The new improved version of BlackBerry…the BlackBerry Pearl

Category: Review on RIM Blackberry Pearl 8100 Smartphone

Posted by: 22-Jun-2007

Strengths: Many new features such as a camera, enhanced media player, option for additional memory and a slimmer body

Weaknesses: No full-QWERTY keypad, call quality is not so great and expandable memory is inconveniently located

The BlackBerry Pearl is really a synthesis of the wish lists of BlackBerry fans and features many new inclusions which did not form part of earlier models. The Pearl 8100 also manages to reduce its bulky frame a bit in order to become a bit more convenient when in use. The ‘new’ features of the Pearl 8100 include a digital camera, a fairly good music player and expandable memory to help support these new applications.

On the performance front, the email functionality still works just as well and the new pearl-styled trackball is really easy to use. However, the full QWERTY keypad is replaced with SureType and that might actually be a step down for the BlackBerry Pearl. The call quality though much improved from previous versions, is still not as good as other smart phones and this is another reason which might keep you from grabbing hold of the BlackBerry Pearl.

It is the mobile executives who find BlackBerry Pearl a godsend and you will find many people carrying two phones…one for calls and a BlackBerry for their emails! On the pricing front, the BlackBerry Pearl (including subscription) does not come cheap and though the phone does offer expandable memory, you need to remove the battery every time you want to access the memory card.