How to tell the difference between 3G and 3GS?

Hi guys,

This is my first post and hoping to join the Iphone community soon!

I've come across a guy who has an Iphone 16GB 3GS for sale at quite a good price. Phone is apparently new with plastics, boxed with accessories and jailbroken with software 3.0.

I'm completely new to Iphone so my questions are:

1) How do I know if it's actually a 3GS and not a 3G in a 3GS case?

2) And how will I know if it's genuine?

3) Is there any way to check if it is actually jailbroken?

4) Is there any advice any one can give me about buying this in general???

Thanks guys

1. There is no way to tell the diffrence by just looking at it. If you actually go to meet the person for the phone open the camera app and check that the slider is there to allow you to switch to video mode. Also check that there is a compass application on the phone and also hold the home button down to check if voice control comes up.

2. I would tell the guy to give you the serial number of the iPhone so you can check it out then once you get this go to https://selfsolve.apple.com/GetWarranty.do and type the serial number in and this will tell you what type of iPhone it is and also how much warranty is left on the device.

3. There is no way to really check unless you see the phone itself if you do look for a application called cydia installed on the phone that will tell you that it is jailbroken. Even if it is and you don't want it to be its just as simple as doing a restore in iTunes which will remove the jailbreak.

Thank you for your detailed reply. I do plan to go see the phone in person so I can check all the things you've mentioned.

Is it possible to upgrade the software/flash the phone (???) to make it appear to have the functions you metioned above and therefore "trick" the person into thinking it's a 3GS instead of a 3G?

Let's just say I'm getting the 3GS for around 3G money so I'm a bit apprehensive about it being the real thing :dft012:wink

Nope it is not possible to put 3GS firmware on a 3G

Good stuff. Will keep you guys posted. Cheers

In that case I won't be able to check if it's jailbroken on the spot?

I think my best bet is looking for those little apps mentioned by RossMc and checking the serial number.

He's selling for £400 negotiable.

You might aswell buy it straight from Apple or O2 new for £40 extra if you are going to pay £400 for it.

You don't need to check if its jailbroken really as if its not you can easily jailbreak it if you want to and if it is you can easily get rid of it with a restore.

Also a good point. But then it's the hassle of getting it unlocked, jailbroken etc. Plus I'm saving myself a few quid. It'll probably go for around £380.

When you put it like that it does make sense to buy it new

The letters on the back of the 3GS are chrome like the side, and on the 3g they are not..

But I wouldnt just rely on that, make sure the other things such as compass listed above are there. But I am sure that the chrome letters vs matt black/white will help you distinguish.

:dft002:amazed I have had the 3GS for a month now and honestly never noticed that little change kk

Does it say will you please just give me MMS ?

Yes , however i noticed t they day i got it, while i was doing a examination of the phone hahaha. Thats one of the ways to see the difference.

Suprised its not saying "Stop using hacked methods to get MMS your killing me here :dft006:unhappy" haha :dft003:coolkid

I love the search function.... found this thread so that I could tell the difference between 3G and 3GS