Apple confirms discontinuation of iPhone 3GS
The iPhone 3GS has officially been discontinued by Apple, the company confirmed on Thursday, and has been replaced by the iPhone 4 as its free on-contract handset.
Some industry watchers had speculated that Apple could continue to offer the iPhone 3GS in developing markets as a contract-free device. But the company confirmed to All Things D that the iPhone 3GS is officially discontinued.
Last year, with the launch of the iPhone 4S, the iPhone 3GS became Apple's first free smartphone with a new two-year service contract in major markets like the U.S. At that price, it helped Apple reach a lower end of the market that the company had previously not competed in.
But with Wednesday's unveiling of the iPhone 5, the iPhone 4S moved down to the $99 price point, and the iPhone 4, first released in 2010, became Apple's new free phone.
Rumors first cropped up last week that the iPhone 3GS, which was first released in 2009, would be discontinued by Apple with the launch of the iPhone 5.
While the iPhone 3GS has been discontinued, recent buyers won't be left behind with next week's launch of iOS 6. The new mobile software update, which will be released next Wednesday, has support for the iPhone 3GS, though not all features are available.
Some industry watchers had speculated that Apple could continue to offer the iPhone 3GS in developing markets as a contract-free device. But the company confirmed to All Things D that the iPhone 3GS is officially discontinued.
Last year, with the launch of the iPhone 4S, the iPhone 3GS became Apple's first free smartphone with a new two-year service contract in major markets like the U.S. At that price, it helped Apple reach a lower end of the market that the company had previously not competed in.
But with Wednesday's unveiling of the iPhone 5, the iPhone 4S moved down to the $99 price point, and the iPhone 4, first released in 2010, became Apple's new free phone.
Rumors first cropped up last week that the iPhone 3GS, which was first released in 2009, would be discontinued by Apple with the launch of the iPhone 5.
While the iPhone 3GS has been discontinued, recent buyers won't be left behind with next week's launch of iOS 6. The new mobile software update, which will be released next Wednesday, has support for the iPhone 3GS, though not all features are available.
Comments
P.S. I think they need full production of display panels at that particular DPI for... some other device....
Quite the shelf-life this phone had.
Quote:
Originally Posted by icoco3
I am discontinuing mine too.....
Why?
The announcement of the iPhone 5 magically makes your 3GS stop working?
Quote:
Originally Posted by OriginalMacRat
Why?
The announcement of the iPhone 5 magically makes your 3GS stop working?
It certainly makes it a POS in comparison. :-)
Quote:
Originally Posted by OriginalMacRat
Why?
The announcement of the iPhone 5 magically makes your 3GS stop working?
Reeer.
This product, however, may lose its place in history to the Nokia Windows 8 phone which may not make it out to market... and still lacks a ship date or price.
Little known factoid: To change a Windows 8 device from one orientation mode to the other, open the settings tool and change the orientation setting, close the settings tool and you're good to go.
Originally Posted by Gazoobee
It certainly makes it a POS in comparison. :-)
So did the 4 and 4S.
I still use my 3GS. Gets great reception in NYC.
My 3GS was originally on a 2 year ATT contract, but after the contract expired I got it unlocked and moved it over to T-Mobile.
Great phone. Upgraded it to iOS 5 and it still works well.
I think I still be using it 2 years from now.
Apple supported this product (and all their products) for a long time.
That has got to be the most uninformed opinion I've read in a while - why so much hate? The new Nokia phones are quite impressive and best the iPhone 5 in many respects based on specs alone.
It was just announced the older phones will get an upgrade to Windows Phone 7.8 and will not be left behind. The new phones have no release date yet, but the carriers are already prepping for release.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Macky the Macky
Little known factoid: To change a Windows 8 device from one orientation mode to the other, open the settings tool and change the orientation setting, close the settings tool and you're good to go.
That's so funny, I hope it is true.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joelh
That's so funny, I hope it is true.
It's untrue.
Originally Posted by FruityCyclops
It was just announced the older phones will get an upgrade to Windows Phone 7.8 and will not be left behind.
Which ones? And they're certainly still being left behind; they're not getting WP8.
Originally Posted by FruityCyclops
It's untrue.
Yes, it was a joke.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tallest Skil
Which ones? And they're certainly still being left behind; they're not getting WP8.
Yes, it was a joke.
All of the WP7 Lumia phones. Actually, I don't think it was a joke, but we'll let the author of the misinformation speak for him/herself.
Quote:
Originally Posted by icoco3
I am discontinuing mine too.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by OriginalMacRat
Why?
The announcement of the iPhone 5 magically makes your 3GS stop working?
What a troll response...I have had it 2 1/2 years and would like a new one. You still using the original iPhone or something? (some people actually do by the way)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gazoobee
It certainly makes it a POS in comparison. :-)
Yup, time to upgrade while I can still get a decent price for it to go toward a new one. I could understand his comment if I was retiring a 4S but a 3GS??? Why not??
Also APPLE increased the Unlocked base line Price! AI can you report this in your article at all?
iPhone 3GS - 8GB - $375
iPhone 4 - 8GB - $450
iPod Touch at $299 darn good.
Personally I am waiting for all the new products to be released:
iPad Mini (may be in colors like iPod Touch)
Retina 13" MBP
iMac
I am plan on getting one of these product, so gotta wait.
Sure on specs alone it does best the iPhone. (Not sure which ones off the top of my head). How does it compare in reality. Lets wait until it is a real shipping product and compare it. The iPhone wins on two major fronts. It has a release date and a price.
It really was bizarre. Android users regularly upgrade hardware just so they can get last years OS upgrade. Upgrading your 2.5 year old phone seems reasonable.