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BlackBerry Pearl 8120 Phone, Titanium (T-Mobile)
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(2.5 out of 5)
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Most Helpful First | Newest First | + Share9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
Solid Smartphone
(4 out of 5) by Amit Kaul on May 23, 2008 (Columbus, OH USA)After having used the 8120 for about a week on T-Mobile, I am generally pleased with my purchase.
The 8120 looks exactly like its CDMA cousin, the 8130 (Verizon/Sprint) as well the other GSM model, 8110 (on AT&T with GPS instead of wi-fi). In fact, other than the new micro-SD card on the side, I can't tell it apart from the older Blackberry Pearl (8100). Unfortunately, the 8120 is currently only available in a somewhat dull gray color on T-Mobile. I would have preferred some of the more exciting colors of the older Pearl.
I have charged the battery every other day, which appears reasonable given that I have used it for extensively for voice and data (excluding wi-fi). I haven't used wi-fi yet (either for internet or mobile calling) but I imagine it will drain the battery at a quicker rate.
As another reviewer points out, the battery door is flimsy and a bit loose. Other than that, the 8120 appears solidly built and rugged.
T-Mobile's data network is not exactly fast, but it serves my purpose. I don't intend to watch streaming videos or download music on my phone. For some reason the browser doesn't display pages with Java Scripts, but that may be an issue with my settings. Setting up email accounts is a breeze and can be set up either using the phone or the T-Mobile website.
All in all, there is nothing to really dislike about this phone, at least for the first time smartphone buyer. Personally, I was looking for a phone to check my email, browse the internet, take decent pictures and one that would fit in my shirt pocket. The Blackberry 8120 delivers on all these fronts. T-Mobile's affordable data plan only adds to its appeal.
The 8120 looks exactly like its CDMA cousin, the 8130 (Verizon/Sprint) as well the other GSM model, 8110 (on AT&T with GPS instead of wi-fi). In fact, other than the new micro-SD card on the side, I can't tell it apart from the older Blackberry Pearl (8100). Unfortunately, the 8120 is currently only available in a somewhat dull gray color on T-Mobile. I would have preferred some of the more exciting colors of the older Pearl.
I have charged the battery every other day, which appears reasonable given that I have used it for extensively for voice and data (excluding wi-fi). I haven't used wi-fi yet (either for internet or mobile calling) but I imagine it will drain the battery at a quicker rate.
As another reviewer points out, the battery door is flimsy and a bit loose. Other than that, the 8120 appears solidly built and rugged.
T-Mobile's data network is not exactly fast, but it serves my purpose. I don't intend to watch streaming videos or download music on my phone. For some reason the browser doesn't display pages with Java Scripts, but that may be an issue with my settings. Setting up email accounts is a breeze and can be set up either using the phone or the T-Mobile website.
All in all, there is nothing to really dislike about this phone, at least for the first time smartphone buyer. Personally, I was looking for a phone to check my email, browse the internet, take decent pictures and one that would fit in my shirt pocket. The Blackberry 8120 delivers on all these fronts. T-Mobile's affordable data plan only adds to its appeal.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
A nice update
(4 out of 5) by Richard Hsiung on May 13, 2008 (Vestavia Hills, AL United States)If you're looking to get your first smartphone or upgrade your existing Pearl, you're going to like the 8120.
This phone includes the Hotspot@Home service, which works on any existing Wi-Fi connection. You don't have to pay an extra service fee or buy another router. It just works. I've even used it on the university wireless network. It's great for those times when I'm stuck in the lab with no cell reception. I just activate the Wifi if I want to make a call.
I have had a few calls drop, but I'm not sure if it's the phone or my wireless connection. Battery life is also a little short, but it's not a dealbreaker.
The 8120 is a great update to the original Pearl.
This phone includes the Hotspot@Home service, which works on any existing Wi-Fi connection. You don't have to pay an extra service fee or buy another router. It just works. I've even used it on the university wireless network. It's great for those times when I'm stuck in the lab with no cell reception. I just activate the Wifi if I want to make a call.
I have had a few calls drop, but I'm not sure if it's the phone or my wireless connection. Battery life is also a little short, but it's not a dealbreaker.
The 8120 is a great update to the original Pearl.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
Great phone, no regrets!
(5 out of 5) by A. Dharap on Jun 23, 2008 (WI, USA)Before you begin reading, I would like you to know that I have listed PROS and CONS below so in case you dont like long reviews just read the PROS and CONS and they'll pretty much summarize everything I've written in here.
