According to
AppleInsider, the new iPhone 3G S
is capable of recording 720p video but for some reason doesn't.
Word is: ""The S5PC100 enables the integration of various
functionalities, such as, wireless communication, personal navigation,
camera, portable gaming, portable music/video player, mobile TV and PDA
into one device," the South Korea-based electronic maker says in a PDF
published to its website. "The S5PC100 adopts a 32-bit ARM Cortex A8
RISC microprocessor and a 64/32-bit internal bus architecture, and
operates up to 833MHz." Apple appears to have chosen run the chip,
which is rebranded with the following markings, below its maximum clock
speed for optimal power consumption. But the additional 233MHz aren't
the only capabilities of the S5PC100 that Apple has chosen to forgo in
the iPhone 3G S. Samsung also notes that its chip sports a
high definition multi format codec enabling higher resolution
multimedia functions at low power consumption. Specifically, it states
that the S5PC100 "features a built-in, 720p multi format codec (MFC)
video Engine which ensures smooth 30fps video encoding and playblack at
low power consumption, and supports three types of TV out interface
(NTSC/PAL/HDMI)."
Apple has thus far decided not to take advantage of these HD
capabilities for video recording, as the iPhone 3G S video camera will
only capture clips in VGA-quality. Early reviews of handset were mixed
in their assessment of the resulting video quality, with some saying it
pales in comparison to that from the popular $229 Flip pocket
camcorder, while others called it "quiet decent" and said the quality
was "impressively smooth and natural."