And I thought it was just me, turns out – it’s not. After installing many a beta for iOS 4.0 my 3G was under performing massively. I thought to myself that it’s just the beta software blah blah blah, and got over it. That was until Mr Steve Jobs announced at WWDC that Apple would be shortly making available an iOS 4.0 gold candidate.
What I can happily report is that it’s not just me, as this video from flickr clearly shows (to reiterate, this video is not mine). It’s a great demonstration of an iPhone 3G running iOS4 and iOS3 side by side – the performance hit on 4.0 is significant:
Video showing iPhone 3G running iOS 4 and iOS 3
I shuddered to think what that a gold candidate at WWDC would be like. Beta 4 was performing pretty bad on my 3G, and to have a gold candidate ready (I thought) was a big surprise.
Symptoms I’m experiencing with the current 4.0 are:
- Slow performance on pretty much all applications
- Phone slows to a crawl after +1 day use, applications fail to open and crash to the home screen.
- Battery life on 3G has dropped significantly
- Text input applications frequently lag due to (what I assume) is spell check.
These are all moot points though for me, as I will hopefully be a proud owner of a iPhone 4 in two days time. Thank the Apple gods, as I’m close to throwing my new brick of a 3G at the wall.
Update
Something else I’d like to add is that in order for me to cope better with the speed decreases in software performance, I turned off 3G. The response from the iPhone 3G was much improved after this.
Also, iBooks is a slow dog on the 3G. Takes 15 seconds to load the app with 1 book in it, then another 15 secs to attempt to open a book (if the app doesn’t crash).
Bad times all round for iPhone 3G users (IMO).
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Tags: Apple, iOS 3, iOS 4, iPhone, performance
i think you got it wrong. i timed my iphone 3G with OS 4 with your videos, and it was perfectly aligned with the one you labeled 3.1. comparing my iOS4 to my coworkers’s 3G 1.3, i beat the crap out of his too.
overall, i think camera/settings are faster in iOS4.
and did you change the background back to black??? huh.
oh nevermind. 3G. reading comprehension.
anyway, *3Gs* performance seems better in those same areas with iOS4.
I installed iOS4 to my iPhone 3G last night, and I’m not seeing that kind of delay either. When I held mine side by side with the video, my settings loaded at the same time the one on the video calls iOS3.
No idea why some iPhone 3Gs would operate slower than others, but mine seems to be moving generally faster since the upgrade, which honestly surprised me.
The gold master firmwares are not the same as the release ones. They have the same version, but the MD5s are different. I had the 4.0GM on my 3GS and I was appalled by the poor performance you describe. I just downloaded the release firmware and installed it and it is much better. Typing is fast again, I can do background audio and the app store simultaneously without stuttering, the animations are smoother etc etc.
I’m seeing the same sort of thing on my iPhone 3G, which has never had a beta or the GM installed on it. Loading pages in the browser might be faster, but now after tapping the bookmarks icon I don’t get any feedback for several seconds, after which it finally responds and acknowledges the tap. Slowdowns like that permeate the interface. It’s bad.
Just to note, this isn’t my video comparison…
I haven’t tried installing the release from Monday, I had assumed the GM would be the same…
I’m seeing the same issue. On the 3G this software upgrade has effectively killed the tomtom satnav app, due to its poor performance. (and yes, I’ve upgraded the tomtom app to the 4.0-compatible version)
The sluggishness is also causing problems with my car stereo, an Alpine system that connects directly to the iphone and controls it directly.
In my view, this upgrade should not be made available for the 3G – the iron on that platform simply does not have the speed to support this new OS.
after up grading my i phone 3g to 4.0 i now cannot e-mail videos and it keeps comming up (MFMailComposeErrorDomain error 1.) then to press ok with out any way to fix it. Also my phone runs very slow since the upgrade. I also found out that it states that many of the upgrades wont work unless i had a i phone 3GS. Most people , when plugged into I tune , if they see upgrade availabe we install it. I wish I knew that 1st as I am now very didplease with my phone. . I am pissed off because i was really really please with my i phone prior (except for the space) and now it sucks and i can not get a new phone without paying fulkl price till 4/11.
Hi I hav a 3g running 3.1.3 and after Reading all the comments and the web page I’m confused :/ should I upgrade to 4.0 or stay on 3.1.3?
I upgraded my 3G iphone to 4.0 last night and since then it will not work unless it’s plugged in. If it’s unplugged and inactive for more than 30 seconds it will not turn on again unless I reset it and that only lasts until it’s been inactive for 30 seconds again. It doesn’t seem to matter what it’s plugged into tho. Plugged it into my Mac and it works fine, plugged it into the wall works fine, plugged it in in the car works fine. It sucks. I can’t communicate with anyone unless I’m sitting at home or in the car. PS all my apps keep crashing too. And the battery has been draining like mad even when the stupid thing isn’t turned on. I went to a farmers market today and my phone wouldn’t stay on so I just left it and when I got home it was less than half of the battery left. I’m ripping my hair out because this phone is my bat signal. It’s like the only way to get ahold of me and now I’m tethered to a wall or computer or car if I want to use it. Thanks Apple. My husband and I have been very loyal customers. So disappointed.