I got this phone about a month ago and I can tell you that its one of the best phone's I've ever owned. Much sleeker and compact yet just as capable as the curve. Wifi is a BIG advantage because I only pay 10 bucks per month for the unlimited email plan and thats it. No need to pay data fees. Wifi inernet browsing is free and I also IM via wifi. If you go for hotspot@home then all your wifi based calls are free as well, no matter what wifi network you're on!
The calendar/organizer is great and as one reviewer mentioned, it does not update time zones. But thats for a good reason - updating time zones will totally affect your business appointments (they would never get updated even if the time zone would've at all) and so the phone is made such that you have to update it manually and while doing so you'll be sure to change your business appointments for the day accordingly.
The camera is pretty impressive and I recently created a fabulous album containing assorted images from this phone. Some of them are impeccable! The zoom function is good but reduces resolution considerably...but after all its just 2MP so its meant to be only a back-up...say in case of an accident. The video camera is pretty good as well and I've recorded clear, crisp videos with it. I'm happy.
Since this is a PHONE lets talk about calls! Call quality is superb - both reception and transmission. You can talk in the middle of a crowded party and you will still be able to hear very well and your voice will be transmitted to the person on the other end w/o any disturbance due to the powerful noise-canceling mic. I have experienced this myself.
The few CONS of this phone are:
1. Its internal memory is only 64MB, which may be a problem for users who tend to upload too many third-party applications on their phones. I have about 7 third-party applications yet I have 17MB left which is quite impressive so for average or slightly heavy users (like me)memory shouldnt be a problem at all. For photos and videos the OS 4.3 of this phone can support upto 8GBs of external memory (microSD card). I use 4GB and its fantastic...I've managed to fill only 500 MB even after uploading several MP3s and a few videos and photos.
2. The browser is archaic and does not support JAVA apps. However, RIM will come out with newer OS versions which one can install on their phones for free and which will address these issues. Till then you can use free browsers like Opera mini which rocks!
3. Screen is smaller than the curve's (not a problem at all for me) which some people may not like.
The many PROS are:
1. Amazingly light and compact
3. Wifi
4. Heavily customizable
5. SureType keyboard (makes typing very easy but may need getting used to initially)
6. High resolution display
5. External memory expandable upto 8GB
7. Video capture
8. Voice dialing
9. Push email
10. Very nice organizer
11. Two speakers instead of one as seen in previous models
12. New, powerful mic with background noise cancellation
I can go on and on about this phone. I just want to reiterate that this is a very user friendly, highly capable, extremely customizable phone and you will have no regrets! RIM has been making BlackBerries for ages now and they know what they're doing! Over the years they've addressed various issues from previous models and the 8120 being one of their latest offerings, many issues have been rectified in this phone.
Go for it and enjoy!
I got this phone about a month ago and I can tell you that its one of the best phone's I've ever owned. Much sleeker and compact yet just as capable as the curve. Wifi is a BIG advantage because I only pay 10 bucks per month for the unlimited email plan and thats it. No need to pay data fees. Wifi inernet browsing is free and I also IM via wifi. If you go for hotspot@home then all your wifi based calls are free as well, no matter what wifi network you're on!
The calendar/organizer is great and as one reviewer mentioned, it does not update time zones. But thats for a good reason - updating time zones will totally affect your business appointments (they would never get updated even if the time zone would've at all) and so the phone is made such that you have to update it manually and while doing so you'll be sure to change your business appointments for the day accordingly.
The camera is pretty impressive and I recently created a fabulous album containing assorted images from this phone. Some of them are impeccable! The zoom function is good but reduces resolution considerably...but after all its just 2MP so its meant to be only a back-up...say in case of an accident. The video camera is pretty good as well and I've recorded clear, crisp videos with it. I'm happy.
Since this is a PHONE lets talk about calls! Call quality is superb - both reception and transmission. You can talk in the middle of a crowded party and you will still be able to hear very well and your voice will be transmitted to the person on the other end w/o any disturbance due to the powerful noise-canceling mic. I have experienced this myself.
The few CONS of this phone are:
1. Its internal memory is only 64MB, which may be a problem for users who tend to upload too many third-party applications on their phones. I have about 7 third-party applications yet I have 17MB left which is quite impressive so for average or slightly heavy users (like me)memory shouldnt be a problem at all. For photos and videos the OS 4.3 of this phone can support upto 8GBs of external memory (microSD card). I use 4GB and its fantastic...I've managed to fill only 500 MB even after uploading several MP3s and a few videos and photos.
2. The browser is archaic and does not support JAVA apps. However, RIM will come out with newer OS versions which one can install on their phones for free and which will address these issues. Till then you can use free browsers like Opera mini which rocks!
