Upgrade to 3gs from 3g? Feedback requested

[zhenya]

I currently have a 16GB 3G, jailbroken primarily for the ability to multi-task. Since the 3G is really only able to run a couple of apps at a time, I'm tempted to upgrade to a 3GS. A couple of questions:

- What is the state of multi-tasking on the 3gs really like? Like I said, I can usually use Pandora (or similar) and 1 other app or Safari before apps start force quitting on my 3g. I use multifl0w and would love to be able to keep 3, 4,5 apps open at once, reliably. Is this likely on the 3gs?

- I am up for an upgrade in January, but am thinking that if I were to do this, I'd buy a 3gs 32GB from ebay and then sell my 3g. If (when) the next generation comes out next summer, I'd renew my contract then, and sell the 3gs, which would presumably cover the cost of the 4g. Sound reasonable?

- It looks like slightly used 3gs 32GB phones are generally going for ~$700 on ebay. Sound correct? How much can I expect to get for my unlocked 16GB 3g?

 

[zhenya]

Bump for some thoughts - especially on the multi-tasking issue on the 3gs.

 

[TSX]

There is a night and day difference between a JB 3gS and 3G, I currently have both. If your going to pay 700 on ebay for a 3gs you might as well go to the apple or att store and buy one from there.

 

[zhenya]

Hmm. What are they going for directly from Apple? Why are they going for more than that on ebay?

 

[Knowlege Bomb]

Hmm. What are they going for directly from Apple? Why are they going for more than that on ebay?

Because people love to unlock iPhones and sell them for a higher price like it can't be done by anybody with a computer. I could teach my grandma to unlock an iPhone if it were necessary.

Straight from Apple with no contract you'll be looking at 16GB for $599 and 32GB for $699.

 

[zhenya]

But at this point, better chance than not, from Apple or AT&t, I'd get a phone that I can't jailbreak, correct?

 

[Mlrollin91]

you can jailbreak it, but it will be a tethered jailbreak, so every time your phone battery dies or you have to restart it it goes into recovery mode.

 

[zhenya]

yeah, that's not feasible for me, so I guess it's either wait and see if un-tethered jailbreak comes or pick one up from ebay.

 

[Applejuiced]

Why would you need to background 5 apps at once?
I think thats pushing it and would also eat up your battery quick.
I tried 2-3 apps without a prob on my 3GS.

 

[zhenya]

Well, 5 or 6 including mail, Safari, etc. Right now on the 3g if I have streaming music playing, I can get it to background, but chances are good that it will automatically quit when I go to do something else.

I'd really like to be able to reliably listen to pandora, check email, browse the web, and be able to im, or be able to have pandora, my ebook reader and dictionary apps open all at once.

 

[kAoTiX]

I think multi-tasking on the 3GS is really fast and very usable.
Who cares why you need 5 apps running in the background, you said you did so that's enough for me.

I've used background since day one on my 3G and found it to work very well but also very limited due to the memory on the 3G. You find yourself with no memory left to actually do anything and the phone becomes sluggish and unstable.
With the 3GS it's a different story. If you have your memory showing in the top bar you can see how efficient it is and using something like Kirikae to handle your multi-tasking you will be amazed at how stable and user friendly it is.

If you can, find someone who has a jailbroken 3GS and see if you can use Kirikae on their phone to see how stable it really is.

 

[zhenya]

How about buying a refurbished phone? Any way that I can do that without renewing my contract?

 

[dhlizard]

How about buying a refurbished phone? Any way that I can do that without renewing my contract?

Just buy a used 3GS from Craigslist or Ebay. You can verify the 4th & 5th digits of the sn to determine if it has the older bootrom.

I just bought 2 used but pristine 3GS phones with older bootrom because I don't want the hassle of a tethered jailbreak.

No contract extension and un-tethered jailbreak.

 

[gunzmaiet]

if you want decent mutitasking, get iPhoneVM, details here

anyways,
if your buying from apple or AT&T, you need to do contract and stuff, but not if buying used
the problem with used is that you cant really tell if its a clunker, but it should be OK most of the time

 

[zhenya]

Thanks. Trying it out now, although the reviews (what I can find, anyhow) are pretty mixed as to whether it is really an improvement in the long run. Initially it seems to make a bit of an improvement, as I am able to run more apps at a time than before. Anyone else have much experience with iphone vm2?

As for buying used, I'm in a pretty small town, so no 3Gs's have been listed on Craigslist.