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…
I think the problem may be the Tmo network instead of the actual hardware/software associated with the blackberry. Still the issue remains that Tmo needs to get with the program.
Could you do some time tests compaing Tmo EDGE to ATT EDGE - and Tmo EDGE to Tmo WiFi?
Also hopefully apps will soon be configurable to access WiFi without going back through the Tmo gateway.
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question. does an unlocked bb 8320 coonect on just any wifi network or only tmobile hotspots?
thanks
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You are correct, I know for a fact that TMO does use a proxy, AT&A must use one so that would affect the results.
Also in order to perform test from which a resonable conclusion can be obtained, you need more than 1 data point (more than 1 test).
You should test again 5-6 times in different environments suing different ISPs then use the average to draw conclusions, I am not sure how effective the conlusion is from only one test.
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My exact same problem. I have to walk out of the house to receive emails or SMS, poor EDGE location but my access points cover every room in the house and would solve my problem - no comparisons needed. VOIP would make me happier than a dog with two tails.
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if you are far from the wifi router, the speed is slow.
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This vid is pointless I get fast WiFi on my Tmobile 8320 with clear unlimited calls on my wifi and web/email/txt msg. Its a great add on and will want it on ever blackberry that comes out. as soon as I walk near my house it automatically connects me to my WiFi without disturbing my current call and does not run a single minute on my plan I love TMobile data plan is only $19.99 and the MyFavs is a big hit with me also! I get non of this with my x ATT services!
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Wifi is FREE, GPRS/EDGE is pay per minute.
So anyway, WIFI is better.
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Can i set the BB8320 to first connect to wifi, and GPRS if wifi not available ?
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The main use is the VOWIFI have used in Macau calling the US with no international roaming charges. Saves $1.99 per minute. Have several hundred deployed around the world with no issues, saving thousands a month.
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Ok I work for Verizon and I’ve got to say some of these post are just plain stupid. First of all the speed test done in the video isn’t true wi-fi. T-Mobile’s Curve vs. AT&T’s Curve are the same. What are the conditions of that wi-fi service? And the wi-fi feature is intended for use when you can’t get on the network but have wi-fi access ready to go. People, before you post please do your research.
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Something is desperately wrong with the tests.
I just tested my 8320 along side and did not merely smoke both phones on the video but destroyed them.
My wifi reception is far from great as I’m stealing a signal from one of my neighbors and I still loaded pages faster.
Infact I can load pages five times as fast as what I saw on that video.
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Maybe it has something to do with the AT&T banner at the bottom of this page?
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interesting, I would like to know why my buddies blackberry 8800 smokes my 8320 loading web pages. he has verizon i have att, help me understand please
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If you have ATT then you likely don’t have an 8320 and are not using wifi.
If you are then make sure you have the wifi browser selected as the default browser.
Might want to limit the amount of java scripts opened as well.
My 8320 is faster than one of my coworker’s 8830 on verizon.
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I really enjoyed the video. Better than those boring freaks at Cnet. Enjoyed the background music too, including the “Moving On Up” theme song from the old 70’s sit-com “The Jeffersons”.
I received my T-Mo 8320 last week. I’m loving it. Can’t find anything wrong with it. It’s fast on Wi-fi and beats both phones featured in the video loading those sights (on Wifi). I can’t say I have any complaints with this phone except that I can’t view sites that use Flash. But I guess that’s why I have a laptop.
I’m quite happy to always see ATT get beat by the competition for price, quality, and service.
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totally false - wi-fi is lightening fast … dude had the default browser set up wrong (probably internet browser) on the wi-fi curve. The T-Mo curve (8320 was defaulting to EDGE - what an idiot. You are all soooo gullible.
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Can you use the 8320’s WiFi without having the Blackberry internet addon?
ALso, is the 8320 the NEWEST blackberry? Newer than the 8800 series?
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noy ture the 8320 with wi-fi is faster i had two test done by myself and the 8320 is loading quicker on wi-fi and you can use this as a phone network
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If i’m at home accessing my internet through the 8320….does it cost me money to go online through wifi and can i check my e-mails and send them?
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i dont know why you guys are having issues, but th e wifi on my 8320 is FLYING. i swear its way faster than edge. its really dam good. i was shocked. im using a typical router… linksys wrt54gs with high speed cable internet at home.
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The reason is the BES Server is a proxy server which then push the info the device whereas the 8320 need to render the images on it on.
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Here are the facts so people aren’t bitching at RIM or T-Mobile. One: With WiFi connections, the BlackBerry loads pages at 100% quality, full page, no compression. Also, it’s a direct link to the internet. It processes EVERYTHING itself. Two: With the BlackBerry on at&t, the EDGE connection is going through a BlackBerry server. The server takes the information, compresses and processes it for the phone. All the phone has to do is serve it, no cooking. Images are smaller size and quality on EDGE too. The EDGE network as the upper-hand because the phone just sits and doesn’t have to do much unlike the WiFi connection. I’d suggest changing some settings for the WiFi connection. Try downloading a file, that’ll show you a difference for sure.
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Thanks to Stephen Monette for an informative post. However, it seems he seems to concede that although you get full page rendering, the speed is still inferior for browsing.
Does anyone know if using Opera (as opposed to the BB Browser) would make the WiFi move any faster, or is this a simple memory issue that will only be resolved with better hardware? Also, does anyone have suggestions as to what settings - as mentioned by Stephen - should be tweaked and how?
Another demo - either here or on youtube - would be appreciated.
Is the Pearl 8120 any better on speed?
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The difference as well in Canada would be the WIFI would be free for the download where the EDGE would cost us 4 houses, 2 cars and a pig.
IF the Canadian mobile companies would actually have a good plan for data then it would be worth it, however, using WIFI is the only way to actually have a cost effective way of viewing on Blackberry.
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Hi Guys.. just wanna have a quick check in regards to the Blackberry 8320.. I was wondering if that phone is actually capable of opening and editing WORD Documents and EXCEL documents? I have been searching in all the Blackberry specs provided, but can’t seem to find a confirmed answer.
If it’s able to - is it allready installed there automatically in the phone or do I have to download certain software?
Thanks heaps!!!
Cheers,
SH
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