Sidekick iD vs Sidekick 3 hands-on gallery

We're still confused as to whether it's "id" or "eye-dee", but whatever it's called our Sidekick iD showed up today. Yes, it's the underpowered, EDGE-free version of the Sidekick 3 (or the next step up from the Sidekick 2, depending on whether you're a glass-half-full or empty kind of person), and sure, it looks mighty funny when you peel off its skin and replace the bumpers with different colors. But is it an adequate substitute for the full-fledged 3? Perhaps the following pictorial will help you decide one way or another -- but at very least the software experience is basically preserved (sans camera, media, and Bluetooth apps). Now go nosh on some pics.

Gallery: Sidekick iD vs Sidekick 3 hands-on gallery

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[David @ Apr 13th 2007 7:44PM]

So for 1/3 the money I get 1/3 the sidekick but with rubber baby buggy bumpers?

Eh.... no.

[ScOObyDoo @ Apr 13th 2007 7:57PM]

I really don't understand the lack of EDGE, surely the price difference in the chipset for this isn't THAT much? Seems like a real dumb decision to not include it.

[Jason Gold @ Apr 13th 2007 8:23PM]

I dont know about you guys, but I really like the look.

[weaszel @ Apr 13th 2007 8:47PM]

i've heard nothing but negativity toward this phone.

it's a cell phone with a QWERTY keyboard, full-featured web browser, push email, Yahoo/AIM/MSN messenger apps, and perhaps the most well-designed and intuitive cell phone operating system available. and it's ninety-nine dollars.

everybody complains about the lack of EDGE but anyone who's upgraded from an SK2 to and SK3 knows that the performance difference is practically unnoticable. plenty of people don't care about a camera, either. bluetooth, meh, personally i use AIM and email on my SK3 more than i do the phone feature.

[chuck @ Apr 13th 2007 10:39PM]

Well, $99 isn't that good of a price for this phone with a 2-year contract. If this phone was free, I'd be able to overlook the fact that it doesn't have freakin' EDGE. But when you're charging $99, you're competing with much better phones like the Motorola Q and Samsung U740. Heck, those phones are better than the SK3, much less the iD. Although the Sidekick was a great idea, it has barely been improved since the original was released 5 years ago. The screen hasn't been improved since the CSK from 2003, the camera quality is laughable, it's bulky, and on the "new and improved" SK3, call quality is horrible. I have two friends with SK3s and I avoid talking to them on their sidekicks-- that's how bad it is-- and others do too. All SK3s have an echo problem. Although things sound fine to the SK user, the person on the other end hears an echo of their voice CONSTANTLY. It's delayed about 2 seconds. How ridiculous. Even free phones are a million times better than this crap-- look at the Samsung T619. EDGE, 1.3 MP camera, Bluetooth, quadband, and a screen that, although smaller, has a higher resolution than any Sidekick. Oh, and your friends won't refuse to talk to you on it!

[Eli @ Apr 14th 2007 10:25AM]

No 3G, no touchscreen, closed OS.

I've always said, and will continue to say, that the only thing the Sidekick has going for it (besides hipster and emo cred) is its form factor, which is actually kind of cool. I also wonder if this thing has the same durability problems as the other sidekicks.

[C. Baines @ Apr 15th 2007 1:44AM]

Emo cred? Those kids are too busy trying to use a Startac, let alone a Sidekick.

[Oneaboveall @ Apr 16th 2007 11:10AM]

Don't like it, don't buy it...quit your complaining. Especially about EDGE. Its not like its EV-DO or 3G even. Get over it.

[cameron @ Apr 22nd 2007 7:05PM]

ok well i really LOVE the sidekick id's look!
if only the sidekick 3 looked like that
i would be one happy camper!
i have a sidekick 3.
and im thinking of getting the ID
but soooo many people tell me not to!
should i do it or not?

[Josh @ Jun 16th 2007 11:52PM]

Yo, if you want friggin high speed god damn internet on a handheld get a PDA.

Sidekick is convenience.
Phone, and a full QWERTY keyboard.

Blue tooth is for trekkies.
And who honestly doesnt already own a digital camera already that puts ANY cell phone camera to shame.


Bottom line:::

Sidekick iD - $99
New bumpers - $15
Easily flipping out the screen to gracefully type out a lengthy text or email?
PRICELESS.

For some things in life theres 3G and other gay barely faster interent browsing capabitilies.

For everyone else.. There the Sidekick iD