iPhone 3G: The Phone That Started the Smartphone Revolution in the USA

⭐ Reason for Purchase

To track patient vitals with Epocrates and quickly check drug interactions.

📌 Purchase Motivation

Hospital IT recommended it for its medical apps—her flip phone couldn’t run them.

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

Compared to Windows Mobile devices but hated the stylus.

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

Amazon—got a refurbished model to save money for nursing school loans.

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

Disinfected it with alcohol wipes before touching it.

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

Too pretty for the ER, but loved the bright screen for reading charts.

⭐ First Week Usage

Used Epocrates to correct a dosage error—doctor thanked her.

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

Set alarms for med rounds, snapped pics of wounds for progress tracking.

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

Epocrates, unit converter for dosages, and voice memos for shift reports.

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

Gloves didn’t work on the touchscreen—had to use her nose sometimes.

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

Her Motorola KRZR felt like a toy afterward.

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Reduced med errors by cross-checking interactions.

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

Colleagues asked her to demo apps during breaks.

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

Armband case for hands-free use during procedures.

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

9/10—"Lifesaver for healthcare workers. Buy a screen protector."

⭐ Reason for Purchase

Needed a portable portfolio and GPS to scout shoot locations.

📌 Purchase Motivation

The iPhone 3G’s Safari browser let her update her WordPress site from coffee shops.

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

Debated a Nokia N82 for its xenon flash, but loved iPhone’s editing apps.

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

Apple Store—wanted hands-on help transferring 500+ portfolio JPEGs.

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

Geeked out over the accelerometer—tilted it to see photos rotate.

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

Sexy but fragile. Shot test photos and cringed at the lack of zoom.

⭐ First Week Usage

Used Polarize app to edit street shots, drained battery editing on the subway.

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

Booked gigs via email, but the autocorrect embarrassed her ("shoot" became "shirt").

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

Flickr uploads, Notes for client details, and the level tool for straight horizons.

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

No flash made night shots useless. Carried a point-and-shoot as backup.

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

Upgraded from a Sony Ericsson—"Like going from crayons to Photoshop."

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Landed a magazine job after showing an editor her iPhone portfolio.

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

Friends begged her to take group pics—"You’re the pro with the iPhone!"

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

Bought a lens kit from Photojojo.

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

7/10—"Game-changer for creatives, but wait for a better camera."

⭐ Reason for Purchase

Wanted to replace her flip phone for grading papers remotely and tracking student attendance.

📌 Purchase Motivation

The iPhone 3G’s calendar sync with her MacBook sealed the deal—no more carrying a planner.

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

Almost chose a Palm Treo for its physical keyboard but hated the bulky design.

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

Apple Store on Michigan Avenue—staff helped transfer her contacts from her old SIM card.

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

Giggled at the "slide to unlock" animation. Setting up school email was tricky without Exchange support.

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

Felt futuristic but slippery—almost dropped it in the parking lot.

⭐ First Week Usage

Used the Notes app for lesson plans and got addicted to Tap Tap Revenge during lunch breaks.

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

Took photos of whiteboard notes for absent students, but the 2MP camera was grainy.

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

iCal alerts for parent meetings, and the calculator for quick grade averages.

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

Missed tactile feedback when typing progress reports.

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

Her Samsung Alias felt ancient—"like trading a typewriter for a laptop."

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Saved hours by emailing assignments instead of printing them.

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

Students thought she was "cool" for having an iPhone—started a tech club because of it.

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

Bought a screen protector after a student borrowed it and left fingerprints everywhere.

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

7.5/10—"Worth it for teachers, but wait for a sale."

⭐ Reason for Purchase

Wanted to ditch her iPod and Sidekick for one device to stream music and take lecture notes.

📌 Purchase Motivation

Free iPod Touch with contract? Sold. (Her dad paid the upgrade fee as a graduation gift.)

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

Almost got a Nokia N95 for its better camera, but apps like Facebook won her over.

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

Campus AT&T kiosk—they threw in free Beats headphones for students.

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

Squealed when she saw the App Store icon. Syncing her iTunes library took all night.

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

So thin compared to her Sidekick! The screen smudged instantly from makeup fingers.

⭐ First Week Usage

Used Shazam at parties, then panicked when her 8GB storage filled up with photos.

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

Recorded lectures (secretly), but the mic picked up coughing sounds.

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

Spotify (jailbroken), group texting, and the flashlight app for dorm hallways.

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

No MMS—had to email party pics one by one.

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

My Sidekick’s keyboard was better for texting, but iPhone’s apps were next-level.

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Used Flashcards Deluxe to study—aced her midterms.

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

Became the "DJ" at parties by plugging it into speakers.

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

Swapped the white back for a pink one from eBay.

