Storm 2 vs Iphone 3gs - whats the real deal?

[swamprat96]

OK I know this has been done to death on Crackberry. But I still don't have a clear picture of why we BB users think the storm 2 is superior. I think Camski came from an Iphone?

The reason I ask is that I played with a mates Iphone 3GS the other day. It was quick, browsed better and to be honest was fairly intuitive to use. And email (which I was told was its weakness vs BB) looked - dare I say it - better displayed than the storm 2? It had GPS that worked in Australia (the only one here for the storm is Vodafone's offering).

OK I know - there is no multitask. So whats that mean? If you are in the middle of composing an email or playing a game will the phone still ring on an inbound call? If so where else do we need multitasking?

I also know the Iphone is sealed and the battery hard to replace- but its way skinnier than my storm 2 - and lighter. I know security is a problem- but enough to worry about. And finally I believe these things drop calls?

One major advantage I'm lead to believe is its way cheaper to run a Storm 2 than an Iphone- is this true?

Curious and worth having a real comparo on the forum now that enough of us have storm2's

[Camski]

I came from a Windows Mobile, HTC Touch Diamond But I definitely see your point.

Facts are facts - "It was quick, browsed better and to be honest was fairly intuitive to use", very true - might I add, with the latest round of CPU's in them (ie. 3GS vs 3G), they're VERY quick.

Because I haven't had any long term experience with a 3GS I can only speak on the perspective from the latest generation iPod Touch in 32GB edition.

There's some minor hardware differences between the two, but they function almost identically, minus the phone.

The iPhone was built for the consumer, where as the Storm2 (well, any BlackBerry) was built for the enterprise user. This doesn't mean they don't work both ways though, as is clear between the two, the Storm2 with it's touchscreen is aimed at better fitting the consumer where as the iPhone also has email facilities as you'd expect from an enterprise based phone.

With that said, it's obvious that the iPhone will suit most people purely because, Apple have a target market and they've hit the sweet spot. Same goes for RIM, only there's a difference.

The iPhone aims for simplicity, that's what the consumer wants, hence why email, browser, GUI and the "App Store" are all fast and easy to use. The iPhone if you ask me is one of the best phones out of the box for the average person. It just works.

Now comes the problems of the iPhone; security, enterprise integration and maybe even reliability. Naturally RIM are the masters at this and you can find these features in the Storm2. But that doesn't necessarily make the Storm2 superior, it really comes down to what you want. Certain features in each phone may be superior to each other from a facts point of view (eg. iPhone is faster than the Storm2 with general use) but it comes down to which features between the two are superior to you.

It pseudo multi-tasks. Reminds me of my Palm days. You can play music while doing other tasks, also have instant messenger running and be installing an application over the air via App Store all at once. There's no real disadvantage of not being able to multitask, unless you specifically need it for whatever reason. Calls will come through like normal, even if you're in the middle of something.

Not sure but the iPhone 3GS is roughly the same thickness as the Storm2. It's a good 30grams lighter though.

I've heard they drop calls, but can't confirm it's a real issue, may also be carrier related among other variables. All phones drop calls, it's a hard one to pick unless it drops virtually every second call.

Depends on what you use the iPhone/BlackBerry for, data plans are getting cheaper and cheaper with more quota per month. A lot of applications on both the iPhone and BlackBerry use an internet connection for whatever reason (maybe a weather update, Facebook, any instant messenger, Google Maps etc.) so depending on your usage, unlimited internet sometimes isn't such a bad thing, especially with Vodafone's latest price offering of $10.

Only problem is this, BIS dropouts and slow data transfer. It's only slow because everything goes through a server of some sort at RIM's end then to your phone. That's why generally, things happen faster on the iPhone when it comes to applications accessing the net.

[swamprat96]

Nice wrap Camski. Hadn't considered the rim server roadblock- interesting. Curious to see if we get other bites

[craigy31]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry9520/5.0.0.465 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/1)

I think the RIM internet server is very true Camski. I'm using the storm 2 9520 in a Vodafone BB plan and I also have a BB Bold 2 9700 on three network but not a BB plan so it used threes internet services.
Compairing both with internet services, three downloads a lot quicker them my storm does on a BB plan.
Maybe that will give you a comparison, I wonder who else has experienced this also.

Cheers

Craig

[Quattroporte]

Very nice Cam

In regards from him coming from an iPhone, but finding out he didn't.. I've come from an iPhone 3G and 3GS.

I very much agree with the iPhone being a consumer phone, there is no way that is in any regard incorrect.

This was why I switched from Blackberry to iPhone. I had a curve 8300 and couldn't use any of the features (was to young to be on a plan and mum wouldn't allow it). It was practically transformed from a blackberry phone to a nokia 3310 (remember the oldschool phones that were only used for SMS). You wouldn't access email, browse the internet or install applications (MSN, facebook and myspace).

The iPhone however works perfectly regardless if on a plan or not. That, therefore, agreeing with Cam, also made them hit the sweet spot even more. Anyone could use it, not just enterprises.

The only real advantage of having an iPhone (when I look at it) is browsing. Fast, smooth and clean. But really, in regards to this, any smart phone craps over BB. Motorola Droid, Google Phone etc etc. (no experience with windows mobile so not sure about how that is for browsing).


As for everything else, cam said it! that's just my 2c.

[swamprat96]

So Quattroporte- whats your verdict on the iPhones email capability? Does it work as well as BB? This has always been RIM's strongpoint- but from what i saw its under threat

[Quattroporte]

Well its definitely easier but the blackberry push is so much better and msg emails arrive instantly. With the iphone they are pushed every 15 minutes (when it checks) but you can go into it and it will check.

But I would have to say blackberry simply because it is more reliable.

[kevinnugent]

Originally Posted by Quattroporte

Well its definitely easier but the blackberry push is so much better and msg emails arrive instantly. With the iphone they are pushed every 15 minutes (when it checks) but you can go into it and it will check.

But I would have to say blackberry simply because it is more reliable.

I have a 3GS and a 9700. Whilst the iPhone can/will poll for mail, it can also use the Enterprise servers and have mail pushed e.g. Gmail. But.... the battery life is the price you'll pay for this. Big time. The iPhone's battery isn't designed to be "on" all the time with regards to mail.

For example, my 3GS with push enabled - lasts till early evening. The 9700 keeps going for 2 days easily.

2c + GST

[Quattroporte]

Originally Posted by kevinnugent

I have a 3GS and a 9700. Whilst the iPhone can/will poll for mail, it can also use the Enterprise servers and have mail pushed e.g. Gmail. But.... the battery life is the price you'll pay for this. Big time. The iPhone's battery isn't designed to be "on" all the time with regards to mail.

For example, my 3GS with push enabled - lasts till early evening. The 9700 keeps going for 2 days easily.

2c + GST

Excellent and crucial point - nice one!

Long live the 2 years I spent having to charge my phone (compulsory) every night. One of the added bonuses of having the blackberry.

[Camski]

Only difference between enterprise integration is to what degree of functionality is gained by integrating, into that enterprise server.

While the iPhone will give you your email, a BlackBerry on a BES will give you extra security, the ability to monitor as well as enable and disable functions of the phone, including software as well as your email. Basic security functions such as enforcing all users on a BES (or even specific users) to use a password to protect sensitive information or disabling an application such as Facebook if that is seen as a possible security risk. Remote wipe, remote backup/restore etc. etc. - all done from the seat at a computer. Mind you, some of these functions are making their way (sometimes free) to BIS users.

That's probably THE biggest difference when it comes to "enterprise integration" between a BlackBerry, and just about any other phone on the market, the BlackBerry Enterprise Server.