iPhone · The Aluminum Age · 2008
iPhone 3G
The model that turned the iPhone into a platform: the App Store opened the same week, 3G made the mobile web usable, and GPS put maps in your pocket.
iPhone 3G: key facts
When was the iPhone 3G released?
The iPhone 3G was released in July 11, 2008. Apple discontinued it in June 2010.
How much did the iPhone 3G cost?
The iPhone 3G launched at $599 in 2008 — about $893 in today’s money (approximate, US CPI).
What are the iPhone 3G’s specs?
The iPhone 3G used a Samsung ARM 11 running at 412 MHz, with 128 MB of memory and 8 GB of storage. It ran iPhone OS 2.0.
Why does the iPhone 3G matter?
Launched alongside the App Store, plus 3G data and GPS.
Full specifications
| CPU | Samsung ARM 11 · 412 MHz |
|---|---|
| Cores | 1 |
| Memory (RAM) | 128 MB |
| Storage | 8 GB |
| Display | 3.5" LCD, 320×480 multitouch |
| GPU | PowerVR MBX Lite |
| Ports | 30-pin dock, 3.5 mm |
| Weight | 133 g |
| Dimensions | 115.5×62.1×12.3 mm |
| Operating system | iPhone OS 2.0 |
| Released | July 11, 2008 |
| Discontinued | June 2010 |
| Launch price | $599 |
How the iPhone 3G compares to today
A 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro has about 128× more memory than this device shipped with.
At 412 MHz, the clock is roughly 7.8× slower than a single performance core of a 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro — and that is before counting cores, width and IPC.
This held about 2,050 modern phone photos — a respectable library even today.
Launched at $599 in 2008 — about $893 in today’s money (approx., US CPI).
Cross-architecture speed figures are clock-only and approximate; inflation figures use US CPI.
Did you know?
Its glossy plastic back came in black and (8 GB later, 16 GB) white.
Related iPhone models
Open the iPhone 3G in the interactive archive →
Last updated: 2026-06-25