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Stylish smartphone is no workhorse
Pros
- Sleek, pocket-sized design
- Up to 10 push email accounts
- 3G data speeds on some carriers
- Expandable memory
Cons
- Cramped keyboard
- No document editing
- Weak call reception
- Slow-rendering browser
- Grainy photos and video
In 2006, BlackBerry, the leader in corporate smartphones, tossed its hat into the consumer arena with the introduction of the Pearl -- a compact, sleek-looking device that combines BlackBerry's superb business email with multimedia features that appeal to the masses. Reviewers agree that while the dressed-down, pocket-sized Pearl bundles impressive options without the bulkiness or hefty price tag, it comes with a caveat: The components don't pack the horsepower of devices targeted for major business or multimedia use. The Pearl is, according to PC World, "no substitute for a heavy-duty smartphone." It simply can't match the unparalleled corporate abilities of the BlackBerry Storm or the exceptional web, video and music palette of the iPhone 3G.
Nonetheless, the majority of reviewers and users are smitten with the tiny Pearl. As David Pogue of The New York Times put it, "you've eaten candy bars bigger than this phone." As one CNET user notes, the Pearl is great for anyone tired of "brick-sized" PDAs. The Pearl measures about 4.2 inches long, 2 inches wide and 0.6 inches deep and weighs in at a mere 3.4 ounces -- up to half an inch smaller overall and more than an ounce lighter than the BlackBerry Storm, Apple iPhone 3G or Palm Treo 800w. Sizewise, the BlackBerry Curve falls in between: It matches the Pearl's length and width but is about half an inch deeper and half an ounce heavier. Still, even with the extra size, the Curve is smaller than the bulkier rivals.
In addition, the Pearl offers just the right amount of smartphone bells and whistles. The Pearl has push email, web browsing, music, streaming television, Wi-Fi, EVDO, GPS and Bluetooth. It's also equipped with voice dialing, expandable memory and a camera with a flash and video-recording abilities. Some reviewers and users, however, are less than impressed with the cramped and unpredictable SureType keyboard, email and browser bugs, weak call reception, subpar speakers and grainy photo and video resolution.
The Pearl 8100 series has had several successive models -- the 8100, 8110, 8120 and 8130 -- with each serving up improvements. The 8100 is the most spartan of the series; it lacks a color display and video recording ability, and it does not support EDGE or GPS. T-Mobile has been the sole carrier of this model, but the 8100 is no longer available directly from the carrier and has been replaced by the BlackBerry Pearl 8120 (*est. $80 with contract). The 8100 can still be found at third-party sellers including Amazon.com. In late 2008, BlackBerry released its first flip phone, the BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220 for T-Mobile; this model is covered in a separate article.
The remaining BlackBerry Pearls sport similar features, the most notable being the backlit SureType keyboard -- the heart of the Pearl's compact design. Unlike the full QWERTY keypads of bigger smartphones, SureType is half the size, with each key sharing two letters. The keyboard can be used in two modes: predictive text that anticipates the word being typed, or multitap mode like a standard cell phone. A brightly lit "pearl" trackball makes for easy navigation.
The Pearl offers strong communication functions, but they are not as formidable as other BlackBerry models. In addition to push email, the Pearl has corporate data access and text and picture messaging. Unlike other BlackBerry models, however, the Pearl can only view Microsoft Office documents; creating and editing isn't an option. Also, like the BlackBerry Curve, the Pearl doesn't support HTML email.
On the multimedia front, the Pearl is supported by a 312 MHz processor and 64 MB of flash memory, expandable up to 8 GB via microSD. The 240-by-260-pixel screen displays crisp images and has an ambient light sensor that automatically adjusts to changing light conditions. Features include a music player, a 2-megapixel camera that can record video and web browsing. Reviewers say the Pearl's music playback lacks clarity, photos are blurry, and the video playback stutters. Likewise, the web browser interface is slow-loading and suffers from fractured page rendering.
The different Pearl models offer varying network capabilities. Only the 8120 supports Wi-Fi, but it doesn't have GPS. The 8120 and 8130, on the other hand, have built-in GPS, but no Wi-Fi. Individual pros and cons of the Pearl models become more apparent among carriers. For instance, AT&T's Pearl 8120 can handle faster browsing and data downloads because of AT&T's EDGE network, but there's no Wi-Fi. If you opt for T-Mobile's 8120, you can use their HotSpot @Home service, which provides free unlimited calls over Wi-Fi for an extra $10 a month. However, the Wi-Fi capability works only for phone calls, not for data or web browsing. Sprint's BlackBerry 8130 works with the carrier's Simply Everything Plan which includes mobile TV and music downloads, NFL and NASCAR alerts, GPS navigation, and instant messaging with Yahoo, AIM Google Talk and BlackBerry Messenger. Sprint's network is not as fast and reliable as Verizon's EVDO, but then again, Verizon doesn't offer its V Cast music and video for the Pearl 8130.
