iphone or BlackBerry Storm Smartphone

photo credit: William Hook

My phone contract with Vodafone is coming to an end and I can’t wait. It feels like an early Christmas as I get to splurge on my next phone. For me there are only two options: iphone or the new Blackberry Storm Smartphone.

Here are the main differences:

iphone
2 megapixel camera
300 hours stand-by time
5 hours talk time
8 or 16GB 620 MHZ
Loads more apps from AppStore
Better design

BlackBerry Storm Smartphone
3.2 megapixel camera
Can record video
360 hours stand by time
5.5 hours talk time
1GB (can be increased by up to 16GB with micro SD card 528 MHZ)
Can talk on the phone via speakerphone and use the internet
Can copy & paste
Bit thicker in size

The camera on the Blackberry Storm Smartphone is better and it has the video option but, why does the BlackBerry Smart not have wi-fi functionality? Not so smart for BlackBerry to have excluded that.

What are the differences in cost?

iphone with o2 18mth contract
£35/mth 600 mins 500 texts 16GB phone: £159. Cost over 18mths: £789
£45/mth 1200 mins 500 texts 16GB: £59. Cost over 18mths: £869
£75/mth 3000 mins 500 texts 16GB: Free. Cost over 18mths: £1350

BlackBerry Storm Smartphone with Vodafone 18mth contract. All phone handsets are free.
£40/mth 600 mins unlimited texts. Cost over 18mths £720
£45/mth 900 mins unlimited texts. Cost over 18mths £810
£55/mth 1500 mins unlimited texts. Cost over 18mths £990
£80/mth 3000 mins unlimited texts. Cost over 18mths £1440

The deciding factor for me has to be the wi-fi capabilities of the iphone; I like the idea of being able to connect to a wireless network wherever I am if I can.

The iphone, however, is slightly more expensive. Not willing to accept the first price given, I search for a better deal. o2 won’t budge stating that Apple don’t offer deals. It looks like I’m going to have to be sneaky…

I worked out that I can sign up for the £45/mth deal then after 9 mths switch to the £35/mth contract (you can’t change your deal before 9 mths). Over 18 mths this will cost me £779. So £10 cheaper than if I were to get the £35/mth deal from the beginning. Not a huge amount I admit, although I get double the minutes for the first 9 mths and I don’t have to pay such a lot to start with. I’ll just have to remember to set my calender for 9mths time.

Anyone out there decide on the BlackBerry Storm instead? Why? I’d be interested to hear your views, please comment below.

***UPDATE***

Quidco and Topcashback promise to give you £35 cashback if you buy a monthly o2 plan via them. I’ll try it and let you know if and when I get the cash back. The initial cost of the iphone will therefore be £24, bringing the total cost of an 18mth contract to £744. Thanks for that tip Hamish Campbell.