vB Easy Archive - Blackberry Pearl--Performance as a phone?

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Blackberry Pearl--Performance as a phone?
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Posted by: awesome_sauce

Hi all, first post here @ Howardforums, but mainly because I just recently got into the whole Smartphone scene. Anyways, as my contract for Cingular has been renewed and my upgrade is available, I've been trying to choose between two phones: The Nokia E62, and the TBA BB Pearl for Cingular. I hear the E62 has exceptional call quality and functions great as a phone, but has all the PDA extras like QWERTY, etc. I'm a college student and I don't need all the perks of a PDA really, but I want mobile web access and an easier on the thumbs keyboard (using a MOTO razr now). In a sense, I want the most Sidekick similar offering for Cingular. The Pearl caught my eye because it's way smaller than the E62 and has more fun features like a camera, but how would you T-Mobile users (or whatever other providers currently sell the phone) rate the call quality, from a day to day user standpoint?

Thanks

Posted by: tylerw313

I am pleased with the call quality on my T-Mobile Pearl (where I get reception!

). The loudspeaker can get pretty loud, and the call quality is clear.

Between the two phones, it seems like the E62 would have a better keyboard. If you want to send off lots of emails, you might want to carry a bigger phone with a more comfortable keyboard. The Pearl is pocketable, its keyboard is probably a 6.5 at best. If you want the great keyboard, pick a wider phone (e62) that has a more spacious keys. From what it looks like, the e62 might even feel a little cramped with all of those application keys.

Posted by: jasonjoo

After reading some reviews, I was almost certain that the call quality would be terrible on the Pearl, but so far, it hasn't been too bad. My previous phone (LG VX7000) was better, but not a HUGE difference. I love the speakerphone feature on the Pearl as well.

The SureType technology is awesome. I DEFINITELY prefer it over a full QWERTY keyboard on a handheld. Yes, at times it won't type what you want, but it hasn't been too much of an issue. I don't send long e-mails, but I do "proof read" all of my text msgs.

So far, the Pearl has been an excellent phone. It's only been a week though

Posted by: Synncere

When I was using the BlackBerry 8700 I had a seperate fone for voice as I wasn't thrilled w/ the call quality. With the Pearl I only use one device now, I find the call quality to be great. All my calls are clear and robust sounding. I don't get background noise or hissing or that tin can effect.

Posted by: christyxcore

Call quality on my Pearl is great. It's loud and clear. I'm very happy with the call quality on the phone

Posted by: CAVU42

I sold my E50 for the Pearl - equal or better call quality. The pearl is actually on par with any Nokia now - except maybe build materials. Excellent phone/PDA/email device.

Posted by: awesome_sauce

Hmm, the Pearl is sounding more and more appealing. Although there's something about the E62 that draws me in. Perhaps the generous display and extremely durable build? I dunno, but I'm hearing a lot of negative feedback about it being a slow phone. How would the 8100 be rated in terms of responsiveness? i.e. Opening Address Book, or text/email applications...

I just think the E62 may be targeted to a different consumer than someone as myself

Posted by: roygbv

I had an E61... I think I'd rather have a Blackberry. The Joystick nub on the E61 kind of digs into your fingers after prolonged use. Besides, why buy the E62... Cingular crippled the WiFi on it. If you want to see a real appealing phone, check out the 8800 by RIM (to be released spring 07)

Posted by: secrecyguy

I have the Blackberry 8100 and I love it! It's even better than a Sidekick!

Here's a chart you might be interested in. It compares Sidekick 3 to Blackberry 8100.

http://www.geocities.com/sk3vsbb8100/

As for sound quality, I have no problems with the sound quality.

Posted by: awesome_sauce

Quote:

Originally Posted by secrecyguy

I have the Blackberry 8100 and I love it! It's even better than a Sidekick!

Here's a chart you might be interested in. It compares Sidekick 3 to Blackberry 8100.

http://www.geocities.com/sk3vsbb8100/

As for sound quality, I have no problems with the sound quality.

Awesome, thanks I'll have to check it out. Thanks for the feedback from everyone. I suppose I'll await until Cingular makes the 8100 available and jump on it

Posted by: roygbv

Quote:

Originally Posted by awesome_sauce

Awesome, thanks I'll have to check it out. Thanks for the feedback from everyone. I suppose I'll await until Cingular makes the 8100 available and jump on it

If you have cingular, I guess stick with it... but can you justify $30 for data? T-mobile has the same BB unlimited data plan for $20. Granted Cingular has a broader spectrum... the 8100 is EDGE only.

