Yes, the iPhone 3G is On Sale

By Geoff Duncan Published July 11, 2008

Yes, the iPhone 3G is On Sale — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Just in case anyone still wasn’t aware, Apple and AT&T have opened up sales of the iPhone 3G, the latest revision of Apple’s industry-shaking mobile handset. The iPhone 3G comes with Apple’s iPhone 2.0 software pre-installed, and uses AT&Ts UMTS/HSDPA high-speed mobile network to improve the performance of mobile data services over the first version of the iPhone, which relies on AT&T’s lower-bandwidth EDGE network.

While the “3G” networking might be the primary selling point of the iPhone 3G, the device include other new features that set it apart from the previous iPhone, including an integrated GPS receiver for navigation and location-based services and improved battery life: Apple says the phone can offer up to 300 hours of standby service, five hours of 3G talk time, 6 hours of browsing, 7 hours of video playback, or 24 hours of audio playback.

Recommended Videos

And, of course, there’s the price: $199 for an 8G version, $299 for a 16GB version—basically half the price of the previous iPhone. However, AT&T’s service plans for the iPhone are more expensive than comparable plans for other phones, and over the length of a two-year contract mean many iPhone users will be paying over $2,000 for the privilege of carrying around Apple’s device until mid-2010.

Some industry watchers speculate the iPhone 3G will truly make Apple a mover and shaker in the mobile marketplace: whereas the original iPhone was available in only a handful of countries, Apple plans to roll out the iPhone 3G in more than 70 nations, using non-exclusive deals with various carriers. Broader availability—coupled with a lower price tag—may add up to mammoth sales for Apple, especially now that the iPhone 2.0 software offers vastly improved enterprise/Exchange connectivity, an App Store where users can download and buy add-on applications for the iPhone, and Apple’s MobileMe cloud-based suite of Internet services. Love’em or hate’em—or even if you’re just indifferent to ’em—there’s little doubt Apple is driving the mobile marketplace rather than following it.

Former Contributor

Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…

Phones

The best note-taking apps for iOS and Android

I tested these apps for months so your notes never have to switch homes again.

iPhone showing note-taking apps

Choosing a note-taking app is not easy. What note-taking app you choose depends on your needs, the platform you use, and of course, the cost. The process becomes even more complicated as it seems that there’s a new shiny app released every other week.

That’s why I always suggest choosing a note-taking app that has all the features you need and can last you for a long time. Also, don’t chase new apps. The real power of a note-taking app comes when all your notes live in one place, making it easy to spot connections between them.

Phones

The best phones in 2026: our 14 favorite smartphones right now

We tested phones across all price brackets so that you can make the best pick based on your needs and budget.

Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold vs Galaxy Z Fold 7 cameras

Choosing the right smartphone in 2026 is no easy task. Apple and Android manufacturers now have strong options at almost every price, while better cameras, longer battery life, improved software support, new AI features, and more refined foldable designs have made the market more competitive than ever. But picking one is not easy, especially if your budget is tight, or you are just legitimately concerned about getting the best value for your money and need a reliable daily driver for long-term usage.

We have tested and compared the leading smartphones available today, looking beyond the spec sheet to see how they actually perform in daily use. Camera quality, battery life, performance, display quality, software, design, and long-term value all play a part in our recommendations. Whether you are looking for a powerful flagship, a dependable budget phone, a compact device, or a foldable, this guide should help narrow down your choices.

Mobile

Snapchat Planets Meaning: Order, Rankings, and How Friend Solar System Works

Snapchat Planets turns your best friends list into a solar system, and yes, your orbit says a lot

Snapchat Planets being shown on the Snapchat app on iPhone.

Snapchat+ includes several exclusive features, but few have generated as much curiosity as Snapchat Planets. Part of the app's Friend Solar System, it transforms your Best Friends list into a planetary ranking, assigning each of your top eight friends a planet based on how often you interact.

From Mercury, which represents your closest friend, to Neptune, which represents your eighth closest, the system offers a quick visual snapshot of your interactions. But what do the different planets actually mean, and how does Snapchat decide who gets which one?