Skip to main content

Study shows the iPhone 3GS is the 2nd most popular phone on the market

iphone 3GS vs iPhone 4Even though Android is the most popular Smartphone platform the iPhone 4 is the best-selling phone. A recent study shows that the second best-selling phone on the market is the over two year old iPhone 3GS, which is quite a shock. This news comes out even before we can see how effective Best Buy’s one day only iPhone 3GS sale going for the low price of nothing. As amazing as it is that the iPhone 4 is still the best selling phone on the market after over a year the fact that the iPhone 3GS is outselling all the new top of the line Android phones takes the cake.

The iPhone 3GS has been the cheaper more accessible older sibling to the iPhone 4, which is why it continues to sell so well. The normal, on contract, price of a 3GS is $49 for the base model, and a refurbished model can be had for $9 which is a steal. The cheapest iPhone 4 on both AT&T and Verizon goes for $200.

The iPhone 4 made several improvements from the 3GS model. Most notably would have to be the exterior styling, the 3GS looks identical to the iPhone 3G which is now over three years old. Besides physical appearance there is a large boost in performance as well as the inclusion of apple’s retina display. Even with these changes the iPhone 3GS is not missing too much, and is still a great phone. Most importantly the vast majority of the available apps still run on the iPhone 3GS even if they might take a little longer to loud.

The timing of today’s Best Buy sale might be too little too late. With all rumors pointing to an October launch of the next-generation iPhone this might be the iPhone 3GS’ swan song.

Mike Dunn
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Mike graduated from University of Arizona with a degree in poetry, and made his big break by writing love sonnets to the…
iOS 18 makes an 11-year-old iPhone feature exciting again
Someone holding an iPhone 14, showing the Lock Screen.

Following the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC 2024) keynote, developers are starting to dig into the first iOS 18 developer beta. Though this beta lacks Apple Intelligence and many of the other features demoed on Monday, it offers a surprising new take on an old iOS feature: the flashlight.

The built-in flashlight feature has been available on the iPhone since iOS 7, which was released in 2013. It hasn't changed much at all since then, which makes sense, given its basic function. Interestingly, it has received a significant update in iOS 18.

Read more
iOS 18 is official. Here’s how it’s going to change your iPhone forever
Screenshots of new features in iOS 18.

It’s been a long time coming, but it’s finally here: iOS 18 has just been announced at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2024 keynote. And, like the rumors have been saying, this is a very big, juicy update for your iPhone.

There's been a lot of anticipation for iOS 18. Rumors and leaks for the new update have been particularly intense this year, more so than iOS 17 rumors last year. So, was the hype worth it? Here's what's coming to your iPhone with iOS 18.
Home screen changes

Read more
iOS 18 may have a fun surprise for longtime iPhone fans
Apple iPhone 6S

If you’ve been a longtime iPhone user, you’ve probably seen every default wallpaper iOS has to offer — and you’ve likely had a few favorites that you miss. The good news is that, according to the latest news about Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2024, Apple is set to bring back many old-school wallpapers dating back to the early days of the Mac and iPhone.

“Apple’s devices are getting new wallpaper packs, including Mac versions that reference old-school icons and slogans,” said Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman in a report. “The iPhone wallpapers will have options that look similar to early ones on the phone.”

Read more