Business

Phone wars: iPhone 3GS vs BlackBerry Torch

The iPhone may do a lot of things that that the Torch does not. However, whatever the Torch does do, it does better.

Omair Zeeshan December 20, 2010

Screen: The iPhone’s 3.5” screen is larger than the BlackBerry Torch’s 3.2” but it has fewer pixels, which means a little less real estate in terms of screen space. Both the phones have capacitive touchscreens but the iPhone’s is more responsive. However the iPhone’s keyboard takes up a significant portion of the screen while typing so when typing messages or emails, the amount of screen space is severely reduced. Conclusion: draw.

Keyboard: BlackBerry has its signature qwerty keyboard and it slides out. It does not detract from the screen. Moreover it offers an onscreen touchscreen keyboard as well. There is absolutely no comparison here. BlackBerry wins.

Processor: By the numbers, the BlackBerry’s processor is stronger and it shows. The iPhone was given rudimentary multitasking as an afterthought through an operating system upgrade. The Torch never really struggles with multitasking like the iPhone does. BlackBerry wins out.

Operating system: The Apple’s operating system pioneered the interface that made touchscreens usable and they have kept on improving. The operating system is so easy that people have uploaded videos of their year-old babies using it. BlackBerry’s operating system has nothing on the iPhone.

Web-browser: The BlackBerry’s

new web kit browser is so good that it has managed to beat the iPhone 4’s browser. It also beats Android web browser in terms of speed. The iPhone’s browser is nothing compared to it. BlackBerry wins. But wait, unfortunately BlackBerry default web browsers are banned in Pakistan. You will have to access the internet through another browser. Kind of a Pyrrhic victory.

Applications: BlackBerry’s creators are trying to get developers to make apps for them. But they are very far behind Apple in this department as it has the largest app store in the world right now. They have an application for nearly everything. However, the apps that the Torch ships with are good enough at what they do and might even be better for BlackBerry users. Conclusion: draw

Games: The BlackBerry’s gaming options are limited. There is no way that BlackBerry is ever going to be able to catch up to the iPhone’s in terms of gaming. Moreover, iPhone has angry birds, BlackBerry doesn’t. That is a guaranteed win for the iPhone.

Storage: The iPhone at this pri-ce ships with 16gb of memory. And though the Torch comes with only 512mb built in, it offers you the option of upgrading memory via a microSD card of up to 32gb. Torch wins if you choose to upgrade.

Camera: The Torch has a five megapixel camera compared to the iPhone’s 3.15 megapixel camera. Its better on paper and it actually does take better photos as well. Torch comes out on top.

Battery life: Apple may have great battery life considering the multitude of things that it does, but it does boil down to charging every day. The Torch goes on for days even with data always on.

Ideally, the torch should have been reviewed against the iPhone 4, however, the iPhone 4 is much pricier. So it is comparing it to the iPhone 3gs which ships for almost the same price seemed fair. The iPhone may do a lot of things that that the Torch does not. However, whatever the Torch does do, it does better than the 3gs. So go for the Torch unless you want to play games or have access to applications which tell you what music is playing even if you hum it.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 19^th, 2010.

COMMENTS (16)

Software Testing Tool | 13 years ago | Reply Well for me, iPhone is by far the most attractive and user friendly smartphone in the market. iPhone's users have increased by leaps and bounces in the past one year. Blackberry only looks good on you if you are wearing an expensive suit. :) From, Sarmad Software Testing Services Provider

Farhan Janjuah | 13 years ago | Reply Heartbreaking story that the latest Blackberry is being compared with older version of Iphone..

