With WWDC behind us, there’s been lots of debate over whether or not this new iPhone 3G S is a worthwhile upgrade. So let’s take a step back from all the hype, relax a minute and take a quick look at what some of the new hardware/software combination has to offer and try to put it all into perspective.

Starting with the hardware the iPhone 3G S will come in two flavors. A 16GB and a 32GB model, both running the new iPhone OS 3.0 software. Along with that each one will also have the following hardware:

• 600MHz ARMv7 processor
• 256MB DDR RAM
• PowerVR SGX graphics chip
• 7.2Mbps HSPA compliant cell chip
• 3.0MP auto-focus camera
• Magnatometer (compass)
• Oil-resistant screen coating (oleophobic)
• Improved battery life (approx 1.5)

All very nice upgrades over the last two generations of iPhones, but the real question that remains is… For who? So here are a few things to consider before plucking down your hard earned dollars on one of these new devices.

For starters and as it always is with new hardware the iPhone 3G S is aimed squarely at those who want all the bells and whistles in one device. The latest and greatest tech must always be in their hands. So for them this is a no brainer type of upgrade.

The rest of the world takes a slightly different approach regarding new tech. For instance, look at the average person hanging out with some friends. For these people the most used and important camera is the one in their immediate possession which is usually the one on their cellphone. The new iPhone 3G S comes with a much nicer 3 megapixel camera complete with auto-focus and white balance. This will produce sharper, clear pictures and get those close-up shots not possible with previous iPhone models. Now add in video recording and you also have a mini camcorder ready for some action when pictures alone are just not enough.

For you more active people out there with a Nike+ system or those who held off on getting one can now enjoy more freedom with the iPhone OS 3.0 software. Apple has also included the Nike+ software, so no longer do you have to be weighed down by a phone and an iPod with the Nike+ receiver attached just to track your progress. All you need now is the iPhone 3G S and the transmitter for your running shoes. When your done connect it into your PC and everything is backed up for safe keeping and you can get on with the rest of your day with the same device.

GPS was introduced with the iPhone 3G in 2008 to help get directions between locations. Now with the iPhone 3G S Apple adds a magnetometer (compass) along side that. What this does is make the iPhone directionally aware. This in turn allows turn-by-turn navigational software to operate properly. The maps won’t just follow you as before with GPS alone. It will now know which direction you are currently headed be it north, south, east or west and tell you where you should be headed. A nice addition for those who travel a lot or would like a GPS unit that can be used in or out of a car without having another gadget to carry around.

Other changes such as the 600Mhz processor, 256MB RAM and PowerVR graphic chip perform the obvious over all speed increase of software and component communication. It also aids in increased software stability by removing some of the hardware bottlenecks that are present in the current iPhone 2G and 3G models. In this instance everything running on the iPhone benefits.

Find my Phone is a new function of MobileMe. While this same service is offered by carriers, all the location data has to be viewed by the carrier operator and then given to the owner. With MobileMe the owner can locate the phone themselves and take the appropriate actions. This is especially handy if you merely misplaced it in your own home. No need to call anyone first; just go to your PC and login to your MobileMe account and verify it’s in the house.

These are the obvious things for new and even current iPhone users to think about. However, if you have an iPhone 2G (the original iPhone) you may want to also put other things into consideration like 3G coverage for instance. Should you be unfortunate enough to live or work in a 3G dead zone you might want to hold off in getting this device as you would not be able to take advantage of the higher data speeds 3G offers. Also don’t count on the new 7.2 HSPA chip for even faster speeds as AT&T won’t be capable of supporting that standard completely until around 2011.

Current 3G owners on the other hand have the biggest if not worse decision to make. Since the new iPhone 3.0 software will give the iPhone 3G many new features and functions it puts it almost on par with the iPhone 3G S. So for you this upgrade is going to be almost solely based on need. Features like voice dialing and video editing won’t be available on the iPhone 3G, so unless you really require the upgraded hardware and all the features of the 3.0 software you may also want to wait for the next iPhone.

For some this may be a hard decision no matter which iPhone they currently own. Hopefully even if it was obvious to you already, reading these few points can help you make the right decision so you don’t needlessly spend that next paycheck. Or even prevent you from continually waiting for the next big thing when what you need is currently available.

The iPhone 3G S is a good upgrade and even more so than the iPhone 3G was to the iPhone 2G in terms of hardware. But whether or not this is a worthwhile upgrade for you is entirely up to you. Regardless of what you read only you can figure out what’s best for you and your wallet. But in either case enjoy your iPhone no matter what model you may have.