Apple has had one of its 3G iPhone adverts banned for misleading consumers. The offending ad showed the newer 3G iPhone next to the older iPhone handset, which uses a 2G EDGE connection. The advert showed the 3G iPhone browsing the web, downloading files, and viewing Google Maps - each downloading in under a second.

The Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) in the UK received 17 complaints from consumers who reported that the advert was misleading as to the actual speed of the iPhone 3G. Apple responded, claiming that the advertisement was supposed to be relative, rather than absolute, and that a normal consumer would understand that the loading speeds were simplified as an example.