Blackberry, iPhone, or some Droid?

[medstudent87]

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I'm starting 3rd year this summer and I hear having a smartphone is really helpful. The questions is, which one should I get?

I like that Blackberry has a full keyboard as well as the "look at me, I'm an important professional!" appeal, but I hear its pretty bad for browsing the internet, which is apparently what I'll need to be doing when trying to seem knowledgeable to attendings.

Not sure how I feel about the iPhone. I have Verizon, so its an option, but I despise Macs...and won't anything with flash not work? I guess I like its aesthetics, although not having a keyboard would suck.

I've seen the HTC incredible and really liked it, but don't know much about it or any other Droid-running phones.

Which is ideal for my situation?

 

[NOsquid]

Blackberry is best for email/text/call quality by a long shot, but yes browsing the web is downright painful.

Between the iPhone or an Android, IMO if you have to ask the answer is iPhone. It's almost completely dummy-proof, more refined, smoother. Android has lots of potential if you're a geek, but out-of-the-box the iPhone is better. Plus, better games 🙂

 

[SirGecko]

I would get a droid. The platform is only growing and depending on the model it can do pretty much everything an iphone can do without being chained to apple. Biggest con I can think of is that sometimes apps will take longer to get to android. (epocrates comes to mind) Also I'm pretty sure it has less games. (I don't use my phone to play many games though, so no real skin of my back) Really though the android platform is the way to go going forward if you don't like apple.

Iphone is also a good choice. (particularly if you are already a mac person) Apps get there the fastest and they have a ton of them. No keyboard was a pretty big con for me which is part of the reason I went with a droid. Other reasons I chose droid include the integration with google's cloud stuff like gmail, google voice (free text messaging for the win), google calendar, etc. It just does all that automatically when you log in with your google account. (so if you aren't already a heavy google user you will become one) When I made the decision iphone was just ATT which helped push me toward droid as well. (not really an issue anymore since it is on Verizon now as well)

I wouldn't get a blackberry. Good for email, not much else. (you want a smartphone for stuff like five minute clinical consult, medscape, epocrates, etc)

 

[gravitywave]

you may also wish to check with your school/hospitals to see what the IT environment is, and what their recommendations are.

 

[TexasPhysician]

iphone destroys those other phones!

 

[thechad]

I agree with the blackberry being terrible for web, and it is just an overall slow a slow phone (from the curves/storms I've seen/owned). You get emails the very second they are sent, but does that really matter?

IPhones are great, I'm sure, if you don't mind putting your phone on a desk and not touching it with your fingers when you make a call, so as not to lose reception (at least for iPhone 4).

There are a lot of droids with slide out qwertys, and I thought I would really use it after coming from a blackberry, but I don't. Swype is so much easier (are droids the only phone with swype?).

It really depends on what phone your carrier provides. I would probably go with a droid X or an equivalent myself.

 

[powertoold]

IPhones are great, I'm sure, if you don't mind putting your phone on a desk and not touching it with your fingers when you make a call, so as not to lose reception (at least for iPhone 4).

Hmm, I think that antenna issue was resolved a while ago. If not, you can just use a case.

As for other choices, you can get the new Samsung Galaxy S II, which is the first Android phone to get a rave review from Engadget:

http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/28/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-review/

 

[thechad]

Hmm, I think that antenna issue was resolved a while ago. If not, you can just use a case.

As for other choices, you can get the new Samsung Galaxy S II, which is the first Android phone to get a rave review from Engadget:

http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/28/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-review/

I'll respond with only this comparison:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL7yD-0pqZg

 

[Alvarez13]

iphone destroys those other phones!

Good argument.

 

[medstudent87]

OK, I made up my mind and I'm gonna go with something w/ the Android OS. Now, which phone would you recommend?

 

[CatFactorial]

http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/28/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-review/

 

[NOsquid]

Nothing too exciting on Verizon at the moment. I'd wait for them to hopefully get the Galaxy S II. Also depends if you have 4G in your area, because you pay either way with a 4G phone.

 

[IHeartNerds]

One of the problems with Verizon 4G (ie the thunderbolt) is the battery life - several of my classmates can't get thru a day even with moderate use. Not such a big deal if you work in a lab and can plug it in, but a huge pain on the wards.

I have a droid X from motorola on Verizon and find it to work great. Gigantic though. But I did get it for a penny from Amazon Wireless, so thats hard to beat...

