Cingular Premier customers can pre-order BlackBerry Pearl

Apparently today was the agreed upon date to launch (or "prelaunch," anyway) svelte new mobiles that we'd been waiting ever so patiently on, as this discovery comes just hours after Motorola officially released its MOTOFONE F3. While we've known the BlackBerry Pearl was coming, sneaked a few peeks of it in action, heard all about the pre-release reviews, and had strong suspicions (twice) that it was headed to Cingular, today we can finally say it's here -- well, almost. Accessible through Cingular's Premier web portal, the Pearl is available for pre-order as an interestingly-labeled prelaunch affair. While the design nor the specs have changed up on us, we're finally getting some concrete info on the price; it'll run you $579.99 straight up, or around $179.99 after corporate and web discounts, and while we're sure plain ole consumer pricing will be similar, you'll (probably) only snag this jewel for under $200 if you sign away your cellular soul for a couple years.

[Thanks, Scott V.]

[Rich @ Nov 28th 2006 12:21PM]

You can get a Pearl through Amazon.com w/ T-Mobile for free. Why pay $180?

[CJ @ Nov 28th 2006 12:26PM]

Because our corporate agreement includes no termination fees with Cingy, but not with T-Mo.

[Mayor McCheese @ Nov 28th 2006 12:50PM]

$579.99 for a 1.3 megapixel camera?

Are you fu@king on crack?

[ian @ Nov 28th 2006 12:52PM]

But the pearl has been available in Canada for some time now...

http://www.shoprogers.com/store/wireless/products/phones/products_details.asp?shopperID=UWUN53UFHAP08GVT2G0CDE1CVW93AHC3&PRODUCTID=8100R&summary=1

[schnergun @ Nov 28th 2006 1:17PM]

I WANT I WANT

[Uncle_Chachi @ Nov 28th 2006 2:15PM]

It's not showing up on my premier.

[blogsmitherines @ Nov 28th 2006 2:27PM]

bring to verizon, please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[erik brunn @ Nov 28th 2006 2:53PM]

waits for the iPhone

[Jesse @ Nov 28th 2006 4:44PM]

The keypad is actually really lousy when you use it. Feels too mushy and soft to press the keys

[jk @ Nov 28th 2006 5:46PM]

wait cant i just take the tmobile one to cingular? (isnt tmobile phones unlocked?) besides, new rules says that all phone must be unlocked.. am i just confused suffering from lack of sleeplessness that i just might buy a tmobile one and try to hook it up with my corp cingular account?

[I love the pearl @ Nov 30th 2006 1:23PM]

I've had the pearl since the tmobile release and have been using it on Cingular ever since. I had gsmphonesource unlock it as tmobile locks them (you can get them unlocked by tmobile, but have to be a customer for 90 days blah blah). Anyway, it is the perfect phone - great call quality, media center is fine (don't use ipod anymore), and the camera is ok (it's a blackberry first and foremost... not a camera mayor mccrackhead), and the size is incredible. To have all the functionality of a blackberry in that compact of a phone is incredible. I've had several blackberries courtesy of my law firm, but none even come close to this phone. The keypad is not optimal, but is essential for the small form factor - that is WHY you buy this phone. Full QWERTY = bigger phone. For those of you complaining, just buy a bigger phone. This is not the phone for you. You're probably the type of losers that wear your blackberry/cell phones on your belt anyway.

[elly @ Nov 28th 2006 6:30PM]

t-mobile customers can get it now (200$, 2 year renewal). i'm looking into it already :]

[Scott @ Nov 28th 2006 6:46PM]

It's not showing up on my Cingular Premier account either...

[Brad White @ Nov 28th 2006 9:06PM]

I just spoke with Cingular and it was available this morning, but they removed it. They do not normally put anything up for pre-order, and they don't know why the Pearl was either. It will be available very soon.

[Jeff K @ Nov 29th 2006 8:54AM]

nope it doesnt show up on premiere site.

[klaymen @ Nov 29th 2006 12:29PM]

why the hell would anyone buy this? that keyboard is just as bad as a regular cell phone.

[MRK @ Nov 30th 2006 11:34AM]

Finally....the answer to everyone's pressing question....tada:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/30/AR2006113000021.html

[jk @ Dec 1st 2006 1:28PM]

so yeah its out in the open. Amazon Cingular is $50, Tmobile one is free but you get it in 3-4 weeks?

also on Premire site, its $86. well after discount with your company etc etc.. so i ordered one. see what happens.

[Justin @ Dec 3rd 2006 1:31AM]

Thanks MRK for the official word. I can't wait to get one of these since my job requires I get instant emails. I played around with one at the T-Mobile store and it's way better than the 71xx crap. SureType actually works pretty good. The other folks I work with picked the brick sized model and they have to wear it on their belt. The Pearl gives you a fighting chance to be 'cool' plus it can serve as a ipod if you get a 2gb card.