Filed under: iPhone
Will the iPhone 3G frolic in the summer sun?
Way back last year, Steve Jobs mentioned that a 3G iPhone would debut some time this year. Then we started seeing iPhones being clearanced. And now, Yahoo reports that the 3G iPhone is on-track for, um, real soon now -- as early as Q3 2008 with a possible Q2 launch.
Everyone and their brother has been waiting for the 3G iPhone. So is this report reliable? AT&T declined to comment on specific launch dates. Apple declined comment. Yahoo bases its article on a report by Bank of America analyst Scott Craig. But it fits into what (a) everyone expects and (b) we already know. Is there anything new here? Possibly not. More from Apple Insider and iPod observer about possible Hon Hai 3G contracts and Kevin Rose's 3G iPhone predictions.
Does this spin & speculation make any difference to your purchasing plans for the iPhone of today -- buy now, or wait until something better comes along? Let us know.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Michael Schmitt said 4:17PM on 3-28-2008
I've become a "wait until Apple product 2.0 comes out" type of buyer as of late. I blame it on becoming older and (probably not) wiser as time goes on. I've seen a lot of product launches over the last 10 years, and the 1.0 products almost always have barely a slight "problem" with them and the 2.0 versions always work much better than the 1.0 version and almost always have an extra 'wow' factor associated with them that makes me go for 2.0.
That said... I'm holding off on my purchase of an iPhone until iPhone 2.0; my tax rebate will cover that nicely...
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Daniel Rubin said 5:09PM on 3-28-2008
I'm in exactly the same position. Restraining myself until 2.0 comes out.
Soch said 9:03AM on 3-29-2008
That's the same thing I've been saying since before my family bought me a Gen 1 iPod. Admittedly, it made a wicked cool Hannukah present, but compare the G1s to the G2s - there were a lot of problems with G1s.
Still frikkin' cool to cary it around at the time - everyone wanted to know all about it.
FishGuy said 4:19PM on 3-28-2008
first!
but really, I don't need to buy an iPhone today because I already have one. I say 3G and most likely a more expensive AT&T plan is not reason enough to upgrade, toss in GPS and support for AT&T's new mobile TV and my little bro may be getting a used iPhone version 1 for his birthday.
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Adam said 5:04PM on 3-28-2008
You are SO not first...
YodaMac said 4:20PM on 3-28-2008
Doesn't affect me. I've been happily using my iPhone v1 for almost a year now and bought it full-well knowing that I would replace it with v2 whenever that appeared. (16Gb increase doesn't count)
But now as v2 looms (presumably late June with software 2.0) I find myself realizing how HAPPY I've been with my current iPhone and hoping v2 has enough "major" improvements to make me feel that an upgrade is worthwhile. 3G? I have no idea if Denver is even covered and would hate to get WORSE reception if it isn't! lol GPS? Never used it, but it might be nice...
Not that I have any choice really... my Wife waited in line all morning for me to get the first iPhone at the AT&T store, and I kinda promised to give it to her when I get myself a v2 one. :)
Bring on iPhone v2!
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mark said 12:51PM on 3-30-2008
3G is in all major US cities (and some minor ones):
http://tinyurl.com/25v8ue
I'm like you. I knew I'd be buying iPhone v2 as soon as it came out. Why deny yourself the pleasure of owning a kick-ass device, just because you know a better one may come out in a year or two? That's a year or two that you didn't get to enjoy the device!
To each his own, of course, but even if I'd never gotten the rebates (one from Apple; one from Amex), it would have been worth the $600 just to have v1 for 12-18 months.
v2? v3? v4? bring 'em on.... That's what eBay's for!
Scott said 4:25PM on 3-28-2008
I just got my iPhone from the refurbished AT&T deal last week, knowing that a new hardware revision would be out soon. For me, almost everywhere I am has WiFi. That fact added to the iPhone's seamless connection switching, and EDGE's sufficient email performance, leaves little else to be desired.
