BlackBerry Pearl 8100 Phone, Sapphire Blue (T-Mobile, Phone Only, No Service)

by BlackBerry

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 2 x 0.6 inches ; 3 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000VVP6C0
• Item model number: 8100
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #132,763 in Cell Phones & Accessories (See Top 100 in Cell Phones & Accessories)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

This major update to the popular BlackBerry 7105t brings the BlackBerry experience to a whole new level while adding a fresh infusion of color. The BlackBerry Blue Pearl is not only thinner and lighter, but it also sports a memory card slot, a music player, and voice dialing, along with all the features you'd expect from any BlackBerry smartphone, including generous e-mail service, an integrated web browser, text messaging, instant messaging, organizer applications, and more. Add in such additional features as Bluetooth 2.0, EDGE high-speed data services, and the popular SureType keypad and you have a complete mobile office solution. And, of course, BlackBerry's legendary push e-mail service is fully supported on the BlackBerry Blue Pearl.

The SureType keypad makes the BlackBerry Blue Pearl's diminutive size possible. Learn more about the handheld. You can also see it in 3D.

A 1.3-megapixel camera is housed in the back (black Pearl is pictured).

Design
Like the BlackBerry 7105t, the BlackBerry Blue Pearl is a departure from the form factor of previous BlackBerry devices. This BlackBerry handset is far more phone-like, and RIM's engineers have managed to fit a modified QWERTY keyboard onto the handset's slim frame. Each button on the keyboard shares two letters and the unit automatically determines which letter you intend to type one based on what it believes you're trying to spell. This unique predictive text technology--known as SureType--makes the handset's diminutive size possible. SureType also learns the words you use most often, further enhancing your typing speed.

The BlackBerry Blue Pearl sports a large 240 x 260 screen that supports more than 65,000 colors--plenty of real estate to view your e-mails, Web browser content, messaging sessions, and attachments. The venerable BlackBerry trackwheel, meanwhile, has been replaced on this model with an innovative four-way trackball placed below the screen. On the rear of the handheld, you'll find a 1.3-megapixel camera that lets you take high-quality pictures wherever you roam. Other design details include a microSD memory card slot inside the device (behind the battery), a standard 2.5mm headset jack (the Blue Pearl includes a headset), and a mini-USB port for data connectivity.

Calling Features
All the calling capabilities folks have come to expect in a wireless phone are present in the BlackBerry Blue Pearl. The handset's speakerphone makes it easy to use the device hands-free, or if you prefer, you can use a wireless headset via the Blue Pearl's built-in Bluetooth capability. The phone also offers a vibrating alert, a speed dial, and a contacts list/address book that's limited only by the unit's 64 MB of internal memory. Blue Pearl owners who want to create caller-specific ringers can choose from the phone's 32 polyphonic ringtones, making it easy to know who's calling without looking at the handset, or they can visit T-Mobile's t-zones mobile Web service to access even more ringtones. And thanks to the phone's speaker-independent voice dialing function, you can call contacts with the sound of your voice. No prior voice training is required; simply say a contact's name and the phone will dial the number.

The Blue Pearl also offers a number of T-Mobile-specific features when combined with the right service plan, including myFaves support, which delivers unlimited any-network calling to your choice of five people, and quad-band worldwide support (850, 900, 1800, and 1900 MHz), which helps the phone function in every country where T-Mobile offers GPRS service.

Messaging, Internet, and Tools
While the BlackBerry Blue Pearl is a different kind of BlackBerry device, it still delivers the legendary BlackBerry e-mail experience. With BlackBerry service plans from T-Mobile, you can receive e-mails instantaneously from up to 10 e-mail accounts (personal and enterprise). BlackBerry's push technology, meanwhile, makes it easier than ever to receive your e-mails. BlackBerry devices are designed to remain on and stay continuously connected to your wireless network. As a result, you don't have to retrieve your e-mails manually, but instead are discreetly notified by the Blue Pearl each time a new e-mail arrives. The unit also offers built-in support for viewing e-mail attachments in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, WordPerfect, and PDF formats.

If your company has a BlackBerry Enterprise Server installed, you can take advantage of the power of wireless calendar synchronization with the Blue Pearl. Your calendar events are exchanged wirelessly and automatically so that your desktop calendar and BlackBerry handheld calendar are synchronized. In addition, your Outlook meeting requests, changes, and updates are designed to synchronize instantaneously with your desktop, making it a breeze to make meeting requests, invite new attendees, and more. And users without BlackBerry Enterprise Server aren't out of luck, as you can manually sync the Blue Pearl with your desktop calendar and contacts via Bluetooth or USB using the included BlackBerry Desktop Software.

As with most smartphones, the Blue Pearl lets you access the Internet from the palm of your hand, with an integrated Web browser, up-do-date stock quotes, news readers, weather reports, and more--all at fast speeds thanks to support for T-Mobile's EDGE high-speed data network. Instant and wireless messaging are also built into the Blue Pearl, with support for AOL, Yahoo, and ICQ instant messaging as well as SMS text messaging. Plus, users can receive and forward MMS messages.

