Apple iPhone 3GS vs Apple iPhone 4

A spec-by-spec comparison of the Apple iPhone 3GS and the Apple iPhone 4, taken from their full specification sheets. Green marks the better value in each measured row.

Apple iPhone 3GS smartphone

Apple iPhone 3GS

From $58
Full specs, price & review →
VS
Apple iPhone 4 smartphone

Apple iPhone 4

From $65
Full specs, price & review →

Head to head

Apple iPhone 3GSApple iPhone 4
Price$58$65
Our rating8/108/10
Battery1,220 mAh1,420 mAh
Storage (max)32 GB32 GB
Screen size3.5 in3.5 in
Main camera15 MP5 MP
Weight (lower is lighter)135 g137 g
ReleasedJun 2009Jun 2010
Summary: Apple iPhone 3GS is ahead on main camera, weight (lower is lighter). Apple iPhone 4 is ahead on battery.
★ Which should you buy? Apple iPhone 3GS is the stronger overall pick on the measured specs.

Researched with AI assistance by infozme.com from manufacturer and retailer sources — see how we research & rate phones.

Display

Apple iPhone 3GSApple iPhone 4
TypeTFT capacitive touchscreen, 16M colorsIPS LCD, LED-backlit, capacitive touchscreen
Size3.5 inches3.5 inches
Resolution320 x 480 pixels640 x 960 pixels
ProtectionFingerprint-resistant oleophobic coatingScratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating
Pixel Density163 ppi~326 ppi (Retina display)

Platform

Apple iPhone 3GSApple iPhone 4
OSiPhone OS 3, upgradable to iOS 6.1.6iOS 4, upgradable to iOS 7.1.2
ChipsetSamsung APL0298C05 (S5L8920)Apple A4
CPU600 MHz ARM Cortex-A81.0 GHz Cortex-A8 (800 MHz underclocked)
GPUPowerVR SGX535PowerVR SGX535

Memory

Apple iPhone 3GSApple iPhone 4
Card slotNo—
Internal8GB, 16GB, 32GB storage, 256MB RAM—
RAM—512MB
Internal Storage—8GB, 16GB, 32GB
Card Slot—No

Main Camera

Apple iPhone 3GSApple iPhone 4
Single3.15 MP, autofocus5 MP, f/2.8, autofocus
FeaturesTap to focus, geotaggingLED flash, geo-tagging, touch focus, HDR
Video480p@30fps720p@30fps

Selfie Camera

Apple iPhone 3GSApple iPhone 4
SingleNo0.3 MP (VGA)
Features—FaceTime over Wi-Fi
Video—480p@30fps

Battery

Apple iPhone 3GSApple iPhone 4
TypeBuilt-in rechargeable lithium-ion batteryLi-Po 1420 mAh, non-removable
Capacity1220 mAh—
Talk timeUp to 12 h (2G) / Up to 5 h (3G)Up to 14 h (2G) / Up to 7 h (3G)
Stand-byUp to 300 hUp to 300 h (2G) / Up to 300 h (3G)
Internet useUp to 9 h (Wi-Fi) / Up to 5 h (3G)—
Video playbackUp to 10 h—
Audio playbackUp to 30 h—
Music play—Up to 40 h

Body

Apple iPhone 3GSApple iPhone 4
Dimensions115.5 x 62.1 x 12.3 mm (4.55 x 2.44 x 0.48 in)115.2 x 58.6 x 9.3 mm (4.5 x 2.31 x 0.37 in)
Weight135 g (4.76 oz)137 g (4.8 oz)
SIMMini-SIMMicro-SIM
Build—Glass front (Corning Gorilla Glass), glass back, stainless steel frame

Comms

Apple iPhone 3GSApple iPhone 4
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/gWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n (2.4GHz only)
Bluetooth2.1, A2DP2.1 + EDR
GPSYes, with A-GPSA-GPS
RadioNoNo
USB2.0 (proprietary 30-pin connector)30-pin dock connector

Launch

Apple iPhone 3GSApple iPhone 4
AnnouncedJune 8, 2009June 7, 2010
StatusDiscontinued (8GB model discontinued September 12, 2012)—
ReleasedJune 19, 2009June 24, 2010 (GSM model); February 2011 (CDMA model)
OS at Launch—iOS 4

Frequently asked questions

Which has the better battery, Apple iPhone 3GS or Apple iPhone 4?

Apple iPhone 4 — 1,220 mAh for the Apple iPhone 3GS versus 1,420 mAh for the Apple iPhone 4.

Which is lighter, Apple iPhone 3GS or Apple iPhone 4?

Apple iPhone 3GS — 135 g for the Apple iPhone 3GS versus 137 g for the Apple iPhone 4.

Which is newer, Apple iPhone 3GS or Apple iPhone 4?

Apple iPhone 4 — Jun 2009 for the Apple iPhone 3GS versus Jun 2010 for the Apple iPhone 4.

Is the Apple iPhone 3GS or the Apple iPhone 4 rated higher?

We rate the Apple iPhone 3GS 8/10 and the Apple iPhone 4 8/10.

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