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TeddyBGame · 10-17-2007, 09:48 AM

Folks,
I just did this swap last week - very happy with the new look of my BB. Thanks for the great info and details -- very helpful!!!

I started with a stock silver 8830 W/E from Verizon. My goal was to convert the entire front side to black -- and keep the backside silver (similar to the color scheme of the iPhone). The white keys on the black buttons is MUCH better than the blue/silver.

Warranty:
Also, I was a tad concerned about voiding my warranty...but I couldn't find any seals that would be broken as a result of this process. After doing the swap, this could be easily reversed in the event that you needed to return your phone. Although, the lense replacement was a tad tricky (see below).

Some learnings:
Keep in mind, the side rails and the LCD lens are held on with double sided sticky tape (in addition to some clips etc). If I had it to do over again, I would have just purchased this black faceplate lense already attached. The double sided tape was a PITA to work with.

http://cnn.cn/shop/blackberry-880088...ns-p-1729.html

Tools:
This tool is worth the $$ for anyone who is doing this. It will keep you from gouging any of the plastic parts:
http://cnn.cn/shop/cellphone-opener-p-257.html

FYI - I had the small torx tools already...but you can order those from here:
Tools - Motorola, LG, 3G, Tools, BlackBerry, Acer, HTC, Alcatel, Apple, SonyEricsson, Pa

This is what I recommend if you want a black front:
If you want the entire front side and keys in black, I highly recommend ordering these parts (you might want a different bottom plate than the orange square that I have):
http://cnn.cn/shop/blackberry-880088...ns-p-1729.html
BlackBerry 8800/8830 OEM black keyboard- Sony, Panasonic, Dopod/O2, SonyEricsson, Alcatel, NEC, Accessories Store, Samsun
bb-8800-05 Blackberry 8800/8830 OEM chrome silver side rails- SonyEricsson, Tools, 3G, Nokia, NEC, Alcatel, Sony, Panasonic, Dopod/O2, Motorol
BlackBerry 8800/8830 OEM black front bottom cover - Orange brand- Tools, BenQ-Siemens, BlackBerry, Nokia, NEC, Apple, LG, 3G, Sony, SonyEricsson,

It took about 2 weeks for them to arrive from China etc...and about 45 minutes to do the entire swap.

Good luck!!
-Ted

10-17-2007, 09:48 AM	#18 (permalink)
TeddyBGame New Member Join Date: May 2006 Model: 8830 Carrier: Verizon Posts: 3 Post Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Folks, I just did this swap last week - very happy with the new look of my BB. Thanks for the great info and details -- very helpful!!! I started with a stock silver 8830 W/E from Verizon. My goal was to convert the entire front side to black -- and keep the backside silver (similar to the color scheme of the iPhone). The white keys on the black buttons is MUCH better than the blue/silver. Warranty: Also, I was a tad concerned about voiding my warranty...but I couldn't find any seals that would be broken as a result of this process. After doing the swap, this could be easily reversed in the event that you needed to return your phone. Although, the lense replacement was a tad tricky (see below). Some learnings: Keep in mind, the side rails and the LCD lens are held on with double sided sticky tape (in addition to some clips etc). If I had it to do over again, I would have just purchased this black faceplate lense already attached. The double sided tape was a PITA to work with. http://cnn.cn/shop/blackberry-880088...ns-p-1729.html Tools: This tool is worth the $$ for anyone who is doing this. It will keep you from gouging any of the plastic parts: http://cnn.cn/shop/cellphone-opener-p-257.html FYI - I had the small torx tools already...but you can order those from here: Tools - Motorola, LG, 3G, Tools, BlackBerry, Acer, HTC, Alcatel, Apple, SonyEricsson, Pa This is what I recommend if you want a black front: If you want the entire front side and keys in black, I highly recommend ordering these parts (you might want a different bottom plate than the orange square that I have): http://cnn.cn/shop/blackberry-880088...ns-p-1729.html BlackBerry 8800/8830 OEM black keyboard- Sony, Panasonic, Dopod/O2, SonyEricsson, Alcatel, NEC, Accessories Store, Samsun bb-8800-05 Blackberry 8800/8830 OEM chrome silver side rails- SonyEricsson, Tools, 3G, Nokia, NEC, Alcatel, Sony, Panasonic, Dopod/O2, Motorol BlackBerry 8800/8830 OEM black front bottom cover - Orange brand- Tools, BenQ-Siemens, BlackBerry, Nokia, NEC, Apple, LG, 3G, Sony, SonyEricsson, It took about 2 weeks for them to arrive from China etc...and about 45 minutes to do the entire swap. Good luck!! -Ted
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