Starting to waver... BB9800 vs. iPhone4

[SilentJay]

Firstly, lets please try to keep this clean and personal attack free :) I only want to see what you guys think, and yes, i've read the other threads about each respective phone (and how those discussions quickly degrade into name-calling :chuckle).

Anyhoo, i've been using my torch for about 3-4 days now, and must say that it's a million times better than my Storm1 and Storm2, put together (duh). It's nice to have the option of both keyboard and touch screen, OS6 is smooth for the most part, and of course theres the "indispensible" BBM. I say indispensible, but in reality, it's more of a "nice to have" since I can always text...

Now, I have in my hands, a sealed iPhone4 from Rogers, and have been contemplating the alternatives. Once blissfully tapping away on the Torch, my coworker opened pandora's box by showing me thier ip4. Instantly, I could imagine myself playing with the gads of apps and games over long trips and whilst shopping with my gf. I have an ipod touch to work out with, so if I really felt inclined, I guess I could use that, but having the option of a unified solution kinda makes my mind wander...

To complicate matters, I also have my work 9700, which I can use to get my BBM fix however I rarely, if ever, carry the phone around outside of work. It's a PITA to lug 2 phones around.


So: Coles notes time...

Torch:
+BBM
+Option of keyboard
+Selling the ip4 will result in net profit

iPhone:
+Apps for everything
+More "fun" appeal
+Selling the Torch will result in smaller net profit


What should I keep?

[bettycrocker]

iphone 4... compared to a blackberry - apples products are incredible

thats just my opinion but the intuitiveness and functionality is unbeatable.

[PearlM3]

If you have a phone to get the BBM fix, then the obvious choice is IP4

[W_L89]

torch since u have a ipod touch. can always just use the apps with that

[bman13]

Based on your coles notes and summary, I think you should go with the iphone 4. That being said, let me know if you decide to part ways with the 9800 :)

[insaini]

9800 .. Obv

[SilentJay]

9800 .. Obv

LoL - I was waiting for you to chime in. May I ask why it's an obvious choice, given my description?

[aris]

This would a hard choice ... I have the iphone4 and my buddy has the gee torch and I like my phone and his

[eqlso]

I would get the torch just bcos I hate hate hate typing on a touchscreen keyboard. Some ppl don't mind it, but it bugs the hell outta me.

[Thrizzl3]

torch because you can harass me on bbm like you usually do

[insaini]

y torch?

-physical keyboard AND touchscreen
-BBM
-email (ya iphone receives email but its just not as good as bb + security)
-iphone has alot of apps i agree (which most are useless and the same) but with os6 and more open source ... alot of developers will be creating apps for bb now
-most apps that are usefull are made for iphone and bb
-no dropped calls ... full 3G reception even in my basement and elevators
-data compression

get a bb

[TokyoKiller]

y torch?

-physical keyboard AND touchscreen
-BBM
-email (ya iphone receives email but its just not as good as bb + security)
-iphone has alot of apps i agree (which most are useless and the same) but with os6 and more open source ... alot of developers will be creating apps for bb now
-most apps that are usefull are made for iphone and bb
-no dropped calls ... full 3G reception even in my basement and elevators
-data compression

get a bb


Physical keyboard or virtual keyboard is a personal preference, for the 2 years I worked for WirelessWave I carried around the most up to date iPhone and BlackBerry with me at the same time. Texting for me was faster and more comfortable on the iPhone. This is a personal choice you'll have to make by trying the 9800 and the iPhone 4 in your own hands.
----
BBM, you say you get your BBM fix with the 9700. BBM is pretty much the only "pro" and selling point that RIM currently has over any other phone manufacturer in the consumer segment. I am sure you've seen BlackBerry ads on TV, and they only thing they focus on is BBM, because that is all there is in their advantage at the moment.
---
E-mail, you clearly have a BlackBerry for your work email, unless you are planning to start email sensitive information on your personal email or device, security as intense as BIS/BES is unnecessary.
---
iPhone surely has way too many apps and a lot are useless, but there is no company out there that doesn't have an app in the Apple App store (even Mazda USA has one for roadside assistance...) BB OS6 is not open-source, RIM will be going towards a QNX-based OS starting with BlackBerry 7 which is more open than their current platform.
---
Most apps that are free on the iPhone are paid on the BlackBerry app world from my experience and if free, don't function as well as they do on iOS (due to java IMO).
---
The "Antennagate" is clearly behind us all now, and clearly if it was as big as they made it out to be in the states, you wouldn't be having a hard time finding an iPhone at an Apple Store or a Rogers Wireless dealer almost 3 months after launch.
---
Data compression is great, but with today's availability of cheap data (6GB for $30), its really not necessary and if you weren't aware, due to the compression process your data throughput on a BlackBerry is almost slowed down about 70% of what it would be without compression.