I have the 3G. It took forever just to type this because of the lag time. 4.0 is horrible for this phone. Upgrading should not have been an option. Trying to load and log into an account using Safari takes forever or locks me up. I wish I hadn’t upgraded!!
wish i never upgraded my 3g
what a con, practically f…ed my phone
Don’t upgrade your 3G to 4.0……Bad news, terrible response time…..I made a big mistake putting 4.0 on mine.
have to agree with Dan Weegar… terrible… just f*****g terrible
Upgraded my 3gs to 4.0 software – now the battery life is about 4 hours without making or receiving a call. Called my phone operator who “claimed” they hadn’t heard of any other problems like this!!!
Nightmare as my phone is now effectively unusable. Don’t Upgrade
I downgraded my phone to 4.0 and its now a piece of garbage. Slow…lockups…slow…then slower…then slow…then goes back to slower again. It really sucks
I agree, do not upgrade to 4.0 if you have a 3G.
Took forever to upgrade now phone is almost useless. I cannot function normally without my phone. Now I am lost and have no reliable means of communication.
Constantly getting the black screen of death and have to reset at least 6-7 times a day. Ugh
Don’t upgrade. Steve Jobs is a chump for even offering this to 3G users.
I am having the same problems as you guys are having. But now when I plug it into my Alpine (made for iPod) stereo, it will not give the headunit access to the files giving off an Error 01. My friends old iPod video still works fine on my system.
If Steve Jobs thinks I am going to “upgrade” to the new iPhone 4g, forget it. Next thing your 4g is useless as the 3g now cause of iOS 6.0.
I was actually most happy with the iPhone when it was 3.1.2…….. so much more useful back then. sigh
I too made the horrific mistake of upgrading my 3G to the 4.0 and I am so disappointed. I am of course furious that it was an offering for the 3G, and wish there was some way of reverting back to the old system. The delays on the phone before anything launches are stupifying. I am beginning to think it’s a conspiracy!
Thinking seriously of moving to another system altogether. Long-time Mac fan, too. Sad.
I to am having massive lag after installing the 4.0 software on my 3G iPhone, Im so dissapointed right now I want to chuck my phone in the lake.
I sadly upgraded mine the day it came out. I was excited for new “upgrades” but now it’s just horribly slow. What can I do?
i updated my 3g to the new 4.0 and now it runs as slow as anything.
if i could downgrade i would.
I agree… 4.0os has just about RUINED MY IPHONE… I’m so pissed… I’m gonna revert back to 3.13… I have a 3G and its now Slow as shit… Just horrible!
Same here, lots of crashes, had to reset 5-6 times a day. Phone was even crashing when an incoming call came in! Even when it’s working, the phone was going so, so slow.
Reverted back to 3.1.3 today and it’s now back to its old self! Thanks Apple for the stress, and making it a complete pain to revert back to a working firmware.
Wish I hadn’t upgraded either! This is just a way to make 3G users buy the new iPhone 4! If i type a word on here, it doesn’t show up until I stop typing. If I’m typing a sentence, it doesn’t show up until I stop typing aswell. It’s gash! Spell check is pony aswell! When is the word ‘mr’ more common than the word ‘me’, annoying!!!
i wish i didnt upgrade my 3G, my phone is incredibly slow, had to reset it 5 times yesterday, often dont get sms message alerts it only shows when i look at the SMS icon. apps keep crashing..this is awful
I updated my 3G last week and initially it ran fine, but after a few days it was horrible and seems to be getting worse by the minute! Is there anyway to get this 4.0 update off of my phone!! At this point it is almost useless!
Im having bad lagging after downloading the 4.0 upgrade on my 3g phone…mostyl text messages
Ok y’all are doing is whining about the problem
How can I fix my iPhone?!?
You can’t fix it. You can hack it and try to downgrade, but if you want to keep it official, you are out of luck. There is no going back.
The best you can hope for is Apple bring out a 4.1 release which is better on the iPhone 3G. Alternatively, time for an upgrade.
Could be a magnificent ploy by Apple to force people to buy iPhone 4… just sayin’
WHERE is the media on this story? They keep talking about all the people with “no reception” with the new iPhone 4, how about all the people with iPhones3, 3s, etc. who upgraded their operating system last week and now have sluggish phones which crash often. It sounds like a conspiracy to get us to buy a new phone!?
“Sounds like a conspiracy” is an understatement. I’m still on 3.1.3 and even that is a downgrade from before I last “upgraded” my iphone firmware. Lots of delays, can’t answer incoming calls, random lag times. This kind of manipulation of the market through reduced functionality will send me to a drone faster than Apple can say gotcha.
