iPhone 3G - The Most Forgettable iPhone (Retrospective & Review)

The iPhone 3G came out in 2008 and was the perfect next step for Apple- but even so, there's a reason no one remembers it. How does it hold up so many years later?
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0:00 - Introduction
2:37 - Design
5:27 - Using the 3G & Camera
9:00 - Tech Specs
11:01 - Conclusion
Music:
pastebin.com/fQ0r7u0u

[@91Tech]

Today we take some time to remember the iPhone 3G- a phone that, well, exists. And I'd say there's more to it than a plastic shell and price reduction. Oh, and 3G. You should come join the Discord! Drop by, say hi, I'm around sometimes! - www.discord.io/91Tech

[@alienmario6416]

bruh

[@sorin_ea6]

The Discord is pog bro, you should join

[@Miamidadetransit9988]

Will you make a iPhone 11 Pro is dead video?

[@muneeburahmaan8804]

Please please please 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 make a video on the hp zbook 15 g1

[@xtrachewy]

zoinks

[@ChrisTechmp3]

I agree with the title, the 3g is a pretty forgettable iPhone and was completely overshadowed by the 3gs and even more by the 4. Great video so far!

[@todor2270]

But i FOUND ONE IN MY ROOM!! YEAAAA

[@marky_marc]

Ahhhh memories. This was my first iPhone back in 2008. Time sure flies!

[@megaangelic]

The bad old times. It was my first iPhone too. And what a downgrade it was from the phones I had prior to it.

[@yakko808]

@@megaangelic *throws flip phone at your face* USE THIS THEN

[@Fizzyguy201Sonicguy6]

Reminds me of high school days.

[@peter-radiantpipes2800]

My first 3GS exploded in my drawer a couple years ago. Even though just been packed away. Like full rupture exploded.

[@Borrister]

Yeah. Same with my 3G and 3GS

[@randomdude1053]

Why?

[@BaconFaceMcGee]

@@Borrister Odd.

[@Borrister]

It’s not like an actual explosion. The battery simply expanded and opened the device. Happens with old lithium ion batteries.

[@frizzvictor1535]

It's a inside job

[@AlexLapinski]

The 3G was my first iPhone. I jailbroke it on iOS 4 to enable multitasking and the wallpaper. It sort of worked, but most apps had to reload, owing to the lack of RAM. It was basically an app switcher. With all that aside, at 12 years old, this was my introduction to smartphones and as I sit here with a 12 Pro Max next to me, I often fondly think back to what once was. Great content as always, pal. Keep it coming. Merry Christmas!

[@iitzfizz]

Yeah I bought a 3G and loved it for about 6 months, then they brought out the 3GS and iOS 4 and my 3G was basically unusable because it was so slow and laggy I never got another one, I went to android and never looked back

[@Terminal_Apotos]

iPhone 3G: Daniel iPhone 3GS: The cooler Daniel

[@OwensMixedChannel]

Ayy TAK Whats up

[@MyBeautifulDarkTwistedFantasy6]

Seeing KZbin as the old TV widget makes me feel like a dinosaur

[@aidenwright6066]

yo i remecer playing minion rush on my uncles 3gs

[@91Tech]

Classic game

[@aimwell8813]

@@91Tech Minion rush is actually still available.

[@Photo0021]

@@aimwell8813 It's way worse than it used to be though.

[@8834]

VECTOR... That’s me.

[@jcdenton4902]

i remember playing it on my ipad 2nd gen

[@CrisDen]

My grandma had a 3gs and she passed away years ago. I miss her

[@newyork6480]

rest in peace

[@joseph.reyesfromnewjoke2354]

Rip my grandma died too :( months ago

[@abhayparasharr5359]

I'm sad now 😭 RIP

[@z2finity]

RIP

[@xers8719]

rest in peace

[@vzebib]

I used the 3g when I was 10 years old my dad upgraded to the 4 and he gave me it and I still have that 3g to this day (as a music player on my dock)

[@hypejukeit]

The spider crawling at the 6:16 mark lol also my first iPhone was the 3GS and I loved that phone :)

[@Jindalrae]

That's Peter Parker in spider-man homecoming

[@1Adrix1]

This was my very first Iphone, I got it in 2009 or 2010, I think. At that time I was under the impression that a phone can't possibly get any smoother or any more advanced or even have a better camera. It was absolutely perfect back then. Perspective is a funny thing, even more so when you're a kid.

