BlackBerry Pearl 3G 9105 Review

BlackBerry Pearl 3G 9105 black deals

BlackBerry have made their name on full QWERTY keyboards on their mobile phones, so it was a bit of a shock when the BlackBerry Pearl 3G 9105 came out with a traditional alphanumerical keypad in 2010. This makes it one of the only smart phones with an alphanumerical keppad, most of them being touchscreens of course. If you miss those alphanumeric pads but still want a smart phone, it's definitely worth checking out the phone deals on the Pearl 3G 9105.

Specifications

The Pearl 3G is quite a small phone, resting nicely on your palm and slipping in to a pocket with ease. With the keypad taking up a lot of space, the screen is small, as you would expect. It has good resolution though, and navigating through the menus with the optical trackpad is fast although it takes some getting used to. BlackBerry's operating system seemed dated even when it came out in 2010, there's no problems after a bit of practice.  There can be no complaints with the optical trackpad though, it is extremely responsive.

One of the great things about this BlackBerry, as opposed to some of the others from that time, is that you have all the connectivity you could want. There's 3G, wi-fi, GPS, the lot. It also comes with Facebook and Twitter apps installed, and integrates social media well. However there is a problem with BlackBerry App World, the marketplace for BlackBerry apps, in that it's very limited as opposed to the Apple and Android app stores, and is more expensive as well.

However if you want to use the phone mostly for messaging and emailing, it's still a great. It has the BlackBerry Messenger for one thing, which allows you to message freely (that is, for free) with any other BlackBerry users wherever they are in the world. Most people would probably prefer to be able to do that on one of the full QWERTY keyboards BlackBerry are famous for, but if you're a whizz on the alphanumeric pad and don't want to change, then this might just be the smart phone you've been looking for.  It is a nice one, with well spaced out keys and a wavy design making it easier to tell where you are on the keypad without having to look.

There's also a 3.2MP camera, which is okay considering the phone's 2 years old.  You get 256MB internal storage, but you can beef that up because there's room for a microSD card.

For the full specs, check out BlackBerry's website.

Phone Deals

This is still a very good little phone if you mainly want to use your phone for messaging and calling, with some web surfing mixed in too. Being 2 years old now, as you would expect there are some great BlackBerry Pearl 3G 9105 black monthly contract deals available online now.

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BlackBerry Bold 9780 Review

BlackBerry Bold 9780 deals

There are no huge changes with the BlackBerry Bold 9780 to its predecessor, the Bold 9700 (which we have also reviewed on this site). But then they probably figured it was a case of, if it's not broken then don't fix it. If you're a fan of the BlackBerry yand its full QWERTY keyboard and you're not worried about getting the most up to date phone, it's well worth checking out the phone deals available on the BlackBerry Bold 9780.

Physical Design

In its physical design the BlackBerry Bold 9780 is almost identical to the Bold 9700. At a glance it really is difficult to tell them apart. Which is not necessarily to say that's a bad thing because the 9700 is a very good looking phone... which means that the Bold 9780 is as well. It's just that with this sort of thing, the first time something is done is always the best, after which it just feels like copying. So while it does look good, some kind of tweak of the design would have been welcomed.

One aspect that we don't have any complaints over, however, is the QWERTY keyboard. That's basically the same as well, but this is an area in which originality is not important. What's important is how well it functions, and this keyboard functions extremely well. It can be daunting at first, with so many buttons close together but after a little bit of practice your fingers will soon be able to get used to where everything is. This allows you to punch out a long email in a similar amount of time that it would take with a regular size keyboard. Which is of course why the BlackBerry has proved so popular in the business community, as it is especially good for emailing when you are out and about.

Having said that though, Android and iPhone devices do a good job these days as well with on-screen keyboards. And if you don't need a physical keyboard then with an Android or iPhone you have access to plenty of other benefits, not least of which being a copious amount of downloadable apps.

Upgrades

We've talked a lot about the similarities of the BlackBerry Bold 9780 with the 9700, but what about the differences? There have been upgrades, so what are they?

• BlackBerry 6 OS. One of the major ones is an upgrade to RIM's BlackBerry 6 operating system which has made web browsing smoother and includes a feed which brings together your Twitter, Facebook and other notifications. It runs very smoothly on the 624MHz processor with 512MB RAM. The only problem is that this is an operating system which was designed to be used with a touchscreen as well as touchpad, and the Bold 9780 only has a touchpad. That makes it feel a bit awkward some of the time, when it feels like the most natural thing to do would just be to stab an icon with your finger. However there is a search feature on the phone, accessible at all times, that allows you to find anything on the phone simply by searching for it so this makes up for some of the difficulties.
• 5MP Camera. Another major upgrade for those of you who like to be able to snap a good pic with your camera is the inclusion of a 5 megapixel camera. Unfortunately you can't record HD videos as well, which is pretty standard these days.

The 2.4 inch screen is as big as you would expect with a phone that has a lot of its space taken up with a QWERTY keyboard, and the 480 x 360 pixel resolution is fine for a screen of this size.

