What is the Best PDA or Smart Phone on the Market
Researching the best pda phones on the market
The smart phone market has changed quite a bit in the last few years. Video and cameras are pretty standard capabilities which many phones do adequately. I think there are three choices that are best in class smart phones and each one is best for a specific type of user.
The Iphone is the best consumer smart phone
I've had two Iphones and it's the best smart phone on the market for consumers. it has a gorgeous screen, the touch screen animations are very friendly, and there are apps for just about anything from kids games to counting calories. The downside of the Iphone is it's on AT&T and coverage is poor. The other issue is the phone seems to drop calls frequently. A recent review of the Iphone said it's the best smartphone for everything, but talking. That said, I'm considering moving to it.
I actually did move to the Iphone 4. It's better than Android phones I've tried in every category but maps. The free GPS service on Android is outstanding.
The Iphone 4 has improved many things when it comes to working with email and contacts. You can now easily sync contacts between the IPhone and Google Contacts. Gmail works through the Gmail integration through the Iphone where you get an archive button, but you can also setup Gmail through the Iphone Exchange Server settings.
All in all, the Iphone is the best all around phone in terms of functionality. However, there is still room for it to improve. The networking seems to get stuck and email stops updating. This happens when I move from 3g to wifi. I've had to reset it. I'm in San Francisco and the network is still terrible. The iphone works about 70% of the time. Lastly, the ignore this call feature doesn't seem to work reliably. And to make matters worse, if you swipe open the phone it anwnsers the call, so be careful if you're trying to avoid answering a call.
The Blackberry is best for Corporate Users that use Exchange Email
One of the most important things for selecting the best smartphone is email. Many corporate users are on Exchange for email and calendaring. How these services integrate into the phone will largely influence how happy your are with your smartphone. If your company standardizes on Exchange, then you should go with a blackberry. The blackberry gets high marks for email, but it's not nearly as strong of a consumer phone in terms of applications that are available or surfing the web. But, it's cleary the best choice of a phone if you are a heavy email user on exchange.
Android Based Phones are Best for Google Users and GPS Maps
Android based phones are growing in popularity and they are best in class in two areas. First, they work best for Gmail and all things google. The second reason is Android based phones with GPS are free with Google maps.
Google makes the operating system and tightly integrates their applications into the device. If you use Gmail or Google mail for personal or business use, I think it's the best choice. Android based phones are pretty consumer friendly and are improving quickly. There are plenty of applications available and almost all major applications that are on the Iphone are also available on the android. One of the advantages of the Android is that it's more open than the Iphone to app developers. That said, one of the issues is carriers like AT&T block certain apps or prevent you from installing what you want. I had to figure out how to install Swype on my HTC Aria as an example. I'm bullish on Android based phones. Each carrier seems to have made their own flavor, but HTC seems to be the dominate manufacturer of the device. They make nice looking phones that have very good touch capabilities and high resolution screens.
If you are a big user of Google applications, an Android based phone is the way to go.
What Should I Get? Or Am I Missing The Best PDA Phone Available Now?
What about sound quality, I have a nokia...the software is not as good as with the Palm or Treo, but the sound quality and the camera quality are far superior.
The sound quality is pretty poor on the Treo 650. I have a lot of difficulty hearing people unless I am indoors and there is no background noise.
- T-Mobile has the MDA and Cingular has the 8125.
- The Cingular 2125 is like the T-Mobile 2125 but without WiFi, although it has a better keypad.
I really like the Sony Ericsson phones...(W600i, W810, W710). If your goal is to have a PFMR device (Phone-First, Mostly-Read) with a lot of great features, solid durability, ease of use, and is comfortable to hold in hand, you really should check these out too. The calendars are solid enough and the contacts sync well with Outlook. The Walkman player and FM radio make for good entertainment.
While I agree that a 1-2MP camera is nice, in many DOD and corporate environments - the main target for Blackberry devices - cameras are completely forbidden. Any small device with a built-in camera cannot be considered for enterprise use.
Sad, but true.
Rimm has other models designed for personal use - I think the Pearl is one. Actually, for a PDA I have no interest in phone capabilities. I have a phone. It works very simply and lasts 15+ days on a charge which makes it excellent for overseas travel.
It is a pity about camera or lack of for blackberry, this and lack of tethering solutions also takes it of my list
I have to say the BlackBerry has been the best pda I have ever used. Most reliable and business focused.
Time to update this hub. The AT&T tilt is king of the 'bulky' smartphones now. And the Samsung 'blackjack II' would be my choice for a slim phone. Nice work, though.
I agree - time to update this hub! We can forgive you though as you churn out lots of hubs!! I own a HTC Touch Dual and apart from the odd crash or two and the poor phone signal, it's a lovely PDA!
I want to combine my pda (currently a Clie) and my cell phone with no internet service. I like a qwerty board, so the Blackberry looks good to me. I don't want any additional fees beyond our 49.00 plan with T-Mobile. It looks like buying a Blackberry and getting a renewed two year contract with T-Mobile is my best option. Any other suggestions for combining two hand held devices into one?
Once you experience Blackberry you'll never go back! The curve series is sleek and they also have the best keyboards. Try the Bold. if it's good enough for the President it's good enough or me. T-Mobile and ATT have the best plans. The IPhone would be the next choice if you have ATT
enough for the President it's good enough for me.
the best smartphone is the Blackberry Curve, the 8320 it has no GPS but it does have a camera, the 8310 is WiFi enabled with GPS and Camera or get a later model curve which I think it is the 8900 it has all of the above. I recently owns the 8320 my carrier is Tmobile and I love it. I am not bias but according to a recent survey the Curve is the best and most popular smartphone. Try one of those and you will be satisfied I guarntee it.
Eric 5 years ago
I agree, the blackberry should have a camera. I have an 8700 and really like it otherwise, the download speed for web pages is much better than earlier models I've had.