I used a 7290 for about 6 months but found it to be an inadequate phone for my needs. I use the phone a lot and found the 7290 uncomfortable to hold to my ear for long calls and the maximum volume was way too low for noisy environments. I then switched to the 7100, which was a really good phone. In fact the speakerphone on the 7100 was about the best I’ve ever heard on a cell phone, both volume and clarity. I had TO get rid of the 7100 though because the screen could not be viewed in daylight, and I really missed the full keyboard. For the last 6 months I’ve been using a Treo 650. The phone works better than the 7290, but I miss the true BB experience and the Treo is buggy.

Can anyone comment on weather the 8700 is likely to have the same “phone” characteristics as the 7290? Are there any reasons to believe based on the specks (or anyone that’s actually used one) that the 8700 will perform phone functions better than previous BB’s?

Thanks for your opinions.