What are the main differences between each iPhone -- the iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G and the original iPhone? How can each be identified quickly?

When the original iPhone was introduced, EveryiPhone.com provided an in-depth evaluation of the device and likewise compared the subsequently introduced iPhone 3G to the original, the iPhone 3GS to the iPhone 3G, the iPhone 4 to the iPhone 3GS, and the iPhone 4S to the iPhone 4. For those interested in complete details comparing each iPhone to the model it replaced, those Q&As remain the the best option.

However, for those only interested in a quick summary of the main differences of each iPhone and how to quickly differentiate them from one another, this Q&A can help. Each iPhone is differentiated primarily by design, features, performance, and operating system support and is identified most easily by model number.

Design & Model Number Differences

Visual differentiation works well for the original iPhone (sometimes called the "2G" in reference to its networking capabilities), as it has a rounded silver-colored metal back with a plastic portion at the bottom.

However, other iPhone models, like the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS -- which share plastic black or white cases with a rounded and tapered design -- and the iPhone 4 (GSM) and iPhone 4S -- which share a similar flat glass back and a metal band that wraps around the sides of the phone -- are difficult, if not impossible, to differentiate visually if they are not next to one another.

Add in the originally China-only iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS models -- which lack Wi-Fi support and turn up on the used market worldwide -- and this becomes even more of a challenge.

Consequently, one simple way to identify and differentiate all iPhone models is by model number, which is listed in small text on the back of each device.

Everyi.com provides a full list of Model Numbers for all iPod, iPhone and iPad devices, but the iPhone model numbers also are provided below for your convenience:

iPhone	Model Number
iPhone (Original/EDGE)	A1203
iPhone 3G	A1241
iPhone 3GS	A1303
iPhone 3G (China/No Wi-Fi)	A1324
iPhone 3GS (China/No Wi-Fi)	A1325
iPhone 4 (GSM)	A1332
iPhone 4 (CDMA)	A1349
iPhone 4S	A1387

Another convenient way to identify each model in software is by using the order number, which is referenced confusingly as "model" in software. This can be accessed by selecting Settings > General > About within the device itself.

In addition to model number and order number, Everyi.com's Ultimate iLookup feature also can identify each iPhone model by EMC number, and the last three or four characters of its serial number as well (the last three characters if it has an eleven character serial number and the last four characters if it has a twelve character serial number).

Feature Differences

Other than the external housing, the first noticeable difference between all iPhone models is the display -- the original iPhone, iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS models all have a 3.5" display with 320x480 resolution at 163 ppi whereas the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S models have a 3.5" display with 960x640 resolution at 326 ppi, IPS technology for improved viewable angle, and LED-backlighting. Apple refers to the display in the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S as a "retina display."

The original iPhone supports the EDGE "2G" mobile wireless standard and the iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 (GSM) -- support EDGE and faster 3G networking (with the iPhone 3GS adding faster 7.2 Mbps HSDPA support and the GSM-equipped iPhone 4 also supporting HSUPA networks for compatibility with more cellular carriers worldwide). The iPhone 4 (CDMA) model, on the other hand, instead supports CDMA (EV-DO, Rev. A, 800 MHz, 1900 MHz).

The iPhone 4S is a dual-antenna equipped "world phone" that supports both GSM and CDMA networks -- UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz), and CDMA EV-DO Rev. A (800, 1900 MHz) -- and the "antenna automatically switches between send and receive." HSDPA is faster than the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 up to a theoretical maximum of 14.4 Mbps.

The iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, and iPhone 4S all have GPS support, whereas the original iPhone does not. The iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S have a digital compass and earlier models do not. The iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S models have a three-axis gyroscope for more 3D gaming options, and earlier models do not. The iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 both have VoiceOver for accessibility, voice control functionality as well as integrated Nike + iPod support, and earlier models do not. The iPhone 4S is the only model to support "Siri," Apple's "intelligent assistant" software program.

All iPhone models have at least one camera -- the original iPhone and iPhone 3G have a 2.0 megapixel still camera, the iPhone 3GS has a 3.0 megapixel video camera with VGA video recording at 30 FPS, the iPhone 4 has dual cameras -- a 5 megapixel HD video/still camera (720p at 30 FPS) and a VGA quality video/still camera -- and the iPhone 4S also has dual cameras -- a rear camera capable of shooting 8 megapixel stills and 1080p 30 FPS video and the same VGA quality video/still camera as the iPhone 4 on the front.

Battery life varies between models, too. Those interested in more details in "real world" use may also be interested in a summary of battery test results for the original iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, and iPhone 4S, respectively.

Performance Differences

The performance difference between iPhone models is notable as well. Although no official processor and memory information is available, the original iPhone and iPhone 3G both are believed to be powered by a 412 MHz Samsung ARM 11 processor and have 128 MB of RAM. As a result, these models provide similar performance.

