iPhone 3G S begins shipping to customers

ntroduced last week and due in stores on Friday, several people are reporting that shipments of the iPhone 3G S have started.

(Credit: Apple)

One AppleInsider reader reported that his 32GB black iPhone shipped from China. Other early iPhone buyers are reporting on Twitter that Apple sent them shipping confirmation e-mails as well.

So far, nobody has been given a date when the phone will arrive, but presumably it will be on or before Friday, when the iPhone is due to arrive at retail locations.

The iPhone 3G S has many of the same features as its predecessor, although it does come with a few notable additions. At the top of that list is a faster processor, giving the iPhone the ability to load apps three to five times as fast as the previous model.

The new model also gets a three-megapixel camera and the ability to record video that can be edited directly on the phone. Built-in voice control and a magnetometer with a compass app round out the new features of the phone.

The iPhone 3G S costs $199 for the 16GB model and $299 for the 32GB model. Both models come in black and white.