 

[SirGecko]

I have the straight up Droid android phone from verizon and have never had any problems. That said it is pretty old now (like a year and a half). A friend of mine just got the Droid 2 and is seemed pretty good, though it was really just more of an incremental improvement over the Droid. (better keyboard, a few other things, think the processor is still the same though)

Another friend of mine has the Droid X and I got to play around on it some this summer. Pretty good. No physical keyboard but the big screen and the swipe keyboard make up for it. (it is big though)

As for the newer phones I am not sure. I am up for a new one in a couple months though so I should probably start looking into it.

 

[Suncrusher]

Nothing too exciting on Verizon at the moment. I'd wait for them to hopefully get the Galaxy S II. Also depends if you have 4G in your area, because you pay either way with a 4G phone.

Verizon still hasnt gotten this phone yet? When will it?

Also, that phone is hella expensive...

 

[MSRM]

here is a nice descriptive article that is related. iphone vs droid for medical students/ physcians

http://www.imedicalapps.com/2011/04/smartphone-doctor-medical-students-iphone-android/

 

[boobelle]

I'd vote for iPhone or an Android, whichever one based on your preferences...and the network reception at your hospital(s). Just avoid a Blackberry at all costs.

I had a Blackberry Storm and switched to the Droid Incredible, and am thankful every day that I did. (I love the Incredible and everyone I know who has one loves it, so it's a great phone if you don't go the iPhone route.) The blackberry is rapidly becoming outdated, particularly in medicine...everyone touts the email function of the blackberry, but frankly email is easier, faster and more functional on my droid than it was on the blackberry. And yes, the blackberry browsing is truly as terrible as you've heard....and blackberry has much more limited medical apps, and an almost unusable version of Epocrates.

Also, don't get too hung up by what people will be impressed with, especially attendings. The problem with using any phone during rounds is that unless you make it explicit or are specifically asked to look something up, there's no way for your attending to know you're looking up useful information and not checking email, texting or playing Angry Birds. 😉

 

[BlueElmo]

I have an verizone iphone 4 and it's really awesome. Very user-friendly, with tons of apps, and the device is really easy to learn. Browsing the web is great, plus watching youtube videos makes it entertaining as hell when you're bored in lecture or something. Tons of other little useful stuff that make it, IMO, the best smartphone out there.

But like someone mentioned above, battery life could be a bit of a problem, definitely a weakness with the device. But overall, it's a great piece of machine. Also if you buy a case to cover the edges of the phone, you shouldn't have any problems with dropped calls.

 

[powertoold]

I have an verizone iphone 4 and it's really awesome. Very user-friendly, with tons of apps, and the device is really easy to learn. Browsing the web is great, plus watching youtube videos makes it entertaining as hell when you're bored in lecture or something. Tons of other little useful stuff that make it, IMO, the best smartphone out there.

Most of the residents and interns I've seen are using iPhones. It's likely because it's an easy choice to make. Nowadays, Android phones are great too. If you're somewhat of a tinkerer with your devices, you'd probably want an Android phone because there are often more hacks and features (many more manufacturers).

At the end of the day, it just needs to be a reliable messaging device that can run some medical apps, which both Android and iOS have a good number of.

 

[Arveo]

I still like BB😍

 

[yamaraja808]

I have the Droid X which is just one amazing phone. I can access internet through the 3G network or a local WIFI location. You can make the phone into a hotspot (forgot the cost) for your computer! I just love the fact that even if you lose your phone you can use your computer to locate it (just like the iphone) and you can set a phone alarm off straight from your computer as well. So the droid series is a go from my point of view!

 

[officedepot]

If you like the keyboard and can hold out till august I would wait for the new Blackberry devices to come out. Honestly you can look up any information you will need on the internet so those apps aren't worth the money. Blackberry interent is fine. I really don't know why there are complaints. Also the actual keyboard is a big plus in my book and the phones are overall really solid and won't break. Also I think they look cool and in the age of iphones and androids I would say blackberry phones are becoming more unique. I don't play games on my phone (I have an xbox for that) so apps are really not much of a selling point for me. I like the hardware of the phone itself including the operating system and ease of use of the phone.

I am using a torch now for the last year and half and am ready to move on to the bold touch though even with this clunky device I have experienced zero issues on rotations. Bold 9900 will be sooooo much better.

Also the other day a new thing I thought of was that there is no speed dial on other pure touchscreen phones. you have to mess around in contacts to get the person you want. It's annoying. Speed dial on the keyboard rules.

 

[richse]

Verizon still hasnt gotten this phone yet? When will it?

Also, that phone is hella expensive...

Considering the phone is not out in the US on any carriers yet I don't really understand your post. The phone doesn't have a price yet and it will most likely be released in July/Aug with the normal $200 upgrade price. It just came out in Europe a month ago but you can't base any thing on their pricing because they don't do subsidized phones.

