Blackberry Pearl Flip 8220 Review
Blackberry Pearl Flip 8220
Research in Motion (RIM) has long been the leader in email for the mobile device. Whether it is through a BES or the BIS, the integration is second to none. When RIM broke into the consumer market with it’s “Pearl” style devices, a lot of attention was given to making the devices fun and easy to use. The original Pearl showed that you don’t need to have a full sized keyboard on a Blackberry, and the Sure-type technology is very accurate in predicting the word you are typing. However, there has been one thing missing from these devices, the clamshell styling that so many people love. RIM answered this call with the recently announced Blackberry Pearl Flip 8220 on T-Mobile. The Pearl Flip combines the easy to use Sure-type keyboard of the Pearl with the convenience and familiarity of a clamshell phone. The Pearl Flip is available on T-Mobile for $149.99 with 2-year contract.
In the Box
- Blackberry Pearl Flip 8220
- 1 Standard 900 mAh Lithium Ion Battery
- 256MB MicroSD card
- T-Mobile SIM card
- MicroUSB AC Charger
- 3.5mm Stereo Headset with microphone
- MicroUSB Sync/Charge Cable
- Various guides and CD’s
Specs
- Technology: GSM/EDGE
- Wi-Fi with UMA calling
- Frequencies: 850/900/1800/1900
- Weight: 3.6 oz
- Size: 3.98” x 1.97” x .69”
- Cubic Volume: 5.41”
- Screen: 240 x 320 (QVGA)
- Camera: 2.0MP
- Headphone Jack: 3.5mm
Phone/Data
As a phone, the quality is very good. Because of it’s flip styling, RIM placed the microphone hole just below the bottom row on the keyboard, which does a great job of picking up the users voice without a lot of extraneous noise. Also, since the phone is UMA compatible, calling over Wi-Fi networks is possible. Pairing the phone to recognize both home and work Wi-Fi networks was simple, and using the service then becomes seamless. Anytime the phone is within range of one of the hotspots, it automatically connects and routes all data and voice traffic through the connection. The result is clearer conversations, and faster web browsing. The T-Mobile Curve with the UMA technology was the first Blackberry to do simultaneous voice and data connections at the same time. Because the phone isn’t running over the GSM network, you are able to switch over to the web browser or other applications that use data while on a call and use them.
Signal quality with the phone was great on the T-Mobile network, and i had no issues when out and about making calls. One additional item to note, when using the phone over Wi-Fi, power consumption increases, and the phone battery will drain quicker. Using the phone with UMA constantly on had me struggling to get through 2 days before charging. Use with EDGE only gave the phone 3 days of use.
Hardware
The Pearl Flip is a completely different look than any prior Blackberry to date. The keyboard has rather large buttons that make typing fairly easy. While the Pearl has raised keys, the Flip’s are much flatter, yet almost 2 times the size. If you prefer typing with the pads of your thumbs vs. the tips, you will find the Flip very comfortable.
Compared to the original Pearl or Curve, when closed, the phone is slightly shorter.
Showing a profile view, the thickness added by the clamshell can be seen.
When open, it’s easy to see how much larger the phone is than to traditional Blackberries.
On the front is a color display, the camera, flash, and LED indicator.
On the left side is a mute button, 3.5mm headset jack, microUSB port and user definable button.
On the right side are the volume rocker buttons, microSD card slot and another user definable button.
No buttons on the top or bottom.
The back has a release button to remove the cover for access to the battery and SIM card.
On the inside is the 320 x 240 screen.
Software/Features
The Pearl Flip comes with the latest 4.6 version of the Blackberry OS. The new version is zipper to use, and redesigned icons make more sense than 4.5 and earlier software. Along with the standard applications comes Word To Go, Sheet To Go and Slideshow To Go from Documents To Go. These applications allow you to open and view your Word, Excel and Powerpoint files. A premium edition is available for purchase for $49.99 for one year or $69.99 for life that enables features such as creation and editing of these files. Also, Instant Messaging applications have been added to the suite of messaging functionality with AOL, Google, ICQ, Yahoo and even Windows Live Messenger. Blackberry Messenger is still of course on the phone, one of my personal favorites. Email integration is done either through a corporate Blackberry Enterprise Server, or the Blackberry Internet Service.
Overall
If you are a fan Blackberries and want to have the clamshell form factor, the Pearl Flip will meet your needs. The new 4.6 OS adds in some new features and the UMA functionality is great for making calls and surfing the web at faster speeds. The Pearl Flip 8220 is a good first generation device, and adds another option in the lineup for RIM.
looks good, but I have never felt comfortable with that suretype keyboard. I had suretype 1.0 on the old t-mobile 7100. Maybe it has improved. I was always struggling with it. I eventually replaced the 7100 with a 7290 (?) and was way happier.
That phone was so wide, you could use it for a disguise to hide behind.
Thanks great review.
how do you turn that sure type off
Should be the same as on the Pearl:
1-Go to Options
2-Select Language
3-Then for Input Language, select English (United States, Multitap).
This will change the phone from Suretype to Multitap.
I just recently purchased this phone. My first blackberry! Finding the use a little harder then expected. Blackberry messenger. On my friends older version there is an icon on the bb menu screen. Mine there is none. Only way to open messenger is to open messages, then press bb button and choice instant message. This seems like a hard way to use messenger. Maybe i have to add the icon. Not sure!!
You can also go into Instant Messaging, and there is an icon in there. Not as easy as the older BB’s for sure.
The other thing you can do is once you find the Blackberry Messanger Icon in the Instant Messaging applications, you can then choose “Move to Folder” and have it moved to Home. This will place it on your home screen.
How long should the battery last between recharges on a new Blackberry Flip 8220?
Bob,
Truly, the battery should be lasting anywhere between 1 and 2 days. Some people can go more, some can’t make it a day. I was seeing 2 days with moderate use of the Pearl Flip. If you are concerned about the amount of life you are experiencing with the battery, I would recommend you contact T-Mobile.
agreed, mine lasts about 2 days. i ordered it from gsmallover.com quite a while ago and my battery is still doing good. the phone is really good overall