When the BlackBerry 8800 debuted in 2007, it was quite sleek for a BlackBerry phone. The BlackBerry 8800 was, at the time, the thinnest full QWERTY BlackBerry device.
Today, the BlackBerry 8800 has largely been surpassed by newer BlackBerry phones, such as the BlackBerry Bold, the BlackBerry Curve 8900, and even the BlackBerry 8820. You can still find the BlackBerry 8800 for sale, though.
BlackBerry 8800 Review
At first glance the BlackBerry 8800 looks more like the Samsung BlackJack than a BlackBerry. It forgoes the typical broadly curved shaped of most BlackBerry devices for leaner, straighter lines and a squared-off shape. It measures 4.5 inches tall by 2.6 inches wide and just under .6 inches thick; that's slightly larger than the BlackJack, but smaller than the BlackBerry 8700c.
The result is a good-looking phone that feels solid in your hand. At 4.7 ounces, it's heavier than some of the competition, but reasonably comfortable to hold next to your ear. Voice quality was decent during calls, though it was occasionally staticky and I sometimes noticed an echo. The speakerphone is easy to access, though the volume it provided could have been louder.
Like the Pearl, the BlackBerry 8800 lacks a jogwheel on the right spine for navigation; instead it includes a trackball directly under the screen. (This feature is now standard on all BlackBerry phones.)
Easy E-Mail Access
As do all BlackBerry phones, the 8800 handles e-mail with aplomb. It can handle up to ten personal or professional e-mail accounts. It does not come with any instant messaging clients including, other than the somewhat limited BlackBerry Messenger app. (You'll have to update the BlackBerry OS that the 8800 runs in order to access BlackBerry App World to download additional IM clients -- or any other software.)
Browsing the Web on BlackBerry 8800 is not the best experience. The older BlackBerry browser can't compete with today's newer mobile browsers, like Safari. Plus, the BlackBerry 8800 lacks support for any true high-speed networks, such as Wi-Fi wireless hotspots or HSDPA 3G networks. That means you're stuck with the pokey EDGE network for data access.
Additional Features
While the 8800 lacks a camera, it does include the music and video players found on the Pearl. You can transfer files to the phone via the included Desktop Manager software. The phone includes a microSD slot for additional storage, but the phone does not ship with a card, so you'll have to buy your own. While the music player won't rival that found on a dedicated music phone, like the Nokia 5300 XpressMusic Phone, it's passable. It lets you play, pause, and stop songs, and create basic playlists. Audio quality was decent, but not exceptional. The quality of video playback was much better; content looked great on the 2.5-inch 320-by-240 display.
The BlackBerry 8800 also includes built-in GPS functionality, and my review unit came pre-loaded with the TeleNav GPS Navigator service. (If you travel frequently, this could be the phone's killer app. It requires no add-on devices; you simply launch the app and go. While the service was occasionally slow obtaining its initial satellite signal, it was very good once it was up and running. It delivered accurate and timely driving directions.
The BlackBerry 8800 was a solid smartphone in its day, but its day has passed. If you're interested in a BlackBerry smartphone, I'd suggest you opt for the BlackBerry Bold or the Curve 8900 instead.