Posted by: Shiryon

I had the E62 on Rogers for about a month. The sound quality (incoming and outgoing) was really great. HOWEVER, the performance of the E62 as a PDA was so painfully slow that I could not use it anymore. Hit a button, wait 3-5 seconds for anything to happen. This is completely unacceptable. I now have the Pearl. The sound quality is good, but IMHO, not as great as the E62 was. It was easier to type on the E62, but as a device it really wasn't usable. Typing on the Pearl is okay, but getting better with practice. I don't think anyone should buy the E62.

Posted by: awesome_sauce

Quote:

Originally Posted by roygbv

If I could switch, I would. But I'm on a family plan and just can't. $30 would be fine for me however.

Posted by: davistld01

I just picked up a Pearl from Cingular this afternoon, and exchanged my SE w810i for it. I must comment that I find the incoming call quality to be disappointing. It is louder than my Sony Ericsson's but the call breaks up and sounds "hollow". I have also been told that I sounded "different" and "hollow" by those that call. Reception is spotty at best, and I have always gotten exceptional reception with my SE's and Motorolas. And, the track ball just doesn't do it for me.

This was going to be my first smartphone, and I had talked myself into getting the Pearl after playing briefly with a coworker's yesterday. I was enthralled by it's sleek, sexy look and solid-feeling build. But, to tell you the truth...although it might be a great data and media transfering device...it lacks a lot of being a good moble phone IMHO. So, tomorrow morning I am returning the Blackberry Pearl to my friendly Cingular corporate store, and getting my w810i back. I'm just not willing deal with a phone that looks great...but fails to deliver as a mobile phone.

Posted by: P Nut

davistld01 - Make sure the phone has the latest software before returning it.

I think the Pearl performs great as a phone. All of my calls come in clear and it's never dropped a call. The speakerphone could be a SMIDGEN louder, but it's not bad. I don't use the speakerphone too much, anyway.

Overall, it's the best phone I've owned so far.

Posted by: gibbs

Being a Rogers subscriber, I get maaaad seeg on this phone - lowest I ever got was -85 dB, and highest being -32 dB. That's right - 32 dBs.

I can say that I never once had a dropped call with my Pearl. In regards to sound volume: Originally, I had Roger's .51 firmware on it, and it did suffer a bit. When I slapped on the .69 firmware from Cingular, calls seem clearer, and sound volume went up a slight notch.

Posted by: tylerw313

I agree with P Nut and gibbs in terms of call quality. I can't say that my Pearl has poor call quality at all. Everything comes in loud and clear, and nobody on the other end has complained about any audio issues. Definitely try to update the OS before returning.

Posted by: bikedogrun

Quote:

Originally Posted by davistld01

I just picked up a Pearl from Cingular this afternoon, and exchanged my SE w810i for it. I must comment that I find the incoming call quality to be disappointing. It is louder than my Sony Ericsson's but the call breaks up and sounds "hollow". I have also been told that I sounded "different" and "hollow" by those that call. Reception is spotty at best, and I have always gotten exceptional reception with my SE's and Motorolas. And, the track ball just doesn't do it for me.

I'm just not willing deal with a phone that looks great...but fails to deliver as a mobile phone.

Interesting ... as someone that owns the same two phones (but on T-Mobile rather than Cingular) my experience has been quite different. While I love the W810's Walkman music s/w ... the phone qualities are kind of "OK at best". I also had a BB 8700 for 6 months that I could just never warm up to ... the device was just too wide/bulky and I felt foolish holding it up to my ear as a phone.

I've been VERY pleasantly surprised by the Pearl ... the music player is better that I thought it would be ... perhaps not the full equal of the W810i but pretty good (and I love the Album Cover Art feature) but the major revelation with the Pearl is that it is just flat out EXCELLENT as a phone. Strong signal, loud, clear earpiece and great speakerphone. My W810i's speakerphone has always been too soft and squawky.

Right now the Pearl is "IT" for me and the W810 has been relegated to "backup MP3 player" when I need to conserve battery for calls on my Pearl!

/BD

Posted by: robertjp1

Ive had for 5 days and the call quality is outstanding. Actually sounds better than my Nokia to my amazement. The only thing is the keys are kinda small but then thats why its so small. I rate it a 8.5