[@CupoNoodlez]

Facts!!!!! At that time... there was no better than this! This is all we knew.

[@nateo200]

Isn't technology wild? I remember being obsessed with the iPhone 3G and 3GS and then I got the iPhone 4 and it blew that away! The iPhone 6 was the last phone until my iPhone 13 and now my iPhone 14 Pro Max that I got excited for. The flat edges coming back with the 12 is probably a big reason nostalgia

[@butterboiii9810]

Actually just bought a 3G to add to my small apple collection I’m trying to grow. Never seen or held one in person and it’s kinda cool.

[@vhstech10]

Same Im trying to get my phone collection Cooler bc i have Lots of nokias,sonys,samsungs & 2 iphone (Iphone 5s &5c)

[@jd3076]

This phone was a game changer it revolutionized smartphone literally and technically

[@kirbyolsen5941]

no imo the game changer ones were the 2g the 5s and the X

[@jdawg9742]

@@kirbyolsen5941 the iphone 4 was the most influential

[@kirbyolsen5941]

@@jdawg9742 iPhone 6 is the most sold iPhone of all time but Imo the iPhone 5s is more memorable to me

[@LaelGames7913]

@@kirbyolsen5941 everyone except the SE (because it wasnt meant to) and the 5C (cashgrab)

[@danielfischer2300]

That was my very first smartphone, I loved it, I felt like I had money lol

[@beamerbread]

This was my first smartphone. Just used to like an iPod Touch. I remember it being really fun for the time.

[@awi6040]

you know that the video is good when you see no comments saying "first"

[@91Tech]

first! uh, I mean, thanks!

[@awi6040]

@@91Tech i just watched it and really nice work!

[@racedrivergrid01]

First

[@alexwest3245]

I still have mine, and it still works perfectly - last iphone before apple wanted you to upgrade every 2 years

[@concorde4893]

I used to own a 3Gs and even that phone was obsolete in just 2-3 years. If anything, these phones were released in a period where updating every 2 years was almost a necessity as technological advancements happened so quickly these phones were literally obsolete and too slow for many apps within 2 years. My 3 y/o iPhone X still runs fine today, same cannot be said for the 3G/3Gs 3 years down the line. :) So I’ll have to disagree with you hehe

[@amru4553]

@@concorde4893 I think the main reason is simply because they were the first iPhones so the hardware and the software were at their worst. However, iPhones used to be cheaper compared with today’s iPhones 💔😅 for $1000 it Bette last for at least 5 years

[@BrandonMooney_]

I’m just glad he finally review the iPad 3 😊 was highly requested by me. Thanks Josh!

[@Photo0021]

"Most forgettable" even over the 5c? Lol, maybe not because we all remember the 5c for disappointment.

[@91Tech]

That's the thing, this phone was just good enough to not be considered a failure like the 5C, while not being good enough to be a success like the 3GS. Lol it's the definition of forgettable in my opinion

[@kadenw968]

@@91Tech I agree, the 5c was a failure so people remember that, but the 3g was not a failure, but not a success

[@Photo0021]

@@91Tech ah yeah, I see.

[@diegovr86]

Probably because you live in a rich country. In Brazil iPhones are so damn expensive and 5c was a huge success. People still use it here.

[@Photo0021]

@@diegovr86 Oh that's interesting.

[@Garrettdx1988]

My roommate at the time used an Otterbox on his 3GS. I didn’t get it.

[@br5632]

I know so many people who smashed theirs! And used tape to make sure they didn't cut themselves. But tbh I was in highschool.

[@intel_celeron_d_326]

iPhone 3GS evolved into iPhone 3GS (Product Tank)

[@MincraftgimerFilms]

I’m subbing this dude is awesome keep it up man

[@carlospcpro]

Last week i ordered a white 3G iPhone, today arrived and now this video. Its great to remmember those "good old days". Thanks for sharing, its been a great throw back weekend.