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

8.5/10—"Perfect for students, but get the 16GB if you can."

⭐ Reason for Purchase

Needed GPS for open houses and a better way to manage listings than his BlackBerry.

📌 Purchase Motivation

Google Maps on iPhone 3G was his "aha" moment—drove to a client’s home without printing directions.

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

Compared it to the Garmin Nüvi GPS but wanted an all-in-one device.

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

Best Buy—got a free Bluetooth headset bundle for closing deals hands-free.

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

Impressed by the packaging, but iTunes activation took two tries.

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

Loved showing homes with the large screen, but the black finish showed fingerprints.

⭐ First Week Usage

Used Maps to avoid traffic jams, but the battery died by 3 PM on heavy days.

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

Uploaded property photos to Flickr—clients loved seeing them instantly.

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

Maps, camera, and the MLS app his brokerage customized.

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

No video recording hurt—had to carry a Flip cam for virtual tours.

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

BlackBerry’s keyboard was better for emails, but iPhone’s visuals sold more houses.

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Closed three deals because he could pull up listings faster than competitors.

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

Wife complained he checked Zillow at dinner, but his commission checks doubled.

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

Added a Mophie battery pack and a leather holster.

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

9/10—"A must for realtors, but pack a charger."

⭐ Reason for Purchase

Needed a reliable smartphone for client communication and design previews on-the-go.

📌 Purchase Motivation

The iPhone 3G’s sleek design and early App Store access stood out—plus, AT&T’s 3G network was a game-changer for emailing large files.

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

Spent weeks comparing it to the BlackBerry Bold, but the touchscreen and Safari browser won me over.

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

AT&T store downtown—wanted to test the 3G speeds in person before committing.

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

Unboxing felt like Christmas! The glossy back and curved edges were stunning, though syncing contacts via iTunes took forever.

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

Loved how light it was, but the plastic back scratched easily—bought a case the same day.

⭐ First Week Usage

Battery drained fast with 3G on, but Maps and YouTube blew my mind. Had to relearn typing on glass.

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

Used it constantly for client emails, checking Pantone colors, and showing portfolio mockups. The screen glare outdoors was brutal, though.

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

App Store (especially Evernote), visual voicemail, and pinch-to-zoom for reviewing designs.

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

No copy-paste was frustrating! Also, apps crashed if too many were open.

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

Upgraded from a Motorola RAZR—felt like switching from a bicycle to a spaceship.

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Clients loved seeing real-time edits, but carrying a charger became mandatory.

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

First in my friend group with an iPhone—ended up being the "tech support guy" at parties.

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

Got a Belkin rubber case and a car charger for road trips.

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

8/10—revolutionary but flawed. Told my artist friends to wait for the next model with better battery.

⭐ Reason for Purchase

To process credit cards with Square and post daily specials on Twitter.

📌 Purchase Motivation

First phone that could run Square’s card reader—no more "cash only" signs.

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

Almost stuck with his Verizon LG Voyager, but Square was iPhone-exclusive.

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

Craigslist—got a used one cheap since he’d drop it in grease anyway.

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

Peeled off the seller’s cracked screen protector and sanitized it with a Clorox wipe.

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

Slippery with greasy fingers—wrapped a rubber band around it for grip.

⭐ First Week Usage

Square worked perfectly until a customer’s card got declined with no service.

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

Tweeted "SOLD OUT" alerts, used Yelp to find parking spots with foot traffic.

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

Square, timer for fry batches, and the hotspot for his iPad register.

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

Dropped it in a condiment tub—thankfully, rice saved it.

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

My old phone just called people. This thing runs my business.

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Credit card sales increased 40%—paid off the phone in two weeks.

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

Competitors copied his Twitter strategy.

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

Bought a waterproof case and a car mount.

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

10/10—"If you sell food, you need this. Just insure it."

⭐ Reason for Purchase

His grandkids kept sending photos he couldn’t view on his Nokia bar phone.

📌 Purchase Motivation

The big screen!—also wanted to video chat with family in Mexico (FaceTime wasn’t out yet, so he used Fring).

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

Almost bought a Jitterbug for simplicity, but his son insisted on the iPhone.

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

Walmart—they offered a senior discount on the plan.

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

His grandson set it up for him. "Why does it need a computer to turn on?"

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

Too fancy! but loved zooming in on grandbaby photos.

⭐ First Week Usage

Called his daughter 10 times asking how to save contacts.

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

Took blurry bird-watching photos, used Maps to find flea markets.

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

Photo album, large text display option, and the weather app.

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

Hated touchscreen typing—dictated texts instead.

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

My Nokia survived drops. This thing’s like holding an egg.

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Finally joined Facebook to see grandkids’ posts.

