S2 or 9700?? Help!!

[GO_IRISH]

Hello All,

Ok so I'm going to take the plunge and get my first BB. I've narrowed it to the S2 or the 9700 but am not sure which one to get. I will be using it primarily for the following:

*email
*sync with my home email/contacts
*texting
*gps
*calendar
*a little browsing - not my primary web tool

As well, are both Wifi? And if so does this mean I can just simply activate the Wifi feature at a hotspot like a coffee shop for example and expect to have internet access?

As far as it seems the 9700 is on the new HSPA network while the S2 is on the CDMA correct? How much of a difference in speed can be expected and will it make that big a diff if I won't be browsing all that much?

I would appreciate any/all input from the experienced in-the-know BB people out there. What am I missing? What are the positives/negatives of each unit?

Thanks very much in advance for taking the time to reply....decisions decisions.

[paulwright1]

Screen size Screen size Screen size.

Nuff Said

[mrspock2002]

Do you like touch screen phones? if yes.. Storm 2. Do you hate touch screen phones? if yes Bold. Can't get more difficult than that.

[fumbalah]

Yea both phones are awesome but its just if you want a keyboard or not!

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[Tinyk]

Well if it helps you decide

I've had the 9000 since launch, with a brief stint with an 8900. I couldn't wait for the new bold 2 and grabbed a storm 2 9520 unlocked from Ebay with the intention of playing with it till i got the 9700 then selling.

9700 came out grabbed one and used for a few days, I have now given it to the misses and am back with the storm2. First downside from me was typing on the storm having been used to the full keyboard of the bold I thought I would never get used to it, needless to say I did, the storm is nowhere near as fast to type on as the bold (for me) but in every other factor I find it superior. I just could not cope with going back to the small display and having to scroll all the time to read messages.

The 9700 us almost the same as the 9000 for me, except its smaller, has better camera and has UMA. Whilst I need the UMA feature and will no doubt find I change my business phone to the 9700 it will be just because of the UMA feature, if the storm 2 had this I wouldn't have any reason to change.

As the others have said, its down to the keyboard really, if you send a **** of a lot of text then the 9700 is probably better, but if you mainly use it for viewing e-mail / texts and browsing then its the storm without a doubt for me.

[GO_IRISH]

For those that have replied thank you for taking the time and offering your input....anyone else?

As well.....does anyone know when the S2 is coming out for Bell?

[chesterkai]

If it's any help to you, I was a long time 8330 user with a full keyboard. Used it and loved it. Finally made the switch to the S2 and I'm completely in love. I was excited to test out the new 8530 yesterday in Verizon when it came out. Went into the store with a little worry that I was going to feel like I made the wrong decision to go with the S2. The opposite happened. I walked back out happier as can be with my decision! Now that I'm used to the typing on the S2, it is way faster for me than typing on a real keyboard. Never thought I would feel that way coming from my old Curve. I was also very worried about not having my shortcut keys anymore with the S2. I have found though that the speed of getting to anywhere in this device has made me forget about that. The S2 has my vote, but no one can make your decision for you. I've heard the 9700 is a great device and AT&T is nonexistent where I live. That made my decision easy. Good luck with your search.

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[r.santa1]

After long time 8330, 9000 and 8900 use I tried the storm 2...I liked it alot and the typing got easier but after 3 bad screen units I gave up and went back to att and the 9700. It is so sweet, fast sleek and awesome that I am very happy now.

It is a hair smaller than I would like but th ething flies compared to the storm. I am way more productive as a business tool with a real keyboard as well.

The 3g for att blows verizon away. So far no droped calls and super clear voice compared to my 8900 with static all the time. eb flies and i can get email, text bbm and all while on calls which i do alot.

The S2 would be awesome if it werent for all the people having prolems with the stupid moving screen that will not hold up over time at all...or even new.

good luck

[GO_IRISH]

Thanks very much again!!

When will the S2 be released on Bell....anyone???

[FruitLoopz]

December 1 but its already out in telus though.

