RIM BlackBerry Pearl 8120 (T-Mobile) Review
Until now, customers of T-Mobile might envy the BlackBerry Pearl 8120, which was available exclusively from AT & T. The new T-Mobile version is a clone of his brother in almost all (good and bad), but it comes with an ace in the hole: support for T-Mobile Hotspot @ Home service. For $ 10 per month you can make unlimited calls anywhere there is Wi-Fi open. What new promises in effect for the budget-strapped business users.
Slim, lightweight, and sheathed in drab Gunmetal Gray, the 8120 measures 4.2×2x0.6 inches and weighs just 3.2 ounces. With specs like these, it is equally comfortable shotgun mounted on your belt (one clip comes in the box) or in your pocket. Like the previous Pearl, this model incorporates RIM’s SureType keyboard, which employs fewer keys to allow a thinner design.
Although the system keyboard predictive text works well, there is certainly a learning curve and add numbers and punctuation inevitably slows down data entry. Similarly, the navigation system, using the tiny trackball in May 8120 to prove embarrassing for some, but with practice it becomes second nature. The interface, meanwhile, remains icon-heavy, which means that newcomers BlackBerry are sure to find this confusing at first.
The 8120 uses the network T-Mobile Edge, who manages push e-mail and instant messaging pretty well, but may not correspond to a sense of 3G for web browsing, etc.. (Not that you’ll want to do much about it anyway, the 8120 screen makes for cramped navigation unpleasant.) Fortunately, the phone can take advantage of Wi-Fi for fast downloads and automatically switches between EDGE networks and Wi-Fi, depending on what is available. We have not had the chance to test Hotspot @ Home, but the 8120 is by far the sweetest of the few phones currently compatible with the service.
We have not tried myFaves T-Mobile, which lets you make unlimited calls to any five people. It’s a snap to add contacts to that familiar head spinning wheel shot, and just as easy to take a head shot on site. In this regard, the 8120’s 2 megapixel camera comes complete with 5x digital zoom and flash, and capture crisp, colorful images. It can also capture video at 15 frames per second, although the images looked grainy and jerky.
The phone did a better job of playing videos, and even all forms of media. In addition to MPEG4 and WMV video, it can play any of AAC MP3 WMA audio. Combine it with a Bluetooth stereo headset (it supports A2DP) to stream music wirelessly or use standard 3.5mm headphones. A microSD slot lets you store media, documents, applications, etc..
The only things missing functionality otherwise solid 8120’s Set are GPS and push-to-talk capabilities of these are available on other models like the BlackBerry 8820.
We have only good things to say about the call quality of the pearl. Callers told us we sounded “fabulous” and we were pleased to be able to return the compliment. Even the speakerphone, an Achilles heel in most mobile communications, rings loud and clear. RIM promises an impressive 15 days standby, but just 4 hours of talk time.
Pros
Supports T-Mobile’s Hotspot@Home service for Wi-Fi calling; incorporates MyFaves into BlackBerry interface; still tops for e-mail and messaging; solid call quality, standby time; nice camera, media player
Cons
Predictive keyboard is awkward with numbers and punctuation; confusing icon-heavy interface; trackball takes some practice; no GPS or push-to-talk; dismal Web browser
Conclusion
It’s not ideal for Web browsing, but T-Mobile’s version of the BlackBerry Pearl 8120 is a champion cell phone and messaging device. Plus, it lets you make “free” Wi-Fi calls, so it may save you money over time.
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