Blackberry Storm2 versus HTC & MTN sp versus Vodacom versus....

[um_ah]

Hi,

I need some advice and opinions. My MTN SP contract has expired (now on month-2-month) and looking to get a new phone and contract package.

I have been looking at the following phones:

Blackberry Storm 2
HTC Desire
HTC Legend

Uses of the phone (besides calling): Gps navigation (voice-guided), sms, messenger, email, calendar/diary, basic office functions, web browsing, (backup modem for when travelng), camera.

What are your experiences with these phones. I have never used blackberry before, (last phone was Nokia N95) but it looks promising. HTC looks cool too but know nothing about Android; any Windows phones concern me (Vista, need i say more). BB not great in the camera department when compared against the HTC, however BB makes up for it in other areas i assume just comparing spec.

Visiting the stores i get many conflicting messages, ie. Don't get BB STorm2, 9in10 don;t work, have faults or are in repairs for 6 weeks.First batch has been recalled. Htc great as a camera not a phone. Get BB, you'll never look back. help

Finally, I want to port away from Mtn Sp (nothing but MAJOR billing problems and useless service from the start). Port to Vodacom / Nashua / Autopage? Experiences with these companies with specific regards to the BB Storm2 supply and service level?

I have one person saying BB MTn is the ONLY way to go (pricing through the roof) and another saying if you get BB Vodacom is the market leader.

Okay, this is alot i know, but hell, any educated response to help me make an informed decision will be appreciated.

 

[MoodyEve]

I've had nothing but brilliant service from MTN SP and was also thinking of the choices you are looking at right now. My partner just got a HTC a few months ago and is loving his.
Me, I've decided to got for the BlackBerry, staying on the MTN.
Nothing but misery from Vodacom in the past and those of my friends with Vodacom also complain a lot about the service.
I guess it also just boils down to luck sometimes.
I have one friend in particular who was with Autopage Cellular and got fed but and moved to another Vodacom SP but is still unhappy with Vodacom, she seemed to think it was Autopage but clearly in her case it was Vodacom. She uses a Blackberry and is always fighting with them.
I don't know if any of this helps you... Might just be adding to your confusion.

Check out the BlackBerry section of this forum, there is a lot of info about how cool BlackBerry is.

 

[oronte]

Never go to autopage or nashua for any reason...EVER. MTN and Vodacom are basically the same. So go with the one who gives you the best deal (you'll deal with frustration either way). Previous Storm units have had awful problems, but those should be fixed now so you shouldn't have problems with a new unit. Although if you're going for Blackberry the 9700 is much better.
If the BIS service doesn't appeal to you then HTC Desire appears to be a great option (it's getting rave reviews everywhere). The desire spec completely whips the storm 2. Blackberry cameras are worthless, but GPS solution is great (you get free voice guided navigation with Garmin on MTN and Satnav on Vodacom) + no data charges.
If I were getting a phone today by spec the Desire is the clear winner but the Blackberry internet service is too compelling for me to pass up. Otherwise I would have to add a 2gb monthly data package to my contract which would be too expensive) + while the blackberry os may not be pretty you can do anything quicker on a blackberry (with a keyboard) than you can on any other phone.
For office software Blackberry includes documents to go which allows basic editing Desire includes only a document viewer as standard. Browsing will be far better on Desire but also more expensive, whereas as Blackberry browsing is far from perfect (although a new browser is coming out soon) but your data charges are fixed.

 

[um_ah]

Thanks for the feedback. I agree the Desire is a really kickass phone; the only thing winning me over is the camera. However, I need the gps and voice navigation more and lesser data costs; i can invest the savings in getting a decent camera. I'm gonna bite the bullet and go with blackberry for now and review my actual spending with MTN sp, maybe move onto a different spending plan. thanks again