iPhone 3GS Limited to 384 Kbps Upload Speed

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Posted July 9, 2009 at 12:36pm by iClarified · 13782 views

The iPhone 3GS supports 7.2Mbps connectivity; however, these kind of speeds won't be obtained if you are trying to upload, according to a MacWorld report.

Macworld reader Nick Dunklee points out that a teardown at RapidRepair of an iPhone 3GS shows that it has a UMTS/HSDPA chip. UMTS is the earliest 3G standard deployed on GSM networks, and it tops out at 384 Kbps. It’s easy to test, if you have an iPhone 3GS. Go to any speed tester, like Testmyiphone when you’re outdoors with a good signal. Downstream, you might hit well over 1 Mbps; upstream, under 384 Kbps.

Unfortunately this seriously limits the upload speed of your iPhone. Those who upload photos and video regularly will not be able to take advantage of the higher speed network.

Its likely that Apple will introduce this in a future model of the iPhone as a 'New Feature'.

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iPhone 3GS Limited to 384 Kbps Upload Speed

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Ppl - July 10, 2009 at 3:55am

HSDPA is High Speed DOWNLINK Packet Access which gives you higher DOWNLOAD speeds while sending data tops at UMTS PS speeds - there is nothing special at apples products, since HSUPA [High Speed Uplink Packet Access] is hardly adopted by mobile vendors.

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enrico - July 10, 2009 at 4:03am

Yes, but hardly worth the time to clarify considering the ignorant use of profanity from the original poster, hence I didn't bother to reply. Apple would never add HSUPA to the iPhone before it has been formally adopted and used in numbers by mobile networks -- especially since they are rolling out a new iPhone once a year. Adding (currently) near-useless hardware that would raise the overall price of the device would be silly & affect their competition with other smart phone devices. I'd be curious to know what (if any) competing products have already adopted HSUPA (that are currently shipping). Regards, -elc.

MZ - July 10, 2009 at 4:27am

I see where your coming from, but like I said there is a world outside America whos networks already support those faster download speeds, so it would not be adding a useless feature for the majority of iPhone users that live abroad. Plus Sprint and Verizons CDMA networks (i think thats what theyre called) and phones with those CDMA chips already support those downstream speeds (if om not mistaken). Saying that not including it in the 3Gs because a new phone is coming out in a year is exactly the reason we waited 2 years for copy/paste. Additionally, HAVING that feature WOULD make the iPhone more competitive against other phones, especially for the business/enterprise users

MZ - July 10, 2009 at 4:33am

"already support those faster *upload* speeds" "already support those *upstream* (if om not mistaken)" Sorry i miss-tryped...and i was referring to upload speeds in the original post...hence me talking abput upload video and streaming live vid from your phone

jonnikuest - July 10, 2009 at 9:41am

and that my friend is what u miss. there are very FEW phone that support HSUPA and much less i dont think att, supports it on their network, seeing as they dont even have HSPDPA support setup yet. sprint nor verizon have high speed upload on their EV-DO network either. lets jump across the pond. only a few services support this. and after everything, apple is expected to have an LTE 4G based phone in its next iteration of the iphone. which will double the upload speeds of the overall network. also there are no live streaming apps in the app store. its not an API call that has supported in this latest SDK, giving access to live video. You Cant do it. so the only uploading u'd be doing on ur iphone comes from either ur 1-5 minute you tube videos, which upload just fine now, and any tethering u do, which, if u've ever used roadrunner, is right around the same 3-400Kbps upload stream. (actually i just tested my roadrunner turbo upload speed and i got about 650Kbps) big whoop! wheres the story? why should i be able to upload faster on my phone than my macbook pro? sheesh

MZ - July 10, 2009 at 12:19pm

Like I said before, there are already plenty of countries around the world (including developing countries) which fully support HSDPA and HSUPA so I'm sure those iPhones users would appreciate being able to use thier services. AT&T is not the only phone company in the world, and I don't think the device should be limited to AT&T standards when there are more iPhone users outside the US. And I would argue that the reason we don't have official live streaming apps etc. Is because Apple is dumbing down the phone at AT&Ts behest

enrico - July 10, 2009 at 7:52pm

Seriously, name *THREE* networks anywhere in the world that currently support HSUPA. I think this is a matter of "having to be right" and "never backing down" vs. being supported by any real facts.

enrico - July 10, 2009 at 7:54pm

...I should clarify by saying "supporting HSUPA with speeds above 384kbps).

MZ - July 10, 2009 at 8:23pm

Just off the top of my head Telstra's NextG network in Australia. Also Vodafone UK offers it. Im not gonna sit here and look up companies and see which ones offer that speed so google it https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_HSUPA_networks

enrico - July 9, 2009 at 11:34pm

...and how fast does your "Windows Mobile Device" upload, Microsoft Fanboy? Clearly uploading is a much less frequent need for most mobile users. Unless you're tethering, how much uploading can you possibly due that would be unbearable at 384 Kbps? Do you put super unleaded in your Kia Rio too?

MZ - July 10, 2009 at 12:10am

First of all i have a 3GS, and have already gone through three different 3G's. I find it funny how you jump to conclusions and make assumptions and call me a microsoft fanboy based on nothing but saying f apple, then you turn around and prove how much of a Apple fanboy you are. hypocrite. Its because of people like you that Apple thinks it can get away with offering you less for your money. Second of all, just cause you dont need faster upload speeds doesnt mean everybody in the world has your same requirements. There are many people who could use faster upload speeds, especially with tethering now that it will be finally offered, and people uploading videos to youtube and such now that we can record video (both features we didnt get sooner partly cause of people like you). Also some apps support streaming live videos, so yeah, faster uploads would be useful. Third of all, Apple is trying to market the devices to professionals and enterprises who would require a device capable of faster speeds. So why are you gonna make a device that underperforms. Additionally, in case you didnt know, there IS a world outside America where they actually have proper cellular networks years ahead of what we have here capable of very fast upload and download speeds. The iphone is sold in a lot of countries, and used in many more. In fact more people have the phone outside the US than in the US. So im sure those people would like to have a device capable of uploading at speeds that they have been enjoyng on other devices for years. Finally, when I pay premium money, I expect to get premium features, unlike you who will defend Apple no matter how much they hussle you Dont get me wrong i love my iphone, but I hate being hussled