Can someone tell my the differences besides the wifi and camera from these two models??

Other than some additional software on 83xx model, the big difference is the 2MP camera and WiFi. Read the other posts and you will get some great details..

And here was me trying to decide between an 8100 and a 8800. Just have to wait for this now, hopefully something else doesnt begin to apear in the meantime otherwise il be forever waiting.

You need to consider the specific 88XX model and 83XX models that you're comparing. Not all have WiFi and it appears that not all will have GPS. The camera is the major difference between the two lines. It looks like the 83XX's will be released with a newer version of the OS that adds some improved features missing on other 4.2 devices. However, RIM will certainly release OS updates for existing 4.2 devices.

There are no officially announced spec released at this point so keep that in mind. The leaked info comes from early preproduction devices and some preproduction devices that are nearing or are now in production. Still, if you need hard facts you'll have to wait a bit. In the mean time, these forums are chock full of information, including the closest answers available to your questions.

There's always something newer and better coming down the pipe. You just have to pick when to jump in...

Exactlly, as the 88XX will have a WiFi model, its more so comes down to the camera and GPS. For me, I prefer the 8300 as the keys are a lot nicer to type on and the new UI is really nice, but that will more than likely also be on the other models as new OS's come out. Things will be a bit confusing for a bit I think as we all get custom to the new models, we almost need to draw up a model comparison table on the forums somewhere for the older models and new ones as they get released.

Not sure what you mean by a new UI, its the exact same UI between the 8300 and the 8800, although the 8300 might have a couple of more features like spell check and whatnot, but its the same UI as far as I can see.

Clear your mind and see through the mist of distraction, then ask your self two questions:

1] Can it make a phone call?

2] Can it receive a phone call?



Bob

lol. what about question 3 that they all lack, can it make me a coffee.

well iv got till october on my contract left to decide so by then the 83xx should be out and probably others in the pipe line.

I use a variety of smart phones, but my mainstay for email, browsing, and my calendar is my 8700c. However, I also have a Treo 680 that is a better phone than the 8700c and has a camera, albeit a lousy camera-- in other respects I prefer the 8700c. The Treo has user installed Voice Command a voice dial program also installed on the Pearl which works great but does not work over bluetooth with the Treo. I will get the 8300 for the camera and for improved phone quality, but I need voice dialing using blue tooth and better blue tooth pairing than with the 8700c or the treo 680. The 8800 has the voice dialing, but no camera and the keyboard is not as good as the 8700c. I have used a pearl and have no problem with the rollerball, but need the QWERTY keyboard and the larger landscape screen of the 8700c.

So give me a better phone than the 8700c with blue tooth voice dialing and I am in.

If those are your only criteria then great. However, I don't see that narrowing down your selection much... ;)

At least those wanting full qwerty, a camera, and maybe GPS and/or WiFi will have their options.

so true.....personally, the choice is so based on each individual, there's really no true comparison other than basic features.

I have a 7290 I use mainly for work and work only. I looked at the 8700 but when compared to the 8800 the size issue is what made me really fall in love. Even the new 8300 is a little thicker than the 8800 and that's where I can't deal with it. I want something so slim and light that I can pocket it in my shirt at work or shorts in the summer. The 8800 is that light wieght and thin that it's pefect.

The keyboard layout is different, but honestly, it's easy to use and while some don't like it, I found no difficulty typing on it. I do love the 7290 and think the form there is perfect for pounding out long emails, but thin is the way to go. I don't believe in long emails and bb. emails should be kept to 1-2 lines IMO.

I even measured the distance between the edges of the keys and there's barely a 1/16th of an inch distance between the key distance on the 8800 vs the 7290. The size of each key is near exactly the same too. It's just the shape that's different. IMO, the color and shape is what makes it deceiving. I'll post macro pics and overlays shortly.

In the end, the 8800 is very stylish, has a GPS and is a great, great phone. Has everything I want. Cameras are cool, but on a phone....no thanks, all but a rare few suck and being a photog I always have a nice camera with me anyway.

I thought BlackBerrys also did e-mail....

its just a rumor.

wht are we even comparing these 2 devices. they serve to different demographics! One is Business oriented the other consumer oriented and both perform the primary function of BB well i suspect.

What blackberry and Email? who woulda thought

I wouldn't necessarily say that. I work for Panasonic and we have a mix of just about every BB there is. The 8800 being the latest. Not sure which you feel is a better fit for which segment, but the 8700 is very popular with us and the 880 0 is gaining share due to it's small size. The Pearl is nice but lots of folks don't like the keyboard.

