Blackberry Or iPhone?

I have been rocking the most ghetto phone for about six months now...



Look at the keypad...



It is quite ghetto, yes? And nearly impossible to text on.

Anyhow... I got this phone as a replacement for an older phone I had, which I spilled water on and ruined... Which was an equally ghetto phone that was a replacement for my original phone - which I lost. But I couldn't get a new snazzy phone, like an iPhone or Blackberry, because I would have to commit to a two-year contract with pretty much any carrier. And I, because of the move to Toronto coming up, had commitment problems.

I would be moving in 9 months (at the time) and wouldn't be able to do a two-year contract. So a ghetto phone it was for me! And, to be honest, I never answer my phone anyway. So I really didn't care what it looked like or what it did. But now I do...

See, now that I am not working (and not chained to a desk with a shitty computer) I am having "accessibility" issues. I am used to having my AIM, Gmail, work email, SKYPE all at my finger tips. But now when I leave the house, I have to pray I am within the range of a free network in order to get a signal for my iPod touch - in order to check my email. So, as soon as the plane lands in Toronto, I am off to the store to get a new phone. But there is my dilemma...

What phone do I get?

My aunt in Arizona emailed me just yesterday with this same issue. She is craving the new iPhone... But, as she pointed out, Apple is bound to have a new version of it out later this year. So should she wait till then? Or should she look at getting a Blackberry, because the iPhone not all it's cracked up to be?

And speaking of "cracked," I have known three people in the last two months who have cracked their screens on their iPhones. Additionally, I have heard that the batteries on the iPhone run out quickly when you use all the different applications on it, in addition to listening to music and using it as a phone.

Am I better off with a Blackberry for phone, email and messaging? And just keep my three iPods for my music needs?

This is where you people (hopefully) come in... Which should I get? A Blackberry (not even sure yet what version) or an iPhone? Voting is on the right!

Comments

Michele said…
I JUST got my blackberry and I'm sooo addicted. I think the iphone is just a bunch of hype you can pretty much do everything on your blackberry that you can do on the iphone.
Grace said…
I have both - BB for work and iPhone for play and personal.
BB is easier to type emails on while traveling on moving vehicles, but iPhone is FAR better at interfacing with the internet. Also, iPhone apps are fast and fun (restaurant finders, shopping, Pandora, etc.) So much more than a phone/ipod.
Frogger said…
I have to agree with Grace. If you want the Internet capabilities at good speed and detail, the iPhone is your best bet. Blackberry's are great for accessing emails and texting, but lack in their Internet abilities.
Megan said…
I say Blackberry - much easier to type on for emails etc. Plus I have heard that the iPhones don't get the best reception. I would get the BB Bold. Plus if your husband has a BB you can BB messenger easily and you don't pay like you do for texting, it is part of your data plan
Me said…
Ah! Good point BOS... The Husband does have a Blackberry. Plus, I must confess... I am leaning towards Blackberry because it is made by RIM, a Canadian company.

I want to fit in with the local folk up there... But I am sure many of them use iPhones too.
Kayleigh said…
I vote iphone! It's so convenient to have one device for mp3's, phone, and computer needs. If you're ever bored you can download free games to play, and the other apps are so useful -- my favorite is called "around me" and it lets you search for coffee shops, gas stations, supermarkets, etc near wherever you are.

The battery life, especially coming from an old basic phone, will seem short to you. I don't know how bb's are, but with the iphone you can charge it via USB to your computer, and switching the 3G off, or using wifi to conserve power. I have gotten into the habit of charging my phone over night, and I'm usually good all day (I use it at least an hour a day as mp3 player, and probably 2 hours for surfing internet, then just have it on for calls and texts the rest of the time)

But in the end, I think you should decide based on which you feel fits your style the best. I'm a mac person, so there was never any question for me. (and going to Apple instead of AT&T if I have issues is a big bonus) It's set up to work with my macbook, and the internal logic of how things look and feel jives with what I'm used to. Also, I'm proud to carry it around and be seen with it, whereas a blackberry to me says work because everyone at my job has them.

One thing to consider - does anyone other than AT&T have blackberry? Because AT&T service sucks no matter what phone you have.
That Girl! said…
I have a first generation iphone and I gotta say I love it! The number of fun applications (like Pandora, iPity - an homage Mr. T!!) is staggering and I listen to music and watch video's on it as well.