[@slipknotmfkrlocust8843]

I still have one and it works, brings me nostalgia because it was my dads and I remember using it as a kid.

[@Simos805]

I actually remember friends talked about it back then. I was 10 years old. My first experience with an iPhone in person was with the iPhone 3GS at a local store back then, though. Although I had the iPod Touch 2g back then, I instantly fell in love with the iPhone. I remember me getting blown away by the cameras, the fact that it had microphone (so I could imagine the things I could do with it) and the compass and GPS! I was visiting the store regularly to play with the iPhone! I remember them having it in a special spot, separate from the other smartphones!

[@CatSu_OSM]

I got an iPhone 3g at a goodwill for $5, and I use it as an iPod. The maps app still works, and using it with a Wi-Fi hotspot is fun. The mail app also works well.

[@Karinkishi]

I went from the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra to the iPhone 3gs😁 Big upgrade🤘🏾

[@EliseSickler]

I remember having one of these in middle school, it was my dad's old phone and it was about 4 or 5 years old by that point but I loved it, it was the first smartphone I ever owned :)

[@commonfirealarmsystems1193]

Your channel is amazing, your reviews are very informative and I love watching and learning about iPhones! Currently watching from my 12 pro max!! Keep up the great work 91 tech!! You, simple alpaca, unbox therapy, jerryrigeverything, everything Apple pro and MKBHD are my favorite tech reviewers!!

[@idmmxx1871]

Great for uploading this video!

[@ossumopossum]

2:54 I love the e-waste apocalypse shots. They make me gasp in horror and feel a surge of nostalgia even if I didn't own a specific device

[@Tfrancisss]

Thanks for another great and informative video!

[@bigfootinv903]

My first iPhone. Just looking at it again gives me nostalgia

[@jordanenthusiast5779]

This was my very first iPhone back in 2010, so therefore i could never forget about it.

[@sudharadhananjayaabethunga8295]

Great video. Thanks bro

[@GamerChap1234Emo]

I had a iPhone 3G and I remember how I bricked it by accident due to a faulty install of bootlace which was android for iPhone

[@intel_celeron_d_326]

So you can’t save it, was it a hard-brick or soft-brick Soft-Brick: Fixable using DFU/WTF and iTunes Hard-Brick: Most likely unfixable

[@elgarsstupans7209]

I remember using iPhone 3G for like 6 months as my daily driver back in 2015. It was almost unusable back then because no apps were available. I remember that I had to jailbreak it just so I could put on some old messenger apps on it which were at least somewhat working. I loved the tinkering aspect more than the phone itself.

[@ostitter_anondo]

I'll never forget the 3g... it was my first phone, and I had it for a year... as a 3rd hand hand-me-down...

[@Saluteme10288]

Remember when they tried to pass off the recessed headphone jack as a feature.... Oh steve

[@AllonKirtchik]

Early days of #donglelife

[@bluddynosewilly]

I want headphone jack BACK

[@christiancarter7563]

I remember when my 5c gave up and all I could afford was a 3g. But I made it work. And actually kinda had fun messing around with it. Was the first phone I ever jailbroke.

[@stephenmor816]

This was my first and definitely my favorite iPhone I ever owned. I loved the design and the way it felt in hand. At the time there was literally nothing wrong with the phone and had everything (music, camera, apps). I really miss it

[@balrams.6623]

Few months back, I had this opportunity to own this device once again, but the owner tagged such an rudiculous price tag i feel bad to have let go of such a cute piece of hardware. Thanks for sharing this video. I never miss any of your uploads.

[@kirbyolsen5941]

what was he asking I’m guessing for sure below $100 because if he asked for more that’s just ridiculous and getting blocked

[@mwaangamosesmumba8908]

You’ve cured my boredom thanks 🙏

[@AstrosBashing]

Year 2100: Apple makes a hologram of Steve Jobs

[@asianflex]

hi tari i like ur show lol

[@gr0zaboiii467]

Didn't need to wait..., hologram is almost common..