The iPhone 3GS, on the other hand, has a significantly faster processor (600 MHz up from 412 MHz, with a dramatically improved graphics processor as well) and twice the RAM (256 MB up from 128 MB). The iPhone 4 has an "Apple A4" processor with a maximum clockspeed of 1 GHz that is believed to commonly run around 800 MHz. The iPhone 4 models both have 512 MB of RAM as well. As a result, the iPhone 3GS is faster than previous models and the iPhone 4 is faster still.

The iPhone 4S is even faster than the iPhone 4 models, with a dual core "Apple A5" processor and much faster graphics although it still has the same 512 MB of RAM.

iOS Support Differences

The original iPhone does not support versions of the iOS (then called the iPhone OS), beyond 3.1.3. The iPhone 3G officially is able to run versions of iOS 4 up to 4.2, but not all features are supported (perhaps most notably, multitasking is not supported), and numerous users have complained about performance going as far as suing Apple over the issue.

The iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S models all fully support the latest version of iOS 5. Essentially, if running iOS 5 is important, one should purchase an iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, or iPhone 4S.

Comparison Chart

The differences enumerated above, as well as other more minor differences, are summarized in the below chart:

	iPhone 2G	iPhone 3G	iPhone 3GS	iPhone 4	iPhone 4S
Speed:	412 MHz	412 MHz	600 MHz	1 GHz	1 GHz
Processor:	ARM 11	ARM 11	ARM A8	Apple A4	Apple A5
Cores:	1	1	1	1	2
RAM:	128 MB	128 MB	256 MB	512 MB	512 MB
Storage:	4, 8, 16 GB	8, 16 GB	8, 16, 32 GB	8, 16, 32 GB	16, 32, 64 GB
Resolution:	480x320	480x320	480x320	960x640	960x640
PPI:	163 ppi	163 ppi	163 ppi	326 ppi	326 ppi
Contrast:	200:1	200:1	200:1	800:1	800:1
Oleophobic:	None	None	Front	Front/Back	Front/Back
Display:	Glass	Glass	Glass	Glass	Glass
Rear:	Metal	Plastic	Plastic	Glass	Glass
Front Color:	Black	Black or White	Black or White	Black or White	Black or White
Back Color:	Silver	Black or White	Black or White	Black or White	Black or White
Camera:	2.0 MP	2.0 MP	3.0 MP	5.0 MP	8.0 MP
Video Cam:	None	None	VGA	VGA/720p	VGA/1080p
LED Flash:	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
2 Cameras:	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
2 Mics:	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
GSM/EDGE:	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes/No	Yes
HSDPA:	No	No	Yes	Yes/No	Yes
HSUPA:	No	No	No	Yes/No	Yes
Wi-Fi:	802.11b/g	802.11b/g*	802.11b/g*	802.11b/g/n	802.11b/g/n
Bluetooth:	2.0	2.1+EDR	2.1+EDR	2.1+EDR	2.1+EDR
Compass:	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
A-GPS:	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Gyroscope:	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
VoiceOver:	No	No	Yes	Yes	Siri
Voice Cont:	No	No	Yes	Yes	Siri
Siri:	No	No	No	No	Yes
Nike:	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
3G Talk:	None	5 Hours	5 Hours	7 Hours	8 Hours
2G Talk:	8 Hours	10 Hours	12 Hours	14 Hours†	14 Hours
3G Web:	None	5 Hours	5 Hours	6 Hours	6 Hours
Wi-Fi Web:	6 Hours	6 Hours	9 Hours	10 Hours	9 Hours
Music:	24 Hours	24 Hours	30 Hours	40 Hours	40 Hours
Video:	7 Hours	7 Hours	10 Hours	10 Hours	10 Hours
Standby:	250 Hours	300 Hours	300 Hours	300 Hours	200 Hours
SIM Card:	Mini	Mini	Mini	Micro	Micro
Max iOS:	3.1.3	4 (Partial)	5	5	5
Model No:	A1203	A1241/A1324	A1303/A1325	A1332/A1349	A1387
Orig. Price:	US$499, US$599	US$199, US$299	US$199, US$299	US$199, US$299	US$199, US$299, US$399

* The China-only models (A1324 and A1325) do not have Wi-Fi.

† The iPhone 4 (CDMA) does not support a 2G/EDGE network.

It is hoped that this basic overview of the differences between all iPhone models is helpful for you decide which is best for your needs whether you are buying a new one, buying a used one, or trying to decide whether or not to upgrade from your existing iPhone to a new or newer model.

Also see:

• What are all the differences between the iPhone 4S and the iPhone 4? Which one is best for my needs?
• What are all the differences between the iPhone 4 (AT&T/GSM) and the iPhone 4 (Verizon/CDMA)?
• What are all the differences between the iPhone 4 and the iPhone 3GS?
• What are all the differences between the iPhone 3GS and the iPhone 3G?
• What are all the differences between the original iPhone and the iPhone 3G?
• What exactly is the original iPhone?