Some applications/video do zap it of juice but listening to music and ipods doesn't kill the battery. I charge it each night but I did that with a normal cell phone anyway.

And I'm fairly brutal to my things and never had a cracked screen.

Plus the tap tap tap sound can be silenced on the iphone :)
Catherine said…
As a Canadian, I recommend the Blackberry, not only because it is made RIM but because it's awesome. And RIM is coming out with an app store within the next few months so it's gonna be just as fun as an iphone. Also, word of advice, when you sign up for a plan in Canada, if you plan on going with a smartphone, go with Rogers, they do have the best network for 3G.
Me said…
Thanks Cookie!
it is so hard for me to text on an i phone. bberry all the way!
Anonymous said…
i loveee my iphone! dont know what i'd do without it :)
Everyone makes good points, but here are the top three things that make the iPhone out of this world:

1) 3G internet, so you don’t have to find a wireless hotspot wherever you go.
2) The ability to listen to music and have it pause if someone calls you. You won’t need to keep your phone on vibrate in your pocket if you’re expecting a call. It’s also more convenient to just have one slender device.
3) APPLICATIONS.

What I’m doing on my iPhone right now:

--Playing Sudoku – great for the T.
--Reading Around the World in 80 Days. Next up: Madame Bovary and Wuthering Heights.
--Keeping track of all my expenses so I can become better at saving.
--Tweeting from wherever I am, whether it’s a Vegas club or a stalled subway car, as I’m sure you’ve noticed!
--Checking the new prices of items I’m watching on eBay.
--Accepting new friend requests on Facebook.
--Losing weight with the amazing Lose It! Application, which tells you how many more calories you can have each day.
--If I’m getting arrested, which has yet to happen, I have a guide to my rights as a US Citizen.

Also…all of the above applications are free!

If they’re going to come up with a new iPhone this year, it will be during the summer. If they don’t announce a new version by May, I’d say you’re golden.
Anonymous said…
One thing you should know: I had BOTH until very recently - that is until I lost my iPhone in a cab one night. And its gone. And no, its not insurable so I can either pay $499 to replace the thing (which I admittedly loved) or I paid $150 to cancel the line and stick with my blackberry.

I miss it, but I can't bring myself to pay that. I'll wait.
Me said…
Oh I am so sorry that happened to you, Anonymous. That does suck. And I know what it is like to lose your phone in a cab... that's how my whole "ghetto phone" issue started. I left my original in a cab. :(
Anonymous said…
I was torn between BB & iphone as well and went for the BB curve a few months ago (after years on a treo). I tried the touchscreen and was way too "fat finger" for typing e-mails. The BB is a better phone. Plus, I have way too many songs on my ipod so I'd never be able to fit them all on an iphone.
Anonymous said…
Just curious- how do you make use of 3 iPods?
Anonymous said…
i love my iphone - it's usefulness can't be realized until you have one. there have been so many times when i've been hanging out with friends, and they ask, "have you seen that youtube video where..." or "what is the name of that...." or "do you know how to get there from here?" and the phone has saved us.

like kayleigh, i've always been a mac person so it wasn't a hard decision for me. but i did persuade my boyfriend to switch from his blackberry to an iphone, and he loves it - no regrets.
Me said…
Britt...

My original Nano stopped allowing me to input new songs on it, because it had reached it's 500 limit. So I got an iPod Touch instead. Then, I spilled water on the Touch, and it stopped working. So I received a new Nano for Christmas this year. Then, my Touch started miraculously working again.

The new Nano is for the gym. The old Nano is now filled with classical and instrumental music. The touch is my day planner and walk around iPod.
Anonymous said…
I have an iPhone. I love my toy. I want a Blackberry too, but I don't have a good excuse 4 purchasing 2 smart phones. I've dropped my iPhone 3 times on a hard surface. One time on concrete. I think the only thing affected was the camera. It works, it just seems like the pictures are slightly darker. I hate the battery life. That was always the criticism of the iPhone 3G before it even came out. All I know is that I wouldn't want to be stranded on a deserted island with one b/c U would never B able 2 call 4 help b/c the phone would B dead.

My best friend just got the Blackberry Bold. She loves it (even though she had her eye on an iPhone and just couldn't wait out her contract).

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