 

[richse]

OK, I made up my mind and I'm gonna go with something w/ the Android OS. Now, which phone would you recommend?

If you are on Verizon and can hold out til the Galaxy S II comes out that's the best, IMO. Otherwise, the (Moto) Droid X2 is a good options and the (Moto) Droid 3 is also coming soon if you wanted a real keyboard. Although, if you might want to root (jailbreak) the phone some day then I would stay away from Motorola.

The (HTC) Droid Incredible 2 is ok but the hardware is pretty outdated compared to other new phones so I wouldn't recommend it.

 

[richse]

If you like the keyboard and can hold out till august I would wait for the new Blackberry devices to come out. Honestly you can look up any information you will need on the internet so those apps aren't worth the money. Blackberry interent is fine. I really don't know why there are complaints. Also the actual keyboard is a big plus in my book and the phones are overall really solid and won't break. Also I think they look cool and in the age of iphones and androids I would say blackberry phones are becoming more unique. I don't play games on my phone (I have an xbox for that) so apps are really not much of a selling point for me. I like the hardware of the phone itself including the operating system and ease of use of the phone.

I am using a torch now for the last year and half and am ready to move on to the bold touch though even with this clunky device I have experienced zero issues on rotations. Bold 9900 will be sooooo much better.

Also the other day a new thing I thought of was that there is no speed dial on other pure touchscreen phones. you have to mess around in contacts to get the person you want. It's annoying. Speed dial on the keyboard rules.

Blackberry hardware is ok but their software and customization are terrible. I don't game at all on my phone (Epic 4G), but I could never give up the wireless tether, the amazing screen, the speed, and the widgets.

 

[IamaBanana]

There is speed dial on andoid, you just plunk a shortcut onto one of your homescreens. I have my gf on mine, I touch it and it gives me the option to call, text or email her. It's fantastic. Also, I'm a former iphone user who went to android (epic 4g). There are a couple things you miss like the larger app market but other than that it just makes me regret ever getting an iphone in the first place. Android ftw.

 

[richse]

There is speed dial on andoid, you just plunk a shortcut onto one of your homescreens. I have my gf on mine, I touch it and it gives me the option to call, text or email her. It's fantastic. Also, I'm a former iphone user who went to android (epic 4g). There are a couple things you miss like the larger app market but other than that it just makes me regret ever getting an iphone in the first place. Android ftw.

I'm a huge fan of the "Dialer One" app, it's a lot much better than the stock android dialer and the Samsung touchwiz dialer.

 

[Uisa]

iPhone 4.

I have one and it's by far the best piece of technology I have ever bought. I, too, was a mac hater until I gave in and used my friend's iphone... you really can't argue against the most user friendly and intuitive phone.

Also the layout of the iphone just looks much better. Everything seems so modern and up to date over the boring background of the droid.

Get the iPhone, I have never heard of anyone with an iphone wishing they had something else. However, I have heard a ton of complaints from the other end.

 

[NOsquid]

Get the iPhone, I have never heard of anyone with an iphone wishing they had something else.

How long have you been paying attention? It was utter **** on AT&T (which most iPhone users are still stuck with), might as well carry an iPod Touch and a clamshell phone from a different provider. Anyone who wasn't complaining didn't need a reliable phone - it's a brilliant PDA.

I agree it's the logical choice for a first smartphone now. But I've learned my way around Android since Verizon took too long to get the iPhone. Android is a better OS in my opinion, but for sure iOS is more dummy-proof, and I recommend the iPhone to most people.
Plus like I said above - more/better games for the time being.

 

[richse]

How long have you been paying attention? It was utter **** on AT&T (which most iPhone users are still stuck with), might as well carry an iPod Touch and a clamshell phone from a different provider. Anyone who wasn't complaining didn't need a reliable phone - it's a brilliant PDA.

I agree it's the logical choice for a first smartphone now. But I've learned my way around Android since Verizon took too long to get the iPhone. Android is a better OS in my opinion, but for sure iOS is more dummy-proof, and I recommend the iPhone to most people.
Plus like I said above - more/better games for the time being.

With android having 50% more market share than iphone and the gap getting wider by the day I doubt the game/app disparity will last much longer. No serious developer can ignore the largest smartphone market in the country. Even now I can't think of any apps that I want but can't find in the market. There are even some really good games that are android only due to some crazy apple market policies.

 

[OnTheMoon]

absolutely droid.
hands down, no questions asked. it's the best way to go.