14 DAY TRIAL // While Apple was more than happy to disclose the fresh features available with the new iPhone 3G S at WWDC '09, the company has been rather shady about its hardware offerings, particularly CPU speed and RAM. Reports now say that Apple's new iPhone model packs a considerably faster processor, as well as more on-board memory.
Citing T-Mobile Netherlands, “which will be offering [the iPhone 3G S] in the near future,” Brighthand reports that Apple's upcoming iPhone 3G S will have a 600 MHz processor, and 256 MB of RAM, whereas the current iPhone 3G is based on a 412 MHz chip and boasts just half the RAM (128 MB). The report notes that Apple's choice of not disclosing these aspects is shrouded in mystery. Softpedia, however, is not surprised at the move. And here's why.
Apple pays particular attention to what the users need / want to hear, so they can be rapidly sold on the features in order to grab the device the moment it's out. Details like processor speed and the amount of RAM may spell confusion for mainstream users who don't care about the number of RAM megabytes as much as they do about the number of features the device has to offer.
Still, Phil Schiller's keynote addressed developers first and foremost, so it would have made sense to disclose the beefed-up nature of the new iPhone's inner-workings. But this is just one possibility.
There's also the possibility that the boost in processor speed will not be all that significant at first. Developers still have to create applications that are compatible with all iPhone and iPod touch models, since the iPhone 3G S isn't even out yet. Plus, most application buyers will be previous-generation-device owners for quite a while. In short, Apple could be prioritizing what to disclose, and what not to disclose. These under-the-hood improvements may not be all that relevant right now.
What Apple did reveal, and proudly, may we add, was the improved battery and the 3-megapixel camera it equipped the new iPhone with, as well as the built-in digital compass. More on the iPhone 3G S can be found in the articles linked below.