Solved Which to choose - Blackberry or iPhone

[seavixen32]

I'm a bit of a luddite where mobile phones are concerned and my grandsons have finally convinced me I should join the 21st century and get myself a decent mobile - I believe in the US you call it a cell phone.

It's getting near Christmas and I was born on Boxing Day, so I'm going to treat myself.

I really am undecided whether to get a Blackberry or the iPhone 4 and I'd really appreciate some advice from those of you who use either or even both.

I think I'd rather buy the device outright rather than go for a pre-paid plan, but again, any advice on that score would be very helpful.

 

[Sub Styler]

The iPhone is easier to use while the blackberry has a bit more functionality. Of course there are varying models for each but the comparison remains the same like for like, If you already use itunes for music/pic/video collections then it would probably be easier to go with an iPhone.

 

[seavixen32]

As a matter of fact, I do use use iTunes and get on well with it.

If I do go for the iPhone, is it best to buy it SIM-free or go for a pre-paid package?

 

[pparks1]

Blackberries are great for business people who need great email application support. The iPhone is great for just about everybody else. If my choice was down to an iPhone or a Blackberry, I would take the iPhone without question.

 

[pinto]

I've had both and went back to the BB.. but only because of business. I'm not an ipod guy either so it makes little difference to me about carrying music. I'd say as u are using itunes already, go with the iphone.

 

[seavixen32]

My grandson has a Blackberry for work, which over the next few years will involve extensive worldwide travel, so my thinking was that a Blackberry would be easier to keep in touch with him.

However, from what I hear the iPhone is more versatile in terms of Apps to use with it, so I'm really undecided at the moment.

 

[Zepher]

IPhone.

 

[noobvious]

The iPhone is easier to use while the blackberry has a bit more functionality. Of course there are varying models for each but the comparison remains the same like for like, If you already use itunes for music/pic/video collections then it would probably be easier to go with an iPhone.

The BlackBerry has more functionality? I would have to question that....the iPhone is an incredibly versatile device....there's a reason the phrase "there's an app for that" has entered the lexicon, after all.

 

[seavixen32]

IPhone.

Can't get any more decisive than that!

 

[Sub Styler]

It's true that the blackberry has an indigenous messaging service that uses the wireless internet as a kind of MSN messenger service, however even people who subscribe to the blackberry "bolt-on" service with their carrier have difficulty getting the service enabled (specifically o2). It may also not have functionality in that many countries, it really depends on where he is traveling and whether they have 2g/3g/4g coverage there although where it is covered will be free to use (standard data charges only).

Your choice for purchasing your phone is really down to you and how you want to use it.

• Sim free - You pay full RRP for the phone and then have to get a sim card either sim-only contract or pre pay which you will then need to top-up or pay a bill for. Sim-only contracts often have more inclusive calls or texts and no minimum term.
• Subsidised or Free with contract - You pay little or nothing for the phone, and pay a fixed amount each month +any hidden charges e.g. calls not included in your allowance. usual 12-18 month minimum term. Take the cost of the phone and compare it to the monthly charge multiplied by the minimum term, consider what you are getting included for the difference and remember to ask them to throw in a case, they will usuall do this if it means they make a sale.
• Pre-Pay direct from specific carrier - They will have the phone locked + branded to their network for a slight reduction in handset cost, you will still need to buy credit for your phone as you use it.

Personally I dont make many calls or texts so I stick with Prepay as 1months bill will last me 2monhs in prepay credit. High users are often better with a monthly contract but note that international calls are not usually included.

 

[Sub Styler]

The BlackBerry has more functionality? I would have to question that....the iPhone is an incredibly versatile device....there's a reason the phrase "there's an app for that" has entered the lexicon, after all.

i.e. blackberry messenger service and pop3 access, is there an app for that?

(note I prefer the iphone but afaik there is no way for it to do the above)

 

[pinto]

There are a couple of things that do rank the BB as a better device for business (for me anyway)

Blackberry Messenger

Their e-mail uses way less of my data than any other phone I've used and it's "secure"

I've also unlocked it and use a T-Mobile sim when I travel in the US, Mexico and even in Canada.. way cheaper than my Rogers data/roaming/Long distance plan.

