Adam's Blog

Let’s be honest – who buys a Blackberry for the camera? The Storm 2 has a perfectly usable 3.2 megapixel camera that is great for snaps, and with a flash and auto focus plus a decent image stabilising system it is a cut above some other comparable models, but it is a basic, simple model with bare essential video capability, and not a selling point.

This is the Blackberry forte – online use and on the move capability that is almost unrivalled. With full Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, EDGE and 3G HSDPA, plus a host of other options, there is nothing that this quad band handset cannot use to connect to. It’s very capable and superbly modelled towards those who want full connectivity in an instant. The integrated email system for which Blackberry is famous is here and is never better, and the great method of using social networking sites is right up there with the more ‘trendy’ handsets that populate the market. With SMS and MMS capability and a GPS system there is much to like about the connectivity available with the Storm 2.

Like many very powerful and feature filled handsets there is a limited talk time with the Storm 2 of five hours; this is comparable to many handsets but is also very poor when compared to many in the market. We expected more from Blackberry by now and although 300 hours standby is adequate the majority of customers will be heavy users.

For Blackberry lovers there is a dilemma here; the Storm 2 is a move away from the traditional full keyboard model and while the on screen version is excellent it’s not the same. Nevertheless, while not breaking any new ground this is a typically good Blackberry – just don’t expect to be able to surf for long without recharging.

When you’re saving money but wanting to buy a business phone like the Blackberry 9520 Storm 2. You might as well consider getting the best mobile phone deals as they are pretty easy to find online.

Well priced and looking superb with its impressive touch screen, the beTouch E200 is Acer’s take on the mid range handset and is a bit of a hit. Well built and with aspirations above its station – you will fool people into thinking it cost more than it did – this is a great phone, but does it do the trick?

Make no mistake, this is a great looking little phone. The screen is so big it makes the handset look smaller than it is, and the great colour schemes add style to a design that could have been ordinary. The way it feels in the hand is good – well made, sturdy and not flimsy – and while its 146g does not put it at the top of the slim line brigade it is an acceptable size and weight all round. The neat keypad is a feature that we liked very much – the slide is very clever and extremely functional – and the way it opens and shuts adds to the well made feel. There is an overall sturdiness to this handset that deifies its good looks and dainty size, and although the keys are a little on the small size that is not a criticism unique to the E200. The only complaints that we could come up with are easy to rectify; firstly it is not as bright as some rivals, something that may be a nuisance in sunlight and brighter weather, and the touch response is not comparable to some of the better handsets on the market, and there is a concern that those unfamiliar with the operating system – Windows Mobile 6.5 – may need to start all over again.

The E200 is not marketed as a music phone and that is a good thing; the media player is perfectly adequate and the FM radio a sensible inclusion, but the model specific headphone connection ties the user to the issued set. This may be the problem, for the headphones are not particularly impressive. For calls and the standard operations of a phone everything is absolutely fine.

These features tell us that the E200 is a good music player but it’s not as good as the iPhone. If you’re interested in this cool looking phone or the iphone, you can find cheap iphone deals on the Internet to help you with your budget.