Network support is not the only thing that varies from carrier to carrier – so do prices. At AT&T, the Pearl 8120 costs about $250 with a new contract; the same model at T-Mobile is free with a new contract.
Despite the device's flaws, many reviewers consider the Pearl's compromise between size and functionality to be worth it. And the Pearl's popularity and market longevity are a testament to consumer demand for a smartphone that's comfortable at work or at home. Since its inception, reports MobileTechReview.com, "every U.S. carrier has picked up the Pearl and sold them in droves." Still, if you're wanting a device that packs the same business and entertainment features with more punch, consider the BlackBerry Curve, Nokia N95, Palm Treo 800w or Apple iPhone 3G.
PCMag.com, infoSync, Smartphone Today and CNET provide in-depth reviews of the Pearl, comparing different models in the series and network support provided by various cell phone carriers. MobileTech.com and David Pogue of The New York Times take a brief look at how the Pearl fares next to market rivals, while PCMag.com offers a comparative roundup of BlackBerry devices. User reviews at CNET and Amazon.com help confirm reviewers' evaluations and reveal problems with long-term use.
Where To Buy
| BlackBerry Pearl 8100 Unlocked Phone with Quad-Band GSM,GPRS, EDGE, 1 MP Camera, Camcorder and bluetooth v2.0 compatible - International Version with No Warranty (Black with Silver) | |
(93 reviews) In Stock. |
|
Our Sources
1. PCMag.com
The BlackBerry 8130 is the first Pearl for Sprint and Verizon, and PCMag reviews the two models together. Lendino is smitten with the upgrades, including GPS and EVDO, an 8 GB microSD card slot, 2-megapixel camera and improved web browser. The Sprint version, however, wins out for streaming TV and mobile music, which the Verizon version lacks.
Review: RIM BlackBerry Pearl 8130, Jamie Lendino, Jan. 8, 2008
In tandem reviews, Berne looks at the pros and cons of the BlackBerry Pearl 8130 -- both Sprint and Verizon versions -- and thinks the upgrades are good overall. He also notes the trade-offs between the two carriers.
Review: Review: RIM BlackBerry Pearl 8130 (Verizon Wireless) Consumer Messaging Phone, Philip Berne, Dec. 21, 2007
While the addition of Wi-Fi, a cleaner email and calendar interface, browser enhancements, upgraded 2-megapixel camera and improved SureType keyboard are a hit with the editors at Laptop, the lack of GPS and T-Mobile's inability to support video streaming are among the drawbacks. Overall, the BlackBerry Curve is considered a better option, although it carries a heftier price tag.
Review: T-Mobile BlackBerry Pearl 8120, Todd Haselton, April 15, 2008
Mayer compares the BlackBerry Pearl 8210 and 8110 with their predecessor, the Pearl 8100. The biggest differences involve a better-placed microSD slot, an improved keypad, video capture, and Wi-Fi and GPS capabilities. With the exception of Wi-Fi and GPS, Mayer sees no reason to upgrade from the 8100.
Review: Review: BlackBerry – Pearl 8210 & Pearl 8110, Amy Mayer, May 16, 2008
5. CNET
Cha notes that the Pearl 8110 is similar to the 8120 but offers integrated GPS rather than Wi-Fi, a definite plus for "road warriors or anyone who could use a little help getting from point A to point B." On the negative side, voice quality was a bit garbled and the speakerphone had an echo.
Review: BlackBerry Pearl 8110 (AT&T), Bonnie Cha, June 24, 2008
Zhang's in-depth review of the Pearl 8100 covers everything from ergonomic design, features and messaging to horsepower, multimedia functionality and software applications. He also compares how the Pearl stacks up with similar phones, such as the Nokia 8801 or Motorola SLVR L7, as well as with other BlackBerry models.
Review: BlackBerry Pearl, Tong Zhang, Oct. 27, 2006
The new Pearl is considered a gem for its blend of consumer-targeted sleek design, multimedia features and BlackBerry's ever-strong corporate e-mail. Drawbacks include an unpredictable SureType keyboard, short battery life and hard-to-access microSD card slot.
Review: In a Sea of Cellphones, a Pearl, David Pogue, Sept. 7, 2006
8. PCMag.com
Lendino reviews the BlackBerry phones that are available at major cell phone carriers -- AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon -- and the different options offered by each provider. Coverage includes the Pearl 8120 (AT&T, T-Mobile) and Pearl 8130 (Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon).
Review: Fresh BlackBerries for Everyone, Jamie Lendino, June 6, 2008
9. CNET
Users at CNET provide detailed and noteworthy comments about their experiences with the Pearl 8130 for Verizon. Overall, their assessments of the pro and cons concur with reviewers.
Review: RIM BlackBerry Pearl 8130 (Verizon Wireless), Contributors to CNET