My current wireless phone contract ends this month and I’m currently researching possible phone replacements. I’m strongly leaning towards a so-called “smart phone” preferably a touchscreen model with strong web browsing. That basically leaves me with a choice between the iPhone, the BlackBerry Storm and the Google-backed G1. I started my research by looking into the actual voice and data plans that back the iPhone, G1 and Storm, and Verizon and the Storm lose this round hands down.
The Apple iPhone, featuring at&t service
The iPhone and at&t probably win the battle of the plans, as theirs is by far the simplest. Basically, at&t features just four all-inclusive plans for the iPhone, the price dependent on how many anytime minutes you want. All of the plans include unlimited data, both e-mail and web, as well as visual voicemail. This is the simplicity that the Apple shopping experience is known for. I don’t talk much on my phone, so I’m looking for the cheapest plan, which at 450 anytime minutes per month clocks in at a straight $69.99.
The Google G1, featuring T-Mobile service
T-Mobile and the G1 actually win the price wars, but I have more concerns regarding their network, and overall shopping experience leaves a little to be desired. T-Mobile first has you select a voice plan, their individual basic plan comes with only 300 whenever minutes, but only gives you unlimited weekend minutes, no unlimited night minutes. The individual value plan at $39.99 comes with 600 Whenever minutes and both nights and weekends unlimited. The basic web/e-mail plan is unlimited and also comes with 400 text/video message for $24.99. There’s some other plan features, but none of them interest me. So now we have T-Mobile offering me more minutes for even less than at&t at $64.98. That could be even lower at $54.98 if you almost never use your phone as a phone and opt for only 300 minutes.
The BlackBerry Storm, featuring Verizon service
Verizon and the BlackBerry Storm, like T-Mobile, first have you select a voice plan, their 450 minute plan pricing in at $39.99. In Verizon’s favor, their network is extremely strong in my area, and almost all of my friends and family are part of the network leading me to rarely use my actual minutes. Verizon has five different text message plans, of which I want no part of any of them. Now to the confusion, Verizon offers two so-called BlackBerry E-mail
plans, the E-mail and Web for BlackBerry® at $29.99 per month and the Blackberry® Solution Unlimited Data Usage plan at $44.99 per month. I’m really not sure what the difference is between the two plans. The second plan is obviously advertised as unlimited, but the first plan has no mentions of limits in any of its literature. I’m hoping the first plan is what I’m looking for, so I’ll select that. Verizon also offers a visual voicemail plan for $2.99 per month and their VZ Navigator, which is their turn-based GPS navigation system, for $9.99 per month. Add all this up and I get a monthly bill of $82.96. And that assumes that the E-mail and Web for BlackBerry® is the data plan that I want, and I don’t have to fork over another $15 per month for actual unlimited access.
After considering all this information, I’m really starting to lean towards the iPhone, but I still need to research the G1 and the effectiveness of the T-Mobile network in my area before I make my final decision. Needless to say, despite my affinity for the Verizon network, the price of their plan alone basically disqualifies them, and that’s before I even had a chance to compare the Storm to the iPhone.
I know you didnt compare the hardware yet, but worth mentioning that the Storm has one limitation compared to the
macphone and the googlephone. That is no WIFI.
Not a big deal for everyone when they have unlimited interent. But when im at home sometimes I like to look something up online, and its just so much easier to pull the phone out of my pocket, and know I got full broadband speeds, without having to boot up the laptop. something to consider.
Even here in the UK with good 3G coverage, sometimes the signal isnt up to scratch and can be slow, especially in bad weather!
That’s a really great point I’ll have to remember. One of the things I’ve heard from friends who have an iPhone is how surprised they are at how often they actually have to use the 3G network, because WiFi is so readily available in so many places.
I own the Iphone and it was the best purchase I have ever made. The plan seems expensive however it is well worth it! You will surf the web alot because its so fast and easy. Sometimes my computer is sitting open two feet away and I still prefer to just whip out my iphone to research something! The price is steep but you wont have to purchase text messages because you can just download AOL or Yahoo Messanger to stay in touch on the go! ATT&T is not as reliable as some carries sometimes you have full reception and then suddenly down to nothing and your call is lost. That said this is the only fault that I can point out and its really has to do with U.S Cellular. The one other disapointing thing is the lack of phone insurance! but if you get your phone at Best Buy they offer some kind of protection plan. Its probubly worth it because the iphone costs about $400 to replace!
OOps I meant to write AT&T instead of U.S Cellular!
I also ment to ad that there are a HUGE amount of cool aps available on iphone for download and most are free! The best part is they take up practically zero of space in the memory so theres lots of room left for music! Dont spend the extra money on the 16 mb model its not worth it! I have so much crap on my iphone and its still not full!
I’ve been reading so many comparisons between the Blackberry Storm and the iPhone and I’m still confused. I’ve had a Blackberry Pearl for a couple of years and love it and I’m also a Mac user computer-wise. I just need a phone with an easy keyboard as I text and email a lot, and quick instant email. Can anybody help me to choose???!!!!
By the way, I’m in the UK and I’m wondering if the first generation of Storms might not be the best one to get?
I used to have the blackberry pearl and it was really hard to type email because it was so small. People say that that iphone is hard to type on but after practice its very quick! Furthermore you can download apps in about 2 seconds that allow for landscape email mode making typing very easy! honestly I have no problem with the iphone and I recommend it to all my freinds! But… thats said I have heard decent reviews about the BB! I really think either way you will be getting an awsome phone!
Why is the iPhone in that picture apparently running Windows?
What about the Samsung Omnia? You can’t use a stylus on an iPhone and the Storm has no Wifi.
The difference between the two Verizon Wireless data solutions are simple. The higher price point, $44.99, is for Enterprise (think big business or high security businesses. The lower price point, $29.99, is for Internet based emails (which is more than 90% of the emails out there. Both packages include unlimited data. I cannot help but notice how biased your blog is. The lowest price for the data package at Verizon Wireless, 450 minutes and $29.99 data package, is $69.98- a penny less. Also, I do not see what is so confusing about the messaging options. It is simple. There are multiple price points for texting to fit a variety of users, because Verizon Wireless realizes not every solution fits every customer. These packages are as low as $5 for 250 messages all the way up to unlimited messages for $20. Lastly, I can’t help but notice how you point out Verizon Wireless is “extremely strong in YOUR area” inferring that it is not strong everywhere. The reality is it does out perform other networks in most areas.