BlackBerry KickStart 8220 gets really early review

The Bold is still stealing the overwhelming majority of RIM's spotlight at the moment for a handful of pretty good reasons: one, it's actually been announced; two, it's 3G; and three, it falls in line with the traditional (and loved) BlackBerry form factor. Lurking in the shadows, though, is the KickStart, RIM's very first flip phone, and a device that could end up making a huge splash if it actually manages to launch at the sub-$50 price point that's been making the rounds on the rumor circuit. CrackBerry got a way-early peek at the 8220 version of the device, which follows RIM's typical naming convention by packing WiFi while an 8210 will hold up the GPS side of things (seriously, RIM, how hard can it be to do both?), and overall it seems that the R&D team did its homework from the quick impressions. The SureType keyboard is huge and apparently quite easy to use without making the phone excessively large, though the trackball rests deeper in the shell making it a bit trickier to operate -- you win some, you lose some. The QVGA display is said to be just shy of Bold quality (which is a compliment, considering the killer screen on the Bold), and it's always hard to argue with a 3.5mm headphone jack. Come on, T-Mobile, let's make this happen.

[Khris @ Jul 23rd 2008 2:29PM]

Here's an early review: FAIL!

I'm sure it will be successful amongst a certain demographic, however not one that I belong to.

[From My Cube @ Jul 23rd 2008 2:47PM]

see if you can figure this one out


WOR ≠you≠ LD

[Khris @ Jul 23rd 2008 3:27PM]

Nowhere did I say the world revolved around me.....simply voicing an opinion.

[phanbouy @ Jul 23rd 2008 3:47PM]

WOR ≠your cube≠ LD

[Steffen Jobbs @ Jul 23rd 2008 4:51PM]

Early review = EARLY FAIL

It's eventually going up against a world full of iPhones. How can this KickStart possibly succeed?

At least my avatar likes it. He says that bulky folding design is perfect for holding and crushing termites.

[The Dude @ Jul 23rd 2008 6:04PM]

It figures that you'd know how to converse with a chimp, Steffen.

[iEye @ Jul 23rd 2008 2:31PM]

They should have made it a touch screen flip also...

Those 5 icons at the bottom are just begging to be touched and not navigated to with the keypad nipple...

[Cal @ Jul 23rd 2008 5:15PM]

did u just call it a nipple?

[Steven M. @ Jul 23rd 2008 6:24PM]

iEye made me want to have this ugly sob now.

[CanisMinor @ Jul 23rd 2008 2:47PM]

Nice. While it's not for me, I'm sure this phone will find a nice niche consumer following.

I am actually really excited by the 82XX naming. If it had been named 91XX as many blogs initially speculated, well, then where would the Pearl 3 have fit in? Now we know RIM is probably leaving space for a 91XX Pearl 3. I'm excited about that.

[Boynamedsue @ Jul 23rd 2008 2:48PM]

all the fun of a blackberry in a joyless, uninspired, soul crushing form factor.

[SuperSexyErik (^_^) @ Jul 23rd 2008 2:48PM]

wtf...it offers nothing that other phones don't. Fail blackberry.

[Chad @ Jul 23rd 2008 3:34PM]

If rumors hold true it offers the average consumer a Blackberry for

[Chad @ Jul 23rd 2008 3:39PM]

I guess the comment system doesn't like special characters adjacent to each other :)

[Reid @ Jul 23rd 2008 3:39PM]

How about Blackberry features in a non-BB form factor?

I'm sure some BB loyalists think their device makes them look important, but no doubt in some circles it makes you look like a corporate slave. So this is for people who want the BB functionality but without the crackberry addict look.

Same way some folks think wearing a suit all day makes them look powerful and important, and I think it just makes them look uncomfortable and slavish.

[SuperSexyErik (^_^) @ Jul 23rd 2008 4:25PM]

hmm.. all i know is tthese companies seriously need to start copying iphone or they are doomed

[Mikey P @ Jul 23rd 2008 2:49PM]

I don't think this will fail at all. It actually looks quite appealing, IMO. Now let's just see how much power it will pack. I don't imagine much at a sub-$50 price point.

[Yuri @ Jul 23rd 2008 8:30PM]

the Sub-$50 price point is no doubt going to be with a 2yr contract =D No phone is that cheap.

If this actually released with a sub-$50 price, I'll extend my contract and get one just for the fact that it's a flip (It keeps my internal screen scratch-free), and the suretype keyboard.

I'm using a Nokia 5310, and it's a wonderful phone, but I don't need it for the music, as I have a Samsung P2, and I text a lot, seeing as that's considerably cheaper than wasting minutes.

