BlackBerry Pearl review roundup

Well that was quick. Looks like our own Boy Genius wasn't the only kid on the block to get his hands on the BlackBerry Pearl a few weeks early. Reviews aplenty are already extolling the virtues of the much anticipated phone, and while it's not all roses, the Pearl sure seems to do a lot of things right. What's getting the most love seems to be the utterly small -- for a QWERTY-ish smartphone, at least -- form factor, but the bright screen and bevy of software features get a lot of love too. Not everybody is stoked about the execution of the video and music players, but the reviewers at least didn't seem to be overwhelmed by any extra complexity introduced by the new stuff. CNET astutely notes that the phone lacks WiFi, which isn't much of a departure for RIM, but misses the mark set by some of the Pearl's smartphone compatriots. The SureType keyboard has just as many perks and annoyances as ever, but that's to be expected, and there's no arguing over the size savings the Pearl manages because of it. Overall, we're seeing good things for the Pearl and proud parent RIM, and as their media feature sets and design chops improve they might just have a shot at the consumer market yet.

Read - BusinessWeek
Read - International Herald Tribune
Read - New York Times
Read - CNET
Read - PC Magazine

[chelsea @ Jun 18th 2008 10:43PM]

i hate this fucking phone so much! people! never ever ever get it!!!!!

[Clo @ Jul 7th 2008 3:32PM]

I love the look of this phone, it is stylish, slim, and lightweight. And I love gettin my emails straight to my phone. But that's about it.

Reasons why I hate my Pearl...

It told me I was out of space for sms msgs when I only had 17 on it (!!!) whereas my old sony ericsson k800i held about 900!

When I turn the phone on it deletes my messages and emails.

When I'm the one to choose to delete some messages, they emerge back from the dead when I turn the phone off and on again.

The mp3 player and the camera only work when it's not crucial that they work.

Its new trick is to not ring when someone calls me, instead it brings up the hourglass symbol and doesn't let me know someone is calling, but tells me later that I have a missed call and yet when I check to see who it was, it has deleted my info.

Something tells me this isn't everyone's experience, otherwise this piece of crap wouldn't sell a single handset!

I want my old Sony Ericsson back :(

[anon @ Sep 7th 2006 1:05PM]

The CNET review criticizes the lack of external Wifi controls. It has no Wifi.

The New York Times review says the battery gives a 3.5 hour talk time. The PCMag review says it is 8.5 hours.

It goes on, but I won't. Fucking pathetic "pro" reviews.

[Mick @ Oct 28th 2006 2:31PM]

hahhahah geez man, lighten up!

[Baron @ Sep 7th 2006 2:37PM]

Right, almost as pathetic as someone who can't find a better adjective to use than you did. I mean, really, that is almost as necessary as the smart guy who said first post.

Anyway, the phone looks nice, what would be better is if they (as in the carriers) made their data services 1) either more affordable or 2) if you have multiple phones on the same plan, let it cover both plans for one price.

[treo007 @ Sep 7th 2006 9:27PM]

I really want to like this offering; however, based on the reviews, it looks like the sound quality on phone calls is not so good.

If it's even as close to as bad as that of the 7100 series, it's DOA if you ask me.

[LarryMcJ @ Nov 10th 2007 4:30PM]

I want to like this puppy also...but I didn't find anything wrong with the audio at all. I went to the local VZW store and left myself a voicemail using it, then another voicemail with my 8703e and the new 8130 sounded MUCH better, clearer, and louder.

LarryMcJ

[ayo @ Sep 7th 2006 7:53PM]

doesnt that dock look a little like a dock on a mac.

[Peek-A-Boo @ Sep 7th 2006 3:48PM]

Fourth post

[Solo @ Sep 8th 2006 1:55AM]

I hope Palm or Access licensees are watching.

[nikster @ Sep 7th 2006 9:38PM]

Aaaarrrrghhhh double-branding... I am not buying anything with two brands on it, too much is too much.

Why is it that t-mobile wants to plaster their ugly logo on everything?

One thing that Nokia has over everyone else: They don't allow their phones to be branded by operators.

[Mick @ Oct 28th 2006 2:31PM]

I agree with that - get that TMobile crap off the phone.

[Ritz Furniture Gallery @ Sep 8th 2006 1:24AM]

Not totally true, Verizon Wireless branded the Nokia 2128i (granted, it is a very low-end phone).

[Robert Fritsch @ Sep 23rd 2006 12:13PM]

As a Blackberry user, I hope my carrier (Nextel) is paying real attention here. I use a seperate mp3 player, and now this Blackberry Pearl is offering what I have been looking for an all in one solution. If my carrier doesn't offer this, I will be looking at other carriers. BTW I don't appreciate double branding either.

[GirlzRuleBoysDrule @ Sep 11th 2006 9:54PM]

You guys are a bunch of tweedle deedle dumb asses.

It's all about the packaging!!!!!

[kEN @ Oct 10th 2006 4:25PM]

About three weeks ago i was looking online for a new phone i looked 4 a couple hrs tryn to find the best deal and i did i got the great device at up compareable price and i even got a free Bluetooth headset for free. so far i dont dislike anything about the phone and t-mobile is a great company no more dropped calls and excellent service. i got this phone at http://www.UShopWireless.com/AF-LM and couldnt be more pleased.

[Pandora Jaramillo @ Jun 25th 2007 6:51PM]

I just switched from the treo 650 to the pearl and I love it!

[Nia @ Dec 4th 2007 11:17AM]

i hate this phone . this is literally the worst phone that ive been in touch wiht . the qwerty keyboard is shitty and it takes longer to text than the old fashion non-qwerty phones. the whole doubled up thing with the keyboard was a horrible mistake. AND the menus are SOOO confusing and it is so unclear how to use the applications. this phone is plainly HORRIBLE thank you.!

[Chipprt @ Jan 9th 2008 5:17PM]

I have been using the Pearl for about 6 months.. I took about 2 days to get used to the predictive text.. Mia, you must be an idiot to think that the "brain" of the Pearl is sub-standard. It is a apparent that you are missing some very needed brain cells.. Idiot!!

[Ariany @ May 16th 2008 3:05PM]

I agree! It's a piece of $#!T!! I hate that I can't send picture mail!! and do basic things that other phones do. It really sucks! I hate it! I'm returning it and getting a Palm Centro...hopefully the Centro doesn't suck worse!!! :(