Get your self an iPhone 4, jail break it and customize it to your own liking, and just have fun.

[insaini]

Physical keyboard or virtual keyboard is a personal preference, for the 2 years I worked for WirelessWave I carried around the most up to date iPhone and BlackBerry with me at the same time. Texting for me was faster and more comfortable on the iPhone. This is a personal choice you'll have to make by trying the 9800 and the iPhone 4 in your own hands.

physical keyboard is much faster to type on without mistakes.. if your using a computer would you rather use your keyboard or would u have some sort of flat device that you press? obv the keyboard

----
BBM, you say you get your BBM fix with the 9700. BBM is pretty much the only "pro" and selling point that RIM currently has over any other phone manufacturer in the consumer segment. I am sure you've seen BlackBerry ads on TV, and they only thing they focus on is BBM, because that is all there is in their advantage at the moment.

and apple app store is the only advantage iphone has over blackberry ... every commercial u see for iphone is app this app that...---


E-mail, you clearly have a BlackBerry for your work email, unless you are planning to start email sensitive information on your personal email or device, security as intense as BIS/BES is unnecessary.

he mentioned he doesnt want to carry around 2 phones

---
iPhone surely has way too many apps and a lot are useless, but there is no company out there that doesn't have an app in the Apple App store (even Mazda USA has one for roadside assistance...) BB OS6 is not open-source, RIM will be going towards a QNX-based OS starting with BlackBerry 7 which is more open than their current platform.

qnx based platform and blackberry 7 is no where near production .... os6 is now and if you missed the last blackberry conference ... they opened up alot for developers including bbm

---
Most apps that are free on the iPhone are paid on the BlackBerry app world from my experience and if free, don't function as well as they do on iOS (due to java IMO).

name me some apps that are free on iphone that are paid for on blackberry

---
The "Antennagate" is clearly behind us all now, and clearly if it was as big as they made it out to be in the states, you wouldn't be having a hard time finding an iPhone at an Apple Store or a Rogers Wireless dealer almost 3 months after launch.
---

people are still complaining about signal issues ... check out the forums

Data compression is great, but with today's availability of cheap data (6GB for $30), its really not necessary and if you weren't aware, due to the compression process your data throughput on a BlackBerry is almost slowed down about 70% of what it would be without compression.

it does not slow down the blackberry ... various videos and tests show that blackberry email service / delivery is much faster then iphone ... thats a fact


Get your self an iPhone 4, jail break it and customize it to your own liking, and just have fun.


if your a social person and like to chat and use twitter facebook BBM myspace and all that stuff ... the social app on bb is great plus you have a physical keyboard to type on

[TokyoKiller]

if your a social person and like to chat and use twitter facebook BBM myspace and all that stuff ... the social app on bb is great plus you have a physical keyboard to type on

Seriously? Look at this, BlackBerry's choke because of the compression process.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLvQpXapIrY&feature=player_embedded#!

And you are still assuming what you prefer for a keyboard is what everyone prefers. Its a personal choice, as for social networking...the Facebook app on BB doesn't come close to that on the Android or iOS platform, and same for Twitter.

[SSmoked]

the best thing about the iphone4 is the screen resolution, the camera, the speed and smoothness, and the apps.
the really shitty thing about it is the soo called gorilla glass thats supposed to be super scratch resistant, isnt that stratch resistant, i already have scratches on the back side. also the camera lence scratches pretty easy, but it doesnt hurt camera quality. a screen protector on the rear should fix this problem, unfortunaly the pack i bought was only for the front FML.

all the 9800 has is bbm and a more accurate email.

[SilentJay]

The 9800 does have a MUCH improved web experience in the webkit browser, but you're right, iOS just works.

