Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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).

I bought the Blackberry Pearl 8100 in navy and it looks sleek and I like the pearl 8100 much better than the regular blackberry because it is slim,easy to carry around not so bulky like the bigger version. They call it the "pearl" becasue there is a roller ball, kind of like a mouse thats opaque and lit up & it allows you to easily scroll through your phone easily. You will have to contact your service provider to set up your email, AND your voicemail account, & sometimes I hear an echo when I talk, as if Im in a whole...but that is about the only cons. It takes FANTASTIC pics for a phone and allows you to zoom, crop, take in b&W and sepia. I recommend this phone for anyone ages 8 to 80, they will Love it AND the wide variety of accessories it has and the colors it comes in. I have my service through TMobile so I got this phone for a very good deal. its really a great buy!

great phone purchased for my daughter. She's used it for over 2 years with no problems.