Head to head: iPhone 3GS vs Palm Pre
The latest in our head-to-head review series sees how the iPhone matches up to the latest so-called iPhone killer, the Palm Pre.


Vital statistics
As we said earlier, on first glance it doesn't look like there's much in it between the iPhone 3GS and the Pre so we'll let the stats do the talking.
Both handsets weigh in at a nifty 135g, which is very lightweight when you consider just how much the two devices are packing inside their tiny bodies. We've then got the Pre's 59.5mmx16.95mmx100.5mm (WDH) against the iPhone's 62.1mmx12.3mmx115.5mm (WDH), revealing the fact that the iPhone is slightly taller and slimmer than its marginally more portly counterpart. That said, both are very pocketable and certainly unlikely to cause any questionable trouser pocket bulges, or conversely get buried at the bottom of a bag or briefcase.
While the iPhone has a 3.5in (480x320 pixels resolution) screen, which overshadows the Pre's 3.1in offering of the same resolution, the fact that pixel density is greater means you're not missing out that much.
At three megapixels, give or take, each, the cameras also match up when it comes to raw numbers. But the iPhone does beat the Pre when it comes to storage. The 3GS is available in 16GB and 32GB flavours, while the Pre boasts just 8GB. Neither have microSD card slots for additional storage capacity, which is a shame.
Most business users are fully aware that using Wi-Fi and checking emails frequently and so on is going to drain the battery more than someone who simply sends the odd text and makes a few calls, but the Pre and iPhone 3GS seem to be on a fairly level playing field from the off. Both handsets claim to offer five hours' talk time, but the iPhone has a slight edge when it comes to standby figures with 300 hours to the Pre's 250. That said, at least the Pre's is removable and therefore you could, in theory at least, carry a spare. Although, neither could claim innocence as a battery sucker upper.
The Palm Pre is certainly harder than the iPhone. Quite literally, if the Gizmodo video below of someone using it to slice cheese is anything to go by. But being harder doesn't necessarily give it what it takes to win this particular head-to-head battle.
Get the ITPro daily newsletter
Sign up today and you will receive a free copy of our Future Focus 2025 report - the leading guidance on AI, cybersecurity and other IT challenges as per 700+ senior executives
Palm Pre Cuts the Cheese from Gizmodo on Vimeo.
Winner: Tie. It's too close a call to say which is best when it comes to stacking up the figures against each other.
Maggie has been a journalist since 1999, starting her career as an editorial assistant on then-weekly magazine Computing, before working her way up to senior reporter level. In 2006, just weeks before ITPro was launched, Maggie joined Dennis Publishing as a reporter. Having worked her way up to editor of ITPro, she was appointed group editor of CloudPro and ITPro in April 2012. She became the editorial director and took responsibility for ChannelPro, in 2016.
Her areas of particular interest, aside from cloud, include management and C-level issues, the business value of technology, green and environmental issues and careers to name but a few.
-
M&S suspends online sales as 'cyber incident' continues
News Marks & Spencer (M&S) has informed customers that all online and app sales have been suspended as the high street retailer battles a ‘cyber incident’.
By Ross Kelly
-
Manners cost nothing, unless you’re using ChatGPT
Opinion Polite users are costing OpenAI millions of dollars each year – but Ps and Qs are a small dent in what ChatGPT could cost the planet
By Ross Kelly
-
Head to Head: iPhone 4 vs Windows Phone 7 vs Android
Reviews We compare the features of the three major smartphone operating systems, iOS4, Windows Phone 7 and Android, to see which is best-suited for business use. Our findings may surprise you.
By Clare Hopping
-
Live blogging Apple's iPad announcement
Live blogs Apple has unveiled the iPad - and it looks like a big iPhone.
By Nicole Kobie
-
iPhone 3G review
Reviews It's the second coming of the iPhone, and this time it's 3G. Some say it's the ultimate phone, but is it truly fit for business?
By Chris Green