vB Easy Archive - Helio Ocean vs. Blackberry Pearl

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Helio Ocean vs. Blackberry Pearl
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Posted by: Veloxi

Hi folks, how are you? I'm new here, but I come to you asking your expert advice.

I could use some advice on choosing my next cell phone because my contract is up with Verizon in about 2 months. I've pretty much got my sights set on a Helio Ocean, however the more I read about it on forums and such, the more I see people having problems with the device, as well as complaints about the processor, UI, and so on.

Now I've been trying a lot of phones from all the carriers (not just Verizon) and while the Ocean is my favorite contender, I also like the Blackberry Pearl. Now I've tried both phones in my hand (I like the feel of the Ocean better, and think the UI is fine) and have been doing TONS of research on both phones to see if they have what I'm looking for (both phones also get pretty positive reviews, making the choice even more difficult).

Basically what I want is:

Good call quality
Built-in GPS
Robust messaging features (I'm addicted to email and IM and both phones seem well suited to this)
Decent PIM featurs (the Pearl seems to have a leg up in this category)
Good multimedia features (the Ocean seems to have a leg up in this category)
Comfortable keyboard to type on (I love the Ocean's keyboard, the "Suretype" keyboard on the Pearl is kind of funky)
Well built and solid
Good variety of third-party apps (the Pearl might win in this category, I'm not too sure)

Now again, I've tried both phones in my hand and I like the feel and the keyboard of the Ocean better. However, from what I've been reading it sounds like the Pearl is a more mature and stable phone. This also doesn't take into account the possibility of an "Ocean 2" being released in the next month or two.

Now my experience with cell phones is limited (I'm currently on my third ever) and I've never owned a spartphone, so this is where I need some helpful advice. Based on my criteria for what I want in my next phone, as well as your own opinions and experiences, which phone do you think might better serve my needs?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Posted by: europamo

I would go with the BlackBerry. Why? Because hands down its way more stable, and reliable then anyother smart device. Now CDMA carriers have the 3G BlackBerrys. The problem though for instance Verizon likes to cripple the GPS so you can only use their pay service. Until the BB9000 comes out, none of the new GSM models have 3G data.

I think the biggest point to look at is quality. I think RIM has good quality standards when designing and manufacturing a device. remember these are business type devices first. They just started getting into the casual user market when they released the Pearl and Curve series of devices. (The ones with cameras)

Good Luck.

Posted by: Veloxi

Thank you for replying, europamo. In regards to your comments about Verizon crippling the phone, is there a better carrier I could choose that doesn't cripple the phone as much, if at all?