I'm not someone who's going to use it for business, I'm only 17 so it'd be great. I hate Samsung phones, and Sidekicks, and everything else is much more. I was considering a Pearl, but it'll cost me $150 up-front, which I don't have.

It's not the prettiest, but it's not that bad either.

[kjb434 @ Jul 23rd 2008 2:49PM]

Beautiful phone!

I think people who love their "Crackberries" but want a smaller phone will flock to this one. And people who want a "Crackberry" but didn't buy because they were too big will like it too!

[kjb434 @ Jul 23rd 2008 2:51PM]

And the premise of this phone wasn't to bring something new to the table and solve world peace and all that.

It was to bring the already extremely popular blackberry phone into a flip form factor.

[initialxy @ Jul 23rd 2008 2:55PM]

pretty decent phone with good price, but kinda too thick.

[booticon @ Jul 23rd 2008 3:11PM]

Always hated the half-assed QWERTY keyboard layout. I'll take slightly more bulk for full QWERTY.

[CraigJ @ Jul 23rd 2008 3:13PM]

When you're known for your QWERTY keyboards why would you do this? I have no problem with the BB keyboard or the iPhone virtual one, but that looks like a pain in the ass to type on.

[Montusama @ Jul 23rd 2008 3:27PM]

doesn't look too bad maybe I'll get it....

[phanbouy @ Jul 23rd 2008 3:31PM]

yeah doesn't look like a complete stack of horse turds, i think i'll buy a few

[GenBanks @ Jul 23rd 2008 3:30PM]

I'm fed up with blackberry's because of that little roller ball thing. It's great while it works, but they malfunction really easily. I'm on my second blackberry to have the rollerball stop working.

[CanisMinor @ Jul 23rd 2008 3:35PM]

Hmm, I have yet to have a trackball malfunction. What gives with yours? Sticky fingers from surfing porn sites on your bberry so the job can't track it? ;)

I do miss the track wheel, though

[Chad @ Jul 23rd 2008 3:38PM]

I am on my third 8800 for the trackball failing but I've had this one almost a year with no problem. When att sent this one they said the trackball issue had been "corrected" and so far I have to agree. I like the trackball but I do think a pointstick would be a little more durable.

[ifoughtfate @ Jul 23rd 2008 5:09PM]

I will say that on the 8100 i would agree but i have been really happy with my 8130. (And haven't noticed many problems on 8130's, 83xx, etc.)

Also, I would think that on the kickstart, the formfactor would actually protect the trackball quite a bit.... making your concern less of an issue for this phone than for any other (newer) blackberry, at the very least...

[bengreen21 @ Jul 23rd 2008 3:40PM]

If it is true and they introduce these at the 50 buck price point they will sell a ton. Think was the Centro did with a 99 dollar price point, it sold half decently. This is just another phone for BB to expand their market.

[Redbeaver @ Jul 23rd 2008 3:39PM]

i agree with kjb434.

this wont fail. BB users that wont go down to a regular cellphone due to all the features, but hate the size (like me) will get one of these if the price is right.

[Jeff @ Jul 23rd 2008 7:15PM]

Thunder on Verizon, KickStart on T-Mobile...looks like I have no choice but to get a Bold.

I mean, I don't actually want a Thunder, but I would take this over the Bold...but I'm not switching carriers. Oh well, I'm sure I'll be happy with the Bold when it comes out.

[Andrew T. @ Jul 23rd 2008 7:21PM]

Like many already stated, want BlackBerry functionality without the big form factor and high price? Get the Kickstart. If it really is going to sell for around the $50 range, that's like pennies compared to other flip phones that have very basic features.

Besides the BlackBerry name on the phone, don't expect it to be in line with the Bold and other future BlackBerry's with the original BlackBerry form factor.

Very small solution for those who really want something small, other than that, there's nothing to get excited about.

(Now where is the Bold and official launch date? I'm tired of all the rumors surrounding est. dates when this thing is released.)

[efoo @ Jul 23rd 2008 7:29PM]

ugly

[Cassini @ Jul 24th 2008 12:30AM]

"...the 8220 version of the device, which follows RIM's typical naming convention by packing WiFi while an 8210 will hold up the GPS side of things (seriously, RIM, how hard can it be to do both?)"


No joke. WiFi *or* GPS? Many of us are tired of that.

RIM, your new internal catchphrase should be "WiFi AND GPS". What makes you think people only want one or the other? They make the choice because you force them to. Many people want BOTH.

[Ethan @ Jul 24th 2008 4:01PM]

Just as long as they keep the Pearl form-factor too, everything will be fine.

[Lilu @ Aug 13th 2008 11:35AM]

RIM Including features like "GPS and WI-Fi" may produce more weight. And I hope we will not wait too long for this.