For the full specs, check out BlackBerry's website.

Summary

If you're in the market for a smart phone with plenty of apps and customisable features, then this is probably not the phone you're looking for. On the other hand it's well worth checking out the BlackBerry Bold 9780 monthly contract deals available if you're looking for a smoothly operating smart phone with a great QWERTY keyboard.  Or if you prefer another colour, BlackBerry Bold 9780 white deals.

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BlackBerry Curve 9360 Review

BlackBerry Curve 9360 deals

It's quite difficult to say how good the BlackBerry Curve 9360 is, it all depends on what you're comparing it with. Okay, so you could say that with just about any phone but it's really quite an issue in this case. If you compare it with Androids of a similar price, mid-range, then it's not that great. It doesn't have a touchscreen, it only has a single-core processor and the number of apps available on BlackBerry App World is comparably pitiful compared to Google Play.

On the other hand, if you compare it with other BlackBerry's in the Curve range, it's excellent. The full QWERTY keyboard is superb, it's fast, it has wi-fi and 3G capabilities and it has the first-class BlackBerry Messenger 6 service.

Are You a BlackBerry Fan?

In the end then, it really comes down to whether you're a BlackBerry fan as to whether you are going to like this phone or not. If you love the physical keyboard and being able to message other BlackBerry users free of charge with the messenger service, and you're looking for a BlackBerry on a modest budget then the phone deals on the BlackBerry Curve 9360 are well worth checking out.

On the other hand, if you're open to mid-range Android offerings as well then you're probably going to find something better to your fancy there.

Here are a few of the problems with the BlackBerry Curve 9360 compared to Androids:

• No touchscreen. It operates the BlackBerry OS 7 which was designed to be used with a touchscreen and a trackpad, but there isn't a touchscreen here, probably to keep the cost low. The trackpad does work well, but most people are used to touchscreens now so that could be a bit frustrating.
• Small screen. This is one of those things that it's not really fair to complain about with a BlackBerry of course. If you're going to have a physical keyboard, that has to take up screen space. The 2.44 inch screen does have a 480 x 360 pixel resolution though, which figures to a high 246 pixels per inch, so images are very sharp. Colours are vibrant as well, so there can actually be few complaints about the screen.
• Single-core processor. The BlackBerry Curve 9360 is run by an 800MHz single-core processor, whereas most mid-range Androids these days have dual-core processors. Here again though, there can really be few complaints because the phone does run extremely smoothly. Better, in fact, than many Androids that do have dual-core processors. However the failing does show up in:
• Slow web browsing. The web browsing is frustratingly slow. Also, if you're used to a touchscreen then you're likely to really miss it here.

Other than that the specs are pretty standard, you've got 512MB internal storage, with room for more with a microSD card. There's a 5 megapixel camera which is fine, but you can't record HD video which is quite disappointing. You can find the full specs on the BlackBerryWebsite.

Summary

This is undoubtedly a very nice phone, it's well designed and it's a very smooth smart phone. If you're open to getting an Android phone, however, then you'll probably find something better at a similar price. On the other hand, if you just love that QWERTY keyboard and don't mind the rest of the failings, then it's definitely worth checking out BlackBerry Curve 9360 monthly contract deals to find the best price.

Or if you are attracted to other colours, there's quite a selection here.  So check out BlackBerry Curve 9360 white deals, BlackBerry Curve 9360 purple deals and BlackBerry Curve 9360 pink deals.

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Does the BlackBerry Torch 9860 Hold a Flame to iPhones and Android?

BlackBerry Torch 9860 deals

With the BlackBerry Torch 9860 a bold move has been made away from the traditional BlackBerry design. You will find no Qwerty keyboard, in fact no physical keyboard of any kind. There are a few buttons at the bottom of the phone, and there's still an optical trackpad too, but this is very much a touchscreen phone. So, is it a contender to the iPhone and Android platforms? What will BlackBerry fans think? Let's investigate.

The Basics

Let's start with the basics and say that, basically, this is a very nice phone. The design is sleek and slender, and although at 12mm thick it's more bulky than most out there, it really doesn't feel it. In contrast to the straight lines and hard edges of the iPhone, BlackBerry have gone for curves and rounded edges, making it a pleasure to hold.

Okay, how about the operating system? It comes with BlackBerry OS 7, which is a vast improvement on previous incarnations. It's responsive and well designed, with different compartments for different functions, making it easy to find what you want in a hurry, and easy to customise as well. With a single-core 1.2 GHz processor it's plenty smooth as long as you're only doing one thing at a time, but try doing much more than that and expect the phone to slow down. There's also 2.5GB of internal storage (which is a lot), but doesn't come with a microSD card so if you intend to download music and watch videos, that's going to have to be a quick addition.

The screen is clear and crisp, and stands up well to the best Android and iPhone offerings. With a resolution of only 400 x 800 pixels (compared to the iPhone 4's 640 x 960) you might not think it would, but it really does. The screen is bright and the colours are nice and bold. The 3.7 inch screen is plenty big enough as well. So, is it really a contender with iPhones and Androids?

