My wife and I recently each received new 8703e devices from Verizon.

For whatever time the backlight timeout is set, the screen dims a bit at 1/2 that time, after which the backlight correctly turns off at the chosen time. So, if I set the backlight to timeout at 30sec., then at 15sec. the backlight dims a bit, then turns off at 30sec. If I touch a key or move the wheel the screen immediately goes back to normal, and the 30sec./15sec. clock starts over.

If I choose 45sec., for example, the partial dim is 1/2 of that. And so on.

Whether or not automatic backlighting adjustment is turned on doesn't seem to matter.

I believe that this is NORMAL operation: it happens on both of our new devices, in exactly in the same way. Doesn't really bother me either.

Any comments?

Try Options > Screen/Keyboard > Automatic Backlight = OFF.

You could be experiencing the ambient light sensor, and my fix above may do nothing. It is strange that it is on both at 15 seconds.

Thanks for your response. I remember seeing a post about this, but I can't find it again.

Auto backlight is turned off, as noted above. (LED coverage indicator is on, but I'm not sure this affects anything.)

The partial dim occurs at 1/2 of whatever the timeout is set at.

I am not holding my finger over the LED to block the ambient light sensor, assuming that this is where it is.

Again, it happens on both new devices. Seemingly, it would happen on others too.