RIM BlackBerry Pearl Review

Published on: 29 January, 2007 by PhoneArena Team

Performance

8100 works quite steadily and trouble-free in view of the fact that it is a smartphone. Even with a lot of loaded applications one can hardly notice any delay in its almost instantaneous operation. About the only problem we encountered was unlocking the keyboard – it is done by a key sequence (despite that locking can ONLY be executed via an ‘icon’ in the main menu). Almost every time we had to press the respective buttons more than once. During our trial (about a week) there were several odd error messages requiring an inevitable restart.

Blackberry Pearl has an excellent performance as a phone in all possible conditions. At our regular test for signal strength it nearly achieved the results of the best brands, passing by several degrees the smartphones of the leading phone make – Nokia N73 and N80, and placing itself far ahead of Motorola KRZR.

We were pleased by the sound in both directions during conversation - it is strong and clear without any interfering noise. Voices sounded as real but the incoming sound, though distinct enough, altered voices so that they became sharper and stiffer.
The speakerphone is very well implemented. When using it one can stay as far as 3 feet away without any deterioration of the sound audibility. At 6 feet, the other side can hear you more weakly but still clearly and intelligibly. In order to enable its user to hear at the same distance, the phone is equipped with a comparatively big loudspeaker located on the upper part of the back panel. Unfortunately its sound turns rather sharp at high volume, which can at times nearly make it unintelligible.

Conclusion

We can certify that Blackberry Pearl 8100 is indeed revolutionary for its make – it has acquired a camera, a memory slot and a multimedia player. But what is equally revolutionary about it is the design – it is very small and thin for a smartphone, especially for one with a non-standard keyboard. Its dimensions make it convenient to both carry and use and there is the terrific appearance of the black mirror surface to it. After adding the fast and comparatively stable menu, the good performance as a phone with strong sound and good reception, we can only complain about the unsightly and sometimes hard to use menu, the non-perfect implementation of the camera and music player. We are convinced they will be improved in the models to follow.

Pros

Small dimensions, slim profile, and stylish glossy black surface
microSD slot for memory
SureType keyboard, 2.5mm stereo jack, and miniUSB port

Cons

Ugly interface
Mediocre multimedia player and camera
The slot for memory is under the battery cover
Small service keys
Poor support for Bluetooth profiles

PAppeal

Christian Dior:: 5 of 10; Average

Although this is not a KRZR, its finish is similar – this is probably the best looking smartphone on the market and its very small, too.

Average Joe:: 1 of 10; Very low

You don’t die for email – do you? The wonderful calling quality comes at the price of complicated and ugly-looking interface.

Corporate US:: 8 of 10; High

Blackberry phones are designed for Enterprise. Don’t hesitate to get one, as it will work flawlessly with your work email system and will provide you with good call quality even using the speakerphone.

High-Tech junkie: 4 of 10; Low

The Pearl is s smartphone, but can’t be compared to a PPC. Unfortunately it lacks all the bells and whistles you would like to carry in your pocket, trading them for some style and email.

expand ratings

PA phone rating

Design 8
- Build Quality 6
- Material 8
- Look 10
Display 5
- Quality 6
- Resolution 5
- Size 5
Camera 3
- Resolution 3
- Quality 3
- Features, Comfort 5
Sound Quality 7
- Incoming 8
- Outgoing 8
- Ringing 6
Battery 6
- Talk time 5
- Stand-by time 8
Connectivity 3
- Local 4
- Internet 3
- Data 4
Multimedia 5
- Interface Comfort, Options 4
- Quality 6
- Supported formats 7
- Connectors (3.5/A2DP) 6
Organizer 6
- Messaging 7
- PIM 4
- Phonebook 9