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…
My theory:
- AT&T proxy does more than just Akamai-style caching. The images downloading aren’t full-size (try visiting Penny-Arcade.com and viewing a comic at full resolution. No good. “The Internet” is serving up a crappy downscaled image, all due to AT&T’s proxy. I’m sure they did many other tweaks to EDGE browing experience lately as a result of the iPhone, but picture size change has been in for a while.
- The device indeed is slow at rendering pages to some extent. You can see this on Windows Mobile phones where even switching EDGE to 3G doesn’t improve things much, given the exact same proxy and device, just switching the network mode. BB has similar issues. This fact just minized the total effect of network speed on benchmarks of complete page loads.
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I just ordered one today. I’ve got a T-Mobile BlackBerry 8700g and I don’t pay for data access because I don’t have a reason to pay for it (I only really used it for gamefaqs.com in the living room).
So this is a pretty significant, worthwhile upgrade for me. Slimmer profile, 2MP camera, WiFi for free internet when I’m near a router, UMA (great since I use voice for both home/business).
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Does anyone know if the Curve will be available in any other colors besides Titanium & Pale Gold?? Preferably in black…
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I noticed the same things about speed when I first got the 8320 on Thursday that the WiFi seemed to suck. I even called customer care and talked to them about it. They advised me (which I’ve found out to be true) that not all the service books were in place for the device. The early sale of this device was great for those who ‘had to have it’ but it sucked because everything wasn’t in place. When I did the tests LATE last night on the 23rd the wifi was MUCH faster and loaded videos and such from CNN rather quickly… faster than the EDGE ever did. I went back into the device and noticed and new WiFi service book that wasn’t there to begin with. From what I understand they weren’t pushed out til late last night and throughout today to make everything function properly. Maybe that was the reason my speed improved or not but it was known that some of this stuff wouldn’t work properly UNTIL the 24th.
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Given how Blackberries work with a network vs. cellular, I vote the EDGE network is going proxy and stripping out some data where as the WiFi is going straight to the “real” internet. Wifi is faster hands down. There is no way that EDGE even comes close, but, there are other things that will effect the speeds.
Next, you need to do further testing. The 8320 needs to be tested on EDGE to see if perhaps it is a hardware or firmware issue with the 8320 that is prohibiting it from taking full advantage of speeds.
Three, as a producer and director of films, try not to drop f-bombs on video when you are trying to review things or make a point. It makes you look ignorant and takes a lot away from your credibility.
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Mine comes tomorrow. I plan to load address book and contacts on it, as well as 3rd party apps I use, but not a full sync. Since I am somewhat new to BB, what is a service book exactly?
ciao
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i was just wondering is the 8320 you r showing ’s service provider t-mobile while the 8300 is at&t?
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Sorry BGR, the speed test was sort of flawed. But I owe you so much for getting out the news on the timing of this blackberry release, that I can let it go.
I purchased the new blackberry (titanium) yesterday and ran a series of tests on my own last night using both the built in browser and Opera. I was able to compare both the EDGE and the WIFI against each other on this device, and the WIFI won hands down speed-wise. However, you do have to set the browser to use the WIFI instead of EDGE as some have mentioned in previous posts. Various settings for picture rez, scripts, etc; can also make a substantive speed difference.
The UMA sound quality is great, and it’s a real plus when you can’t get a strong cellular signal.
Like others, I wish that GPS was included in this sleek little package… but oh well…
Great value IMHO!
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@olypdd
Think of a service book as a key. When RIM sends the service book, it enables the service to operate. Service books typically contain information about the application (icon, icon visibility, protocols, security settings, browser configurations, e-mail account information)
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And here’s some observations: http://tnkgrl.wordpress.com/2007/09/25/blackberry-curve-observations/
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I surf with a Palm TX (3 1/4″ screen) all the time-many web sites have “mobile” equivalents, which are usually sans advertisements. The download speeds are equivalent to a laptop (or even a desktop), at least for the mobile sites. I usually read news sites over wifi in my house.
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Well, I have my Curve, and the WI-FI is way faster than the EDGE when I browse, or use Google Maps zoom functions, etc. I also found the call quality excellent while walking in and out of my wi-fi network. My wife couldn’t tell that I had change networks from wi-fi to edge, and neither could I. I was impressed. I think that BG may have to try this again now that TMO is getting all the wi-fi resources in place.
Also, the titanium is the dark gray. The Tmo pics sure didn’t look like the one BG depicted. Nice color.
Ric
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That’s what I thought service books was likely comprised of. Thanks man.
Ric
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hey, i had a question aboutthe service books. through what mean are they sent? via tmobile or blackberry? meaning do i need the blackberry plan to recieve the service books or if i just have a plan with out the internet add on, will the service books be sent when i access wifi or tmobile through the phone?
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Dude, buy this phone. If you like the software update for the 8700g, you will love the curve. Just got it today. Blows my 8700 away. Way nicer in every way. Especially the contours of the phone. My Lord, what a difference!
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The Boy Genius Said:
“No one is saying that for attachments, Wi-Fi won’t make a difference. The point we were making was about the data side of the device, for instance the BlackBerry 8820 on AT&T. People are so excited over it when you will see a marginal increase at best, with internet browsing and that’s it.”
I’m curious why you think comapring an 8320 to an 8300 gives you some sort of valid benchmark by which to judge the 8820?
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what I find is that on the 8820 the browser often reverts to EDGE even when I’m on WiFi. Not till I turn off the mobile network in connections does my browser speed up a lot. the swapping b/t the 2 networks isn’t as dynamic/quick as it should be. On EDGE it’s slow, but on WiFi only it’s very fast. And I’m on a slow 3mb network.
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will u have a video of how wi-fi performs on BB 8820 for AT&T
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I recently purchased the Curve 8300 from At&T and unlocked it to use with T-Mobile, and it doesn’t have the Wi-Fi feature. I bought a router for my laptop, and hoped to be able to have my phone connect to it, so I could stop dropping calls in my house. Without the feature its not possible. Is there any way to get the feature on the the Curve 8300? My cell is my home phone as well, and due to something blocking me in my building I cannot utilize it. Please someone help..its so frustrating to drop every call, and have T-Mobile say that can’t help.
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“Wi-Fi browser” uses the deive to process images, ect.
“Internet Browser” uses the BIS servers to compress and shrink images.
Enough said. Do valid tests next time.
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I have had the 8320 for a month now and the WIFI is terrible for web browsing as it constantly hangs on requesting script, etc. The only thing I can say good about the WIFI connection is for email and MMS messages. Sending pics takes literally 2 seconds on 300K and if I send an email of 500K attachment it is done within 5 seconds. I just wish the browsing was more consistent and faster.
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I have the T-Mobile Wi-fi version of the curve. Just got it today. I tried all the links you show in the video (never been to any before) and I totally smoked the AT&T with Edge - at least 3x as fast. Maybe it has something to do with the WiFi router you are using - or maybe Blackberry fixed something in latest model? To be honest though, I still thought browsing would be faster than it is with the Wifi connections.
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Correct me if i am wrong, but if you dont pay for the extra data package shit that makes it so you can go online, but you still have a wifi reciever on your phone, cant you connect to hotspots for free just like a laptop? but if you have that edge BS you gotta pay monthly to connect, and if you dont pay you cannot connect at all?
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Try the same test after upgrading the OS to .180 TMO release or .175 CSL release. WI-FI rocks !!! try it for yourself to believe it
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also doesnt seem to make a lot of diff with /without java scripts
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