BlackBerry 8320 Wi-Fi vs. BlackBerry 8300 EDGE speed test
We told you our thoughts on AT&T’s new BlackBerry 8820, and how Wi-Fi simply wasn’t a big deal for us. On AT&T there is no UMA functionality, and it currently can’t tie in with your corporate phone system (Avaya IP Office, Cisco, etc.). The only use of Wi-Fi is for data, like email or web browsing. There’s such a big bottleneck on the device though, that we figured Wi-Fi would certainly not be as fast as everyone had hoped. We had countless emails telling us we were crazy, that it simply couldn’t be true, that Wi-Fi on a BlackBerry was a godsend. Well friends, we hate to say it, but we were kind of right. Wi-Fi browsing simply doesn’t cut it. The device is so underpowered that it can’t really handle and process the speeds that we have hoped for. Take a look at our quick video comparison showing Wi-Fi vs. EDGE on a BlackBerry 8320, and BlackBerry 8300. You won’t like what you see. Feel free to do the same speeds at home and tell us what you get!
Disclaimer: The first couple tests had JavaScript enabled by default, which most likely slowed the browser down, but the last test had JavaScript off on both devices. In addition, it seems as if the BlackBerry 8320 on Wi-Fi downloads higher resolution images.
UPDATE: Check out the second part of our speed test, after the jump!
Conclusion? If you have T-Mobile and your BlackBerry needs replacing, this is a logical upgrade. While even though Wi-Fi does not offer much of an improvement in speed over web browsing, file downloading and UMA access make it worthwhile. We just still don’t see the attractiveness of the BlackBerry 8820 on AT&T…
tnkgrl, that looks more like a stuggle for answers then a factual report/unboxing
er..struggle
Wouldn’t running a comparison between an 88xx on Sprint EVDO either confirm or deny the Blackberry as an underpowered bottleneck?
I’ve used the Sprint Blackberry which is on EVDO and the browser certainly did not seem THAT much faster.
Leading me to conclude that that the device itself was bottlenecking.
File this whole test in the same category as the “when I have WIFI I don’t have to subscribe to a BB data plan” myth.
Who do you have as your ISP?
How about a wifi comparison test between the 8320 and the iPhone?
This is BS. I have both the 8300 and the 8320 and when I do the same tests myself the 8320 blows the EDGE out of the water.
I agreed with BG on this way back when they said WIFI will coming on a BlackBerry! I for one just don’t see a need for it at all, especially when my 8300 will beat it most of the time running on plain ol EDGE!
Now a CDMA powered 3G Curve from big red would put this whole debate of speed to bed, however VZW is always late to the dance! My Curve will be retired anyway when the TILT drops on at&t (soon I hope)
have you tested EDGE vs. EDGE?
For me its about the connection rather than raw speed. Rock-sold WiFi in my house as opposed to zero bars for EDGE = super-sweetness for me.
@ edward, Don’t have the Curve on CDMA, HA HA HA!
I give you a A+ for effort. However, I think there are simply too many varibles to go wrong no matter how you conduct these tests.
I think in time threw device settings and router settings these two will be more fine tuned to work with each other better.
What I saw was that your cable was being a bully to your 8320.. It was like a sandbag line and some big guy keeps throwing 50lb bags at a 100lb guy and being knocked down constantly and dropping the bag (packet). But if you were moving 20lb bags at a much higher rate it would run more smoothly and less dropped bags (packets).
It seemed like the 8320 handled the large load at the beginning but wore out quickly allowing the EDGE to catch up and as the 8320 caught it’s breath the EDGE would stroll across the finish line. Like a track runner you learn not to use all your energy at the go just to die before the finish.
I think the technology has the potential to do very well but it is going to take some time to work out all the snags holding it back.
good ole software update might fix it but if anything TMO probably has a setting on the phone to limit speed on wifi knowing people won’t get data plan and use free wifi instead so they dumb the wifi making you get data plan for faster speed.
Wow.. so many cry babies.. even with TWO vids proven by BGR the EDGE is more then sufficient enough on the Curve you have people crying “SoMeTHiNgS WRoNg!!1jaun!!”
i didn’t test extensively… put i timed loading gizmodo along with the the video but my 8320 loaded faster than either device in the video…
had not visited gizmodo previously on the 8320..
just tested loading apple.com as well…
no problems there either 8320 loads noticeably faster than either device in the video…
whats with the dark screen on the 8820?
Wow. I had no idea how slow the TMobile/AT&T speeds were. I guess I’m spoiled with VZW (relax … in terms of data speed, not BB choices), but I would have a really tough time dealing with either of those. So no Curve for me until VZW releases it, but I’m not holding my breath!
Is there a Skype client out yet that supports the 8320?
It looks like the 8320 might be get stuck on a tracking image or an ad image. I can’t see the status bar very well but it seems like it stops actually downloading new content and hangs on one image, eventually timing out. I’ve seen that before on desktop browsers where some browser issue, JavaScript issue, or network issue keeps the page from finishing, even though the majority of the page is already done loading.
Just a thought.
Would someone please run a wifi test and then a separate edge test using http://www.dslreports.com/mspeed? As I mentioned before the difference between edge vs. wifi on my Dash is huge (107 vs. 1300) and I’m with Tmo.
cleared all browser content (cache, history, cookies) again and did some time tests using another mobile device that has a stopwatch applet… : )
my 8320 loaded cnet 18.9 seconds faster than the video’s 8300…
my 8320 loaded gizmodo 8.9 seconds faster than the video’s 8300…
One second crispeto
It says the test is not compatible with blackberry browsers
bah and i dont feel like installing opera mini
i have discovered a way to get around paying for wi fi access on tmobiles new blackberry curve. it seems crazy but tmobile wants the consumer to pay 19.99 a month to use the data plan which includes using a free wi fi hook up. the way around it is to take out the sim card and
then you can access whatever sites you want.
put the sim card back in and go the history icon.
you can then access the pages you previously viewed and
anything inside that website. for example
you can access the nytimes website with the sim card out. put the sim card back in and you can access new pages inside the nytimes site aside from the previously viewed page.