8800 vs Pearl

[wv wildflower]

I looked at the 8800 today at a tmo outlet. The salesman said there was no difference between it and the Pearl with the exception of the GPS system. Is this true? I don't put much stock in what salesmen say. I want to upgrade from my 7100t and want the most advanced model. What do you guys think?

[Dubdub]

Basically, I think that is correct. However, the obvious difference is the Pearl has SureType and the 88800 has a QWERTY keypad. That can be a major difference if you type a lot of email or TMs.

[rogermac1975]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8800/4.2.1 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

I just made the switch and I am noticing that the 8800 seems to be built a little better. Also the battery is 1400mah and the Pearl is 700 I think. 8800 has a bigger screen and gps. And the Pearl has a camera while the 8800 does not.

[david9962000]

If you can live with Suretype,the Pearl is a great choice.

[pinhead]

I was trying to make the same decision. The Pearl is certainly the best Blackberry so far for anyone who uses the phone as much for fun as for work. The keyboard is easy enough to type on, the camera is pretty useful, the navigation through the device is simple, and it does it is not particularly expensive. However, for someone who uses the phone for mostly work email or just prefers the full keyboard, the 8800 is a much better device. It gets rid of the camera but adds GPS, has a FULL keyboard, bigger screen, and has all of the other nice features offered by the Pearl...but in a slightly nicer package overall.

I was quoted $99 initially for the Pearl and $299 for the 8800 through T-Mobile. Is the 8800 worth the extra $200? I am not sure yet but I do prefer it right now...for me it is coming down to what is more important, camera or GPS navigation access, and I am not sure which really has the upper hand even though the 8800 makes my thumbs happier.

[g0d0t]

Don't let the pearl's camera be a decision point for you. It is the worst camera I've owned on a cellphone. Unless you are in perfect lighting your pictures come out dark and blurry...and the flash is useless beyond about 2 feet. Of course, your results may vary...just sharing :)

[takeshi]

I looked at the 8800 today at a tmo outlet. The salesman said there was no difference between it and the Pearl with the exception of the GPS system. Is this true?
He didn't say antything about the keyboard or camera? I definitely wouldn't trust his word. You can compare devices side-by-side at Blackberry.com for full details.

[B-Line]

I had the pearl.. Tried it for two weeks after being a RAZR user for a couple years.
I could not stand trying to text/email on it. I hated the key configuration and it was also hard to read. (Yes, I have 20/20 vision) but I constantly found myself staring at the keys to find the letter I wanted.

-- Here is my opinion..
The Pearl is great if you just want to receive email. But if you want to type and or, surf the web, etc. Forget it.

So I went in and upgraded to the 8800. Yes, it is bigger. But I find typing messages on it a relative ease. I can send and receive with ease and when ever one of my PEARL friends is around, I laugh when I look over at them, typing long messages on that horrible system, squinting eyes and fumbling..

The 8800 gets my vote...
B

[TonyEye]

I use the Pearl as my phone and personal email and the 8800 as my work email. I like the Pearl because it's small and I can still email when I have to. Getting used to the SureType is a bit of a pain but not too bad. I just got the 8800 so I'm getting used to it. Small keys and it's easy to fatfinger the keyboard. The Pearl camera stinks as someone else said, so that shouldn't be your sticking point. If it is, wait for the Curve to come out and you'll have the "best" of both. Oh and the GPS on the 8800 is cool. :)

[Runamuck]

I just upgraded to an 8800 from the 8100/Pearl. I disliked the SureType mechanism on the Pearl. As someone posted above, it's fine for just reading email and sending small txt messages, but any serious mail was too tasking on my fingers on that device.

I also found the camera to be sucktastic.....GPS on the 8800 is a true "killer app" for me and I'm already using the heck out of it.

The media functions are about equal.....just a bigger screen on the 8800 so bigger pictures, bigger movies, etc.

I really prefer the 8800 to the Pearl...obviously since I upgraded!

[ChairmanKaga]

For front pocket carry, the 8100 is the clear winner. Contrary to what another has said, I have found its camera to be excellent. I would not carry a BB without a camera.

However, if you plan on sending a zillion emails everyday (or more than just a few, for that matter), the 8800's real qwerty keyboard may trump the 8100's attitributes. It all depends on one's priorities.

(y)

[rogermac1975]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8800/4.2.1 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

I have to agree. The camera was not bad at all.

[richard371]

The 8800 handles media faster then the 8100. I never get the hourglass. I get it with the Pearl no matter what OS I have. I have tried several Pearls.

[jetzwing]

I own both. I keep my pearl from nights when I need a "pocket" smartphone. The Pearl was my first blackberry. Then I bought the 8800. It is a "bigger Pearl" with many extras. With the right downloaded programs, both are VERY good phones. Love them both!! Which ever you get...........you won't go wrong.

[wv wildflower]

Thanks everyone for your input. I am going to upgrade to the 8800 as soon as I stop balking at the $375 price. Thanks again.

[jswriter]

I didn't like the Pearl's keyboard, specifically the 2-letters per key layout. I hate having to press keys 3-4 times on cell phones to type a message, so there was no way I'd invest in a smart phone unless it had a true QWERTY keyboard.

Are you at or near your contract's end? If so, check Amazon for the 8800. I just got mine for $94 (free shipping & activation, 2-year voice & data plan). After the rebate I'll have paid only $44 for my 8800. Can't beat that!

[kempilot]

I own both . Camera is nice to have , I do not use mine much because i always have my 7.2 megapixel /me . Do not buy a phone for its camera . you WILL be disappointed . 8800 is great phone also . I will keep both.

[maprx]

I have regular BIS service. I want to sync outlook and stuff online ota and not connect to a windows machine. I run linux, and work from different systems. I am told, I need to change my cingular 29.99 service to cingular 44.99 BES service, (hope they don't screw it up) then find a good buy not too expensive vendor to link with , via exchange server correct? any ideas? I don't want this to cost a fortune.

thanks


PS, just getting ATT/Cing to set it up right will be a nightmare