Even though it
just became available for consumers,
Verizon has had its latest 'Berry available to business customers for
some time now. Thanks to our favorite parcel carrier, we're able to bring to you The Network's latest pony into the BlackBerry stable, the
8830. Now even though this is a dual band 800 / 1900 CDMA device with a splash of 900 / 1800 GSM designed for international roaming, we think this device could be a big hit for most BlackBerry customers of Verizon even if they aren't travelers -- read on to find out why.
There are few cosmetic changes between this version and those of the
Cingular and
T-Mobile besides the color schemes. Something about this version's silver finish really makes it look svelte and there wasn't as much of a fingerprint issue like with the black version.
Blackberry decided to throw in a media center where users can listen to music, watch videos, view pictures and select ringtones all from their
microSD memory card. This version supports up to 2GB worth of expandable memory.
Overall, this is a welcome addition for CDMA users, thanks to the smaller form factor, better battery life, more vivid display and enhancements to BlackBerry OS 4.2 not found on current Verizon BlackBerrys. The keys do seem to offer up a little less tactile feedback than the
8703 (nothing will ever replace the
7250, right, folks?) but the trackball is a fantastic addition over the jog dial. If anyone else was lucky enough to get one before today's launch date, let us know what you think of it!
posted May 28th 2007 12:56PM
This review has been linked from http://www.reducegadgetenvy.com/Item.aspx?i=4
I have been messing around with one for about a week now. The 8830 actually supports a 4GB, movies and music watch out!
Too wide and heavy! GPS doesn't work. Google Maps didn't work. Screen is really sharp and bright. The clitoris, err trackball takes some getting used to as well as the Blackberry button. Haven't really put it through its paces yet, but I really dont like the trackball.
I don't know if I want to give up my 8700 just yet.
Just as wide as an 8703 yet thinner. Awesome media player. Trackball works seemlessly and is easy to get used to. This is a damn good Blackberry device regardless of international use or not.
I don't understand why more CDMA carriers/manufacturers implement this concept: a dual-protocal phone that is strictly 900/1800 on the GSM side (it could even be unlocked). I know that Sprint/Samsung had something like that a few years ago (the A700, I think?) so it's nice to see Verizon and RIM brining that idea back in a more practical device.
I got it the day after it was available to business users, and I gotta say, I love it. Initially, I was a bit worried about the battery life (only lasted two days), now having gone through a few charging cycles, the battery seems to last me about 4 to 5 days with normal use. Media player obviously eats up battery faster, but that is understandable. I really like the trackball, and even the keyboard is preferred over my Motorola Q. There are a lot of tricks to the BB OS, and I am constantly learning how to be more efficient with it. I think this is the phone for me, and having gone through 13 smartphones over the past few years, I would say I have tried a good bit of what's out there.
Thanks for the review. I've been eagerly awaiting the public release of the BB 8830 and now I'm glad it has arrived. I will get the BB 8830 within the next few days and my Treo 700w will go up for sale on eBay a few days later...lol.
I am seriously contemplating going back to Blackberry with this one but with no camera (I actually USE mine frequently) I think I would slowly lose my mind lol.
The lack of a camera was the turn-off for me.
cool cool
the fact that Verizon turned of the gps makes me think about going to another network
Is it asking too much to have a domestic CDMA phone (Sprint/Verizon) with unlocked quad-band functionality overseas? What is the technical hang-up? Or will this be the Blackberry 9000 to be introduced in 12-18 months? Why limit the phone to two GSM bands? Why does Verizon see the need to "lock" the GSM functionality whereas Sprint's will be unlocked? The Holy Grail of the mobile professional would include but not be limited to:
Qwerty keyboard - for email and websurfing
Touch-screen
Bluetooth
Camera
Quad-band Unlocked GSM - especially for those of us on Sprint or Verizon who want an internation phone
Media Playback (audio/video)
External Storage (MiniSD, MicroSD)
Above average battery life
The first manufacturer to do this has a guaranteed customer in me. Most business travelers who are on Sprint/Verizon would have to consider one as well.
