So, time for my upgrade came, and I made the switch I never thought I'd do. I switched to Android. I've got a Samsung Intercept, which is running Android 2.1. Now, I realized that most of the new Android phones are running 2.2, so this is quite trivial for me. Since this phone is quite new to the market, wouldn't it be running Android 2.2? But that's like the new BlackBerry releases- they should be running on 6.0, but they're not. Developer discretion, I suppose.
As seen above, the Intercept has a decent-sized touchscreen, though not like the recently released Samsung Epic and HTC Evo. Also note that the Intercept is another Sprint Exclusive- and for those that don't know, Virgin Mobile is owned by Sprint/Nextel. This phone comes in two different colors. Steel Gray, and Satin Pink. Pictured above is the Satin Pink.
Now, if you're finicky about a touchscreen, there is an optical joystick that can make things easier. Though, if you bought a touchscreen, why use the joystick? There's also the nice option of slide-out keyboard. This is easier for people like me, who have a problem switching from a keypad to a touchscreen keyboard. There is also the option to lock your screen, so you don't butt-dial anybody. That's pretty handy when your phone is put in your purse like mine is.
There's the ability to connect to a Wi-Fi network, which really comes in handy. Being connected to Wi-Fi network allows you to still use the internet, and most of your apps, while you're on the phone. Useful for ople who have to multi-task all the time. Like, when your Mom calls you and asks you to look something up for her. Well, that might not happen to everyone, but that's kind of the story of my life. Thus, that option really made this phone a good choice for me.
Pretty much everything you'll ever need in your phone is available in the Market, most of them for free. The nice thing about most of the functions that are built into Android- such as your Wifi, which auto-scans for networks once enabled- is that they're easy to understand. Seriously, this phone even has a built-in tutorial. It doesn't get better than that!
Now that we're past the features, let's get on to Android vs BlackBerry. Especially on the key features here.
Android Market vs. BlackBerry App World: To be honest, I'm going with the Android Market on this one. Most of the apps you could want are free, and they give you the option to search through apps that way. They split them into categories, and from there you have the option of "Top Paid," "Top Free," and "Just In." Obviously, most people go for Top Free. I've found some interesting things in there- like the Peter Griffin Soundboards. The search option is also so much easier to use than in App World. The best thing is that Games is its own category. Pretty rad, huh?
Stock Browsers: This one again goes to Android. BlackBerry's stock browser is just slow, even when you're connected to Wifi. I'm assuming most Android phones have built-in Google, since mine does, but feel free to correct me. Having the built-in Google is actually pretty cool. It makes searching things on the web way easier, since all you have to do is start typing and the Google Search pops right up. The searching process is also way faster, including the loading speeds. If only BlackBerry could make a stock browser that didn't fail at life.
Response Times: This was my biggest complaint about BlackBerry- it's so slow. After about a week on the Intercept, that's my biggest complaint here, too. The response times on both leave room to be desired. But this one, I'd give to BlackBerry. Since I was spoiled with a TrackPad, it made it easier to click and go, versus having to apply a certain amount of pressure to the screen to make the app open. I was told that I'd find that Android was faster than BlackBerry. Maybe on some things, but not on all.
Optical Joystick vs Trackpad: This one, hands down, goes to BlackBerry. The optical joystick on the Intercept is finicky. It doesn't respond as well as the Trackpad does. Maybe it's because I'm used to my Trackpad being ultra-sensitive, but it doesn't seem like any amount of pressure is right on the joystick. Stick to touching the screen instead, guys.
Startup Time: This goes to the Intercept. BlackBerry takes forever to start up, for those of you that have one. It can take anywhere from ten minutes to half an hour, depending on how much you have on your phone. Two minutes, tops, on the Intercept. Definitely gives me more time to get what I need done, and is nice for when I have to power down at work.
Battery Life: BlackBerry is all over this one. While neither have great battery life, the BlackBerry is good at lasting all day, where as with the Intercept, I have to charge the battery twice a day. Note, I'm only a moderate user. I'm not using my phone all day for everything. Could you imagine my battery life then?
Reliability: I'm pretty sure this one goes to BlackBerry as well. I've had the Intercept for a week, and I've noticed there's a lot of problems with apps not responding, and force closing. I also have a problem where I'll open an app to use it, and it shuts down right away. This is really annoying, because the only way to fix that is to lock the keyboard, and put it into standby mode, then unlock. I definitely appreciate the fact that my BlackBerry didn't have nearly as many stability issues.
Overall, if given the chance, I'd definitely go back to BlackBerry. I wanted to get the new Tour, but for my upgrade, that was still $199.99. When I bought my Intercept, it was only $19.99. So for a $20 phone, I guess I can't really complain. I'd definitely like to see more stability, but I also realize Android is still in its baby phases, and is working on making it a stable OS. Maybe future models and OS versions will bring us this.
So, a recap.
Market vs. App World: Market.
Stock Browsers: Android
Response Times: BlackBerry
Optical Joystick vs. Trackpad: Trackpad
Startup Time: Android
Battery Life: BlackBerry
Reliability: BlackBerry
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