Apple · iPhone 3GS
iPhone 3GS specifications
iPhone 3GS was introduced by Apple in 2009. This page includes every specification group published on Apple's official technical specifications page, plus model numbers, capacities, colors and current OS compatibility.
Software support: Not listed for iOS 26|Last reviewed: 2026-07-29
Browse listings for iPhone 3GS No final software-support end date has been announced.
Specifications
Design and colors
- Size and weight
- Height: 4.5 inches (115.5 mm) • Width: 2.4 inches (62.1 mm) • Depth: 0.48 inch (12.3 mm) • Weight: 4.8 ounces (135 grams)
- Color
- Black
Display
- Display
- 3.5-inch (diagonal) widescreen Multi-Touch display • 480-by-320-pixel resolution at 163 ppi • Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating • Support for display of multiple languages and characters simultaneously
Performance and storage
- Capacity
- 8GB flash drive
Cameras and video
- Camera, photos, and video
- Video recording, VGA up to 30 frames per second with audio • 3-megapixel still camera • Tap to focus • Photo and video geotagging
Battery and charging
- Power and battery
- Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery • Charging via USB to computer system or power adapter • Talk time: Up to 5 hours on 3G • Up to 12 hours on 2G • Standby time: Up to 300 hours • Internet use: Up to 5 hours on 3G • Up to 9 hours on Wi-Fi • Video playback: Up to 10 hours • Audio playback: Up to 30 hours
Connectivity and ports
- Cellular and wireless
- UMTS/HSDPA (850, 1900, 2100 MHz) • GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz) • 802.11b/g Wi-Fi • Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR wireless technology
- Location
- Assisted GPS • Digital compass • Wi-Fi • Cellular
- External buttons and controls
- Sleep/wake • Ring/silent • Volume up/down • Home
- Connectors and input/output
- 30-pin dock connector • 3.5-mm stereo headphone minijack • Built-in speaker • Microphone • SIM card tray
- Sensors
- Accelerometer • Proximity sensor • Ambient light sensor
Audio and media
- Audio playback
- Frequency response: 20Hz to 20,000Hz • Audio formats supported: AAC (8 to 320 Kbps), Protected AAC (from iTunes Store), HE-AAC, MP3 (8 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, 4, Audible Enhanced Audio, AAX, and AAX+), Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAV • User-configurable maximum volume limit
- Headphones
- Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic • Volume control • Frequency response: 20Hz to 20,000Hz • Impedance: 32 ohms
In the box
- In the box
- iPhone 3GS • Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic • Dock Connector to USB Cable • USB Power Adapter • Documentation • PVC-free handset • PVC-free headphones • PVC-free USB cable • Bromine-free printed circuit boards • Mercury-free LCD display • Arsenic-free display glass • Majority of packaging made from post-consumer recycled fiberboard and biobased materials • Power adapter outperforms strictest global energy efficiency standards
Additional specifications
- TV and video
- Video formats supported: H.264 video, up to 1.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Low-Complexity version of the H.264 Baseline Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; H.264 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Baseline Profile up to Level 3.0 with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps per channel, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; MPEG-4 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats • Support for 576p and 480p with Apple Component AV Cable; 576i and 480i with Apple Composite AV Cable (cables sold separately)
- Accessories
- Apple Universal Dock • Apple Dock Connector to USB Cable • iPhone 3G Universal Dock Adapter 3-Pack • iPhone TTY Adapter • Apple Component AV Cable • Apple Composite AV Cable • AirPort Extreme Base Station • Nike + iPod Sensor • World Travel Adapter Kit • Actual size and weight vary by configuration and manufacturing process. • All battery claims depend on network configuration and many other factors; actual results will vary. Rechargeable batteries have a limited number of charge cycles and may eventually need to be replaced by an Apple service provider. See www.apple.com/batteries for more information. For more details of iPhone performance tests for talk time, standby time, Internet use over 3G, Internet use over Wi-Fi, video playback, and audio playback, see www.apple.com/iphone/battery.html. • 1GB = 1 billion bytes; actual formatted capacity less. • Support • iPhone 3GS - Technical Specifications
Before buying
- Match the model number to your region and cellular networks before buying.
- Test the battery, display, cameras and biometrics, and review parts and service history on a used device.
- Verify storage capacity because iPhone does not support expandable memory cards.
Sources
- Official iPhone 3GS technical specifications — Apple Support
- Identify iPhone models and model numbers — Apple Support
- Devices compatible with iOS 26 — Apple Support