BlackBerry v Android v iPhone

Eeeehhhh, well... it depends. One of the best things about the Android and iPhone are the massive and ever expanding app stores, in effect allowing you the chance of a minor upgrade every time a new app comes out that you like. Or to totally overhaul the way you use your phone. And while the BlackBerry Torch 9860 comes with pre-installed apps, allowing you to do things like listen to music and watch videos, and there is an app store (called BlackBerry App World) it really doesn't compare to the Android or iPhone library and it probably never will.

That, in effect, is the major downfall for the BlackBerry Torch 9860, and it's a shame because otherwise it would be a truly excellent phone. It is, if you don't need copious amounts of apps. If you're a BlackBerry fan and you're really not bothered about being able to play the latest game on your phone then it's definitely worth a look.

BlackBerry for Business

BlackBerry made its name, of course, by being a business friendly phone. That little keyboard makes emailing easy and fast for a lot of people. The BlackBerry Torch 9860 doesn't have that of course, so is it servicing the core BlackBerry fan base?

Well, not if you really want that keyboard. However there's still the BlackBerry Messenger service which is fast and reliable. Plus you have a little LED above the display which flashes when you've received a message, useful for if you are in a business meeting and have to have your phone on silent.

The full specs for the BlackBerry Torch 9860 can be found at BlackBerry's website.

Summing Up

With the big screen there's plenty of room for an on-screen keyboard to be just as good as the physical keys, but if you really want that Qwerty keyboard then this isn't the phone for you. And if you need the vast and ever-increasing library of apps available from an Android or an iPhone then it would be better to check out something like SamsungGalaxy S II deals or iPhone deals.

On the other hand if you love what BlackBerrys have to offer and can do without the physical keyboard and vast arrays of apps, it's definitely worth having a look at BlackBerry Torch 9860 contract deals to see if you can be tempted by the impressively low priced phone deals on offer for a device of unquestionable quality.

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Is the Blackberry Bold 9700 still King of the Emails?

The Blackberry Bold 9700, which is the 2009 follow up to the Bold 9000 model, was right up there in its day with the iPhone and the top android. Arguably it was the best Blackberry on the market. Of course, three years later, that can hardly be said anymore so if you're looking for the top of the range Blackberry you'll have to look elsewhere. However, if you're looking for a cheap Blackberry contract then this one is worth considering.

Specifications

Dimensions: 4.29 x 2.36 x 0.56 inches

Weight: 122 grams (with battery)

Connectivity: 3G, Bluetooth and wi-fi

Memory: 256MB flash memory

Screen Resolution: 480 x 360 pixels

Special Features: QWERTY keyboard, trackpad, Blackberry Internet Service

Find the full specs on the BlackBerry website.

Pros and Cons

Just as it's not really fair to compare a film made in the 1950s with a modern film of today, at least on technological grounds, we won't be comparing the Blackberry Bold 9700 with the latest phones of today, but rather what was available at the time. Put your head in the mindset of 2009 (not long ago by most standards, but practically aeons in this area) then you will get the idea of what we are talking about. On the other hand, if you don't want a phone from several years ago then there are of course plenty of current Blackberry and other smart phones available.

The main advantages of this phone are the qwerty keyboard, the vivid screen, the apps that are available and the quality of the wi-fi. The keyboard is of course the main draw for most people when it comes to considering a Blackberry. And although it is a major plus on this phone, you should be aware that the “clickyness” of the keys is not as good as it might be. Not as good, in fact, as it had been on the previous model. So that's a bit of a disappointment although at the same time, the chiselled keys make it very easy to type at speed and if you're looking for a Blackberry then that's probably what you're looking for. Even back in 2009 the iPhone was beginning to challenge the Blackberry as the “king of the emails” but of all that's changed in the last three years, the keyboard hasn't seen many changes. So if that's the main reason you want a Blackberry then there's probably no need to go for one of the more recent, high-end ones. The Bold 9700 should be fine.

The keyboard isn't the only thing it has in its favour of course, there are also a good (for its time) selection of apps to get. Also the screen is very good so you can very comfortably watch videos and view pictures. Having said that though, the user interface is dull compared to something like an iPhone. It's not touchscreen so it's not as user friendly although they replaced the trackball with a trackpad which is easy to use and it's also fun, whizzing it across the screen.

If you are going for a Blackberry though then the chances are it's because you're interested in more of the business-oriented features such as its email capabilities. What really makes this Blackberry great for emailing is that they have a dedicated Internet Service which means that your emails will go direct to your Blackberry and you wouldn't have to waste time checking for updates. It also means the emails are secure, as they are encrypted going each way.

Overall

As a three year old Blackberry, there are of course going to be places where the Bold 9700 is left lacking compared to more modern phones. However, if you're looking for something simple, functional and cheap then investigate Blackberry Bold 9700 deals to find the best price. Note that you can also get Blackberry Bold 9700 White contract deals as well.

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