How to downgrade…
http://lifehacker.com/5572003/how-to-downgrade-your-iphone-3g%5Bs%5D-from-ios-4-to-ios-313
I am also having problems with lag and battery life. Opening apps takes twice as long and it doesn’t keep up with me typing. The battery will last 3 hours with heavy use. Not real cool.
its simple apple have screwed the 3g customers
I’m a 3G owner and I am in ABSOLUTE AGREEMENT with this post! The 4.0 OS Update Has RUINED MY 3G iPhone! The above description of ISSUES is identical to MY NOW, Piece OF SH#T iPhone 3G… Actually there are more problems than listed above… Apple Needs to RESOLVE these ISSUES NOW!!! Where the Hell is the UPDATE???!! I use my iPhone for Home and Business and prior to this, have been quite appreciative of the phone’s capabilities though the speed of 3G continues to be a joke! (I know.. AT&T issue).. I’ll never understand why apple went with at&t in the first place AND STOP WITH THE FEUD or WHATEVER ISSUE Apple HAS WITH ADOBE… ALLOW FOR FLASH FOR CHRIST SAKE!! WHY ARE WE EXCEPTING OF OUR PHONES NOT HAVE FLASH!! ITS BULLSHIT! but that’s for another thread… The EGO of Apple and Steve Jobs is Quite Evident here!! They need to Address this HUGE PROBLEM NOW!! Hurry the F*#+ UP!! “Signed… A Soon to Be HTC Droid Incredible Owner!”
PS… Try “CloudBrowse” iPhone app in pinch, when flash is needed…
Easy downgrade back 3.1
http://lifehacker.com/5572003/how-to-downgrade-your-iphone-3g%5Bs%5D-from-ios-4-to-ios-313
I am so glad I found this site. I thought it was just me having this issue. My husband’s seems to be working fine, but he is an app minimalist. It’s soooo slowwwww.
I HATE my Iphone now. I feel like I’m being punished for having the “old’ version in the 3G but I’m one of those people who just cannot afford a $200-300 dollar phone every freakin’ time it comes out. And now, with the reception issues I keep reading about regarding the Iphone 4, who the heck wants to get that! I feel like I have been a loyal customer to apple and I even have three lines on my account. And what thanks do I get? I get an update the completely ruined my phone. It is like the days of dial up internet. I wait forever for my pages to load after they’ve frozen. My battery dies immediately. I lost data in applications I’ve spent time and money on. I just hate my phone and I am stuck. Apple, I am SO unhappy and will tell anyone I know to go with Sprint or Verizon. For Goddsake even when I called Apple support they acted like it was something I did! They did not acknowledge all the complaints I’m sure they’ve received. You keep making your money while screwing us over Apple. Thank you.
My 3G is now practically useless! Slow!!! Crash! The loading apple screen is mostly what I see anymore these days. Slow!!!Slow!!!Slow!!! Locks Up! Crash! Crash! Crash! Slow!!!Slow!!!Slow!!!Slow!!!Slow!!!Slow!!!Slow!!!Slow!!!Slow!!!Slow!!!Slow!!!Slow!!! I HATE my phone that I used to love… Not sure about getting the new one… It has its own problems and I am hearing rumors about a new iPhone in January not on AT&T… But not sure I can use this piece of junk for that long… I really want to drop it out of my window while driving 65 on the freeway! Slow!!!Slow!!!Slow!!!Slow!!!Slow!!!Slow!!!Slow!!!Slow!!!Slow!!!Slow!!!Slow!!! I might as well not have a smart phone. It even lags Horribly on my WiFi at work and at home!
I totally agree . My iPhone 3G is useless since I did the V4 software upgrade . Every application now has massive delays between screens , and even worse is there are huge delays between letters when you type in all applications . The screens now lock all the time for no reason , and when typing text messages or emails , I get floating and disappearing text .
Not to mention that after the v4 upgrade finished I had lost all previous calendar appointments ( and I don’t have any sync over rides from outlook etc . )
My wife’s iPhone 3G has exactly the same problems since her v4 upgrade also .
So V4 OS is definately flawed , but no one seems to be even acknowledging this problem !
I believe that Apple really screwed up on this one. I have been an iphone fan since day one. I still have my original iphone but upgraded to a 3g and I am ready to 86 it. It is garbage now that I upgraded to the 4.0. Everything locks up and reverts back to the homepage. I think it would work better broken. Possibly this is one of apples plans to screw everyones phone up so that they end up buying the iphone 4. No thanks….iphone 4 is junk too. No sense in having a SMART PHONE when all it knows how to do is lock up!! It is bad business for apple when their first time users are experiencing tremendous problems….over it
I had the same problems. This really helped me. So try it out:
Reset iPhone settings. From the Home screen choose Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings. All your preferences are reset, but no data or media is deleted.
From: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1737
Hope it helps someone.