[BearLeeAlive]

Irish, I dealt with the exact same dilemma as you did. I waited until 2 days ago to even look at the 9700, when I got the call I could pick up a 9550. I played with them both. Most things were just the same with both phones. While the resolution of the 9700 seemed a tad better, the size of the screen on the 9550 won out. I am into photography and like to share photos with people on my phone, and they look great on the 9550. I also preferred using many of the controls on the touch screen then having to scroll through menus.

I would have preferred to be on the HSPA network, but I could find no difference in speed, the browser was slow on both. I have no qualms about being on the CDMA network until my next phone, and I am sure the Storm3 will be HSPA.

[dbw1000]

I prefer the Storm 2, but I also like a network that works. AT&T has far less of that sexy 3G coverage mentioned here and the network still has dropped call issues, not just with the iPhone. Verizon just plain has more 3G coverage for now, and for me the signal reliability is much better. I agree with the screen size comment as well!

[eazymac]

Like others have said, you're essentially getting the top of the line BB from each of the carriers, so the differences will be marginal.

Here's a comparison of the two on BB's site, and if you look thru all of the categories, you'll find besides cpu ( 9700 is faster ), they're virtually identical, EXCEPT it appears the S2 can handle a broader variety of bluetooth functionality, while the 9700 has a few more codecs available for playing different types of media formats.

BlackBerry - BlackBerry | Wireless Handheld Devices, Software & Services from Research In Motion (RIM)

I've used a Bold 9000 for the past year, and hands down, it's the best smart phone I've ever used. And I've used a lot. It doesn't have the best browser, but with current beta's it's quite good for what I need it for. The one thing is, the phone ALWAYS works, and works well. Speakerphone, earpiece, dialing, conference calls, messaging, etc. For work, it's as reliable of a remote device as I've come across. And I use it for a lot of email and messaging. From the reviews people have posted about the 9700, it even edges out the 9000, with the big differences being a higher resolution screen, albeit smaller phone form factor ( so some people with big hands don't like it's smaller size ). My problem is, I'm on AT&T and their network in my area has been absolutely unacceptable lately. So I'm going to switch.

That leaves the S2 as my real option on Verizon, the Tour on Sprint, or the 9700 on T-Mobile.

One thing to remember is, on a CDMA network ( verizon / sprint ), you won't get simultaneous voice and data in the same way you would on an HSDPA enabled 3G GSM network ( AT&T or T-Mobile ), unless you turn on wifi, and log into a hotspot before making any phone calls. If that's not important to you ( being on a conference call while trying to send either users on the call an email, or other people, or use MSN IM / GTalk / Blackberry Messenger / etc WHILE on the call ). If you're a user that sits on long conference calls regularly, it's something to consider.

Finally, for me, the biggest concern switching to an S2 is lack of physical keyboard, and available shortcuts. But, most people say they can type nearly as fast on an S2 with practice as they could with their Bold / 8900. And, the lack of keyboard shortcuts is made up for, because navigating the OS is even faster than it is on the Bold / Tour / 8900, rendering the keyboard shortcuts useless ( which are available on the S2 via pulling up the keyboard and hitting those keys, OR via some app like QuickLaunch ).

As far as screen goes, my eyes do get tired looking at my 9000's 480 x 320 screen, even tho the quality is excellent, so the S2 is somewhat appealing, even tho resolution-wise, the 9700 and S2 are identical. I don't think I'd want my next phone to have as small of a screen.

Best of luck, and report back with what you decide and report back your experiences.

[dbw1000]

You get simultaneous voice and data on AT&T where there is 3G coverage, which is not everywhere. Be aware of your main area of usage.

[jmckemy]

How funny. I had to make the same decision. I decided on the Storm 2 after using the Curve 8330 for the past year. I really thought about the Bold 9700 but AT&T coverage is shotty at best where I live and travel for work. Not a lot of 3G as of now. I was worried about getting used to the touch screen and after one week I feel like this is the way a Blackberry should be. Either way you go you will be pleased as both are great phones. Good luck!