This writer recently switched from using a Blackberry to an iPhone. How do they stack up from a home user's perspective? Here are pros and cons.
Network coverage -- Blackberry wins.
AT&T has less coverage than Verizon. AT&T's coverage is fine in Cleveland, Lakewood, and other cities. In smaller towns in Ohio, the service stops. I recently visited Colorado and service was spotty; it's worse in Marblehead, Lakeside, Tiffin, and other Ohio towns.
Email Synchronization -- iPhone wins.
The iPhone allows access directly to the major internet email services. With Blackberry and the home computer, according to RIM, email synchronization was unavailable. The email messages appeared but the handhold didn't support any filing of messages, forcing me to review them twice.
Calendar Synchronization -- Blackberry wins.
The iPhone calendar doesn't synch with calendars on Google or Yahoo; Blackberry does, via an interface cable. Does this matter for home use? It will if the phone dies and you miss appointments; one answer from Apple is an annual fee that covers synchronization of all your Apple products -- including synchronization of music and photographs.
Contact list Synchronization -- Equal.
Both iPhone and Blackberry allow synchronization of contact lists.
Applications -- the jury's out!
iPhone has more aps including robust music support. So far, the important aps such as Google Maps are readily available for both devices.
Battery life -- Approximately equal.
Both the old Blackberry Pearl and the new iPhone work well for a day but need to plug in every night. (See this Examiner report on how to conserve iPhone 4 battery power: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-13879-iPhone-Examiner~y2009m7d9-How-to-save-iPhone-battery-life
Compare all-in prices -- best deal depends on your bundle of services.
Prices for top-of-the-line Blackberry and iPhone models are comparable. Older Blackberry models are bargains compared to iPhones -- because while older Blackberry models are free with 2-year service contracts, AT&T and Apple do not reduce recent iPhone models as significantly at end of life. The price of monthly service is the most critical component and the best deal will come from bundling multiple phones and services. (AT&T wants to sell you cable alternatives, too!) In the writer's case the lower AT&T monthly service cost pays for the iPhone device in less than 2 years.
Also take a look at the Blackberry examiner's recent poll comparing popularity of iPhone 4, Blackberry 9800 and Evo devices: http://www.examiner.com/x-19475-BlackBerry-Examiner~y2010m6d8-Poll-iPhone-4-HTC-Evo-or-BlackBerry-9800
Bottom line: Calculate the cost of the phone and the service; bundle as many services as you can and talk to 2 or more carriers (note -- currently iPhone is only available with AT&T service).
Enjoying these? Subscribe by clicking the Subscriber link above.
Copyright © 2010 Susan J. Walker
Comments