Apple Makes 3GS Faster, Whilst Making 3G Slower [Intentionally?] with OS 3.0? [Updated]

Jun 22, 2009 Comments by Arron

iPhone 3GS. The fastest most powerful iPhone yet. However, reports are coming in on Twitter that Apple may have pulled a slightly sly move on 3G users ..

According to user reports on Twitter, it seems that Apple may be pushing the iPhone 3GS even more than we thought. Over the weekend, O2UK reported that late Friday morning (19th) it had officially sold more iPhone 3GS units through it’s stores than last year’s iPhone 3G launch, and went on to say that by the end of business Friday, they would have expected to sell 50% more than last year.

“The iPhone 3G S has got off to an incredible start with news reaching us that by lunchtime we’d sold more iPhone 3G S handsets than we sold iPhone 3G devices on launch day last year.

Sales are still going strong and we expect to have sold 50% more iPhone 3G S handsets than last year’s launch by the close of business today. Footfall to our shops this morning was 10 times higher than an average day and our online site saw a 150% increase in traffic.”

- Source

The reason for this sudden boost in sales may now have come to light. According to a report on Twitter by @CreativeApps (and others), it seems after installing the release version of iPhone OS 3.0 (released to the public on Wed 17th June) onto an iPhone 3G which previously had the developer GM seed of iPhone OS 3.0 installed, the user noticed the phone became even more sluggish than when it first had the developer preview seed installed.

“Hmm.. do I reallllyyyy need #iPhone 3G S? I have a feeling that after installing 3.0 over 3.0 GM , 3G is slower.. coincidence #Apple?”

- Source

“Is it just my 3G S wanting brain, or is my iPhone running a tad slower with 3.0 ?”

- Source

“I really feel my iPhone 3G run slower after 3.0 installed…just make me want to get a 3GS more…”

- Source

“Is it me or is the iPhone 3G noticeably slower after the 3.0 upgrade?”

- Source

This is pure speculation currently and we can’t actually confirm any of this ourselves, but if true this means Apple seem to be (intentionally or not) slowing iPhone 3G performance down. Could this be a marketing stunt to further push iPhone 3GS, or is this just a performance issue with the iPhone 3G?

Let us know what you think. Hit up the comments ..

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Arron

About the author

Hi, I'm Arron. I'm 19 and I am currently working as a freelance graphic designer and blogger. While managing RazorianFly, I currently also write for both 148Apps and AppBoy, and have been approached by many others. I've been into graphic design for just over 9 years now, and now offer iPhone and iPad Interface Design to developers professionally. I also co-founded our brilliant new shortening service, RFly.Me. I'm very much tuned into both the App Store and Apple in general. I like the design, presentation and clarity of a product. If it doesn't cut it - I'll tell you straight. I'm on Twitter, YouTube, Vimeo and Facebook!
  • Simon carter
    I am 100% certain that the 3.0+newer software updates are a lot slower on a boggo 3g to the point where I am starting to dislike my phone (I swore it was better than anything ever".") I think apple have done this intentionally to force upgrade (however as our contracts are at least 18 months (or 4 million pounds on pay and go) this is unfair) It is that slow I am using my phone less as it winds me up. Is there are way of "down dating?" back to 2.? I would rather boil my head than be apart from my iPhone but the much hyped 3.0 update was a dirty trick.
  • iTunes Gift Card
    I been hearing that after upgrading the iphone 3Gs, I've heard that few people are having problems of their phones hanging and the been experiencing slowness but some have no issues with their iphone, now i'm confused and i'm not sure if i would have to upgrade? any suggestions?
  • Starrzo
    I think downgrading is trickier than than you would imagine, although I haven't tried it myself. You'll loose the ability to copy and paste and send picture messages doing that too...best job would be to revert to 2.2 and jailbreak for the unverified apps!

    I strongly believe this theory is true...3.0 works well with the underclocked 833Mhz (to 600Mhz) CPU on the 3GS and the 256 Memory, but they knew (they obviously tested this) that the CPU and 128 Memory of the 3G would really laaaaaaag. B*****ds.
  • Condawg
    @Alex texas, You can probably downgrade by downloading the firmware (google it) and then using that firmware file to do a restore.
  • Alex texas
    I have been noticing how slow my 3g iphone is slower after the update to 3.0!! iTunes takes almost 30 seconds to open, 3g network is faster than wifi, but I'm dropping calls left and right. Can I go back to the old 2.2 version?
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