Two of the most popular smartphones around now are iPhone by Apple and BlackBerry (BB) by Research in Motion. In fact, their latest versions are technically proficient and attractive to the eyes but there are slight differences in these two magnificent devices which make each of them appealing to its fans; different strokes for different folks.

Even though both of them appear to be lustrous and ultra-modern, the iPhone’s glossy surface and one piece screen is an attraction for potential buyers. However, the signature keyboard of the BlackBerry which makes typing easier with significant reduction in error typing is one of its major selling points. Furthermore, the big icons in the iPhone and its simple design has given it more advantage over the Blackberry, but the introduction of the track-ball and touch-screen to the BlackBerry Bold range has gradually closed this gap. Indeed, the sensitivity of the track-ball can be personalized.

Talking about screen resolution, the iPhone fare better than the BlackBerry and the former also has a larger screen than the latter. The iPhone 5 has a 4-inch screen while the BB Bold has a 2.8-inch screen. But the BB scores higher in standby time of 12.8 days compared to iPhone’s 8.3 days and this could be a deciding factor for some shoppers. In addition, the BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) is a well-liked instant messaging service by subscribers because it not only lets a user to see when a message has been delivered, but also informs the user when the message has been read by the receiver. Conversely, the iPhone now features the iMessage app which works differently to some extent but basically does the same thing.

Moreover, the two sleek devices have magnificent cameras but the iPhone’s 8-megapixel iSight camera and 1080p HD video recorder are too much for BlackBerry’s 5-megapixel camera and 720p HD video recorder to beat. Also, the former has a larger memory than the latter but this has to be balanced with BB’s expandable memory which simply involves sliding a memory card into the proper slot. The 8GB internal memory in the BlackBerry is satisfactory to an average user but others may prefer 16GB and 32GB found in the iPhone.

Considering pricing, the BB has an advantage over its rival under review as users get unlimited voice and data services for about 25% less per month on average and there is also the benefit of a pre-paid, ‘no contract’ arrangement while the iPhone is obtainable with a two-year contract. No matter which of the two devices you decide to go for, remember that satisfaction actually lies in the assurance that the device you are purchasing will serve you properly.