3. Screen is smaller than the curve's (not a problem at all for me) which some people may not like.
The many PROS are:
1. Amazingly light and compact
3. Wifi
4. Heavily customizable
5. SureType keyboard (makes typing very easy but may need getting used to initially)
6. High resolution display
5. External memory expandable upto 8GB
7. Video capture
8. Voice dialing
9. Push email
10. Very nice organizer
11. Two speakers instead of one as seen in previous models
12. New, powerful mic with background noise cancellation
I can go on and on about this phone. I just want to reiterate that this is a very user friendly, highly capable, extremely customizable phone and you will have no regrets! RIM has been making BlackBerries for ages now and they know what they're doing! Over the years they've addressed various issues from previous models and the 8120 being one of their latest offerings, many issues have been rectified in this phone.
Go for it and enjoy!
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
Pearl over curve
(5 out of 5) by Rolston Mckenzie on May 30, 2008 (seattle ,)I recently purchased the Blackberry Curve (T-Mobile),At first i was very pleased and content with my purchase. That was until one of my co-workers showed me his Pearl 8120 which is just a more compact version of the curve. Needless to say,The pearl was as simple to use and just as fast. The issue i had was that the pearl had video caption capability, which the curve did not.The bateries were the same and the picture quality were up to par. With the pearl i didn't feel like i had a brick on my hip. Allin all the curve was returned and the pearl 8120 was purchased.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
This is a wonderful phone especially for all the ladies!
(4 out of 5) by Miss Jay on Jul 22, 2008 (Philadelphia, USA)I purchased this phone not too long ago. This is my first Black Berry and i really love it. It has the same futures as the curve but this one is way smaller.
LIKES:
1.you can put in an addiniotal memory card up to 4 G.That gives you lots of space with music and pictures.
2. Its very userfriendly, i didnt have any issues with it.
3. The camera with 2pix. is working pretty good and the flashlight is very usefull if you want to capture something real quick (it also has zoom), however even with 2pix. this will not replace your digicam.
4.It has WiFi and even hotspot so you can save lots of money and would not need to get a house phone if you set up your t-mobile hotspot and can talk for free.
5. The phone sits comfortable in my hands and i can type with one hand only.
6. It shows me whenever i receive a new email or messege immediately through the red blinking light. That way i will not miss any messeges.
7.T-mobiles Email plan is affordable and very usefull. I dont need full internet (i have this at work and at home)but i need to check my mail. This is the best way to go.
8. It has a voice notes recorder. So when i am in the store and i want to create a memo so i wont forget something, instead of typing i am speaking and saving it into my phone. That makes things so much easier.
9. It has GPS
10. The calendar is very userfriendly and great to manage.
DISLIKES:
1. it has short battery life. That's why i had to subtract one star.
2. the dull color(grey). I would have prefferd variety of colors like (red, blue, pink, black,white or even green)
Overall im very satisfied, this phone is affordable and very compact.
You might have problems typing if you have bigger hands. Thats why i call it the female version of the curve. I dont have any problems with typing at all because I have small hands. I highly recommend it to all the females who want a small compact smartphone with lots of futures.
LIKES:
1.you can put in an addiniotal memory card up to 4 G.That gives you lots of space with music and pictures.
2. Its very userfriendly, i didnt have any issues with it.
3. The camera with 2pix. is working pretty good and the flashlight is very usefull if you want to capture something real quick (it also has zoom), however even with 2pix. this will not replace your digicam.
4.It has WiFi and even hotspot so you can save lots of money and would not need to get a house phone if you set up your t-mobile hotspot and can talk for free.
5. The phone sits comfortable in my hands and i can type with one hand only.
6. It shows me whenever i receive a new email or messege immediately through the red blinking light. That way i will not miss any messeges.
7.T-mobiles Email plan is affordable and very usefull. I dont need full internet (i have this at work and at home)but i need to check my mail. This is the best way to go.
8. It has a voice notes recorder. So when i am in the store and i want to create a memo so i wont forget something, instead of typing i am speaking and saving it into my phone. That makes things so much easier.
9. It has GPS
10. The calendar is very userfriendly and great to manage.
DISLIKES:
1. it has short battery life. That's why i had to subtract one star.
2. the dull color(grey). I would have prefferd variety of colors like (red, blue, pink, black,white or even green)
Overall im very satisfied, this phone is affordable and very compact.
You might have problems typing if you have bigger hands. Thats why i call it the female version of the curve. I dont have any problems with typing at all because I have small hands. I highly recommend it to all the females who want a small compact smartphone with lots of futures.