Apple iPhone 3GS
How long will it last?
Our estimateSupported until June 2013 · Buy-by June 2011
Apple doesn't publish an end date, but iPhones have a consistent ~4-year update track record — on that basis the iPhone 3GS should be supported until around June 2013. Buying it today still gets you about -13.0 years of safe use, and Apple's written legal minimum is 5 years (verified June 2026).
Source: source · last verified 2026-06-18 · how we compute this
Our verdict
The iPhone 3GS added speed and a 3MP camera, and got about four years of iOS updates, long in the smartphone industry's infancy.
Pros
- Supported with iOS updates for roughly four years, up to iOS 6.1.6
- Notably faster than the 3G with a new 3MP camera and video
- Affordable, durable plastic design
Cons
- Very low-resolution 320x480 screen by modern standards
- Long obsolete with no front camera and no modern app support
Full specifications
Display
💡 Bigger numbers = smoother scrolling (Hz) and easier outdoor reading (nits).
| Screen | 3.5-inch TFT LCD, 320x480 (~165 ppi) |
Performance
💡 The phone's brain — it decides speed today and how well it ages.
| Chipset | Samsung S5PC100 (Cortex-A8) |
| RAM | 0.25GB |
| Storage | 8GB / 16GB / 32GB |
Cameras
💡 Megapixels aren't everything — lens variety matters more day-to-day.
| main | 3MP |
Battery & charging
💡 Capacity in mAh — bigger usually means longer between charges.
| Battery | 1,400 mAh |
| Charging | 5W wired |
Build
💡 Size, weight, and the materials between your phone and the floor.
| Dimensions | 115.5 x 62.1 x 12.3 mm |
| Weight | 135 g |
| Materials | Glass front, plastic back and frame |
| Water resistance | None |
Software & connectivity
💡 The software it ships with, and how far it can upgrade.
| Software | iOS 3 (last supported iOS 6.1.6) |
| Connectivity | 3G HSPA, Wi-Fi 802.11g, Bluetooth 2.1, 30-pin/USB 2.0 |
| Update policy | ~4 years of updates (our estimate from Apple's track record — written minimum is 5 years) |
Better-value alternatives
Similar price, lower cost per month of safe ownership.
Frequently asked questions
Is the iPhone 3GS still getting updates in 2026?
No. The iPhone 3GS ended at iOS 6.1.6 in 2014 and has had no support for over a decade.
How long did the iPhone 3GS get updates?
It launched on iOS 3 in 2009 and was supported through iOS 6.1.6, roughly four years of iOS updates.
Does the iPhone 3GS have a front camera?
No. The iPhone 3GS has only a 3MP rear camera; front-facing cameras did not arrive on iPhones until the iPhone 4.
Compare it
Specs are collected from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers and change often. Support end dates follow each brand's official policy (or, for Apple, its documented historical pattern). Last verified 2026-06-18.