Now that the 8800 is out on T-Mo, what's the consensus about whether we'll see the 83xx from them so soon afterwards? I want wifi, gps, full keyboard and camera. Do we think T-Mo will launch my dream phone within a couple months?

I want that same phone, and am hoping the May 7th day is true like the april 23rd day is for the t-mo 8800. Hopefully the 83xx will have GPS, since reports have said that it wouldn't, at least for cingular. Although what can you believe in this currently make-believe-phone-model forum.

Yeah, I find it illogical to expect the 83xx with all the bells and whistles so soon after the 8800, as it would blow away attention they'd want focused on the 8800 release. If I was in charge of product marketing, I'd wait at least 6 months before releasing the fully capable 8300 so that I get as many 8800's out there as possible.

This bums me out. Someone please tell me why I'm wrong so I can wait in hope for my dream phone.

What he means is that the 8800 is designed for corporate environments where cameras are not allowed. Obviously the 83XX line wouldn't be suitable for that niche.

We tend to standardize on whatever the current full qwerty model happens to be. I don't think anyone can really make a strong enough business case for an 83XX so we'll probably stick to the 8800. We have deployed SureType BB's but only for execs that specifically requested them.

I don't see why not. Again, there are plenty of corporate customers that need the 8800.

Last I heard though, neither at&t's nor TMO's 83XX will have GPS.

They may have put this article on the website too early. I just went to T-mobile website and it's not there.

Would there be a BB including the followings in 1 device?

WIFI
2MP Camera
GPS chip

I just went to T-mobile Website and it's not there. I think they post that article up too soon. I went to another forum and just as I expected, it's not out until Monday.

BlackBerry 8800 hits T-Mobile on Monday - Engadget

Yes, but only in our dreams.

Are you kidding me! 680 phone better than an 8700, 8700 wins hands down, better voice quality and reception!

Alright...

How about Wifi and GPS together? I can live without a camera phone

The 8800 and 8300 are two distinctively different devices. For two different market segments.

Someone who is interested in a business centric 8800 is not going to be interested in the 8300, with it's camera and other more consumer oriented features. According to demand there are a lot of business customers that not only do not want a phone, but are prohibited from bringing one to work.

There is also quite a difference in size. While on paper it may not seem like much, but put them side by side and it's two notably different sizes. Here are the specifics: 114 x 66 x 14.0mm - 8800 / 106 x 60 x 15.5mm - 8300.

Each has it's particular target market. Otherwise RIM would not have bothered to make these two versions.

That's the Holy Trinity of New Features™ and it's what I'm waiting for. The T-Mobile version called "Poppa Bear" in all the rumor blogs is said to include all these features. Unfortunately it may be released some time after a lesser model with one or two of these features hits the streets. And it should be pointed out that until we actually see one, it's all just rumor and ineuendo. But I believe!

I don't understand why RIM would release ANY phone without GPS these days. That's isn't a feature that is exclusive to the business or consumer market, both sides want it. I've been sitting on my 7520 for just over two years now and I'm still waiting for the right replacement. I want a new phone, but I'm not willing to give up GPS just for some MP3 ringtones and an SD slot. Until I see a phone that has GPS and either WiFi or a camera I'm gonna keep waiting. I don't need the entire trinity, although that would be nice, but I gotta have two out of three or I'm just throwing money out the window.

I am in the market for a new BB. Currently on prehistoric 7100g. Wondering if i should wait for 8300 or go for 8800....

Choices..choices

Personally, I'd wait for the 8300. However, it may not release with the GPS so if you want that you may have to go with the 8800 anyway.

I think I'm just gonna have to forgo GPS and WiFi unless T-Mobile announces something soon. I tried out an 8800 the other day and I just can't do it. The keyboard is crap and with all the complaints of slowness I feel like I'd be paying all that money for nothing. I guess that speaks to the strength of the 7520, I still can't find a reasonable upgrade option. Most likely I'll just get the AT&T 8300 when it comes out, or shortly after. I've always said it would be a cold day in hell before I went with Cingular... somebody tell satan he's gonna need a coat. ;)

<--- like my 8800. no problems with the keyboard and OS speed is no problem.

You don't have to go with Cingular. The solution is easy, just wait. The 8300 will eventually be available from another carrier.

So the first rendition of the 8300 for Cingular will just have the camera; no wi-fi or GPS. The 8800 has no camera, but GPS. I would much rather have the GPS than the camera; much more functional.
By the way: I was in the Cingular store on Broadway in Manhattan today and asked about the 8300. They looked it up on their network and printed out a list of phones they currently have and expect to have in the next month. The 8300 or "Curve" was not on the list!