[@naraydaniels7832]

300,000 dollars

[@fragment7320]

They'll have clone robots by then.

[@Kurdzo]

INTODUCING THE APPLE JOBS A NEW ASSISTANT REPLACING SIRI WITH A HOLOGRAM OF STEVE JOBS Later after keynote SORRY FOR THE HOLOGRAM GATE

[@Randomthenightguard]

Your videos will never get old no matter how many times you review the iPhone 4s and iPhone 3GS hell even the 3g

[@qubex]

This was the first iPhone that was available in Italy. I remember I had to have mine replaced (twice) because I kept getting cracks in the plastic shell on the mute switch. To be honest it was a huge upgrade over the original iPhone, with 3G networking and native support for App Store.

[@martinmonson7887]

Yeah honestly the addition of the App Store with the 3G probably makes it the most notable release of any iPhone.

[@KoopaKid660]

Its literally a plastic iPhone 2G with 3g support and iOS 4

[@carlosmiguel4756]

I had a 3GS (which has the same design and shape of the 3G). I was the most comfortable smartphone to hold in hand ever. Till today i never found a smartphone which is that comfortable to hold. The round back and perfect size and was just spot on.

[@Jacko1088]

Countless hours sunk into Angry Birds and Paper Toss on my 3G. How i miss it.

[@riyadhchowdhury8979]

OMG 😱 You Join KZbin 15 Years Ago😱

[@ThePepsicola1995]

Got the iPhone 3G in highschool, dropped it once and it immediately died. Got a free replacement tho, after that I loved using an iphone 4, used that puppy for 4 years and I still have it in a near pristine condition just to reminisce back on that highschool time.

[@Quraishy]

Old memories 😍 What were those days... It felt like we are operating a space ship 😂 regardless of how slow it feels now back in the day it felt so fast and amazing to use. Even would bring a bigger smile to face then using a 12 pro now. Was my first iPhone and since then it has been a love story.

[@dickjohnsonsixtynine]

Well, time goes on obviously, and technology is constantly improving with everything, not just phones. I bought one of these brand new as the 3g network launched and I can tell you for a fact, it was far from boring. It was revolutionary but I guess you just had to be there.

[@Atleast3characters454]

This was the first I ever used and I remember being so fascinated over its camera, web browser, and games pacifically. I used till I got a pc then I used that and now I have an iPhone 11

[@dukktekk]

this is the first smartphone i ever used i was so blown away, it was unlike anything id used or seen before

[@s.m.mediaproductions5304]

It was my first iPhone back when it came out in my early teens. Such good memories with that phone. I kind of want another now.

[@anabelleb9919]

My brother gave me his iPhone 3G that I could use as an iPod touch back in 2011 and I love that little thing so much

[@tvaccount2253]

This isn’t forgettable I still use mine to this day

[@rylanziegler]

The 3G was my first iPhone so I still remember it very well and very fondly. I absolutely loved that thing. Even after it became ungodly slow on iOS 4. I just felt like the coolest person in my high school since I had an iPhone and everyone else had Blackberry Pearls and Motorola Razrs

[@KoopaKid660]

It was also my first iPhone but i bought it in 2018 to tinker with. Now I have an entire drawer full of iOS devices.

[@IHeartMacsH8r5]

I used to own the iPhone 3G in high school and I loved it then. I really wanted the iPhone 4 when it dropped but I still had the 3G. Then I was able to slowly progress from there on to a 3GS, then a 4, then the 4S, and I kept through each cycle. Except when we got to the 8, I owned the 8 Plus and the X. Never had an 8 as a daily driver. Nor the normal sized iPhone XS or 11 Pro, or any of the SE's. Using each iPhone automatically throws me to the time I owned each one, and it's such an experience to be reminded of.

[@firebirdclipz]

I remember back in the days of when the iPhone 3G was around, these phones were very fun to play around with and use. I wanted one of these so bad in white. Very revolutionary for its time, you will soon find yourself appreciating it for not only the phone itself, but for its shape - especially the chrome bezel.

