Comments on: I Want to Buy a Smartphone – What should I Get?

By: cgavula

cgavula — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:31:59 +0000

Michael, your underlying question is actually whether or not a smartphone is a good value proposition, whereas we were starting from the premise that you've moved past that question and already decided you want a smartphone, now which one?

Having said that, there are many people for whom a smartphone is not what they need, but then there are also people who are better of with pencil and paper than they are with a home computer. You absolutely have to gauge the need first, before looking at the specifics.

By: Michael Anderson

Michael Anderson — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:59:57 +0000

For me it is all about the value proposition – and that starts with the monthly cost of a smartphone data plan. People focus on getting a cheap iPhone or free Blackberry, but when you need to tack on >$50 a month for data, a couple hundred $$ difference in phone costs becomes trivial.

I have had people in the past who were enamored with my BlackBerry ask about it, and I would talk about my phone bill – and ask if the email access was worth the price? Same for people discussing iPhone – is the slick web access worth it? For some it is, and for others it is just too steep.

By: Steven Eppinger

Steven Eppinger — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:43:47 +0000

For some business users, an important factor is how well does the device work when traveling overseas. I don't like the fact that in order to use SIM cards from other GSM providers I would have to void the iPhone warranty (I am not sure about Blackberries or the G1). With my WM Tilt, I requested a legitimate subsidy unlock code from AT&T and now I can utilize SIM cards from all over the world to save $$.

By: lgreenberg

lgreenberg — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 12:25:28 +0000

I generally follow the same rule as Wayne when giving advice on this topic.

For people who are more business centered I'll almost always recommend a Blackberry because it handles e-mail so well and that seems to be the business persons number one concern.

I also find myself recommending the Blackberry to my friends are family who are less gadget savvy because the OS seems to be easier for them to learn/navigate.

I find myself often hesitant to recommend the iPhone, even though it's my personal choice, because it does so much. Sort of an oxymoron but I feel like, for the cost, if a person isn't going to take advantage of all it can do, is it the right choice?

My mother for example, has a 1st gen. iPhone. She gets her G-Mail on it, uses the iPod but only has two or three apps. loaded. The cost of the device wasn't a concern for her but for someone who it would be perhaps another device would make more sense.

By: Wayne Schulz

Wayne Schulz — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 12:06:45 +0000

I see this question SO much these days. I think it's because of the popularity of iPhone/BlackBerry/Windows Mobile and Android devices.

My short answer is usually:

1. For apps and media related stuff (movies, songs) and light email - iPhone

2. For heavier email and no need for apps - BlackBerry

This answer might change as the Apps start to roll out for more platforms. One thing I've been really disappointed in is the lack of new apps for the BlackBerry App World. When that store launched it carried pretty much titles that had been around for a while. It also missed a number of key features such as the ability to update itself and provide a quick way to check for updates of apps you installed (supposedly the store notifies you but I've yet to receive an update notification).