vzw 3g or iphone/G1 on 2G

[jteef]

so i'm moving back to the US soon and will need a new cell phone. The area i'm moving (fla panhandle), only vzw has 3g service. I wanted something like the new iPhone or G1, but the carriers who sell these phones only have 2g service.

It looks like the bb storm is the best phone vzw offers and it also looks like it sucks comparatively. sooooo would you get a bb storm on a 3g network or use a G1/iPhone on a 2G network? or is there a better way?

 

[gorcorps]

3G makes a huge difference, but at the same time the BB storm isn't that great of a phone by BB standards, and Verizon is a bit more expensive than everybody else. But if you plan on using the net a lot and won't be within Wi-fi range when you do, the extra speed of 3G will be great. Of course browsing on a BB is a pretty awful experience IMO compared to the iphone. It's just one of the few things BB falls short in.

 

[bonkers325]

wait a few months and get the second gen BB storm, or wait for the iphone to come to verizon in 2010 (speculative)

 

[HopJokey]

Wait for the Storm 2 or BB Tour for VZW within the next few months:

Tour: http://crackberry.com/blackberry-9630-review

Storm 2: http://www.engadget.com/2009/0...e-unofficial-hands-on/

 

[DivideBYZero]

You know I have found that browsing on the Storm is no where as bad as people make out. The only real difference between the storm and the iPhone is the mutiltouch pinch/spread for zooming. Few Storm users realise that a touble touch does the zoom in and the Esc key does the zoom out. Both browsers render pages in the same manner, have render issues in the same manner and pop-in when scrolling too fast.

Saying that, if you can wait, go for Storm 2. And that is from a commited Storm owner. I say that not because I don't enjoy my Storm, I do it's one of the best BlackBerrys I have owned (I have every BB currently available), but why get the last gen when the new gen is just around the corner?

 

[boomhower]

Get something on Verizon, 3G is worth the difference. I would look at the Storm and Omnia for what's out now. The storm 2 will be here shortly and I would imagine they will get the Omia HD at some point.

 

[jteef]

the thing is, i need a phone next week. Thanks for the replies though. I may just do a prepaid thing for a couple months before i jump in, if the storm2 is going to be a lot better. What's best guess ETA?

 

[HopJokey]

Originally posted by: jteef
the thing is, i need a phone next week. Thanks for the replies though. I may just do a prepaid thing for a couple months before i jump in, if the storm2 is going to be a lot better. What's best guess ETA?

I would guess September.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Samsung Omnia is IMO the best phone on VZW right now. But some people need the Blackberry interface and for those people the Storm is awesome.

 

[zerocool84]

Why not Sprint? Both are 3G and run on the same network. Sprint does have some good phones.

 

[jteef]

the sprint data map didn't show 3g service for the fla panhandle :shrug ?

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: jteef
the sprint data map didn't show 3g service for the fla panhandle :shrug ?

ahh yea i didn't pay attention to you saying the handle. doesn't seem like they have much 3g coverage there.

 

[GregGreen]

I'd go iPhone -- the WiFi capabilities will make up for some of the lack of 3G and it is one bad ass phone.

Also, if you go to sites designed for the iPhone or another mobile phone, the lack of 3G isn't too bad -- its doable. It's when you start loading sites that are designed for your 5mbit cable connection that you start having problems.

NOTE: I live in an EDGE only area.

 

[gorcorps]

Originally posted by: GregGreen
I'd go iPhone -- the WiFi capabilities will make up for some of the lack of 3G and it is one bad ass phone.

Also, if you go to sites designed for the iPhone or another mobile phone, the lack of 3G isn't too bad -- its doable. It's when you start loading sites that are designed for your 5mbit cable connection that you start having problems.

NOTE: I live in an EDGE only area.

Ack... no. I like my iphone, but without 3G it's damn near useless. Maps loads slow as hell on edge, and the browser on most sites is too slow on edge to be worth much. Most the time that I actually need data I would like to have it be as fast as possible, and I'm always on the move so no wi-fi. Relying on wi-fi doesn't work for a device that's intended to be mobile.

 

[foghorn67]

Originally posted by: zerocool84
Why not Sprint? Both are 3G and run on the same network. Sprint does have some good phones.

why do you say that? Ever try to migrate a 3g phone from one of these carriers to another?

 

[jteef]

can you watch youtube videos on a bb?

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: jteef
can you watch youtube videos on a bb?

Yes.

 

[boomhower]

Originally posted by: foghorn67

Originally posted by: zerocool84
Why not Sprint? Both are 3G and run on the same network. Sprint does have some good phones.

why do you say that? Ever try to migrate a 3g phone from one of these carriers to another?

I think he meant Sprint as a service not the phones, he didn't realize that they did not offer service in the area the OP is moving to. That said, Verizon has an "open" network and will allow other phones on. I know a couple people at ppcgeeks that have gotten Sprint Diamonds activated. That said if you need it next week I would get an Omnia and call it a day.