The 8830 has everything you list except touchscreen and quad band gsm, but why the heck do you need quad band gsm? In the states it will use CDMA and it Europe it uses their bands of GSM. This thing works in 150 countries, WHAT MORE DO YOU NEED?
The upcoming Nokia E90 has everything you want except a touch screen. Look at the reviews on engadget mobile.
okay Question, How is the web browser on this blackberry
That is my point exactly - in the US I will be using CDMA - so I don't care about GSM here. Overseas, I will be using GSM. Essentially, it is an expensive dual band GSM phone. There are places in the world that don't support the two bands this phone "supports". A quick look at GSMWorld.com will confirm this (under GSM Roaming Coverage). Yes, on the surface it may appear that I am being picky - but for someone who travels internationally it would be pain to have to get another phone that supports the 850 and 1900 band just b/c RIM has decided to keep it off of this model. Certainly you aren't suggesting that there will never be a CDMA/quadband GSM phone in the future are you? I doubt it - so, let's agree that they should just give it to us now and not make us upgrade at some later date. Ironically, RIM does make quadband GSM phones that work EVERYWHERE in the world - no research required. Why not put that functionality on this phone? Lastly, you are implying the phone has a camera. I don't see that. It is not a deal breaker for me either way, but it would be nice to have. If it has it great, if it doesn't shame. Perhaps, you travel exclusively to Europe and if that is the case, this phone works for you. Unfortunately (for this phone), my travels take me elsewhere.
I forgot to add WiFi to my "wish list".
I agree that since all the features Geoff G mentioned eventually will be in one handset why wait. A true all-in-one device is possible, just not profitable right now. If they give us all we want and the handset holds up like most BB do we won't need to buy new ones; bad for business good for consumers. Which side do you think will win?
Agreed Nick - companies are always looking out for the price of the corporate stock and not the customer. However, I would propose that if a company builds something that EVERYONE wants (in this case international business people), they could charge a higher price for it AND more people will buy it - a simple case of supply and demand. You give me something with my specs and I will pay $500 for it and would consider $600+. Apple wants to sell the iPhone for what and what true business functionality does that have? Give me something I need and I will pay for it. Afterall, I paid close to $500 for the Sprint 6700 a couple years ago and it is the LARGE with no GSM functionality. Therefore, I have an unlocked Motorola L7 for my business travels.
For a second, I had to think about whether or not I sent this picture in. We have the exact same Knoll office furniture in my office and I've been using an 8830 for over a week and a half now.
I previously had a WM5 Verizon XV6700. It was an alright smartphone, but not without its quirks. The only thing that I'm missing on the 8300 is a terminal services client, which was handy the few times I had to RDP into a server without my laptop. The Blackberries are all around more stable devices since RIM works to develop and test both the OS and HW for these devices. With WM - you get many more incompatibilities since it is most likely up to the device mfgs to test them. The only thing that seemed to be lacking on older BBs was voice quality. There are definitely no complaints in that dept on the 8830. It is crystal clear, and the speakerphone is fantastic! Another thing is battery life - on my XV6700 I might get thru a whole day, with the 8830 I get not quite a full work week with average usage. I can't tell you how great it is not to have to watch the battery life like a hawk now. I still catch myself checking it hourly, but it doesn't budge.
Great device! Especially for corporate users.
can the black berry really support a 4gb micro chip and if it can does it or can it mess anything up?
Just won an 8830 at a Sprint launch event. Nice phone, sprint has GSM locked in the us but unlocked over seas. Has anyone tried unlocking the GSM portion in the US?
Although the look of the silver schema is cool, I hate the blue light behind the silver keys on my 8830. Really poor industrial design. Can't see the bloody letters and numbers in lots of light conditions. The black schema with white backlight on the 8703 is much easier to read. Otherwise my buds and I like the device features pretty well, although we desperately miss GPS (on Verizon).
The backlit keys are very difficult to use when they are lit. Is there a way to turn off the backlight capability for the keys while not impacting the screen? Also, what is it that I've heard about a black keyboard overlay for the 8830?