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T-Mobile 3G Sidekick LX
T-Mobile's Sidekick still an acquired taste despite improvements
- Excellent keyboard for messaging
- Bright, crisp screen
- Integrated apps for Twitter and Facebook
- No Wi-Fi
- Poor camera and video quality
- So-so call quality
- Short battery life
The T-Mobile 3G Sidekick LX (aka the Sidekick LX 2009) keeps some of the design features of its predecessors, most notably a spacious QWERTY keyboard and an improved swiveling LCD screen, which reviewers all rave about. The 2009 edition adds 3G network compatibility, Microsoft Exchange support, Flash video, GPS functionality and social media integration, and has a slimmer design. Build quality and form factor are also improved; the Sidekick now has grooves in the back, which make it more comfortable to hold.
Reviewers note that Sidekicks appeal mainly to teenagers, though the new version takes some admirable steps in making the phone seem a little more grown-up. Still, critics point out that competing messaging phones, such as the Samsung Impression (Free with new contract, $20 with renewal), which has a "smartphone-like user interface" are more advanced in functionality with more sophisticated in style. The Sidekick's user interface remains unchanged, and some reviewers say it takes some getting used to, wishing that the screen had a touch interface, though the high resolution screen itself is praised. The 3.2-megapixel camera is cited as an improvement over the 1.3-megapixel camera on the earlier Sidekick, but picture quality is still middling despite an LED flash and autofocus. Video quality, especially recording, is poor. Some are pleased with the Sidekick as a music player, however. The device is loaded with apps for social-networking sites including Twitter and Facebook.
While messaging and web browsing are good, the Sidekick's weakness is phone calls, and reviewers report mixed results with call quality. The keyboard layout is optimized for messaging, but dialing phone numbers is awkward. Battery performance lags behind the competition. CNET's testers get about six hours of continuous talk time, a bit ahead of the rated 5.5 hours, although Cha notes that battery performance isn't as good when power-heavy features like GPS receptivity or web browsing are used frequently.
The T-Mobile 3G Sidekick LX gets a fair amount of coverage on review sites, but none are very comprehensive. Only CNET addresses all aspects of performance, including call quality and battery life. PC World, EngadgetMobile.com, PhoneMag.com and MobileTechReview.com provide good, if less thorough evaluations. BreakItDownBlog.com and TechnoTalks.com offer helpful insights, but are superficial in some respects.
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Our Sources
1. CNET
CNET's Bonnie Cha finds that the 3G Sidekick LX is an improvement over its predecessors, especially regarding its ergonomics and screen quality. Social networking (Twitter and Facebook) is also good overall. Cha is disappointed with the hollow-sounding speakerphone and the mediocre camera, though.
Review: T-Mobile 3G Sidekick LX (Orchid), Bonnie Cha, May 4, 2009
2. PC World
Reviewer Ginny Mies feels that the 3G Sidekick LX makes some significant improvements over the earlier Sidekick; it's now a bit more "grown-up." The screen and keyboard are particularly praised, though Mies says the call-making process is awkward and annoying. Battery life is not mentioned.
Review: T-Mobile Sidekick LX 3G, Ginny Mies, May 1, 2009
Chris Ziegler is very enthusiastic about the T-Mobile Sidekick LX, saying that it will appeal to grown-up Sidekick users and non-users alike. The screen is one of the best Ziegler has seen, and the keyboard is also very good. Ziegler does not assess call quality or battery life, though he points out that the speaker is quite loud.
Review: T-Mobile Sidekick LX 2009 Review, Chris Ziegler, May 5, 2009
4. PhoneMag.com
PhoneMag.com's review of the 3G Sidekick LX is not particularly positive. Reviewer Steven Grady says the Sidekick is less a phone than "a personal assistant for cool people" that gets you "a vanilla latte when you clearly asked for a mocha." He thinks that the Sidekick will be appreciated by those who liked earlier versions of the phone, but it would feel awkward to those used to an iPhone and its imitators.
Review: T-Mobile 3G Sidekick LX Review, Steven Grady, May 5, 2009
Chris Hunkele says the 3G Sidekick LX is still mostly for teenagers. While he finds the screen very nice, the fact that it doesn't have a touch interface is a big disappointment -- Hunkele thinks that the phone will only appeal to those who are used to the Sidekick's unique keyboard configuration. Battery life is below T-Mobile specs: Although rated for eight days on standby, Hunkele only gets three days. Call quality is not mentioned.
Review: T-Mobile Sidekick LX 2009 Review, Chris Hunkele, July 6, 2009
MobileTechReview.com's Tong Zhang has mostly good things to say about the 3G Sidekick LX. He finds that the 3G capability speeds up web browsing, but drains the battery: According to his tests, talk time is only three hours on 3G, compared to 5.5 hours on slower networks.
Review: Sidekick LX 2009 Review, Tong Zhang, June 4, 2009
TechnoTalks.com provides a brief look at the 3G Sidekick LX, but there is no evidence of testing aside from an evaluation of its form factor and a discussion of the phone's features. The Sidekick is deemed sleek, and editors say it still feels "solid" and substantial. The display is described as bright and sharp, and the keyboard is spacious. There is no mention of battery life or call quality.
Review: Sidekick LX 2009, Editors of TechnoTalks.com, Editors of TechnoTalks.com