[@LOTR_BTTF]

For the lack of selfie cam; I remember there used to be third party attachments that fit the 3g/3gs that used the rear camera. I had one I got off ebay that clipped onto the top of the phone and had two small mirrors that folded out and were adjustable - turning the rear camera into a selfie camera through reflection.

[@nateo200]

Ha that's novel and strange

[@mikestagramming2989]

Was my first iphone - was so proud to have it back then

[@keatonbrownhvac30762]

The iPhone 3G was my first apple device I ever got. It was my old iPod, and my sisters old iPod. I lost it back in 2014, I found it back in 2021. I still have it till this day.

[@afraidofemos2276]

Yaya I’m early to my favorite channel!

[@RedboltTech]

All of my memories of the old iOS games are coming back to me. I've been playing a few called Kingdoms at War for 11 years. I started on the iPod Touch 2nd gen and I'm still continuing it on my iPhone 7

[@Handcuff_Collector]

I can’t wait to buy the iPhone 3GS for my birthday next month!! Big upgrade from my iPhone 3G I’m using now!

[@memeories4491]

Ummm this is 2020... unless your keeping it as an collectible

[@Handcuff_Collector]

@@memeories4491 I meant my comment as a joke lol. I have the iPhone XR since November 2018.

[@fattypros82]

My first iPhone, remember needing to change it all the time after heavy use and being angry after the 3GS was debuted a few months later. Glad the phones have incremental updates with each duration allowing longer use. Happy with my 12 mini, an iPhone 5 throwback in a way.

[@Electro_800]

I have so much memories with this phone I would never forget this phone

[@cuscusgamer6923]

I still have a 3GS (White, 32GB) in very good condition, besides the almost dead battery No scratches whatsoever, because I did use a screen protector and case since day 1. I love those videos, reminds me of the old iPhone days

[@cmac6931]

My 1st.. got it in 2009. Back when AT&T was the only mobile phone company it was available on❗️I would never forget this phone🏆📱

[@sburton015]

I do still have and iPod touch 2nd generation from around the same time in 2008 and it actually still holds a charge for over a day today. I remember originally buying it new from Walmart in early 2009. I also have the original iPod touch as well from 2007, still holds a good charge even though its even more outdated, with iOS 1.1.5.

[@antlove2k3]

I cant forget about this phone as it was my first Iphone. i loved that thing at the time until the 4 came out of course.

[@eastonreid]

I bought one earlier this year to put in my collection

[@user-ti2xi9bd4u]

This was my phone in 2010 freshman high school lol, it’s been 10 years. I missed him

[@sdbelfort]

I never forget that phone exists but I do forget WHY it existed. This video was a helpful reminder of that!

[@DaTKify]

This was my first iPhone i loved that little guy at the time it was impressive to me 💯

[@Jason-Scott]

Loved my 3GS back in the day

[@SWOhioSpeedtesting]

I got a white iPhone 3G on iOS 2 from eBay. I love how much of a simpler OS it has

[@IAmConorr]

Rememberable for me, my first iPhone when I was 15 back on 2.2.1!

[@Yeftalionheart]

In 2K quality KZbin, you can actually see Individual Pixels of the iPhone. Thats crazy showcase of technology development.

[@angelsolis4113]

The iPhone 3G was my dad’s first iPhone I remember playing Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart and other games on it, man this is so nostalgic

[@snowmonkeyambassador]

I had a Blackberry 8330 Curve in 2008- my first smartphone- and honestly hated it. Bought the iPhone 3G later that year and comparatively speaking it was a revelation. As always, it’s all about perspective

[@tomasstudnicka8227]

I Have two of them and i am so happy

[@OfficialEnzoEdoggYT]

This brings me back to 2014 when I used to main an iPhone 3G!

[@Freddie_Dunning-Kruger_Jr.]

The 3G and 3Gs body design is still my favorite, as for handleability, just found my old one last year and it just felt great to hold. Funny to see the mini 12 fail cause it's a great size if there wasn't a notch.