 

[seavixen32]

It's true that the blackberry has an indigenous messaging service that uses the wireless internet as a kind of MSN messenger service, however even people who subscribe to the blackberry "bolt-on" service with their carrier have difficulty getting the service enabled (specifically o2). It may also not have functionality in that many countries, it really depends on where he is traveling and whether they have 2g/3g/4g coverage there although where it is covered will be free to use (standard data charges only).

Your choice for purchasing your phone is really down to you and how you want to use it.

• Sim free - You pay full RRP for the phone and then have to get a sim card either sim-only contract or pre pay which you will then need to top-up or pay a bill for. Sim-only contracts often have more inclusive calls or texts and no minimum term.
• Subsidised or Free with contract - You pay little or nothing for the phone, and pay a fixed amount each month +any hidden charges e.g. calls not included in your allowance. usual 12-18 month minimum term. Take the cost of the phone and compare it to the monthly charge multiplied by the minimum term, consider what you are getting included for the difference and remember to ask them to throw in a case, they will usuall do this if it means they make a sale.
• Pre-Pay direct from specific carrier - They will have the phone locked + branded to their network for a slight reduction in handset cost, you will still need to buy credit for your phone as you use it.

Personally I dont make many calls or texts so I stick with Prepay as 1months bill will last me 2monhs in prepay credit. High users are often better with a monthly contract but note that international calls are not usually included.

Thanks for that advice, Sub Styler.

Pre-paid direct certainly sounds like a viable option. Does the phone get unregistered if it hasn't been used for some time?

I only ask because my current pre-pay phone gets cut off if it hasn't been used for 90 days, which means it has to be re-registered to the network provider.

 

[Zepher]

The BlackBerry has more functionality? I would have to question that....the iPhone is an incredibly versatile device....there's a reason the phrase "there's an app for that" has entered the lexicon, after all.

i.e. blackberry messenger service and pop3 access, is there an app for that?

(note I prefer the iphone but afaik there is no way for it to do the above)

I get my pop3 email on my iPhone just fine. Bb messenger is a bb service.

I have been waiting for the iPhone to get on Sprint and I finally have one.
$50/mo for basically unlimited use.

 

[noobvious]

The BlackBerry has more functionality? I would have to question that....the iPhone is an incredibly versatile device....there's a reason the phrase "there's an app for that" has entered the lexicon, after all.

i.e. blackberry messenger service and pop3 access, is there an app for that?

(note I prefer the iphone but afaik there is no way for it to do the above)

I don't know about the pop3 access, but with iOS5 they just added iMessage, which is pretty much the same idea as the BB messager.

 

[Sub Styler]

pop3 access may have been something added in iOS5 which as far as i'm concerned brings it in line with the blackberry in terms of essential functionality. I know I couldn't with my iphone (previous generation).

Seavixen, please note the reduction in phone cost is not that great (these days) providers used to subsidise them quite a lot until unlocking became so popular.

The cut off policy varies slightly from one provider to the next but they all have one, it is advisable to try and remember to use the phone ocasionally whichever network you are on. I get my grandad to send me a text once a month just to keep his active.

 

[Athene]

iPhone :-D

 

[seavixen32]

Thank you all very much for your helpful comments.

From what has been said so far it's looking more likely that I'll plump for the iPhone than the Blackberry.

If I bribe my wife with a cappuccino and a sticky bun tomorrow, I'm sure she won't mind too much if we do the local phone outlets.

 

[Zepher]

Thank you all very much for your helpful comments.

From what has been said so far it's looking more likely that I'll plump for the iPhone than the Blackberry.

If I bribe my wife with a cappuccino and a sticky bun tomorrow, I'm sure she won't mind too much if we do the local phone outlets.

I had always thought that you were a female based on your username.

 

[seavixen32]

Thank you all very much for your helpful comments.

From what has been said so far it's looking more likely that I'll plump for the iPhone than the Blackberry.

If I bribe my wife with a cappuccino and a sticky bun tomorrow, I'm sure she won't mind too much if we do the local phone outlets.

I had always thought that you were a female based on your username.

Definitely a red-blooded male here!

My user name relates to the historic aircraft in my signature - the de Havilland Sea Vixen.