Abstract: this verdict will be based on comparing Bold 9700 with iPod touch 4G
Note 1: there’s a pretty long intro, if you want to skip that jump to where it says “So here I am”
Note 2: My conclusion may be a little biased to the Blackberry because I really do like it a lot.
Three months ago I had my mind set on getting my first iPhone. A tad bit too late coming from a person who was very devoted to Apple, but meh, better late then never ey.
So yeah, had my mind set on an iPhone. 3GS or 4 was a little mystery to me because I wasn’t sure I’d need all the fanciness iPhone 4 offered. But still, it was going to be an iPhone.
A BlackBerry was under my radar but it wasn’t really a strong candidate. At least not one I was going to die for. So I thought I’d give both a fair shot and give it some research. At first YouTube videos, then messing around with friend’s smartphones (which is not a good idea because they can get really personal), then reading serious critics online about both devices. My dilemma was choosing between the iPhone 4 and the end of the line Bold, 9700 at the time and there were a pretty decent amount of comparisons between the two.
Eventually it came down to this: rigidity, and extensibility. Blackberry excelled in being a rigid dependable device – one that will take many falls before saying goodbye, very firm, and naturally, has the BIS option. And iPhone excelled in being, well, an iPhone. A pretty fancy one. To summarize, iPhone was good at being Apple and running on top of iOS.
Then an idea struck me (technically it was struck by a friend) – to consider an iPod touch alongside the BB in the closing deal. This way I could enjoy the best of the two worlds. And considering the price tags (at the time) that was a very reasonable option. So the comparison ended up being: BB + iPod touch Vs. iPhone 4.
Long story short, I settled on the former. I didn’t get the iPod touch back then though (thankfully), so I had to spend some quality time with my BB until further notice. Fast forward to a week ago, and I have my very own fourth generation iPod touch.
So here I am. Having two devices: a Blackberry and an iPod touch side by side. And quite honestly, I could not be happier for choosing the Blackberry as the smartphone. Here’s why.
Keypad
Coming from a person with huge fingers, it’s no mystery a comfortable keypad is a priority when choosing a gadget. Although iOS’s landscape keyboard is very very comfortable, the portrait keyboard is extremely irritating. And unfortunately, the portrait keyboard is what you’re stuck with most of the time. Although BB’s keypad is relatively smaller than the iPod’s, the keys are engraved and feel convenient to press.
Also, you’re not afraid to push the finger just a little bit too hard when you’re pissed. With the iPod though, given the screen is kind of the most valuable thing, I kind of get the impression that I have to treat it very nicely all the time – which is a bummer.
To be brutally honest, the BB’s keypad has sometimes made me feel uncomfortable when I’ve been using it continuously for a long time during a conversation for example. Also, the BB’s keypad is relatively unproductive when the device is resting on a table unlike the iPod. Then again, I don’t come across either these scenarios often during my day-to-day usage of either gadgets.
Settings
It’s shocking to me that to reach the settings of most iOS apps I have to leave the actual application and go somewhere else. Although the screen is huge, all buttons are quite big and shiny and taking up a constant space for a “Settings” button is too costly. Especially in a game or something. So yeah, it’s understandable. Albeit still shocking. With the BB, naturally, it’s always a button away.
Smartphone
Let me put it this way. Compared to the iPod, BB is a dull device. Anyone that says or even thinks otherwise is either paid or just not into fanciness.
But the question is, what is it exactly that you want out of a smartphone? Do you want a fancy device that you’d enjoy playing with, or a serious device that would get the job done as quickly and conveniently as possible?
Quite frankly, the iPod doesn’t hit me as a serious device. Notifications are a mess, shortcuts barely exist, and don’t kid yourself, it was made so you would enjoy yourself using it.
That’s not something I’d hate. But for a device that I would want to use as a smartphone, that’s just not persuasive. I want my smartphone to be able to serve me as a smartphone and nothing but that – that would prove more worthy for me when I’m running out of battery meter for instance.
The little things
These that matter the most, at times. How convenient it is to adjust the volume with one hand (BB wins). Lock the screen (tie). Switch applications (BB wins). Close other open applications (iPod wins). The auto-correction options and settings for your language (BB kicks ass!) The heads up light indicator for notifications you miss (iPod doesn’t even have a decent notification mechanism.)
These little things that you cannot take other critics for, the things you’ll have to see for yourself to realize whether or not you like.
Conclusion
They’re both great devices to be honest. Even if BB’s hardware is more persuasive to me, software wise, iOS just kicks everything else in the face.
Quite frankly, I think I have the best combination of devices. BB as a smartphone and an iPod for entertainment just makes me feel right. I use my iPod for playing and wasting time, not worrying for a second a dead battery because all the time my BB would be up and running usually with a high battery meter. In fact, now that I have an iPod I could switch off wireless connectivity on my BB and always use my iPod for wireless connections. Which would extend my BB’s standby time just a little bit longer.
Then again, this is just me and what fits me the most. Even if you do make the wrong decision and pick the wrong device for you at the time, having either is a privilege and you wouldn’t feel far behind anyway.