Choose my next phone: BlackBerry 8830 or Samsung Saga?

February 7, 2009 10:35 AM

Choose my next phone: BlackBerry 8830 or Samsung Saga?

Here's the deal -- I can choose one of these two Verizon phones via work. Major advantages to the Samsung (Windows Mobile 6) are camera and ability to edit Word / Excel docs, neither of which the BlackBerry has. (I know the latter can be solved via an expensive software purchase, but I'm cheap.) Major disadvantage to the Samsung is, well, Windows Mobile. Work email works fine on both phones, no problem. The Blackberry's trackball and the Samsung's 'optical mouse' seem equally good for navigation. That much I know.

Here are the things I'd like to do with the phone, in rough order of importance:

* Basic, clean, non-frustrating Web browsing
* Gmail account access (via dedicated app)
* Evernote access (via dedicated app)
* Ability to sync basic info (contacts/calendar/tasks) from my Mac (IN ADDITION TO the Exchange sync via work without hopeless sync confusion, if possible)
* Ability to write notes / text docs and sync them with my Mac in some semi-intuitive, useful way
* Ability to transfer video from my Mac (via iTunes if possible but not necessary) and view it using a decent media player; stereo audio if possible (I think this requires a particular Bluetooth profile?)
* Instapaper access (via dedicated app if possible)
* Facebook access (dedicated app would be nice but not necessary)
* NewsGator feed access (via dedicated app if possible)
* A decent library of stable, appealing, useful shareware/freeware (apps, games, etc)

And, of course, an interface that's reasonably attractive, intuitive and responsive (and won't cause me to throw the phone out the window) would be nice too.

Is either phone a clear winner? Am I asking for too much, even this far into the 21st century?

posted by sesquipedalia to technology (8 comments total)

I was just issued a Verizon Touch Pro for work. While it's not a Saga, I've been nothing but frustrated with the Windows Mobile interface. No problems with the Verizon Curve Blackerry I use for personal use.
posted by Phoenix42 at 10:40 AM on February 7

1. Windows Mobile is sucktacular. You'll spend more time rebooting your phone than you will talking on it.

2. Nobody in their right mind would edit an office document on their phone. And even the clinically insane would have a hard time justifying it.

3. The 8830 is a serious phone for grown ups. You are a grown-up, aren't you?
posted by wfrgms at 11:02 AM on February 7

In terms of Verizon smartphones, Blackberry is the way to go. I have an 8130, and between IMAP gmail, google calendar, remember the milk, and google sync, I've found a nice mobile workflow. While the 8830 probably won't handle everything on your list, it will do most... and, especially if you're a mac user, you're going to be disappointed w/Windows Mobile.

Also, I'll echo wfrgms that you don't want to edit office documents on your phone. If I need to start writing something, I email it to myself and deal with editing it on my desktop.
posted by rockstar at 11:34 AM on February 7

I had an 8830 for work and I hated the keyboard with a passion. I like the Curve much better.
posted by Silvertree at 12:20 PM on February 7

I switched from a Samsung 830i with Windows Mobile to a Blackberry 8830 about 5 months ago and couldn't be happier.

I think Samsung make good products, I just think WM sucks big time and crashes all the time. Throwing the phone out the window was a seriously considered option with the WM phone.

I've had a bunch of different OS to work with over the years - Nokia/Symbian, SonyEricsson, WM and now Blackberry. I'd put the BB one on a par with the multiple Nokia phones I had in Europe (all of which I loved).

I don't know if the BB will do all you ask of it, but it'll do most.
posted by arcticseal at 12:49 PM on February 7

I had a windows mobile phone for 2 years and really liked it. The phone was the precursor to the Mogul. Good phone, liked the big keyboard and the touchscreen.

Then I got my Blackberry 8830 and fell in love. The 8830 is much, much better for email and quick web surfing. Easy interface to use. I do occasionally miss the camera, but it's rare. What really made me love the 8830 is I owned it for a few months before I knew how to pop the cover off of it. On the windows mobile phone, I popped the battery out at least once a day to reset that thing.
posted by 26.2 at 2:29 PM on February 7

I will have to discourage you from the 8830 as well. I'm on my 2nd and the END key keeps going bad. Now the backspace key is having issues. It does not have a camera and is really only useful if you'll be traveling as it has the world phone capabilities.
For everyday use, get a Curve instead. The browser and OS software is better and it has a camera.
posted by ijoyner at 9:06 AM on February 8

The Blackberry Bold, is a kick-ass phone.

I have a Nokia E71, an iPhone 3G and the Bold. The Nokia is in its box, gathering dust in my drawer and my wife got the iPhone. That should say it all.
posted by Mephisto at 3:23 PM on February 8