Launched in June, and available to buy in certain markets from July 11th, the Apple iPhone 3G is without doubt one of the most hyped up mobile phones ever. But can it be as good as the hype says, or will this alleged king of mobile phones be less than we all hope it will?

Apple iPhone - a new phone evolves

The first version of the Apple iPhone caused a huge debate last year, when it was first unveiled to an expectant world. It's not unfair to say that no other mobile phones had been talked about and hyped up, up until then. This was Apple's first entry into the mobile marketplace, and a lot was being bet on it. Apple fans proclaimed that it would be the best thing since sliced bread. Opponents, before it was even announced, stated that it would be underpowered, and grossly overhyped. In 2007, we found out, as Apple unleashed this new evolution in mobile phones into the world.

Yes, it was definitely different, and yes, it was definitely unique, but unfortunately, there was no doubt that it was full of design choices that were... well, not brilliant. Take for instance, the 2 megapixel camera, that didn't have autofocus, flash and video recording, a huge mistake in the world of modern mobile phones (especially when the LG Viewty, something that wasn't even touted as an iPhone beater and was sold mainly on its 5 megapixel camera, turned out to be one of the biggest selling mobile phones of last year!). The most important missing feature in the first iPhone, though, was something that has become pretty standard in modern mobile phones: 3G. That's a shame, as the iPhone has an amazing web browser, unfortunately ruined by the slow data speed.

However, now, there's a new version on the way, and this one HAS got 3G. It's called the Apple iPhone 3G, but has it erased all the flaws from the first version...?

Apple iPhone 3G - mobile phones into the 21st Century?

Unveiled on June 9th, the Apple iPhone 3G is the successor to the first iPhone, and like its first incarnation, this second coming claims to set new benchmarks in the technology of mobile phones. But can it live up to that claim? Can it really be the best thing the world has ever seen?

Actually, no. It can't. But the problem is NOT that it's bad... the problem is that the Apple iPhone 3G does come achingly close to being the best mobile phone ever, but a couple of design choices have yet again scuppered it. Yes, you get 3G (and about time, too), and that IS a wonderful thing, but other issues haven't been sorted out. The camera still stands at a lowly 2 megapixels, and lacks autofocus, and all the rest, which is... well, rubbish. However, the things that HAVE been fixed have been fixed in a big way. The 3G is super-fast, and it makes this new iPhone stand as an equal amongst other mobile phones available today. And it's got GPS built in, which is a brilliant addition. Fair enough, it might not be perfect, but there's no doubt; in the pantheon of mobile phones, the Apple iPhone 3G is easily AMONG the best you can buy!