Inside MOMeo Magazine

    Gadget Guide: The Battle of the SmartPhones – iPhone versus Blackberry versus Android

    Maclean KayBy 2 Comments4 Mins Read

    Thinking of adding a smartphone to your Christmas wish list? You are not alone. Studies show more smartphones are purchased during the holidays than any other time of year. Surprising? Maybe not so much.

    Wondering if your top pick is on the “nice” list? MOMeo choose three of the newest models – one each from Apple, Android and Blackberry and made a list for you to check twice on the “naughty” and “nice” features of each.

    The smart smartphone shopper

    Apple iPhone 4
     Not just the phone causing the biggest buzz, Apple’s latest version of the now-iconic iPhone is this year’s “it” product, period.

    Pros:

    Display – Oh wow, that picture. The new retina display is the best on the market today, period. The 960 x 640 pixel resolution on the iPhone 4 is light years better than even the previous iPhone 3G, at 480 x320.

    Multitasking – The iPhone 4 is the first iPhone where the word “multitask” can be applied in any meaningful sense. Switch between different apps to your heart’s content.

    Video calling – The video calling capabilities easily outperform comparable models.

    Cons:

    Dropped calls – While Apple insists it has rectified iPhone’s infamous call-dropping tendencies, anecdotal evidence suggests they still experience their fair share – perhaps even more.

    Battery life – The iPhone 4 needs a lot of juice – more, really, than its battery can give it. A single charge won’t last more than a day or so, making the iPhone 4 something of a nuisance for travelers.

    Android Droid X

    Android is the new kid on the smartphone block. It doesn’t have the longevity of BlackBerry, and hasn’t created a buzz anything like the iPhone. Many users describe the Android us very similar to the iPhone, minus Steve Jobs. If that appeals to you, check out the Android.

    Pros:

    Mobile Hotspot – The Droid is the only smartphone that can serve as a router. Any device that uses Wi-Fi can connect to the internet via a Droid – an ingenious and obviously useful tool.

    HD Video – Remember your camcorder? You don’t need it anymore. The Droid’s HD video camera is better. That’s all there is to it. The 8-megapixel camera on the Android isn’t bad, either.

    Cons:

    Keyboard Blues – There’s no physical keyboard, which wouldn’t be a big deal – but everyone we know with a Droid says the keys have “a touch.” The “swype” feature is designed to let users drag their finger from virtual key to virtual key, never lifting the finger. Like Fonzie’s jukebox, you just have to learn how to use it.

    BlackBerry Torch 980

    The words “smartphone” and “BlackBerry” used to be interchangeable. Traditionally a more serious and business-oriented product than Apple’s iPhone or the Android, the BlackBerry is still popular, but seems to be losing ground by the day.

    Pros:

    Space is good – With a slide-out keyboard AND touchscreen, the new BlackBerry simply feels bigger than it is – in a good way.

    Calling KISS – No, you don’t get to speak to Gene Simmons. But when it comes to making and receiving calls, BlackBerry Keeps It Simple, Stupid. That’s a good thing. Conferencing and 3-way calling are easier on the BlackBerry than most landlines.

    Cons:

    Battery life – Reviews suggest the BlackBerry has superior battery life to the iPhone – on standby. Once you actually start making and receiving calls, that goes out the window. There’s about 330 minutes of “active” battery life on a full charge – so bring that charger with you at all times.

    Features – The Torch 980 is a huge improvement on previous models, but BlackBerry lacks the range of applications the iPhone enjoys. This may not bother you, but your teenage daughter will be disgusted.

    Share.

    MOMeo Magazine Managing Editor was always supposed to be a journalist. It just took him a long time to realize that. Maclean worked as a marina harbour master, corporate security advisor, and in the Prime Minister’s Office under Jean Chretien before deciding to lose the tie and go back to school. Since then, when not writing for and editing MOMeo Magazine, Maclean’s work has appeared in local, national and international publications, including the National Post, Financial Post, and the Globe and Mail. He is a feature columnist for The Calgary Herald, and recently relocated to beautiful Victoria, British Columbia, with his wife Melissa. Maclean enjoys SCUBA diving and follows the Calgary Stampeders football team a little too seriously.

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    2 Comments

    1. Anonymous on

      I went from a “boring” phone – text and calling only to a Droid X (mainly because the phone I had and loved so much was no longer manufactured by Verizon). I had a full keyboard (with keys) to the touch keyboard. While I’ve played with the Swype tutorials I have not “forced” myself to learn it. I’m still struggling a little with the touch keyboard and am often “outsmarted” by the dictionary which believes I mean something other than what I type.This leads to many typos on Twitter (embarrassing for me, the Perfectionist).

      As for other things about the Droid – it’s hard for me to really weigh in since I have no personal experience to compare it to.

      All in all…I love it.

    2. visualist on

      This is hardly a fair comparison. Android and Blackberry have more models than the Droid X and Torch. There are Android models with a hardware keyboard for those that need it.
      I’ve used both Android and Blackberry on T-Mobile and both are good, solid phones that fit particular niche markets. Research according to your needs and buy the best product for you.