: first impressions

David Swan
Saturday, 27 June 2009 05:29

Business IT - Technology

The HTC Magic launched in June and features the Android OS. The Nokia N97 packs a formidable punch in its multimedia capabilities and has a QWERTY keyboard. All three phones have launched about the same time and will be similarly priced.

My biggest concern with the Magic is that the Android OS is still largely uncharted territory, particularly in Australia (it's one of the first handsets here to feature it so far) and early reviews of the device have lamented not only the buggy software but its lack of a 3.5mm headphone jack, which contrasts strongly to the musical prowess of the iPhone.

The N97 looks promising and has a maximum storage capacity of 48GB, an improvement over the biggest iPhone at 32GB. However, the N97 lacks in the style stakes and the range of applications available is questionable, compared to Apple's offerings.

Pricing is a complicated affair and varies greatly depending on the needs of the user, particularly with regards to internet usage and if you want to buy the phone outright or not.

The iPhone 3GS has currently only been launched on Optus. However, all other Australian telcos will carry the iPhone 3GS, including 3, which means competitive pricing will be a certainty. Optus has confirmed the 16GB 3GS is free on a $69 cap, which is the same as Vodafone's offer. Telstra is offering the 16GB 3GS for free but on a $100 cap, which is considerably more expensive. 3 has yet to announce its pricing details.

A glance at the kids who were in the queue to play with the iPhone 3GS reminded me of the device's sheer versatility.

It's a smartphone for those who will use it as such, but also a iPod and constantly improving gaming device, which some people tend to forget. The App Store, arguably the iPhone's biggest drawcard, gains new apps every day that are constantly expanding the device's usability and potential. Google's Android store and Nokia's Ovi store both threaten similar functionality, but at the moment the App store is the most well rounded and abundant, at least until Nokia gets the iBeer app.

If you already own an iPhone 3G, you probably won't want to bother with the upgrade, unless it's inherently part of your nature to have everything shiny and new. If this is you, then by all means jump in your Ferrari and pick one up.

For those who haven't yet taken the iPhone plunge, and believe me it's an enjoyable and exciting plunge, see if you can pick up a cheap iPhone 3G as retailers are currently running out old stock. If the notion of the 3GS excites you, however, then you can't really go wrong, especially with pricing likely to be so competitive.

In terms of the different smartphones available, taste is a very individual thing, so duck into your local retailer and see what suits your style. Right now though, looking at the options, the iPhone 3GS is decidedly the phone to beat... At least until next year's model.