In the last year I have purchased 5 different phones. My journey started with the Blackberry 8100 (aka the Pearl w/T-Mobile). This was my first ever Blackberry and I was very impressed. I remember the only thing that bothered me at first with the Pearl was the keyboard. Overall, the phone was good looking, light, and could do anything any other Blackberry could do(at the time). It did not take me very long to master the 8100 keyboard.

I did not do enough tech research before purchasing my 8100. When June rolled around I realized the iPhone was coming out. Being the loyal Apple fan that I am, I bought the iPhone like two days after it came out. For the next month and a half I was happy with the iPhone until I slowly realized it was a "toy" and not a "tool". I became so annoyed with the iPhone and the features it lacked. I mean no picture messaging or copy/paste; these are basic features! Plus, my speaker volume was horrible.

I decided it was time to go back to Blackberry. In all honesty I wanted to buy the 8100 again but I felt like I should try something different. I purchased the 8820 and was so happy to be back in the Blackberry family. The 8820 is so much better than the iPhone. As happy as I was, there were still things that bothered me about the 8820. The phone was pretty bulky and there were times I wished I had a camera. The ultimate decision to get rid of the 8820 was the AT&T service. It just annoyed me their frequency buzzed my computer speakers and their plan was kind of high. I think I was paying like $120/month for my 8820 service which was higher than my iPhone service.

I went back to T-Mobile and decided to get the Prada phone. This was kind of an impulse buy but I kind of wanted a unique phone nobody else had. This turned into a huge mistake because the Prada phone is not a user friendly phone.

So now I am back with my Pearl. I feel like this is one of the best phones on the market. It may not have wifi or gps but who the heck needs those things on their phone.

good to have you back in the fold. You must have paid a bunch on your termination fees...

Welcome back. I would have recommended the newer Pearl 8120. I really like the keypad on the second generation Pearls better. I can really tell the difference between my Pearl 8100 and my current Pearl 8120. The keypad sits a little more flush, and isn't as "wiggly."

Lol tell me about it

So camtheram I was wondering if you had considered the 8320(curve) with tmobile? I am thinking about getting either the 8120 or the 8320 and wanted some input. Thanks

But I bet bluetooth works with those other phones. I have an 8100 and this is my major disapointment with this phone and I can't wait to dump it when my contract is over. Other than that, I like it but using handsfree in my car is just too important now that its the law here.

Wifi and GPS? Heck yeah!

big mistake!

BT doesn't work in your car with your 8100? I've got a friend who has an 8100 and uses it with his Acura just fine.

nice first post