Synchronize iPhone contacts with Windows 7 PC, without using iTunes

Question

I want to copy my iPhone 3G contacts to my Windows 7 PC without going through iTunes.

When this is completed, I'll purchase an iPhone 4s that I would then like to synchronise with my PC contacts.

Please make the steps simple and concise as I am not very computer proficient!

Answer 1

You cannot get away from iTunes, you have an iPhone, it is an Apple Product, and they chain you to iTunes.

With that said, here is a simple guide you get by searching "importing iphone contacts to windows 7"

It is also for gmail syncing if you need that:

Once you find all the contacts in Windows Contact format inside the [Username]/Contacts folder, hit Export to save them all in CSV format.

http://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/import-iphone-contacts-to-gmail-via-windows-7/

IF however you do want to find another way without itunes
Try looking here: http://www.everythingicafe.com/forum/threads/how-to-back-up-my-contacts-without-using-itunes.56509/

Answer 2

If I understand correctly, you don't actually want to copy your contacts yo your PC, but rather to back them up (somewhere) so that once you get the new 4S you can upload them to the phone.

As Jakub said, the easiest way to do it is just by using iTunes.

If that is not an option, there are more convoluted ways to achieve your goal by making use of some kind online service, such as a Microsoft Exchange server. That will not backup your contacts to your PC, but rather to a server, which is a good thing because it will ease the transition to your new phone. Instructions for configuring google's exchange server syncing can be found here: http://support.google.com/mobile/bin/answer.py?hl=en&topic=14252&answer=138740

Another option, unfortunately unavailable to you since it requires iOS5 (not available for the iPhone 3G), is to use iCloud as a contact syncing service.