Apple launches iPhone 3G S

"Fastest, most powerful yet" model announced at WWDC

8 June 2009 19:55 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

As had been heavily rumoured, Apple has announced the launch of a next-gen version of the iPhone at its WWDC event - the iPhone 3G S - although Apple will still offer the iPhone 3G alongside the new model.

As with the upgrade from the iPhone to the iPhone 3G, Apple is focusing heavily on speed improvements, claiming the new hardware will be around twice as fast as the current model, as well as seeing a storage boost up to 32GB.

Announced by Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, the iPhone 3G S is basically the same phone but with a faster processor - and offers 7.2Mbps HSDPA, although it should be noted this will be where the coverage is available.

In addition, the new iPhone will offer an improved, although only slightly, 3-megapixel camera.

Calling it "the fastest, most powerful iPhone yet", as well as a boost in megapixel count, the phone's camera will offer autofocus abilities to be activated through tapping on the iPhone's screen.

In addition, video has been introduced with VGA-quality, 30fps capture, complete with audio as well as auto white balance and auto exposure functionality.

Borrowing from the iPod shuffle, the iPhone 3G S will offer voice control that will see users speak commands to the handset, such as making calls and playing iTunes tracks.

The new handset will launch in the States, as well as in the UK, on 19 June for $199 for the 16GB version and $299 for the 32GB version.

Here in the UK, official iPhone operator O2 has revealed the iPhone 3GS 16GB will cost up to £184.98 depending on which tariff you take, with the 32GB setting you back up to £274.23 - clearly a premium price tag for the new, tweaked mobile.

Both the 16GB and 32GB iPhone 3G S will also be available to O2 Pay & Go customers at £440.40 for the 16GB model and £538.30 for the iPhone 3G S 32GB.

At the same time, Apple will still sell the iPhone 3G with pricing from $99 for the 8GB version, which compares favourably with its previous price tag of $199.

Apple said of the international roll-out of the iPhone 3G S, "over 80 countries will have it by August". We will keep you posted.