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The iPhone vs. BlackBerry conundrum

The latest versions of the perennially popular iPhone and BlackBerry smartphones are both technically efficient and easy on the eye. However, there are some differences between the two devices that consumers will want to be aware of before they choose between these two excellent products.

Comparing the basics
Both the latest iPhone and BlackBerry appear to be sleek and ultra-modern, and both have their immediate attractions. For example, some potential buyers will be drawn to the iPhone’s glossy surface and single, one-piece screen. On the other hand, the signature keyboard of the BlackBerry is one of its major selling points; this enhanced keyboard makes it easier to type texts and emails, and there is less chance of making typos. The iPhone features big icons and has a simple design and although this used to make it a clear winner, the introduction of the track-ball and touch-screen to the Bold range by BlackBerry has done much to close the gap in this respect. The sensitivity of the track-ball can also be personalised.

The iPhone screen has higher resolution than that of the BlackBerry and is also slightly larger, at 3.5 inches as opposed to the BlackBerry Bold’s 2.8 inches; this difference, however, really isn’t terribly noticeable and to the average buyer they both look great. The decision on which to choose becomes all the tougher when you consider that both the latest iPhone and the BlackBerry Bold are far ahead of their competition in the smartphone market, offering great battery life and excellent performance and functionality. However, one major difference that could become a deciding factor for some consumers may well be BlackBerry’s standby time of 12.8 days, compared with the iPhone’s 8.3 days. It will largely depend on personal preference and need.

Messenger Services
BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) is a popular instant messaging service which has proved a big hit with BlackBerry users; the service not only lets the user see when a message has been received or delivered, but also tells them when it has been read by the recipient. On the other hand, iPhones now have the iMessage facility, which works slightly differently but does essentially the same thing.

Cameras and Memory
Both phones have impressive cameras, although the iPhone’s 8-megapixel camera and 1080p HD video recorder are rather better than the BlackBerry’s 5-megapixel camera and 720p HD video recorder, although for most people the latter is more than sufficient for a mobile phone.
The iPhone also has a bigger memory, but this has to be weighed against the BlackBerry’s expandable memory, which simply involves sliding a memory card into the appropriate slot. BlackBerry’s 8GB internal memory will be more than enough for the average user, but others may prefer the iPhone’s 16, 32 and 66GB capabilities, depending on what they intend to use it for.

Pricing
In terms of pricing, BlackBerry has the advantage over the iPhone in that users get unlimited voice and data services for about 25 per cent less per month on average, and there is also the advantage of a pre-paid, ‘no contract’ arrangement, whereas the iPhone is available only with a two-year contract.

It can be difficult deciding on the best one to go for, but this is true when choosing any product, from a carpet washer to a new car. The combination of flexible contract and lower price, as well as the popular proprietary messaging service, often makes the crucial difference with younger smartphone users. On the other hand, the iPhone seems to be really taking off with young mums, who hand them to their toddlers to keep them busy, compare apps while at the hairdresser, and use them to look for new recipes, according to a recent study by Greystripe, a mobile ad network.

The above is a guest article written for Phones Review.

Comments

3 thoughts on “The iPhone vs. BlackBerry conundrum”

  1. Jay12983 says:

    Screen sizes do actually make plenty of difference if you use these things a great deal.
    The bigger the screen (and clarity) the better it is for your eyes.

  2. PhonePowerUser says:

    I have both, and also an Android. Yes, big differences between the iPhone and the BlackBerry. The Berry was basically designed as a PDA for the busy executive. It’s a phone first, then a communication tool. It was not originally intended as an application running machine, nor a social tool. It has evolved into this by necessity, not by design. The iPhone, on the other hand, was designed as a micro iPad with a phone built in. It’s
    GUI touch screen was a neat advantage over BlackBerry before they introduced touch screen. T-Mobile now offers “bring your own unlocked iPhone” for a pre-pay flat fee per month, and Simple Mobile (MVNO of T-Mobile) offers a pre-pay flat fee for either iPhone or Blackberry, and YES, they offer a true BIS BlackBerry plan that works well. I should Know, I use it on my Berry.

    So, if your gig is to social network, run a bunch of apps, have millions of apps at your disposal, and love the elegance of the Apple operating system, then jump on board and go iPhone. You can use it as a business tool, it just operates differently than BIS and the push email architecture is not there.
    If your gig is texting, emails, and telephone calls, you are far better off with a Berry. And you can use it for social networking and run apps. It’s just not the same as an iPhone in this regard, but it does work.

    If I had to choose 1 phone, I’d probably choose neither and go with my Android. But if I were choosing between iPhone and BlackBerry, I’d go Berry for now. We’ll see what happens after they introduce the os10 in January. It’s supposed to be more iPhone-esque. We’ll see.

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