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

Bingo friends begged him to show vacation photos every week.

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

OtterBox case after he dropped it in his toolbox.

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

6/10—"Great for pictures, but too complicated. Keep your old phone for calls."

Benchmark Scores

The iPhone 3G’s benchmarks are a blast from the past—single-core scores around 130, multi-core near 200. It’s like comparing a bicycle to a Tesla today. Fine for calls and texts, but forget about multitasking or modern apps.

Build Quality & Materials

The glossy plastic back and chrome accents screamed 2008 luxury. It felt great in hand, but the plastic scratched if you looked at it wrong. Today, it’s a reminder of how far iPhone design has come—lighter, yes, but not as sturdy as newer models.

Display Quality

The 3.5-inch screen was cutting-edge in 2008, but now it’s laughably small. 320x480 resolution looks pixelated today, and colors fade at angles. Perfect for nostalgia, terrible for binge-watching.

Camera System & Performance

A 2MP camera with no autofocus or flash—photos were fuzzy even in daylight. Forget night shots or selfies (no front camera!). It’s a time capsule of early mobile photography.

Software & User Experience

iOS 4.2.1 crawls on the iPhone 3G. Apps take forever to open, and many won’t run at all. It’s a museum piece—fun to tinker with, frustrating to use daily.

Battery Life & Charging

The 1150mAh battery was okay in its prime, but now it barely lasts a few hours. The 30-pin charger is a relic—hope you kept yours! Replacement batteries are rare.

Gaming & Graphics Performance

Think Snake, not Fortnite. The GPU struggled with basic 3D games back then—today, it’s a slideshow. A humble reminder of mobile gaming’s humble beginnings.

Connectivity & Ports

3G was revolutionary in 2008—now it’s painfully slow. No 5GHz Wi-Fi, no Bluetooth LE. The 30-pin port feels ancient. A snapshot of early smartphone limitations.

Durability & Protection

Scratches and cracks came easy to the iPhone 3G. No water resistance, no gorilla glass. Treat it like an antique—because it is.

Price & Value Proposition

Once $199 on contract, now it’s a $50-$100 curiosity. Worth it for collectors or Apple fans, useless as a daily phone. A piece of history, not a tool.

Benchmark Scores

The iPhone 3G was a game-changer in its time, but by today's standards, its benchmark scores are modest. Running Geekbench, it scores around 130 for single-core and 200 for multi-core. While it handled basic tasks smoothly back in 2008, modern apps and multitasking would feel sluggish. It's a nostal

Build Quality & Materials

The iPhone 3G's plastic back and chrome bezel gave it a premium feel for its era. The curved design was comfortable to hold, but the plastic was prone to scratches. Compared to today's glass-and-metal builds, it feels lightweight but less durable. Still, it had a charm that newer iPhones lack.

Display Quality

The 3.5-inch TFT LCD display with 320x480 resolution was sharp for 2008, but it’s tiny and low-res by today’s standards. Colors were decent, but viewing angles were poor. Watching videos or browsing the web now feels cramped, though it was revolutionary back then.

Camera System & Performance

The single 2MP rear camera lacked autofocus and video recording. Photos were grainy even in good light, and low-light performance was nonexistent. It was fine for its time, but today’s smartphone cameras make it look ancient. Selfies? You’d need a mirror—no front camera!

Software & User Experience

Running iOS 4.2.1 (the last supported version), the iPhone 3G feels painfully slow today. Simple apps like Messages or Safari take ages to load. Modern iOS features are absent, and many apps no longer support it. A fun relic, but not practical for daily use.

Battery Life & Charging

The 1150mAh battery was decent in 2008, but aging hardware means it struggles now. Expect a few hours of light use. Charging via the 30-pin connector is slow, and replacement batteries are hard to find. Keep a charger handy!

Gaming & Graphics Performance

Gaming was limited to simple titles like Angry Birds. The PowerVR GPU couldn’t handle 3D games well even back then. Today, most games won’t run or will lag terribly. A reminder of how far mobile gaming has come.

Connectivity & Ports

The iPhone 3G introduced 3G speeds (hence the name) and had Bluetooth 2.0. No Wi-Fi calling or 5GHz Wi-Fi. The 30-pin port is outdated, and there’s no expandable storage. A time capsule of early smartphone connectivity.

Durability & Protection

The plastic back scratches easily, and the screen isn’t gorilla glass. Dropping it could mean cracks or dents. Cases were a must even back then. Today, finding replacements is tough—handle with care!

Price & Value Proposition

Originally $199 with a contract, now it’s a collector’s item. You might find one for $50-$100, but it’s only worth it for nostalgia or as a display piece. As a daily driver? Impossible in 2024.