RIM BlackBerry 7290 review

Overall the processor speed on the 7290 is quick and reactive. If you find yourself in T-Mobile's fast GPRS area with 3+ bars of service you are good to go. However, if you have less than 3 bars do not expect to have a decent web browsing experience. Throughout the review, I frequently was in an area with a consistent 2 bars of coverage and not once was I able to access a site via the browser. So before signing on to T-Mobile this is definitely something to look into. Fortunately, T-Mobile is moving in leaps and bounds to provide easy wireless access these days so I expect this to be a short term problem.

Get used to staring at this screen while waiting for pages to load when network coverage is low.

Calls are clear – do not assume this device is a PDA first and phone second as they both are equally strong in comparison to competitors. The ear piece has 10 levels of sound that can be easily adjusted by the trackwheel during calls. I am happy to report since I have used this phone on the T-Mobile network, not a single call has been dropped. I only wish I could report the same for the data coverage.

A small feature that is missing is the call/hang up buttons that we have grown so accustomed to. To place a call you have to use the jog dial and navigate through your choices. Then to end a call, you have to hold in the escape button under the jog dial for a few short seconds. It is not a deal breaker, but definitely something you would expect to have on a device such as this.
 

The 7290 does not support polyphonic ring tones. Once again when deciding on a BlackBerry you have to keeping mind you are paying for practicality and business functionality as opposed to the flashiest features and the ability to blast mp3s. The equipped ring tones and alerts are a yawn at the best.
Battery performance is listed at a maximum standby 216 hours and a talk time of 240 minutes. My numbers fell slightly below that, but the ability to sync with my PC and charge at the same time while attached via USB cable allowed me to always have a positive charge on the 7290. If you receive emails to the device all day, be sure to have an extra battery on hand.