iPhone vs Blackberry Storm

Its a gadget week here at Mad About Shanghai.

I got my hands on the newly launched Blackberry Storm. The Storm is the first touch screen phone from Research In Motion (RIM), the makers of Blackberry phones.

Compared with the iPhone, as you can see from the picture below, it is a tad smaller but thicker. The phone fits comfortably on a palm and tucks easily into a business shirt.Unlike the iPhone, the Blackberry have a smaller audience targeting business users and executives on the go, needing to check their emails and calendars.

It is a good first attempt by RIM. The user interface and software takes some getting used to but it is easy to use once one get the hang of it. For messaging, the phone uses a unique touch screen technology call Surepress which requires the user to press the screen down hard as confirmation. The aim is to mimick a keyboard style QWERTY messaging entry. However, I didnt think it worked out as I had a hard time trying to send a sms !

The 3.2 megapixel cam comes with a flash and takes reasonably good pictures.

Other than that bugbear, the phone feels plasticky and doesnt feel as solid as an iPhone. Amazingly, the phone doesnt feature a browser for internet surfing. On the plus side, the Storm lets you integrate up to ten email accounts and very easily too.

Conclusion: A good phone but doesn't beat the iPhone. Lack of apps and browser let the phone down.

Rating : 3 out of 5 stars

Comments

[rapid prototype]

Nice article;

but how does the phone works compared to your iphone ( i mean for calling etc) ? :>)

[David Tan]

Hi,

in fact..for calling, sms and conferencing, the Blackberry is easier to use and more clinical compared to the iphone. I guess that is what the Blackberry is built for....all business with no nonsense.

But as a smartphone, I feel the Blackberry Storm can do more. Thats where the iPhone wins.

[vbprof]

I never tried the Storm, as it is only with Verizon in the US. I never tried iPhone, as it only comes with T-mobile in the US. I have a 8830 world phone that works very well. As many people say, BB is for professionals, and iPhone is for amateurs.

[bill]

where exactly, can you buy a blackberry handset in shanghai? My old one just died and I urgently need a new one. I ve been to seven phone stores so far and none has any blackberrys for sale and they claim not to know where tehy are for sale. Any help here much appreciated.

[David]

Hi Bill,

I didnt get this in Shanghai. I got this from Singapore.

[Reverse cell phone lookup]

I like iPhone more, just because of the large screen, right.

[new york mortgage company]

How does blackberry internet differ from that of a regular cell phone?