When Apple first introduced the iPhone back in 2007, it was called by them and us, revolutionary. Apart from it’s 3-in-1 product appeal, it’s responsive touch screen was like nothing else then available on the market. It’s user interface was clean, reliable, readable and most importantly, easy navigable. As the months went on iPhone advanced with technology gaining 3G, and built-in GPS ..
[Update 10.11.08 @ 00.40am] – We’ve just heard from trusted sources that the blackberry will be available on Vodaphone UK on November 14th 2008.
It grew in popularity, becoming one of the most popular phones in the U.S, by garnering one third of the U.S smart phone market as a whole, within the space of just 3 months. As a result, manufacturers picked up on certain features and elements of the device, and as ever, tried to blatantly copy them. Many tried, and nearly all failed.
Now it’s the turn of RIM and it’s recently announced Blackberry Storm. The big headlines are saying; “This is the phone to beat …”, and “Yes, it will beat the iPhone 3G” – But are they right?, Is this enough to ”˜Storm’ the market, Does it have what it takes to outsell the iPhone? …
Does it live up to it’s hype?, and secondly – can it actually compete with the iPhone 3G?
To understand how these devices compare to each other, not just in software, but in hardware too – we need to perform a direct comparison.
Here’s a comparison chart I drew up taking statistics found at both
apple.com/iphone/specs.html and blackberry.com/blackberrystorm/specifications.shtml.
I’m going to take look at the two devices with a completely fresh, unbiased opinion. Then, we’ll get into each feature individually, and hopefully come to a final conclusion of which device is better for it’s market. Each device will start with no points, an gradually gain 1 point per overriding feature or hardware component which differ between each. Here we go ..
Note: I in no way own a Blackberry Storm. Nor have I personally had a hands-on experience with one. This comparison is based off released technical specifications and media opinions only.
iPhone 3G: 0
Blackberry Storm: 1
The first of these is e-mail. Excluding using these devices to call people, users also want a quick and efficient way to compose and send an e-mail on the fly. Now as we all probably know by now, iPhone’s Mail comes in the form of Mail.app, and while it does allow for simple composition, there is one glaring obvious omission. Now plugged by applications such as EasyWriter [App Store] and Wide Email [App Store] we’re talking about the ability to compose an e-mail with an active landscape keyboard. This is pretty huge omission for a device which is trying desperately to conquer the worldwide enterprise market. Blackberry however wins on this one. It’s e-mail application is designed around business, and it shows. Does it have a landscape keyboard option? – it sure does.
The Screen
iPhone 3G: 1
Blackberry Storm: 1
Both devices also feature a multi-touch screen, nothing new there then, and with just 3 inches in it, the iPhone takes the award for the biggest screen. But, What about actual tactile feedback? – I mean I’m not personally bothered if I click something and don’t actually experience a click, however RIM obviously thinks this is important as the Blackberry Storm is world’s first mobile device to feature SurePressâ„¢. To me and you, that’s a clickable touchscreen. What this means is, unlike the iPhone, Blackberry Storm users can now avoid selecting something they didn’t want to initially select, by physically clicking the screen down over the exact item.
Data Connections
iPhone 3G: 2
Blackberry Storm: 1
You may be surprised to learn the Blackberry Storm does not support WIFI. That’s right, RIM’s alleged iPhone killer doesn’t have 802.11 b or g networking (as noted in this Stuff.tv video look). Suffice to say, this is pretty poor. With iPhone supporting WIFI, iPhone wins this one hands down ..
The Internet
iPhone 3G: 3
Blackberry Storm: 1
The iPhone features a mobile port of Apples Safari browser. Clean cut, and easy to use. The Blackberry Storm also features a browser which is clean cut and easy to use – the only problem being it’s lacking the slickness of mobile Safari. Now obviously a browser can’t be exactly like Safari without being … Safari, but for some reason, the browser in Blackberry OS just doesn’t seem to cut it, and here’s why. When you browsing with mobile Safari, a simple tap effortless zooms you in. Now with the Storm, because RIM has opted for a clickable screen, you actually have to click to zoom in and out. This may suit some people, but me being a user of the iPhone, and Apple’s way of thinking, I can’t say it suits me. Adding to this is the lack of WIFI. This means I have to find a HSDPA covered area to surf and browse anywhere near-WIFI speeds, which frankly is not always possible, not over here in the UK anyway. Luckily, Vodaphone the worldwide carrier named as being the distributor of the Storm have announced unlimited data plans.
User Interface
iPhone 3G: 4
Blackberry Storm: 2
It’s a tie. Yep, it’s official, I like the user interface of the new Blackberry Storm as much as I do with that of my iPhone 3G – So what’s the catch? – well although RIM have tried to create an clear iPhone experience with the Storm, its not all there just yet. For example, the time it takes for the device to recognise you’ve rotated it, and react to that through it’s software, is pretty slow compared to the iPhone. What I do like however is how they’ve focused on this sort of Black and Electric Blue which runs through the whole interface, and gives it (in my opinion) a pretty sleek look.
The Camera
iPhone 3G: 4
Blackberry Storm: 3
It’s the Blackberry again. If it’s 3.2 Mega pixel, auto focusing camera, complete with flash wasn’t enough, video recording is also supported. With the iPhone’s current inability to record even 5 seconds of video (officially), there’s no questioning the Storm’s camera blows Apple’s attempt of one on the iPhone (and iPhone 3G) completely out of the water.
Push
iPhone 3G: 4
Blackberry Storm: 4
RIM beat Apple to it. The Storm officially supports push notification, push e-mail and other push technologies for applications installed – Rackin’ up another point for the Blackberry!
Copy & Paste
iPhone 3G: 4
Blackberry Storm: 5
You knew it was coming. The Blackberry storm includes multi-touch gesture-based commands to efficiently and effectively copy and paste data between neighboring applications.
Applications
iPhone 3G: 5
Blackberry Storm: 5
The addition of the 2.0 software, and the App Store allowed 3rd-party applications to be installed quickly and easily. It’s pretty much the perfect distribution center. The Blackberry, although it does offer expandability and installable application models, Apple’s App Store completely dwarfs the current list of applications available for the Blackberry platform.
Memory
iPhone 3G: 6
Blackberry Storm: 5
Finally, the Blackberry Storm comes with 1GB built-in memory which is ultimately expandable to a maximum 8GB. Although respectable, it’s nothing compared to the 16GB version of the iPhone 3G.
In this instance, and due to built-in memory sizes of 8 and 16GB, iPhone wins this little review in my opinion. I think I’ve covered the main feature-set, but if you wish to add your own thoughts on which device you think should ultimately win the fight, post them up in the comments!
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