iphone 3GS - Beware of updating software

[Reebs]

I've had an iphone 3GS 32 GB for over 2 years and it has served me very well, especially for accessing the forum on the go.

Well on Wednesday I decided to do a very over due itunes sync on the laptop, and up popped a message saying there was a newer version of software for the phone (version 5.0.1), bonus, I thought, lets see what goodies they have added to the functionality, so I updated the phone.

Well I have to say, that for me anyway, it knobbled it. Whenever I tried to swipe or scroll through my pictures, or email messages, or surf the web, the phone would just stick temporarily then continue, and when trying to type replies to posts, it would only display the first 2 letters of a word before freezing for a second then quickly revealing them on catch up. This makes it very difficult to type a reply on the forums.

Not happy, I went along to my local carphone warehouse (other leading companies are also available ) to ask them about it. They said that the latest version of software although backwardly compatible with the older 3GS phones, was ideally intended for the iphone 4S dual core A5 chip, and so the older non dual core processor would now struggle to perform as well as it used to.

They also said that there was no way of reverting back to a previous level of firmware, so I had to accept it.

Luckily for me, I was due and upgrade and so plumped for the new 4S model and also got £98.00 trade in for my old handset, but really Apple should make it clear to owners of older equipment, that the later releases of firmware can actually have a detrimental effect on the phone's performance.

I post this simply as a warning to anyone considering doing the firmware update to version 5.0.1 on an earlier 3GS handset. I should have stuck to the old maxim 'If it aint broke, don't fix it'

[Departed 32016]

you can downgrade the software not "officially" but you will love the 4s.

[guru]

I would just say beware of iPhone's full stop!

One thing I like about Android is newer versions seem to be getting faster and more efficient. My first Android was an HTC Hero which shipped with 1.5 and was quite sluggish, by the time I upgraded it was running 2.1 (and then 2.3 via Cyanogenmod) and it was very fast. My current phone is a Galaxy S which started out on 2.1 and was quick but tended to freeze a lot, 2.2 was then better and 2.3 was like **** off a shovel. It's now running 4.0 which is very quick.

[MrBitsy]

Originally Posted by guru

I would just say beware of iPhone's full stop!

Oh blimey, why?

Android and iPhone both have their good and bad points, depending on your point of view. For those who don't own an Android based phone or iPhone, you won't go far wrong with either.

Personally, I prefer iPhone because of the seamless way everything works together - phone, iTunes, Mac/PC, iPad, iCloud etc. I have owned iPhones since 2008 and have never had a problem with the software or Hardware. One could hardly describe your Android experience as perfect, as it took three versions to run quick - 'My current phone is a Galaxy S which started out on 2.1 and was quick but tended to freeze a lot, 2.2 was then better and 2.3 was like **** off a shovel' :-)

[psicobra]

Originally Posted by MrBitsy

Oh blimey, why?

Android and iPhone both have their good and bad points, depending on your point of view. For those who don't own an Android based phone or iPhone, you won't go far wrong with either.

Personally, I prefer iPhone because of the seamless way everything works together - phone, iTunes, Mac/PC, iPad, iCloud etc. I have owned iPhones since 2008 and have never had a problem with the software or Hardware. One could hardly describe your Android experience as perfect, as it took three versions to run quick - 'My current phone is a Galaxy S which started out on 2.1 and was quick but tended to freeze a lot, 2.2 was then better and 2.3 was like **** off a shovel' :-)

I have to agree i am an android fan boy but the iphone does work very well it is well designed and it just works the only reason i use android is because i like to use my phone the way i want to use it not the way apple think i should.

[Gate Keeper]

Thanks Paul for the alert. I have a 3GS and will watch my step with itunes. I see that the iPhone 5 is due to be launched in March and given your experience I wonder how people like myself will cope with the updates for the 3GS. Here in SA people are still waiting for the 4S. I am only able to access the internet with the 3GS or with a dongle. Thanks for the tips.

[greendriver]

I really like the galaxy S apart from the pathetic battery life. Anyone know if the battery in the S2 is any better?

[minty2]

Just Jailbreak the phone. It's easy and safe and lets you restore to older firmware. Once done, restore from the last backup you did before updating to iOS 5.

Originally Posted by Reebs

I've had an iphone 3GS 32 GB for over 2 years and it has served me very well, especially for accessing the forum on the go.

Well on Wednesday I decided to do a very over due itunes sync on the laptop, and up popped a message saying there was a newer version of software for the phone (version 5.0.1), bonus, I thought, lets see what goodies they have added to the functionality, so I updated the phone.

Well I have to say, that for me anyway, it knobbled it. Whenever I tried to swipe or scroll through my pictures, or email messages, or surf the web, the phone would just stick temporarily then continue, and when trying to type replies to posts, it would only display the first 2 letters of a word before freezing for a second then quickly revealing them on catch up. This makes it very difficult to type a reply on the forums.

Not happy, I went along to my local carphone warehouse (other leading companies are also available ) to ask them about it. They said that the latest version of software although backwardly compatible with the older 3GS phones, was ideally intended for the iphone 4S dual core A5 chip, and so the older non dual core processor would now struggle to perform as well as it used to.

They also said that there was no way of reverting back to a previous level of firmware, so I had to accept it.

Luckily for me, I was due and upgrade and so plumped for the new 4S model and also got £98.00 trade in for my old handset, but really Apple should make it clear to owners of older equipment, that the later releases of firmware can actually have a detrimental effect on the phone's performance.

I post this simply as a warning to anyone considering doing the firmware update to version 5.0.1 on an earlier 3GS handset. I should have stuck to the old maxim 'If it aint broke, don't fix it'