Imaging and Entertainment
The BlackBerry Blue Pearl kicks the fun up a notch with the inclusion of a 1.3-megapixel camera that offers an LED flash and white balance controls. How about some music? The handheld's music player supports MP3, AAC, AAC+, and eAAC+ formats. And for those moments when you have some extra time on your hands, the handheld is compatible with game downloads and Java applications (available via the t-zones service).

Vital Statistics
The BlackBerry Blue Pearl measures 2 by 4.2 by 0.57 inches (W x H x D), weighs 3.16 ounces, and features a lithium-ion battery that's rated for up to 3.5 hours of digital talk time and up to 360 hours of digital standby time. The phone also comes with a one-year warranty.

What's in the Box
BlackBerry Blue Pearl smartphone, lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, stereo hands-free headset, USB cable, BlackBerry Desktop Software, user's manual.

Product Description

You'll be amazed at the small, sleek form factor of the BlackBerry Pearl. It's like no other BlackBerry. But it's more than just a new look. This BlackBerry delivers everything its predecessors delivered and a whole lot more. The BlackBerry Pearl offers new features never before seen in a BlackBerry like, a 1.3 mega pixel camera, voice recognition, and an MP3 player to name a few. Try it for a few hours and you are hooked!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Compact Smartphone, March 24, 2008

A Kid's Review

This review is from: BlackBerry Pearl 8100 Phone, Sapphire Blue (T-Mobile, Phone Only, No Service) (Wireless Phone Accessory)

I bought this phone because it was free with an instant rebate. If anyone out there is looking for a deal I would recommend shopping here in Amazon. So far I haven't had any problems with using the phone. If you are looking for a compact smartphone I would recommend the BB Pearl. The only downside I have is the small keypad but you get used to it afterwards. My plan with T-mobile is also far more cheaper than when I was with Verizon.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Good beginner BlackBerry, July 2, 2010

By 

Dog Lover (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: BlackBerry Pearl 8100 Phone, Sapphire Blue (T-Mobile, Phone Only, No Service) (Wireless Phone Accessory)

This was my introduction into the BlackBerry product. It was an OK product, but I really don't recommend the T-Mobile service that I got with it.

I had this phone for about 18 months. The phone itself needs to be re-booted at least once a week or it begins to act kind of weird. Also, there must be something wrong with the memory because every once in awhile, all of the emails in the BlackBerry along with my recent calls would just disappear. I've since upgraded to the BlackBerry Bold and that doesn't happen with the upgraded phone.

My husband and I got the T-Mobile service because they had the My Faves feature which allows you to call 5 numbers with unlimited minutes. The numbers in My Faves could be changed once a month. At the end of 2009, T-Mobile got rid of this service. Of course, they did it right after we renewed our contract for another two years, but that's just our bad luck. Without this service T-Mobile isn't worth all of the dropped calls that you experience with their service. T-Mobile will drop a call and you'll look down and have a full set of bars. There is no reason at all for the call to have been dropped. We will be changing to a different provider once our two year agreement expires. If it wouldn't cost us so much money, we would change immediately.

In summary, the phone is probably good for someone who has never used a BlackBerry before, but the Curve and Bold are much better products.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't buy into the hype. This "smartphone" is a dumb buy., September 16, 2008

By 

starr photo momma (Kansas City, Missouri, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: BlackBerry Pearl 8100 Phone, Sapphire Blue (T-Mobile, Phone Only, No Service) (Wireless Phone Accessory)

If you have not yet bought a Pearl, then don't. I've had this almost two years and I can't wait till my contract is up so I can chuck this POS into a recycling box!

Why?

#1 Poor durability (and I'm easy on phones). I had this phone for a month when the button that holds the batter cover on popped off. It's a piece of plastic with a tiny spring the size of a toenail clipping. Somehow this was my fault and this sort of defect didn't fall under the manufacturer's warranty. AT&T, the Company I bought it from, would do nothing. OEM (The manufacturer) offered to repair it for $90 dollars! AT&T offered to SELL me a new phone for $199 (when I got it free with a 2 year contract). Both Companies' best suggestion was to buy a silicon cover for the phone to hold the batter back on. Also, the chrome like paint on the phone wore off within 6 months of using it. C'mon people!

#2 This phone interferes (makes that buzzing sound) REALLY loudly with any audio device. More than any other phone I've owned. So if you want the convenience of using your USB cable to charge it on your laptop or pc, mute your speakers, or you'll be sorry. Also GREATLY interferes with car stereos, TV speakers, PA systems, and etc.

#3 I am equally disappointed that bluetooth headphones are not any option for this phone because the Pearl doesn't use the new technology that most, if not all, of the stereo headphones do. The headphones available for this phone are junk, and there is no good off brand alternative either. I've tried every adapter electronics store sell.

#4 Make sure your cellular carrier has a REASONABLE data plan for blackberry. AT&T only has the "blackberry data plan" that costs a minimum of $39.00 in addition to your minute plan. You cannot use the blackberry feature without this plan. This doesn't include using your blackberry as a wireless modem, that costs extra and you are limited on how much date you can use. (Don't go over unless you're prepared to take out a second mortgage.)Not useful as a personal organizer unless your willing to spend over $100 a month for a cellphone bill.

Seriously, this has been a thorn in my side, rather than a helper (which is why I bought a Blackberry).