[@rexhorning7228]

It was my favorite size also. Now have 13 mini. Don’t want to carry a tv in my pocket

[@therealfodder]

I loved the 3G. It was my first iPhone though - coming from Windows Mobile (think it was a HTC Wizard/T-Mobile MDA Vario) it was miraculous!

[@williamjackson8782]

That was my first iPhone I got it right after launch for my 18th birthday. Back then this thing was so advanced compared to what was available at the time. Now I’m turning 30 typing this on my iPhone 12 Pro Max. What a time to be alive.

[@jamie6126]

That was my mother’s first iPhone (obviously) but we still have it in one of our cabinets in our office! We just never bothered to get rid of it lmao

[@MasterHermes]

unforgettable for me. This was my first iPhone and first Apple product.

[@kevincalzadilla5952]

I always watch this guy video like every day

[@91Tech]

[@parmitakrishna162]

Hey,bro not to lie but no one was expecting touch screens and great quality pictures back in 2008.I’m was shocked when I saw the quality of the iphone 3G at taking pics it was sooooo good dude like back in 2008 I would rate it a 100/10 well it is also giving a automatic portrait mode and also a vintage kind of view so a 10/10 if I was in 2008. Anyways it was an amazing video I could see the quality of the camera of iPhone 3G thanx. Love Pk

[@nathanaelhood7699]

I found a 3g at an estate sale for $1.50, brought it home, charged it up, and it works! Still had all of the original owner's information on it, with the last missed phone calls, iMessages, emails, etc, from 2011! I believe it was upgraded to an iPhone 3GS, as the 3g came with a 3gs box (I mistook it as a 3gs for days lol). I love it, but its slow as heck, even when jailbroken. Tip: do not enable multitasking when jailbreaking; it will absolutely melt all performance and it will make you want to throw it out of a moving car!

[@22b_gc8]

Taking a look back, mobile phones (smartphones specifically) have come a long way. I still remember these being at the peak of tech and one everyone desired to own, but now feels as old as Vacuum Tube computers.

[@sburton015]

I do still have the 2nd generation iPod touch that I remember originally buying new in early 2009. Its pretty useless for internet use, but I still have over 700 songs and some videos on it so still works as a regular iPod. 2008 was also the year when Windows Vista was the latest and greatest operating system by Microsoft and on May 6th, 2008 was when I joined Facebook for the first time and I still use that same account today.

[@Litassa]

Nice review! I was using Nokia Lumia 625 for 3 years which had plastic back also but it didn't cracked at all :D

[@NielsonLucas]

I also had the Nokia Lumia 635 from 2014-15 until I lost it in early 2016. I ended up getting an LG Android phone after that and 2 other Android phones until I switched from T-Mobile to Sprint in early 2018 when I had another LG Android phone which had issues with the mobile data connection during my summer trip to Worcester, Massachusetts. I ended up getting a replacement as a result. Then, I decided to upgrade from that LG phone to the iPhone XR in blue that I still have to this day following the launch of the phone. I also ended up switching back to T-Mobile after an 8-month stint with Sprint (which had now merged with T-Mobile).

[@jimik89]

My first smartphone back in 2008. I loved it, it was miles ahead of anything i had before. The plastic back seems strange now, but virtually all phones were plastic then. It was a great conversation starter, it was rare to have a smartphone in 2008 and people asked me about it all the time Got slow, real fast though. Think i sold it after a year

[@sup836]

That old KZbin app was so nice to use back then

[@Peter.Fields.]

That was my first iPhone ! It was great back in the day but the thing is that it gets “old” really quickly cause it was slow as you said very quickly. Opening an app was 3 seconds on regular app (messages settings ...) No multitasking .. However, the jailbreak was insane at this time

[@cabro7335]

I am a apple lover too i got 2G,3g,3gs,4,4s,5 up to X hehehe i love this channel it inspire me a lot 91tech

[@appleipodtouch2g]

Am I just old now or is the 3g one of the most memorable iphones? I remember when they announced it being like half the price and being super stoked. 3g and 3gs are legendary imo

[@apshotsnep]

No other latest iPhone can make me fill the coverflow when you flip it when listening music 😌