BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 (Alltel)
As Reviewed: $129.99 with a two-year contract.
Similar model available starting at $19.99 with a two-year contract.
CNET Editors' Review
CNET Editors' Rating
- Reviewed by: Bonnie Cha
- Reviewed on:
- Updated on:
The good: The RIM BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 offers 3G and GPS. The smartphone brings an updated interface and adds Documents to Go and a better camera, while still offering solid e-mail capabilities.
The bad: The BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 lacks Wi-Fi. The SureType keyboard takes some acclimation.
The bottom line: The RIM BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 updates Alltel's line of BlackBerrys, but its clamshell design won't please everyone.
Editors' note: The RIM BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 for Alltel is similar to T-Mobile's RIM BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220 in design. For this review, we will be concentrating on the different features and performance compared with the T-Mobile version. For a full description of the smartphone's design, please see our review of the RIM BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220 for T-Mobile.
The RIM BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220 made its debut in October 2008, and some still wonder why Research in Motion even bothered releasing a clamshell device. However, the truth of the matter is there are some diehard flip-phone ... Expand full review
Editors' note: The RIM BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 for Alltel is similar to T-Mobile's RIM BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220 in design. For this review, we will be concentrating on the different features and performance compared with the T-Mobile version. For a full description of the smartphone's design, please see our review of the RIM BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220 for T-Mobile.
The RIM BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220 made its debut in October 2008, and some still wonder why Research in Motion even bothered releasing a clamshell device. However, the truth of the matter is there are some diehard flip-phone fanatics out there, and the company wanted to provide this design option to customers. T-Mobile was the first to offer it, and now, Alltel and Verizon Wireless customers have the choice of the BlackBerry Pearl Flip as well.
For this review, we took a look at the Alltel version, and while it shares a similar design with the T-Mobile BlackBerry Pearl Flip, there are differences in the wireless options. Alltel's model adds 3G and GPS support, which is lacking on the T-Mobile version, but as a trade-off, you lose integrated Wi-Fi. This isn't anything new with the Pearl series, and while the style isn't for everyone, the Pearl Flip does update the carrier's line of BlackBerrys by bringing some other nice enhancements, such as improved software, Documents to Go, and a better camera. The RIM BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 is available now for $129.99 with a two-year contract.
We tested the dual-band (CDMA 800/1900; EV-DO) RIM BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 using Alltel's roaming network, and call quality was good. Audio was mostly clear on our end with just some slight hissing in the background during lulls in the conversation. There weren't any problems that disrupted conversation or prevented us from using an airline's voice-automated system. In addition, we didn't experience any dropped calls during our testing period. Our friends also reported good call quality, though they said they could hear a slight echo when we activated the speakerphone.
We were able to pair the smartphone with the Logitech Mobile Traveller Bluetooth headset and the Motorola S9 Bluetooth Active Headphones. The BlackBerry Pearl Flip is compliant with M4/T4 hearing-aid devices.
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Compare selected Bonnie Cha is chief correspondent for Crave, covering every kind of tech toy imaginable (with a special obsession for robots and Star Wars-related stuff). When she's not scoping out stories, you can find her checking out live music or surfing in the chilly waters of Northern California.
User Reviews
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Most recent user reviews
Showing 3 of 12 reviews
"Great phone bit outdated" By SnakZz
Pros: just what i wanted a powerful phone but in a clamshell one that i can put anywhere and not have to worry about it calling 911 or SOS calling lol and my baby can even pick it up and it will block her from making any calls with the lock (what on other block
Cons: Memory was the only bad part for me as it just didn't have room for everything i can want but with the clamshell this type of thing is going to happen plus it used the more older OS
i hate SureType just cant get used to it
the ball cant be taken out for
Summary: its a good phone the most powerful clamshell phone out there back in the day (now they have a new flip phone) it has a few limits but that what ur going to get with a phone like this
unlike what other people has said i never had any drop ... Expand full review
"I can not believe RIM does not do recall on this model" By Theoutsider1
Pros: I love the personal organizer on this phone.
Cons: SOS problem, is a reoccuring issue, many times I can not make outgoing phonecalls. Also I get many dropped calls. I searched for hours on the internet for a solutions on all the RIM forums, and no one has one concrete answer.
Summary: The often occuring SOS problem preventing me to make phone calls promted me to setup an account just to write this review. This phone definitely was not worth the money, I would much rather get a basic 50 dollar pay as you go cheap Nokia.
Where to Buy
As Reviewed: $129.99 with a two-year contract.
Similar model available starting at $19.99 with a two-year contract.
Specifications
See full specsQuick Specs
- Service provider: Alltel Wireless
- Cellular technology: CDMA2000 1X
- Talk time: Up to 210 min
