iPhone 3G vs. Blackberry Bold : Fight Of The Century

By Ernest DokucloseAuthor: Ernest Doku Name: Ernest Doku
Email: ernest.doku@omio.com
Site: http://blog.omio.com
About: I like gadgets, loads! I like talking about them, writing about them, using them, watching other people use them though binoculars... Some would say it was an unhealthy fascination, but then I'd be all like, "Shh...," and go back to doing gadget-related things. Hit me up on Xbox Live or PSN, I'm EJStyleS. I promise to give you a good match as well as talk about things that aren't gadgets. A bit.See Authors Posts (491)

Finally, it’s here. The battle that eveyone wanted to see. The match up that we have all been waiting for. We all have our tickets for a ringside seat, to witness a breakdown and straight comparison of the only phones that matter to many.

From celebs to CEOs, everyone wants to know which comes out on top. And yes, that last link is to a site for celebrity Blackberry sightings. More than you’d think… Anyway, Boy Genius Report has done the honourable thing and delivered the first head-to-head comparison.

Looking at the Omio Compare, you would think this was a clear cut victory for the iPhone, but the proof of the pudding is in the 3G connectivity, e-mail functionality and corporate security, and the Blackberry has it in spades.

Yes, the iPhone 3G has made steps towards addressing this, but BGR mention the issues with MobileMe being slightly less mobile, and taking up to 15 minutes to sync data is unacceptable. Combine that with the lack of a tactile iPhone keyboard and the lovely screen on the Bold, it seems like the iPhone is on the ropes…

But wait! The iPhone returns with a barrage of impressive features. The build quality is far more robust than the Bold’s cheap plastic, the user interface on the iPhone is a revelation and a joy to use, and the ease and speed with which new applications can be developed means that the iPhone will stay current, and tailored to the owner’s personal preferences for a long time.

The iPhone is a more casual affair, dividing itself between being an entertainment device and a robust organiser/PDA. Even seeing someone with a Blackberry screams “I am important, and that profit forecast or spam I received about cheap pills or the I.T. mail about scheduled downtime cannot wait.” The truth is, it just integrates far more easily into the corporate world than the iPhone, but does not fare well as an all-round device.

Our take? The ‘new mail’ light. That’s all the iPhone needed to win this fight hands down. People are inquisitive, and when that Blackberry light starts to flash, you just have to check it.

BLACKBERRY UPDATE : As we suspected, the new touchscreen Blackberry Thunder was torn off eXpansys pre-order shelves due to manufacturer pressure, and their blog reflects this. Overzealous…and looks like it’s not out till much later this year. Shame.

Tags: Apple, BlackBerry, bold, iPhone