Apple's latest handset, the iPhone 3GS, is now available for pre-order, sporting looks that are 100% identical to its predecessor.  Why fix a design that isn't broken, after all, right?  Instead of focusing on remaking the aesthetics, Apple chose to focus the update on where it really counts: performance.

The "S" appended to the old name stands for speed, a trait which the device offers in spades.  Sporting a new processor and more streamlined execution, the 3GS loads apps and renders websites up to 300% faster than the iPhone's previous iteration.  HSDPA reception has been updated to 7.2 Mbps, twice the data connection speed previously available over AT&T's network.

Now sporting a 3.2 megapixel camera module, the handset boasts auto-focus, auto exposure and auto white balance, along with macro capabilities.  Video support is also included (with geotagging, no less), allowing for 640 x 480 recordings at 30 fps, together with quick sharing of motion capture recordings via email, MMS, MobileMe and YouTube.  Even better, the camera functions are opened up for access by all the apps, allowing for some nifty applications likely to come our way in the near future.

Remember how people were touting the iPhone as a potential gaming platform?  That sounds even more realistic now, as the device comes fitted with hardware-based 3D support, paving the way for faster games with more complex graphics.  Touchscreen comes reinforced with a special oleophobic coating, which should help keep off  fingerprints much better than the handset's previous iterations.

Voice dialing also gets a nod, with the capability available both for making calls and issuing commands during media playback.  Other features include a magnetometer (available to the onboard Compass app, along with any other software that wants to use it), greener building materials, data encryption and increased battery life (up to 12 hours of talk time on 2G).

The iPhone 3GS, which comes in both black and white colors, is scheduled to ship on June 19th, with 16GB ($199) and 32GB ($299) models.

US Auctions Australian Auctions Austrian Auctions Belgian Auctions Canadian Auctions French Auctions German Auctions Hong Kong Auctions Indian Auctions Irish Auctions Italian Auctions Dutch Auctions Polish Auctions Singapore Auctions Spanish Auctions Swiss Auctions UK Auctions

BRAND NEW APPLE IPHONE 3GS 32GB BLACK UNLOCKED GSM WIFI GPS CELL PHONE US $432.86 --> Ends In 21m <--

APPLE IPHONE 3GS 16GB WHITE UNLOCKED WITH CHARGERBOX EXC CONDITION LIKE NEW US $275.60 --> Ends In 1h 20m <--

ATT ATT SIM card Unlock Apple iPhone 2G3G3GS GSM PDA iPHONE US $2.46 --> Ends In 4h 1m <--

EXCELLENT CONDITION 501 UNLOCKApple iPhone 3GS 16GB Black Smartphone US $190.00 --> Ends In 4h 3m <--

Apple iPhone 3GS 32GB Black Unlocked Smartphone US $319.00 --> Ends In 4h 35m <--

iPhone 3GS 32GB Unlocked Jailbroken NEAR MINT INCLUDING CASE US $600.00 --> Ends In 6h 37m <--

Apple iPhone 3GS 16GB White Unlocked Smartphone US $167.50 --> Ends In 6h 38m <--

Apple iPhone 3GS 16GB Black Unlocked Smartphone iOS 5 US $182.50 --> Ends In 6h 53m <--

UNLOCKED APPLE iPhone 3GS 16GB ATT T Mobile INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING 3G S A1303 US $172.50 --> Ends In 7h 8m <--

Photo Credit: Gizmodo