iPhone 3GS

[Jugger Grimrodd]

Congrats!

If you are still looking into cases, I really like the Speck ToughSkin. It provides some really decent protection, but it adds a little bulk, I like that because of a number of reasons. The extra bulk helps my extremely clumsy hands hang on to it, I know it's in my pocket so I won't lose it, and it protects from drops. You can even use it with a dock.

Keep the reviews coming, I am still on the fence. Is it worth the $$$ to upgrade from the 3G?

[bendrucker]

With regard to upgrading from the 3G, I'd said it's not worth it if you're on the fence. Web pages fly and general usage is snappy and I like the compass feature in Maps. Other than that, I don't use any of the new features. If I'd had a 3G rather than a non-iPhone before, I'd have stuck with the 3G. It's worth the $100 extra over the 8GB 3G, but not the $200 to upgrade from a 3G if you already have an iPhone.

[notabadname]

I would have to differ with BBB on this one (which is rare, but with a certain caveat. That caveat is that the iPhone 3G 16GB is selling briskly on eBay. I just sold mine for $345. I paid the $25, two-day shipping to the buyer, so I netted $320. The upgrade to the new phone was $299 for a 32GB. There is no penalty for a mid-contract switch with AT&T as long as you had your previous 3G under contract for about 9 months or more. So there was literally no cost for me to upgrade (I actually netted $20). The only catch is "restarting" the two year contract with AT&T, but everyone buying the new phone with AT&T has the same commitment, even if they never had AT&T. So the cost to switch is really free. Even the 3G 8GB is selling for $210 to $300 on eBay. And like my sale, you don't have to "unlock" the phone to sell it, although you may get more for it if you do. Mine was sold as an OS 3.0, not un-locked, wiped (all contents erased) phone for $345.

Check this link for the proof (I sell under the same name I use on this site

So in my opinion, it is well worth the modest effort, and little to no cost (if not profit) to upgrade. I love the (finally) large memory of 32GB. The video capability is really awesome. Great quality that even looks good on a computer screen. I love that you can trim the clip. The camera is really a dramatic improvement. I took photos with the two, side-by-side, before I sold my 3G. No contest, due to the ability to set the exposure for the point you desire within the frame. This makes a bigger difference to me than the fact that it focuses based on that selection also. I was able to take images of the Empire State Building today. With my old 3G, the bright sky always made the building look dark and under-exposed. Now the photos come out with the building properly exposed. The 50% bump in resolution is significant too.

The speed bump and snappy performance is also very noticeable, and I played with the phones side-by-side on all my apps that were not affected by only one phone having AT&T service. A good example was a favorite game of mine, Field Runners. This game has a longer load-screen than many Apps, especially if resuming a game. The 3GS was easily and noticeably more than twice as fast loading and starting the game.

So, potentially a "free" upgrade to get the Compass, New Camera, Video and a considerably faster phone. The video will also be a real improvement to enjoy once AT&T gets MMS up and running this summer. All you have to do is sell your old one. A lot of buyers are eager to grab an iPhone without an AT&T commitment. "Strike while the iron is hot", as they say.

[bendrucker]

I had no idea the 3G was selling for so much. In that case, I'd highly recommend you take the time to sell your 3G and upgrade.

[notabadname]

Earlier in this post BBB recommended the iPhone APP "MLB.com At Bat 2008" over a favorite of mine; "Sports Tap" in regards to keeping up with baseball. I just had to throw in my enthusiastic concurrence. I bought the APP after reading his post, and now have a new "favorite APP". This has got to be one of the slickest implementations of the iPhone out there. With live game streaming, live radio broadcast streaming, location awareness, live game updates via nice graphics and text for non-video supported games. This APP is like a showpiece of iPhone capabilities and technology. Everyone whom I have shown the APP to now has basically said "you've got to be kidding, that is so cool". They amazed that you can bring up any game's live radio broadcast, as well as Video for select games. It isn't the cheapest APP out there, but at $9.99, it is one of the few that is fully worth every cent. If you love baseball, this is truly a must have, for less than the price of a Beer and peanuts at your local ball park. Thanks for the recommendation BBB.

[divigation]

Originally Posted by notabadname

It isn't the cheapest APP out there, but at $9.99, it is one of the few that is fully worth every cent.

This app includes streaming of home and away audio of every single MLB game all season, which costs $15/season at MLB.com. That right there makes it a steal for me, now that they added live video in the update for 3.0 it is a great deal. It has been my favorite app since it dropped, something I never thought I could think of a sports app.