I always wanted a smartphone. I wanted one device for voice and browsing the web. I’ve had a PDA before, but I couldn’t make voice calls with it. For the longest time, I’m stuck with a dumb cell phone that can only do voice and SMS. Sure, my current LG Env2 can send MMS to send photos to Facebook, but the experience is not the same as an Internet capable device.
The constraints are mainly function and economics. I need a phone that’s useful. I need a cell provider that doesn’t charge an arm and a leg.
I narrowed down the choices for the smart phones:
- Blackberry.
- Motorola Droid.
- iPhone.
The Blackberry is, by far, the most recommended by my family and friends. They love the device because it’s reliable, fast, and does the job. This Christmas, I had a chance to use my Dad’s Blackberry Javelin. He wanted me to configure Wi-Fi and install the Facebook app. I found the physical keyboard to be small and somewhat clumsy. The user interface is not intuitive. Installing the Facebook app required some device authentications, which I was confused about. Then the user interface was just too primitive1!
In November 2009, Motorola released the Droid. It’s a Google Android 2.0 based device that promised rock-solid performance. I was excited and checked it out at the Verizon Wireless store. My first impression was under whelmed. The screen looks pretty small. The physical keyboard is small and not quite tactile. The user interface is clumsy, navigating between screens are not intuitive. There’s no multi-touch screen. App wise, it’s obviously bare, but the Facebook app that I saw had no clear logout feature, which presents a problem while checking it out in a public place, such as in the Verizon’s store.
Then comes the iPhone. As a big bonus, my Dad gave me an unlocked iPhone for Christmas! I was overjoyed! I’m already familiar with it while visiting the Apple Store several times for the past 3 years. The user interface is, hands down, the best I’ve ever used. Having multi-touch screen is intuitive. The iPhone has the best touch screen. And the applications… a lot of apps! My best, absolute-must-have game is Bejeweled 2, and only the iPhone has it.
So now it comes down to the provider. I’m currently on Verizon Wireless and their plans are expensive! The additional monthly fees for the Droid or Blackberry adds up to $100 per month, for a single line2! Verizon is the best voice+data network, perhaps it’s justifiable they charge more. But they don’t carry the phone that I really want.
The iPhone is exclusive on AT&T. Back in 1997, I was with AT&T (Cingular back then) for a good 4 years. Their service was spotty, even though it’s in the Bay Area. Because of the bad experience, I avoided AT&T for the longest time. Now that I have the iPhone, I wanted to try using it as an Internet tablet and opt for the data plan only. Unfortunately, AT&T and their limited vision, does not allow data-only plans for the iPhone3! I’m completely baffled.
Then I tried T-Mobile and see if they’ll be ok for my unlocked iPhone. The sales guy honestly told me that the iPhone runs on 1700 Mhz radio, which is not compatible with T-Mobile’s 3G network. Instead, I had to be on their EDGE network and it’s significantly slower. I wasn’t about to spend $40/month for an inferior service, so I abandoned going to T-Mobile.
So, what now? I have a dilemma:
- Do I go with the inferior AT&T network, just to get my iPhone to work? AT&T recently did “promise” to upgrade their 3G network. But reports from CES said their service is still inadequate under load.
- Wait for a better Droid based phone on Verizon? Nexus One is coming to Verizon, but already it has problems on the T-Mobile network. Maybe I should just wait for Motorola Droid 2.0.
- Wait for iPhone to be on Verizon? Rumors run rampant on this prospect.
Something has to give. Since I already have the iPhone, it looks like Verizon might lose my subscription, as soon as my contract is over in a few months. Unless someone crazy enough to give me a Droid device as a gift, I can’t see myself staying with Verizon.
In the meantime, I’m using my iPhone as an expensive iPod Touch.
- The Blackberry user interface is ugly. [↩]
- Even after Verizon’s 20% discount. [↩]
- Calling customer service confirmed this. AT&T doesn’t even mention it on their website. [↩]
Tags: internet, mobile phone, phone, wireless
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Rudy,
Looks like we’re wondering the same things regarding Smart Phones. I’ve looked at the Blackberry phones and am considering the iPhone. I’m also on AT&T and have been for years, with no plans to change. I’m not yet due for an upgrade with our plan, but I need to replace my current phone cuz it sucks!
I’m just not sure if I really need that much phone, and if I got a Blackberry or iPhone, would I be wasting money paying for stuff/services I don’t need. That is what I’m trying to figure out. I still don’t have an answer to that yet, but I’m checking into whether it is smart or not to buy a “refurbished” smart phone to save money. Smart phones are friggin’ expensive!
The iPhone is the winner. Apple reinvented the smartphone. The iPhone is much more than a phone. I have over 100 apps on my iPhone, many of which I use every day. I have been a satisfied Apple customer for 28 years—since the Apple II. Their user experience has always been superior with the Macintosh, iPod, and iPhone. Their products are enjoyable and easy to use.
@Lin: I think you’ll like the iPhone. You may think you don’t need the bells & whistles, but it’s so much fun. I find myself using it every day, including using it as an iPod, playing music in my car. You may also want to wait for June for a new iPhone iteration. If you can’t wait, get a refurbished one.
@Shayne: The last Apple product that I used was the Apple IIe. I actually loved that machine when I was a kid. Didn’t get into the Mac, at all. When the iPhone was introduced, I seriously wanted to be an early adopter but my experience with AT&T changed my mind. I’m hoping iPhone will come to Verizon.
Do you find a difference in efficiency in using the touch screen keypad vs a real keypad?
Hey Periapex,
I’m definitely more efficient with a real keypad. But as my friend (who owns an iPhone) said, it’s a training issue.
The hubby and I checked out cell phones yesterday and I also spent some time investigating the iPhone and Blackberry phones. I was stunned at how small the buttons are on Blackberry phones. I’ve talked with people who have an iPhone with touchscreen keypad, and they all have told me the touchscreen sucks for a variety of reasons. Sigh…
After seeing the price tag for both the Blackberry and iPhone, with all the bells and whistles, games and applications etc, I’ve decided I just don’t need that much phone. I don’t/won’t play games on my cell phone, ever. The only thing I care about as far as phones go, is making voice calls, text messaging and the ability to check emails on occasions when I’m not near my pc or laptop.
Since we’re working diligently to get out of debt, I just can’t justify spending that much money on a phone. For me, buying a new or refurbished smartphone like a Blackberry or iPhone falls in the “want” category rather than the “need” category, so I’m telling myself no. 🙂
@Lin: Yeah, the #1 thing is to satisfy your needs. If all you need is a voice/text, then a regular ol’ free phone will do just fine.
But for a geek like me, I think moving on to a Smartphone is becoming a necessity. Despite of economics. 😉
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