How to Decide Which is Right for You: the 3G iPhone vs. the BlackBerry Storm
By Mindy
BillSavings.com Brief: Smartphone technology just continues to get better, especially now that a competitor exists for the hugely popular iPhone. The BlackBerry Storm is growing in steam and reputation and holds up as a valid challenger to the iPhone market. Find out more about the advantages of the two and compare basic features to find out which mobile device is the best for you.
If you’re a smartphone enthusiast, you may be torn between the two classiest items on the market: the BlackBerry Storm and the iPhone. Both are impressive technological feats and both offer options and advances in mobile communications to be marveled at. Despite their tech-savvy similarities, these top-quality mobile devices have quite a few unique features. Find out how the two match up so you’ll know exactly which one is right for your needs when it comes time to buy.
An overview of the Apple iPhone 3G
Hands down, Apple’s iPhone 3G has enjoyed overwhelming success due to its user-friendly touch screen technology. This palatable feature helped Apple sell over 10 million devices in 2008 alone – due in part to the touch screen’s ease-of-use as well as its straightforward functionality.
Major advantages of the iPhone 3G:
- The first Apple iPhone was released in June of 2007, meaning it’s been on the market for over two years. In that time, Apple has been able to eliminate many of the initial glitches that came with the original version of the iPhone. This means new iPhone users can expect a relatively faultless experience. On top of that, Apple has added countless new iPhone applications that make the product exceptionally versatile.
- The iPhone 3G is available with two options for built-in memory. The first option comes with 8GB of internal storage and the second, for about a hundred dollars more, comes with 16GB of internal storage. This means any iPhone user has immediate access to built-in memory, alleviating the need to purchase multiple extra memory cards.
- For any web surfing guru, the iPhone’s Safari Web browser is pleasingly close to a real desktop browsing experience. Easy touch-gestures allow for basic navigation, scrolling, and zooming.
- The iPhone brings with it access to the iTunes App Store, which is essentially a mobile application marketplace. The App Store has proven itself to be both reliable and easy to use. iPhone users may access the store when they want to download or update any third-party software. The download conveniently takes place directly through the iPhone, though desktop computers may also function as download devices.
- On the same note, the iPhone doubles as an iPod, which is the most popular digital media player in the world. The user interface for the iPod has been widely praised as intuitive and attractive, and has been seamlessly integrated into the iPhone as its media player.
- The iPhone features perfect integration capability with its well-liked iTunes software – a big bonus for music fans. In addition, iTunes works well on both Macs and PCs, making it easily versatile for a variety of users.
An overview of the BlackBerry Storm
When it first hit the market, the BlackBerry Storm was touted to be the first true rival to the iPhone. Since its debut in November of 2008, it has held its own in terms of attracting customers and winning over smartphone users.
Major advantages of the BlackBerry Storm:
- The BlackBerry offers stereo Bluetooth capability, meaning there’s no need for wired headphones for users who want to listen to music in stereo.
- For users who wish to snap high quality images, the Storm’s 3.2 megapixel digital camera allows for some nicely detailed images. The Storm also offers video capture capability.
- The BlackBerry also offers a removable battery feature, meaning you can swap out batteries that cost as little as $5 each when your smartphone power is low and you’re not in a location where you can recharge.
- The memory on the BlackBerry can be expanded to suit your needs – it comes with just 1GB of initial memory storage but includes an expandable microSD media card slot that allows for memory cards with up to 16GB of storage.
- A cut & paste function is included in the BlackBerry Storm that makes it easy to share links and long text strings.
- The BlackBerry Storm is a proven multi-tasker, meaning it allows you to run several applications at a time without slowing down or crashing.
Quick-glance comparison of the BlackBerry Storm and the iPhone 3G
Below you’ll find a helpful chart that gives you a quick overview of the differences and similarities between the iPhone and the BlackBerry.
| Feature(s) |
BlackBerry Storm |
iPhone 3G |
|
U.S. carrier |
Verizon |
AT&T |
| Platform |
BlackBerry (Java based) |
Apple¡¯s proprietary OS X |
| Size and weight |
4.4¡± by 24¡± by 0.55¡±; 5.46 oz. |
4.3¡å by 2.4¡åby 0.33¡å; 4.05 oz. |
| Screen size and resolution |
3.25¡å; 480 by 360 |
3.5¡å; 480 by 320 |
| Input |
Multi-touch haptic-feedback touchscreen with QWERTY and SureType keyboards |
Multi-touch touchscreen with on-screen keyboard |
| Buttons |
Volume; lock; left and right Convenience; mute/play; send, menu, end, and escape |
Home; volume; vibrate |
| Bluetooth |
Stereo |
Monaural |
| Camera |
3.2 megapixels; flash; digital zoom; video capable |
2 megapixels; no flash; no digital zoom; no video |
| Battery |
5.5 hours talk time; 360 hours standby; removable |
5 hours talk time; 300 hours standby; not removable |
| Calendar |
Yes, with to-do list |
Yes, but no to-do list |
| Office Apps |
Documents to Go Office-compatible suite, with editing |
Microsoft Office-compatible viewers, but no editing |
| Desktop synching |
BlackBerry Media Sync |
Through iTunes |
| Photos |
Yes |
Yes |
6/27/2009
