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Sep 05
Friday
Reviews
How Much Faster is a 3G BlackBerry? My Test Says 42.7%
Comments September 5, 2008 – 06:45 | Permalink | Print This Post |

curve-vs-bold-speed-test
curve-vs-bold-speed-test

Over the past few months a lot of discussions have taken place as to whether or not the 3G capabilities of the BlackBerry Bold make it worth carrying around the admittedly large device, especially with the slim and sleek — but 3G-less — Javelin due out within the next few months. Is 3G really that fast?

In a small-scale test I pitted the browsing speed of the Bold against the 8320 Curve to see how much of a difference 3G makes.

All of the websites used in the test were the full-blown HTML variants just as you would see them on your desktop computer. The cache and cookies were cleared and all of the settings were identical on both devices, including leaving Javascript enabled. The timer would start as soon as enter was hit and would not be stopped until the page was completely loaded. Both devices were tested simultaneously.

bold-vs-curve-speed-test1
bold-vs-curve-speed-test1

Averaging the total loading time of all of the sites visited on the Bold and Curve showed that the Bold was able to cut down loading times by a very respectable 42.7%. At this rate, it wouldn’t take that long to save a considerable amount of time while browsing with the Bold.

As you may have noticed, I also had the Bold run the test in EDGE only so that 1) those who are interested in a Bold but live in markets that lack 3G could get an impression of the speed differences, and 2) those of you who were wondering would be able to satisfy your curiosity.

Again, averaging out the speeds I found that the Bold running on EDGE loaded websites 10.9% faster than the Curve. This would put a Bold running EDGE in line with the speed of a CDMA 3G BlackBerry.

Obviously the results I got will be differ from those of others. This test was done to see how a 3G BlackBerry fared against an EDGE BlackBerry while using the same tower at the same time. And I think the results speak for themselves.

Loving the speed of 3G? Holding out for the Javelin? Keeping your current device? Let us know your thoughts.

Written by BlackBerryForums.com user MikeyPants (Previous BlackBerryNews Writer)

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    • JSanders
      Wow, nice review. Very thorough and enlightening.
      Thanks.
    • Chris
      With the continued delays, I've been recently thinking about getting the new Curve 8320 from AT&T.
      I think if anything, this solidifies my desire even more to wait and get a Bold when it comes to the US.
    • Thanks mikeypants! Welcome back!
    • Vince
      I definitely agree about getting the 8320 from AT&T. I have been using the 8310 from AT&T since March an absolutely love the device. The 8320 will have BB's new 4.5 OS as well as WiFi, which makes the 8320 a better choice for me. Looking at the size comparisons between the Bold and the iPhone 3G (via internet), I am not too excited about the physical size of the Bold.

      Bottom line, the 8320 Curve, should suit my needs perfectly. Unless the only color the 8320 comes in, is that powder blue.

      My two cents..
    • I'll be keeping my Bold and holding out for the new OS to fix the javascript issues, till then I'll ride the sites without it.

      And Oh yeah 3G is much faster, in Halifax, NS..Dunno about some other places but considering one of RIM's locations is Halifax it makes sense they would work with Rogers just a little bit to ensure that, I would like to think anyways. The problem is with 2 HRS on 3G and average usage for me..battery goes dead...so I use 2G normally, when I need to stream video or anything then the 3G goes on.
    • Mitch
      I'd like to see Bold 3G vs. VZW 8330 EVDO . . .
    • kjjb0204
      I just tried all of those sites on my 8330 from Verizon and page load times were all about 2-6 seconds slower than the Bold 3G tests.
    • KWB
      Think I'll hang on to my 8320 (T-MO). Unless they eventually offer the Bold on T-Mobile with 3G.
    • Gregerator
      I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that the JavaScript was turned off? Or Bla1ze, you might know, still having issues on 3G? And does WiFi stand up against these times?
    • david_uk
      Interesting, esp in UK where EDGE is rare, so the comparison is often 3G/GPRS.

      Why do I need the extra browsing speed? So Maps can refresh faster? I usually ride a bike, so no help there.

      YouTube? That can wait till I'm in a hotspot... but at home/work I've got a 19" screen to play with.

      Just as well, as my Bold (v4.6.0.134) kills the WiFi connection each time 3G blows out (I'm on the "edge" of a 3G area in Central London!) and goes down to GPRS.

      So to answer author's question, jury's out on Bold/3G. So much depends on local network performance. I suspect my Bold will go straight to eBay once I get my hands on Javelin.


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