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Ovais Tariq | 13 years ago | Reply Agreed

Ahsen | 13 years ago | Reply Well to be honest, the comparison in first place is wrong.. 3GS is a year and half old. it should have been done with iphone4. I've been using iphone 3G, and now iphone4 for about 2 years side by side BB 9700, it may sound biased but there is no comparison at all in any aspect between iphone and BB be it battery time. And browser of iphone is far far better than that of BB. Price.. Torch is available at cash purchase of about 2700 AED while iphone4 is available for 2300 AED (16GB) and 2700 AED for 32GB

saad | 13 years ago | Reply Very biased article fact: it has not only 16gb internal memory but also 32gb internal memory this article should be deleted in my opinion

Ovais+Tariq | 13 years ago | Reply @ respighifan what a joke "iPhone 4 being 50% more expensive then Torch",. while in fact the fact is: If you are going for a phone with a contract then, "16 gb Iphone 4 will is available for $199 on a 24 month contract with AT&T" and "The BlackBerry Torch will cost $199 for AT&T customers with a 2 year contract on a qualifying monthly plan" And if you are going for a phone without a contract then, "32 gb iPhone 4 costs USD 600", while "The BlackBerry Torch costs USD 544",. Ohh my that is 50% more expensive,. And don't tell me someone who is willing to spend $550 can't spend $50 more., lol

Ovais+Tariq | 13 years ago | Reply @ martin,. i agree hundred percent with you,. firstly the writer is biased,. secondly i don't think he has ever used an iphone,. thirdly he is comparing a 1 and a half year old phone with a new phone,. lol

Martin+Hill | 13 years ago | Reply @ respighifan I'm sorry but the iPhone 4 is absolutely NOT 50% more expensive than the 3GS - it is perhaps 5% - 10% more expensive. You're not one of those poor misled individuals who think the up-front purchase price is the actual cost of the phone are you? No, the small extra amount you pay for the 4 over the 3GS upfront is only a fraction of the real cost that is covered in the 2 year contract you sign to get the phone. No, there is no doubt whatsoever that comparing a just released phone to one that is 18 months out of date in the technology world would be rightly regarded as flagrantly ridiculous by any competent observer. -Mart

haamid peerzada | 13 years ago | Reply This is one of the disastrous reviews & silly comparison ever done in case of iphone,The reviewer is clearly biased on part of iphone & has made blackberry storm an angelic winner.i think all d points which go against iphone above r wrong & to top it all i d Application one which d reviewer has sarcastically given a result of draw, Come on,in application department,iphone is way way ahead not only in comparison to blackberry but also to time.

M. A. Raza | 13 years ago | Reply Ridiculous ! iPhone is much better then Torch. I believe author has never used iPhone.

respighifan | 13 years ago | Reply The author readily admits that the iPhone 4 is the more contemporary of the Torch, but the price point illustrates the big divide between the two. You don't compare two automobiles where one is 50% more when the buyer wants to choose a car in a particular price range. You show two cars - even if one model was not upgraded from its entry a year ago - that are in the same ballpark in terms of price. If that is the main consideration for the buyer, then you stick to it. The fact is, for the same amount of dollars you get iPhone 3GS or the Torch. So, for those looking for a phone with the same price point, this comparison is entirely valid. Torch really kills it - so for those who imply that the Berry is "unusable" well that is mere blind assertion. The Torch is usable - surprise! Now if you look beyond price, then of course the iPhone 4 will fare much much better!

Martin Hill | 13 years ago | Reply Well I never, an article comparing the brand new Blackberry Torch to a model of iPhone that is over a year and a half old!! -Mart

Miks | 13 years ago | Reply what crap. compare the torch to the iphone 4.

Hiba Ahmad | 13 years ago | Reply Most Blackberry applications, ranging from Gmail to Facebook, are banned in Pakistan. However, these sites can be accessed through the default Blackberry browser, which is NOT banned at all; I use mine everyday.

Ovais+Tariq | 13 years ago | Reply Well having been using iPhone for more than 2 years,. I don't quite agree with your comparisons., there is no comparison between what iPhone has to offer and what the Torch offers,. With iPhone its all about usability,. and most of the users want something that is usable,. whether its the keyboard or the UI or the camera or applications,. its far far ahead,. And when it comes to the browsers,. safari is and has always been far superior., it has the most to offer when it comes to JavaScript and fast rendering,. and thats why makes it possible to view web 2.0 websites on the phone,. According to ComputerWorld "Apple's iOS has passed Linux to become the third-most popular Internet platform, surpassing Linux to trail only Windows and Mac OS X" source http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9183298/ApplesiOSbeatsAndroid61onthe_Web So if anyone wants to have a phone that is not short from being a computing system, then iPhone is the one to have,.

NS | 13 years ago | Reply Such a biased article...

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