[tmpz]

the best thing about the iphone4 is the screen resolution, the camera, the speed and smoothness, and the apps.
the really shitty thing about it is the soo called gorilla glass thats supposed to be super scratch resistant, isnt that stratch resistant, i already have scratches on the back side. also the camera lence scratches pretty easy, but it doesnt hurt camera quality. a screen protector on the rear should fix this problem, unfortunaly the pack i bought was only for the front FML.

all the 9800 has is bbm and a more accurate email.

I heard it's only gorilla glass on the front...

BB hardware and software needs some updates. Yes, it's geared for businesses, but there's doesn't seem to be any growth compared to iOS and Android.

[TokyoKiller]

Don't get me wrong, I tried to be as concise and to the point with my list above without bashing BlackBerry. I fully realize that everyone has their preference, and BlackBerry's are designed to function and deal with business, for the consumer segment, it still misses a lot of the multimedia and networking capabilities that other devices offer.

[SilentJay]

I think (about 75% sure now) i'm going to sell my Torch, and use the iPhone for a bit. If I hate it, I can still turn around and sell it for more than the Torch, and look into something else. First things first, gotta get a skin for it.

[Sales 101]

BB torch...co-woker has iphone and he had both side by side and said wow bb touch keyboard is faster and more accurate. Me i need the real keyboard. bbm, calender app is great and on screen short cuts. no more left click send. new setup saves keystrokes. Torch is nicely rounded and comfortable in the hand for long periods of time. iphone to me is too square and feels like holding a small brick.

if you like toys and apps get iphone. if you like business get a torch.

I have two customer this week have 9700 and 5min of play on torch say "i got to get one"

[SilentJay]

Funny enough, i'll use the keypad from time to time, but I find tapping on the screen to be a bit more precise though slower.

[bman13]

Not to change your decision making but build quality...its the worst on the iPhone 4 (not hating on iOS, apple, etc...just a lot of articles have recently come out about screen cracking/being more prone to crack/break and build quality is worst of all generations citing 3GS as best build quality).

Like I said above, based on your coles...it seems like you want the iPhone 4, so go for it...if your still debating this in December, I'd sell the iPhone and wait til June til iPhone 5 comes out.

[TokyoKiller]

Oh...here is an idea. Seeing as the iPhone always has the highest resale value, just use it and try it. If you are happy with it keep it, if you ain't, sell it and get a torch.

[TokyoKiller]

Not to change your decision making but build quality...its the worst on the iPhone 4 (not hating on iOS, apple, etc...just a lot of articles have recently come out about screen cracking/being more prone to crack/break and build quality is worst of all generations citing 3GS as best build quality).

Like I said above, based on your coles...it seems like you want the iPhone 4, so go for it...if your still debating this in December, I'd sell the iPhone and wait til June til iPhone 5 comes out.

Honestly, I don't know what people do with their phones. I've thrown my BlackBerry 9700 and iPhone 4 against the wall, they both were intact...like just don't drop your phone every 5 minutes and it won't break so easily.

[klym]

Honestly, I don't know what people do with their phones. I've thrown my BlackBerry 9700 and iPhone 4 against the wall, they both were intact...like just don't drop your phone every 5 minutes and it won't break so easily.

+1

I have had many variour cell phones over the years and have no had a single one break. I really don't know what people do with their phones, one of my friends has gone through 4 phones this year alone...

[SilentJay]

My phones are babied (skins, cases, gentle treatment), I just get bored of 'em quickly :P

[TokyoKiller]

I do the same thing. I have an iPhone 4 Otterbox Commuter case and it's the best case I've ever used...although pricey but the iPhone is worth $700 itself.

I usually get bored oft gadget quickly but I still haven't gotten bored of the iPhone and I've had an iPhone since the 3G.

[SilentJay]

Update to bump thread from the dead - i'm selling both :chuckle

Stay tuned for the FS thread

[bman13]

wow...what did you do? get the Galaxy?...buddy of mine just got it and freakin love the swype texting and the AMOLED screen...damn.

[SilentJay]

Trying to get my hands on a Vibrant :)

[Thrizzl3]

sooooo the 9700 is crap?

[bman13]

sooooo the 9700 is crap?

Great phone...it's in my pocket now. Currently though its my beater berry :chuckle