iPhone 3G review: Twice the hype, half the novelty

Gsmarena have posted their review of the iPhone 3G. Here are the key features, main disadvantages and final conclusion.

Key features:
3.5" 16M-color TFT display with a resolution of 480 x 320 pixels
Quad-band GSM support
Tri-band UMTS support with HSDPA
Built-in GPS receiver
Wi-Fi
8 to 16GB of onboard storage
Accelerometer, proximity sensor and ambient light sensor
2 megapixel camera
Silky smooth user interface with multi-touch user support
Unsurpassed web surfing experience
Push email with MS Exchange support
AppStore access for direct application download and installation
Redone rear
TV-out port

Main disadvantages:
No video calls over the 3G network
The handset wobbles on even hard surfaces
There are a number of messaging downers
Camera has no auto focus, nor video recording… nor any settings at all
Safari browser doesn't support Flash and Java, doesn't have a download manager
Bluetooth support limited to headset use only (no A2DP or file transfers)
No office document editor
No copy/paste functionality
You cannot sync Notes and TO-DOs
No memory card slot (but knowing Apple there will never be one)

We've had our fair share of the first-gen iPhone but, honestly, we weren't caught in the excitement last year until we saw it live. It was only after it arrived in our office that we really appreciated its sleek design and groundbreaking user interface.

Now a year later, the excitement grew on us weeks before we even had a chance to play with the iPhone 3G. And once it arrived, the enthusiasm gradually fades away. What's the point in your new device looking just like your old device? What's the point of having a GPS receiver when there is no navigation software for it? Yeah, we heard rumors of various companies prepping some real GPS navigation software, but we've been hearing the same rumors for the copy/paste functionality for over a year now.

"Half the price", as the campaign motto goes, is not quite true either. A contract-free iPhone 3G is gonna cost you more than the iPhone 1G bought from US Apple store, imported and then (h)activated and unlocked the rogue way.

OK, there's the 3G with HSDPA. Now HSDPA is way faster than EDGE we agree, and as far as we are concerned, that's the only selling point of the iPhone 3G.

But there's the math - adding 3G to the iPhone will cost the price of a new 3G-enabled handset altogether. The price of one is basically the difference between your second-hand iPhone 1G and a spanking new unlocked iPhone 3G.

Now, don't get us wrong - don't let our upgrader's point of view get in your way. We were impressed by the iPhone 1G and now it's even better. If you've never had one and the iPhone 3G is offered in your country - now that Apple's creation is finally on par with most other modern handsets specs-wise - it seems the right time to get yourself geared up.

The Apple iPhone, be it 1G or 3G, still has the most impressive full touch user interface to-date, and with the concept of AppStore, it have just gotten better. The iPhone 3G is evidently more evolution than revolution, but it still packs quite a punch. And there's some unique features that you can hardly get in any other high-end gadgets.