are iphone 3 and 4 usb charger cabels the same

All iPod and iPhone cables are the same. They haven't changed since the first iPod except for the factor of "USB 2.0" when it started to phase in to Macs and PCs after Firewire was dropped from support.

Joe Z in VA wrote:
All iPod and iPhone cables are the same. They haven't changed since the first iPod except for the factor of "USB 2.0" when it started to phase in to Macs and PCs after Firewire was dropped from support.

Sort of correct. All cables that were present (and some DURING) when 2.2.1 used the firewire method of charging (which can be referenced with Google). These cables can cause a few issues with charging, syncing or upgrading/restoring firmware.

Also, aftermarket or third party cables can cause issues as well.

All iPod and iPhone cables are the same.

That's not entirely true.

At some point the plastic plug (not the actual connector but the part that you grab with your fingers) got smaller.

As a result, these older cables cannot properly connect with an iPhone 4 that has a bumper on it.

Matt

Yes, I found that to be true with my home charger (so I used the the charger that came with the iPhone 4 as opposed to the one that I was using for my iPhone 3G which didn't fit tightly)) and especially my car charger - Anybody, have any ideas on if someone will come out with a car charger that fits snug ( and actually works 🙂

I have been using the same cable that came with my 3GS for charging my iP4.