From what I've seen of Apple's incremental upgrades, the latest products are usually the most desirable, but often the previous generations are perfectly capable. My mom still uses her 1st generation iPod. My 1st generation Nano still holds its own even after two subsequent hardware updates. I believe my 1st generation iPhone (along with software updates... official or not) will hold up for quite a while before I desire more.
I'm prepared to be surprised in June, but if it's just 3g and/or GPS in the hardware updates, I'll be perfectly content with my EDGE slowness and almost accurate cell/WiFi location.
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Ryan said 4:35PM on 3-28-2008
I am the last one of my friends to get an iPhone because I have also become a, wait for the 2nd generation Apple product type of customer. Yes the iPhone is amazing at v1 but you can bet that v2 will be even better.
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Peter said 4:40PM on 3-28-2008
I have the need/opportunity right now to switch carriers, but am choosing not to buy an iPhone at this time, as I await a 3G model. I'll buy a cheapo phone instead and grit my teeth. So AT&T benefits, ironically, in that I'm switching to them even without (yet) going the iPhone route.
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-wsn said 4:41PM on 3-28-2008
Hi
A new iPhone would have to offer some other "wow factor", besides just 3G, for me to shell out money for a new one.
Take a look at the AT&T 3G map. If you're not spending a bunch of time in a big city, 3G just doesn't buy you much IMO. Even if you are, the chances you are near free WiFi is pretty good, and Wifi is faster... and with no AT&T iPhone tethering, 3G is again, less compelling IMO.
A Skype iPhone 2.0 App that runs over WiFi is what I am waiting for... that and maybe a "802.11n" based iPhone, so I can flip the bit on my AEBS to "N only"
Cheers
-wsn
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DistortedLoop said 9:01PM on 3-28-2008
I don't get it. I live in about as big a city as they come, Los Angeles. Granted, it's a bit more spread out than other metros like NY, SF, Chi, but it's amazing to me to see all the claims of "I'm near plenty of free WiFi", because it's a rare find anywhere I hang out or go...
pscs said 4:46PM on 3-28-2008
What us G3?
I've got mild dyslexia but I've read the title many times... G3, and in the article there's no mentioning of G3, but rather, 3G. The tagging also has G3.
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Jeremiah said 4:49PM on 3-28-2008
I'm waiting for 3g to purchase an iphone, even though currently Omaha does not have 3g service here. It is one of the top markets though, so it will come eventually...then I will be set!
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Fernando said 4:55PM on 3-28-2008
G3? PowerPC powered iPhone? Sold!
lol, but seriously, get it right apple community, it's 3G
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fanguad said 4:56PM on 3-28-2008
This doesn't change my purchasing plans - I've been waiting for version 2.0 of the hardware since June. I'm holding out for GPS and 3G. If the iPhone doesn't deliver, I'll probably buy an Android phone for my next phone instead of the iPhone.
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iGO said 4:58PM on 3-28-2008
The 3G iPhone is the one I am waiting for, to buy immediately, when released.
I actually received an iPhone for Christmas but returned it for the $426.93 Apple Gift card.
It's waiting to be spent on that New Baby this June, I hope !!!
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Logich said 5:06PM on 3-28-2008
I have been waiting for the next hardware revision to see if there is GPS. I live out at the edge of AT&T coverage anyway, so I won't see 3G anytime soon. Then again, a price drop on the old hardware might be very compelling as well.
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Big John said 5:30PM on 3-28-2008
I really want an iPhone as soon as possible. My area (Lansing, MI) does not have HSDPA so a 3G iPhone is not a make-or-break situation... in the immediate future. However, I don't know where I'll be living in a year. I will be really bummed out if it's a 3G area and I'm stuck on the old EDGE phone. So with that, I'm doing everything in my power to wait.
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atuck said 5:34PM on 3-28-2008
With price cuts on old models being an absolute certainty, I cannot see why you wouldn't wait. 500 dollars now for something that will likely cost 300 or below in July? Bad move if you ask me.
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