Buying a Blackberry phone

[filthiestfis]

I have very little clue about technology so would appreciate some direction in finding a decent Blackberry phone toget my girlfriend for her birthday.
I dont have one myself but presume that it is a phone with extra things like an organiser, games, access to internet...but is Blackberry the only brand that does these? Are other companies not allowed to copy them? What about an I phone? what is it? How does it differ from a Blackberry? Are Blackberry phones meant to be the best?
How much do they typically cost? She has told me that she would like to have one, but as money is tight it would have to be on pay as you go.
Can anyone give me advice on what to choose? Thank you. Perhaps I should post this in the shopping section as well.

[Buenchico]

General info about Blackberries:
http://uk.blackberry.com/devices/

Blackberries are often thought of as organizers which have a phone (and camera, etc) built into them, rather than as a phone which has additional features. They're popular with businessmen and others with busy lives. (President Obama has one). So most deals for Blackberries are those aimed at business users. (e.g. sign up to pay, perhaps £40 per month and get a free Blackberry). However, f you follow the 'Where to buy links', from the page I've provided above, you will find a few PAYG offers, such as this one:
http://www.t-mobile.c...e-8520-payg/overview/

If you want to find out what an iPhone can do, see here:
http://www.apple.com/uk/iphone/why-iphone/
but note that they're extremely expensive:
http://direct.tesco.com/q/N.2000278/Nr.99.aspx

Chris

[filthiestfis]

Thanks Chris. I presume that the majority of the public who are into the latest gadgets will own a Blackberry and its probably (hopefully) what my girlfriend wants!

[Mr k]

If you are going to buy a Blackberry there are 2 that look more or less the same
The curve and the bold..

The new Bold has more memory, a fast processor and very strong battery life than the other..