Toad’s Stool

iPhone v. Blackberry

Posted on 30. Jul, 2009 by Toad in Apple, Technology

I have spent about a week now with 2 new phones.  The first being an iPhone 3GS and the other a Blackberry Bold.  Both phones definitely have their merits but which of them is truly the better phone?  Of course all of the Apple fan boys are now screaming “iPhone!” but I can’t say that I’m so sure.  I have had an iPhone for over a year now and I have to say that the Blackberry is definitely a nice phone.First off however, let’s look at the new iPhone.  For the more than a year I have been using a first generation iPhone which I dearly loved.  I had a Zagg screen protector and with the aluminum back it was darn near indestructible.  Even after taking several direct hits onto asphalt it continued to work flawlessly.  This phone definitely makes it into the category of one of the best phones I have ever had.  I did have a few complaints about it however.  My cellular reception was horrific!  I don’t mean juat a little but to the extent that I would drop a call every time I switched towers.  It was truly ridiculous.  I also had a few other problems with the later software versions where it was just really slow to operate at times but overall it was a great phone.

Now that I have spent a week with the iPhone 3GS I can plainly see how awful the original iPhone was in comparison.  When I talk to people now I can actually hear the and the built in speakers can be heard without holding the phone directly to your head.  It’s significantly faster and the new camera is fantastic not to mention the GPS ia a lot of fun.  Overall it is a completely different experience using the 3GS.  It all of the same great software but on a hardware platform much better suited for it.

So enough iPhone lovin, let’s talk about the Bold.  I want to preface this section by saying I have never been a big fan of Blackberries.  The Bold on the other hand has been a real surprise.  I have enjoyed the email experience and overall it is a really nice piece of hardware.  The screen is the most amazing part of the phone.  Though it’s not a touch screen the colors and resolution are completely amazing.  The keyboard is also a big plus.  I like a real keyboard and I can type on it pretty efficiently and I have say that the trackball is starting to grow on me.  The biggest thing I can see that is holding back the Bold is the software.  I don’t like the interface and to be an email centric device the email experience is crap.

I like both devices.  With the touch screen not withstanding the Bold to me feels like the more quality hardware.  It feels durable and solid in your hand.  The big key is the software experience which is where the iPhone really shines.  Right out of the box the iPhone is easy to use and easy to understand.  There are a few intricate controls like copy and paste and voice control that you stumble upon during use but in general its a breeze to learn.  With the Bold on the other hand I found myself having to google how to do certain functions.  The Apps likewise are a huge plus for the iPhone.  All of this considered I have to say that for the the iPhone still wins the prize.