Review: Blackberry Pearl 8100
It’s review time! The Pearl has been around for sometime, but we still had to post a review. RIM still hasn’t converted all smartphone users over yet. Treo users you might want to pay close attention to this Blackberry 8100 review. Needless to say Blackberry holds it’s ground within the Mobile realm, but when the Blackberry 8100 also know as Pearl 8100 came on the scene that shot up RIM’s stock to a whole diffrent level. It’s RIM’s very first multimedia device. Seems like RIM got sick of hearing the “what blackberry doesn’t have”. The Pearl was listed 7th best smartphone during 2007. We’re definitely Blackberry fans, so we feel comfortable in saying that it’s ranked higher - at least 3rd best! We do know T-mobile would agree with us, they sold quite a few units - Congrats TMO! Enough of the jive talk let’s get down to business and get the info you came to get - Blackberry Pearl 8100 review.
Design
Coming in at a whooping 4.2 x 2.0 x 0.6 inches in size, the pearl is comfortable in the average end users hand. The most interesting feature that was new for the Pearl was the trackball. This was RIM first device that introduced this feature. For those who were use to the trackwheel on the older devices this took some time to getting use to. We did hear lots of complaints about the trackball and how sensitive it was. However, it doesn’t take long to get use to, it just takes practice. Then of course it offers the SureType keyboard also known as the “multiple letter keyboard” For the average user that types type alot of email message , sms messsage.. etc - suretype may not suffice.
Highlighed Features
We call this section highlighed features, because simply put these are the features that attract users to the Blackberry Pearl. Below we have listed these:
Audio: The audio features on this phone is fantastic. There’s no need to carry around an Mp3 players sorta speak when you got it on the pearl. Great thinking RIM because AUDIO is the one of the most important features that makes a media device what it is.
Video: The video features on this phone aren’t as fantastic but it ’s doable if you’re in a clutch. Nothing against the Pearl, we’re justing keeping the review strictly by the facts - it is what is!!! The video players i’m sure in time will improve since RIM is always on the lookout to improve their products.
Camera: Can someone say “cheese” ? 1.3 megapixels Resolution , Flash, 5x Digital zoom and Mirror for self-portrait is what the Pearl offers. Face it cellphones just dont’ have the capability as a digital camera , but with the advance focus on cellphone mulitmedia devices it’s getting closer. The Pearl isn’t bad in this aspect and so we give it’s camera great ratings.
Memory Slot: Yep it was done. This device came with the memory slot (microSD) for extra storage. After all mulitmedia phones are used more and it requires more space to store items. At lasted it was stated that the pearl only supports up to 2gig card max.
Still in doubt about the Pearl and some of the features that we described in our Blackberry Blog? Take a look at the Blackerry Pearl 8100 Layout
Blackberry Pearl Spec Sheet:
| Dimensions (LxWxD) | 106mm x 50mm x 14.5mm |
|---|---|
| Weight (approx. with battery) | 89.5 grams |
| Display | High resolution LCD screen with light sensing technology. Supports over 64K colours |
| Buttons & Controls | Trackball, SureType? QWERTY keyboard, Send, End, Mute, Menu, Escape and 2 customisable Convenience keys. |
| Spell Check | No |
| User Interface | Intuitive icons and easy-to-read text based home screen and menus. |
| Processor | Intel® PXA901@312MHz |
| Internal Memory | 64MB flash memory |
| Expandable Memory | Micro SD card |
| Notification | Ringtones, vibrate mode, LED indicator |
| Ring tones | Polyphonic, mp3 and MIDI ring tones |
| Voice Input/Output | Integrated earpiece and microphone, 2.5 mm stereo handset jack, integrated speakerphone Hands-free speakerphone; Hands-free headset and carkit support; Bluetooth v2.0 hands-free headset and car kit support |
| GPRS | Yes |
| Edge | Yes |
| 3G | No |
| WLAN | No |
| Bluetooth® | Yes |
| Standard battery * | 990mAhr removable/rechargeable super-slim Lithium cell |
| Talk Time (up to) * | 3.5 hours |
| Standby Time (up to) * | 15 days |
| Network Bands | Quad-band support for 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSMT/GPRS and EDGE networks |
| Accessories in the box | Mini-USB cable Travel charger Removable Battery Stereo Headset Micro SD Card (128k) |
| Browsers | WAP, HTML |
| MMS | Yes |
| SMS | Yes |
| Camera | 1.3 Mega pixel camera with flash |
| Media Player | Built in Media Player v1.0. MP3 music and MPEG4 videos |
| Voice notes | Record voice notes and send via MMS |
| Keyboard Security | Password & Keyboard lock |
| Java | J2ME |
| Modem | GPRS, EDGE , |
Current Models: 8100, 8110, 8120 and 8130
Best Blackberry Pearl Applications
1) Ringtone MegaPlex
2) Dynoplex - eOffice
3) BB Smart Email Viewer
4) IM + all in once Messenger / Skype
5) World Mate Live
Best Blackberry Pearl Accessories
1) Blackberry Source Online Store
2) Colorware
Blackberry Blog Videos about the Blackberry Pearl 8100- YouTube
youtube - blackberry pearl 8100 review
Our Comments about the Blackberry Pearl: It's a great device. Great "first release" by RIM for a smartphone. We would recommend it. We give it 4 out of 5 stars!!