I believe the iPhone 3GS was released in 2009 by Apple. The iPhone 3GS is a touch screen mobile phone which lets you do a lot more than just make phone calls!

It's available in black or white although the 8GB version is only available in black. It's provided with a whole host of features including a camera, compass, calculator, games and much more. This review will give you an indication into some of what I believe to be the important factors to consider before purchasing the iPhone.

::: Battery :::
I'm not overly impressed with the battery life and I have to without fail charge my phone at least once every day sometimes twice and if you bear in mind I work fulltime so only use my phone occasionally by the time it's evening my battery indicator (which shows a percentage) is showing 20% and in red meaning I need to charge my phone. According to Apple I should be able to watch ten hours of video and listen to this '300 hours on standby' which in my opinion is ridiculous when I only send a few text messages and maybe check email once and my battery drains. I know I am not alone as many other people have complained of similar issues.
Charging the phone is very straight forward you can either charge using a mains socket or usb via your pc or wii device. I charge my phone for approximately two hours!

::: Memory :::
I have 16GB of Memory but I believe an 8GB and 32GB are available on the 3GS. All data is stored on flash memory not on the sim card itself, apparently! (I'm not very technical). Like most things the price will depend on the factors such as how much memory you have so for example a 32GB version would cost slightly more than the 16GB.

::: Camera :::
The iPhone's camera is manufactured by OmmiVison and is only 3 megapixel. I find this rather disappointing considering the Nokia (N95) I used previously had a 5 megapixel camera which may not sound that much better but I certainly can tell the difference.
However on the bright side I can take photographs on the iPhone and upload them or email them instantly to whomever, whenever I like (internet connection permitting!).

You can also record videos by sliding a small switch on the display - I personally do not like this feature and wish the video recorder was a separate app from the camera as sometimes I think I'm taking a picture and I've just recorded a whole unnecessary conversation!

::: What I love about the iPhone 3GS :::
Up until now I've probably come across quite negative bu t there are many factors that override the bad things...

Unlike mobile phones from 10/15 years ago the iPhone is much more than just a phone. You don't just make phone calls on them these days in fact I very rarely make phone calls. Instead I send text messages or instant message using the Facebook application or Skype.
The iPhone is intuitive and so it doesn't take much to learn how to use it. You simply press the icon you want to access and it brings up the necessary. Most applications will have instructions so if you are unsure you can use that. I love the fact that's so dam useful; if I want train times or sports scores I can access the web easyily or once again use an app.

I can setup as many email accounts as I need via the 'mail and contacts tab' in the general settings area of the iPhone. If you have a Microsoft Exchange, Gmail, yahoo, AOL or Hotmail account it's very easy to have your account setup on the iPhone for instant access. I'm not sure how many accounts you can have but I currently have seven!

Shopping on the iPhone is also very easy to do especially if the retailer has their own Apps such as; Argos and Amazon who have both created very user friendly, simple to navigate applications.

::: Applications :::
Some applications come free on the phone such as the calculator and compass. Others are easily reachable by having an iTunes account which you should be asked to sign up for when you initially plug your iPhone into your computer. When you access the iTunes store you'll see the hundreds of choices you have in a number of genres. Some of the applications are free and others cost a small fortune. I always feel slightly strange about paying for virtual things - not sure why!

::: Music and Podcasts :::
I transfer cds via the itunes software I very rarely buy music through the store but I do download podcasts. Podcasts are like micro versions of radio shows. For example we download the Chris Moyles podcast every Friday as we are not able to listen throughout the week we can listen to the best bits in an hour's show compiled by the BBC. Because we do this every week the phone remembers and has a link saying 'download more episodes' so each week that's all we have to tap.

::: Accessibility :::
The iPhone has the facility to Zoom Text or Voice Over. So for someone with a visual impairment you have the choice whether to have magnified text or a voice reading out everything on the screen to you (you cannot have both on at the same time). This is not an application but comes freely available on the iPhone just like most versions of Microsoft Windows now have Accessibility options.
It works in such a way that you press the icon once and it will read it to you and you press it again to confirm that is the option you'd like.

You can also download an application called Dragon Dictate so if you're dyslexic or have difficulty operating the screen with your fingers then this application may help you... I can not give you to much information on this until I have fully investigated it.

::: Conclusion :::
I've had my iPhone for approximately two years which in itself is quite a novelty. I'm usually criticised for wanting the latest bit of technology however in this case my iPhone 3GS is in fact the predecessor to the iPhone 4 and the iPhone 4GS. This alone tells me that I'm quite content with the phone I have although my partner is not and constantly nags me to upgrade so that he can my phone! How selfless...
The iPhone is everything I want from a phone and more. In the beginning I was a little concerned how I'd cope with a touch screen phone when I'd been so use to pressing buttons. I hated the thought that I'd have to look at the screen to type text messages when in fact I soon got use to it and am now less likely to send silly spelling mistakes and to the wrong people!
The only down points I'd say is the initial cost, battery life and the camera. However I am led to believe the newer models have made improvements to the latter two points. I'm not sure if the price will ever improve to be honest.

If you like me want an easy to use Mobile Phone with all the mod cons then look no further than the iPhone 3GS in the long run it will save you money as I've no reason to upgrade as I'm content with what I have and hopefully you will be too!

::: Where to buy an iPhone 3GS :::
You can purchase the phone on contract from all high street Mobile Phone Shops such as T-Mobile, 02, Orange etc... the cost will depend on the contract you take out and how long for.
If you'd rather pay outright then always look on Ebay just make sure the seller has positive feedback and it is not their first item for sale!

Otherwise the cheapest place I'm aware of selling the iPhone 3GS black 8GB outright is the Apple store for £319.00 for more information visit apple.com/uk if it's a Christmas present the Apple Store offer a gift wrap facility too!