Most of you will know that I absolutely love BlackBerry mobile phones, but there was a time last year – just before the BlackBerry Torch was released when I started to think about joining the iPhone brigade because of the apps, and the large screen the smartphone has.
Luckily, then, for me, the BlackBerry Torch was released, and I fell in love again.
I wanted to put the BlackBerry Torch up against the iPhone 4, to make sure I would make the best buying choice. I’ve had the iPod Touch since it first came out years ago, and one of the things that niggled me about using it is the typing and the errors I make when trying to send an email, or just enter a website address.
So the thought of trading in my BlackBerry Curve for an iPhone 4 could leave me with a phone that would start to annoy me every time I send an email (which is a lot!), made me pause a bit.
The good people at BlackBerry’s PR agency sent me the BlackBerry Torch (before I got my own) to test, and I put this up against the iPhone 3GS. Apple, refused twice to send me the iPhone 4, for a number of reasons, the last ebing that they did not have a loan unit in stock and did not know when it could be back in stock, so I spoke with Vodafone (www.vodafone.co.uk), who had the 3GS available and went with that – thanks Vodafone.
Owing to the reported problems that people were having with the iPhone 4, I didn’t feel like I would be missing out too much.
So, if you are looking to buy a new smartphone, or want to upgrade your old phone, which should you get?
Screen
The iPhone 3GS’s screen wins hands down – it is bigger and very responsive to touch – but then Apple has been doing the touchscreen thing a little longer than BlackBerry.
That said, both phones have great touchscreen functionality – BlackBerry has really raised the bar since the Storm and Storm II.
Winner: iPhone 4
Processor
BlackBerry has really done it’s research with the Torch – I have been a user for years, but one of the things that used to niggle me is that Blackberries did not handle running more than one application open at the same time well.
Now it does – and I love the slide screen effect you can do as well.
Apple’s iPhone 3GS is googd, too, but it can hang sometimes, so it’s BlackBerry all the way.
Winner: BlackBerry Torch 9800
Browser
The iPhone 3GS uses a safari browse, while the BlackBerry Torch uses the WebKit browser. Both work very well, and BlackBerry fans will be pleased to know that the Torch can also used tabbed windows like the iPhone, so for all you mobile surfers out there – this one’s for you!
Winner: BlackBerry Torch 9800
Applications
One of the downsides of not owning an iPhone is that you don’t get to benefit fromt he many apps – just about everything and everyone and his dog seems to have an iPhone app these days.
BlackBerry’s App World is also bumper-packed with apps these days, but it still has some way to go. And not every iPhone app is available on the BlackBerry, so it can be a little frustrating.
BlackBerry apps are also notably more expensive than iPhone applications, while there’s a lot less choice in App World. You may be able to buy BlackBerry apps from third parties unlike for the iPhone, but iPhone apps are much more inventive and cover a wider range compared to BlackBerry.
Winner: Apple iPhone 4
Keyboard
Hands-down the BlackBerry Torch wins when it comes to the keyboard. There is nothing better than having the flexibility to use touchscreen when you want it, and touchscreen when you don’t!
Winner: BlackBerry Torch 9800
Setup
When you take the BlackBerry Torch out of the box, you put the sim card in, pop the battery in and you’re good to go. You can at least start using it’s basic phone features from that point (i.e. make a phone call), then take about 5-10 minutes to set up emails if you’ll be using them on your phone,
Apple’s iPhone is a different kettle of fish – annoyingly.
As soon as you switch it on, you have to go through the hassle of linking it with iTunes, and if you don’t have the most recent version of iTunes, then set aside 30 minutes to an hour to download the latest version of iTunes, install it (if you didn’t have it already), register your iPhone…all before you can start using it. What a pain!
Winner: BlackBerry
Battery life
BlackBerry phones have alsways been great for battery life, and the Torch doesn not disappoint. You can listen to music, chat away, email away, socialise on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, browse the internet and still have lots of battery life left come the end of the day.
I wish the same could be said for the iPhone 3GS.
Winner: BlackBerry Torch 9800
The Verdict
Both the iPhone 3GS and the BlackBerry Torch have really raised the bar in the smartphones market. However, the clear winner for me is the BlackBerry Torch because it is versatile and can meet all the needs of a busy mum. The brand has obviously listened to its customers – and it shows.
I just can’t wait for the BlackBerry Playbook to be released in the UK now – then my handbag will be complete!
