Expert: DebiN - 8/1/2011

Question
i have a basic phone that has the internet for about 35 dollars a month total with a family plan. i have no trouble with my verizon chocolate touch, my questions is is that i am liking the smart phones i have recently seen online.      

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/controller?item=phoneFirst&action=viewP (BlackBerry® Storm2™ 9550)

I recently went to a local store in my small area, they don't know much about phones, said that most blackberry phones are no good, yet i know a lot of people that have them and have no trouble with them at all. so what is your take on it?  ps i will be going on my own plan when this contract ends

thanks so much, look forward to hearing from you
Marcy

Answer
Hi Marcy -

Anyone who told you that most BlackBerrys are no good doesn't know what they are talking about. BlackBerry was the original SmartPhone and the operating system used by RIM for the BlackBerry remains superior to all SmartPhone Operating Systems today in terms of efficiency. There are others that can do more and the apps for Apple and Android far exceed apps for the BlackBerry but part of that reason is because the integrity of the operating system. RIM won't compromise that and therefore a lot of apps would do that and they won't buy into that.

What should determine the SmartPhone you get is what you want out of it. If you really want to use apps, i.e., games, tools for business, music, etc., then the BlackBerry is probably not for you. But if what you want is an efficient device that doesn't have to be recharged multiple times a day and gets email easily, has good phone quality, integrates and synchs with Outlook and you can use apps like Facebook and Twitter with and can download some music (not iTunes), then the BlackBerry would definitely fit your criteria.

However, if you want the sleekness of Apple and want a great display, fun features and apps, then the iPhone would be the way to go. My biggest problem with Verizon and the iPhone is that the iPhone they sell doesn't have simultaneous voice and data and that's something that is a factor with an iPhone. It's still a lot better than no iPhone and you wouldn't go wrong that way either.

Outside of the iPhone and a BlackBerry (I would not get a Storm, I would recommend a BOLD from Verizon, but truthfully, the best iPhone and BlackBerry is actually through AT&T, i.e., the Torch and the iPhone 4G from AT&T, but wait for the iPhone 5 if you are doing to do that).

But, if all you want is a low cost SmartPhone, the Storm 2 is fine. Keep in mind that your monthly cost will shoot up to $60.00 for two phones with the lowest cost voice plan (700 minutes) and then an additional $29.99 for the data plan.

I hope this helps.