<p>I'm a senior right now, and my birthday/christmas is quickly approaching, and I need an upgrade from my current phone (which is crap), and I cannot decide whether or not I should get a blackberry or an iPhone, so could any current users describe which one is better for college life? Is BBM widely used by college students where you go? Which one is more popular?</p>
<p>Just for reference, the main features I'm looking for is messaging (never had a touch screen phone and am slightly apprehensive switching), calendars, and email. Also I drop my phone all the time so durability is a concern, but I feel like I'd be more careful with an iPhone. So overall, to all of you (and high school students too) - for college life and functionality in the college atmosphere, blackberry or iPhone?</p>
<p>Hi. I am also a Senior and I have an iPhone 3GS and I would definitely recommended it. It’s so convenient to have. When you go somewhere your phone, email, ipod, camera, internet and just about anything else you can think of is all in one. You have one single device instead of tons of things to carry around.</p>
<p>It’s great for texting. All of the texts between you and someone else are displayed in one list so you can easily see what you last talked about. As a college student I could see it being very useful with the calender and other related apps.</p>
<p>If you think you will drop it a lot get a very durable case and a screen protector. And if you get an iPhone spend a little more and get the 32GB. You would be surprised how fast it fills up.</p>
<p>I have a BlackBerry and my parents use iPhones so I have experience with both. Honestly for the uses you’ve described, a BB is better. It’s meant for business so calendar and email are top notch (push too, so it comes when you get it) and sync perfectly. The physical keyboard is also designed extremely well on the newer ones. </p>
<p>If you would like to try a touch screen, get the BB Torch which is a great blend of both (its the one I have). If you want to get a refurb unit to save money, there is no reason not to since they are basically new phones. </p>
<p>As far as BBM, it will depend on how many of your friends are BB users. I don’t have a lot of BB friends, so I text a lot more than I BBM but that depends on the person. </p>
<p>If you get a Torch, you’ll need to get a screen protector in addition to a case. I recommend a case no matter what. For the regular BBs (of which I recommend the Bold series) you can get by with a gel case. Those work very well and come in a big variety of colors and styles.</p>
<p>Look into the Droid. My youngest son has had the iphone and blackberrys in the past.
He has the Droid2 now and loves it. </p>
<p>The iphone service (specifically ATT) stunk near and around his college. He constantly had dropped calls with it and many times had to try repeatedly to get calls to go through in the first place.</p>
<p>I used to have an iPhone (not in college) and for a while, until I broke it, I had a Droid Eris. I really, really miss having a smartphone. They’re wonderful for texting, and it’s always fun to be able to take pictures and post them directly to Facebook, like when you’re out at a party, or during the first snow of the year. It’s so, so helpful to have the internet (get a wikipedia app!) just right there whenever you need it, and same with email, I get a lot of important stuff through email that I need to have throughout the day. I’m definitely getting a new smartphone for my birthday and I totally recommend them, especially if you’re a social/involved person who needs to be connected.</p>
<p>DEFINITELY get a screen protector or case and get phone insurance as well if you think you’re going to drop it. I partied a little too hard on Halloween and smashed my phone, now I’m stuck with a piece of crap. :(</p>
<p>I’ve had a Palm Pre, iPhone, HTC Hero and currently have a BlackBerry Tour 9630.</p>
<p>I’d get either an iPhone or an Android phone. I’m assuming you’re on AT&T. The iPhone has amazing apps, as does Android. I like BlackBerries hardware-wise, but they leave a lot to be desired in terms of software. BBM is cool but for me it’s not a make-or-break thing.</p>
<p>I think you’re looking a little too much into the “college functionality.” People will BBM you if you both have BlackBerries, otherwise they’ll just text you. Pick the phone you like best (try them out at the store).</p>
<p>Droid all the way. I was apprehensive about switching to a touchscreen also, but I got the DROID Incredible and never looked back. The touchscreen is really great and I love the predictive texting.</p>
<p>Definitely go to a store and play around with the different phones to figure out what you like.</p>
<p>My favorite thing about the DROID (although I’m sure other smartphones do this as well) is that it syncs up with my school Gmail account…since I’m in student leadership this year we have a ton of e-mails and calendar events, and it’s nice to be able to look at my Gmail and calendar even when I’m out and about and need to check something real quick.</p>
<p>I have a BB now but I would definitely recomment an iPhone 4, especially if you have a mac. I find that the ability to update your calendar/contacts, etc on the fly and have it sync over your iphone and computer to be invaluable. </p>
<p>I’m not sure if this is available for the BB. </p>
<p>Having the ability to use the iPhone as an iPod is great too, one less thing to carry.</p>
<p>Blackberry for messaging (physical keyboard is a plus), durability.
iPhone for Apps, not for durability (all glass)
Android for all of the above. Also has Flash and a nice web browser, which is what I never liked about BB.
But if you’re choosing between Blackberry and iPhone, and Android is out of the question, I would say Blackberry. Because a) you said you’d drop it and cracked iPhone screens make me cringe, b) physical keyboard for messaging, c) push email and calendar syncing, and d) depending on your data plan, you might not be able to use a fully functional browser of an iPhone to its full potential.</p>
<p>Any choice is a popular phone. I know some people hate having the “in” phone but iPhone, Blackberry and Android are all quite prevalent on college campuses.</p>