does the 1st gen iphone have any pros over the 3g?

[SuSHi]

outside of the contract, and being completely jailbroken is there anything else better about the 1st gen over the 3G?

can't decide which i want

[v1etnammer]

Well, if you are buying non-contract, it is a HELL of a lot cheaper, and can do almost as much as the newer one. The first one has the metal backing which is much classier looking, has better battery life, is smaller and would mean a much cheaper plan. The only reason to upgrade to the 3G version is if you are not in hot spots the majority of the day, absolutely need GPS (since the first has google maps) and need a standard jack for headphones (you can just cut away some of the rubber on normal ones to make them fit into the original iPhone). The newer iPhone also claims to have better call quality (reception and voice quality). Overall, the older iPhone isn't much worse than the newer one and when you compare value (if you're buying non-contract) then the older iPhone wins hands-down.

[gw3ndolyn]

Well, if you are buying non-contract, it is a HELL of a lot cheaper, and can do almost as much as the newer one. The first one has the metal backing which is much classier looking, has better battery life, is smaller and would mean a much cheaper plan. The only reason to upgrade to the 3G version is if you are not in hot spots the majority of the day, absolutely need GPS (since the first has google maps) and need a standard jack for headphones (you can just cut away some of the rubber on normal ones to make them fit into the original iPhone). The newer iPhone also claims to have better call quality (reception and voice quality). Hmm, the older iPhone also comes standard with the wall-charger adapter, whereas you have to buy that seperately with the newer one. Overall, the older iPhone isn't much worse than the newer one and when you compare value (if you're buying non-contract) then the older iPhone wins hands-down.

The 3G iphone has better battery life. Where did you get your info from? I have the 1st gen iphone and the 3G iphone. It depends if you turn off 3G or not on the 3G iphone. Also, the second iphone has much louder and clearer speakers and it does come with a wall charger. All of the 3G iphones come with a wall charger. And why would you "cut some rubber away?" to fit earphones onto the 1st gen iphone? lol.. you think people will buy earphones and cut em away to fit it? lol. there are things called adapters.

[Kasakato]

The 3G iphone has better battery life. Where did you get your info from? I have the 1st gen iphone and the 3G iphone. It depends if you turn off 3G or not on the 3G iphone. Also, the second iphone has much louder and clearer speakers and it does come with a wall charger. All of the 3G iphones come with a wall charger. And why would you "cut some rubber away?" to fit earphones onto the 1st gen iphone? lol.. you think people will buy earphones and cut em away to fit it? lol. there are things called adapters.

Isent half the point of the 3G iPhone to use 3G? What good is it with 3G turned off. Using an adapter is ********, it adds bulk and cost to the phone. Cutting away the rubber neck is a neater and somewhat cheaper solution.

[KelvinK]

its thinner

[BrianJai]

When loadin applications or loading in anything theres a youtube video they show both side by side and the older 1st gen iphone loads a bit faster. thers like a 0.5 - 1 sec delay. on iphone 3g lol

[v1etnammer]

The first iPhone gets 7 hours of talk-time compared to the 3Gs 5 (with 3G on, which is the point of the phone) and yields same audio/video playback and internet usage. That's why I said better battery life, although it is hardly better. Also, it does come with a wall charger, sorry about that. I read that it didn't and you had to pay $30 for one, I forgot where I did though.

[SuSHi]

i don't plan on getting a data plan, i have access to the internet almost all the time already

it's mostly for phone/mp3 player functionality for the most part, i don't want to be charging it every night for sure so battery would be an issue

would either have issues with going overseas? i thinking about moving to the UK for a year to work out there and would like to make use of it while i'm out there

[aznangel]

no issues...
iphones are quadband so you should be fine as long as you choose a gsm provider

[v1etnammer]

If its just for the MP3/phone function, then go on and get the first one. If you don't want to charge every night, then the iPhone might not be the ideal choice. With regular usage (music/video, calling, sms and especially if you use wifi) I would suggest a charge every night or it might die on you the next day. That's my gripe with the iPhone, there is no removable battery.

[ykshum]

Isent half the point of the 3G iPhone to use 3G? What good is it with 3G turned off. Using an adapter is ********, it adds bulk and cost to the phone. Cutting away the rubber neck is a neater and somewhat cheaper solution.

if OP is considering iPhone and iPhone 3G at equal value, most likely he is not too interested in the 3G component..

[v1etnammer]

if OP is considering iPhone and iPhone 3G at equal value, most likely he is not too interested in the 3G component..

If that's the case, than he shouldn't even consider the iPhone 3G. He wants to buy out of contract, meaning he's going to pay an extra $400 for...GPS (but he would have google maps), marginally improved battery life and a flush headphone jack.

[ykshum]

If that's the case, than he shouldn't even consider the iPhone 3G. He wants to buy out of contract, meaning he's going to pay an extra $400 for...GPS (but he would have google maps), marginally improved battery life and a flush headphone jack.

you may have just answered OPs question unknowingly

[Coolme]

Advantages of 1st gen iPhone

1.) Extened battery pack for iPhone like this (there are others too): http://www.mophie.com/products/juice-pack/?pod=iPhone can only be used on the 1st gen iPhone (the 3G iPhone has a tapered back, and the iTouch has the headphone jack on the bottom)

2.) It's more durable compared to 3G (from videos of drop tests of the iPhone and iPhone 3G)

[SuSHi]

i wouldn't have to buy out the contract, someone in my family would take it over while i'm gone because it's a really good plan and i'd want it for when i came back