BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 user reviews (silver, Verizon Wireless)

4.5 stars

"BB power in a nice small package - overall great phone" on July 30, 2009 by techie1234

Pros: flip, nice music player, standard headset jack, SureType

Cons: smallish screen, GPS locked to VZNav, slow, SureType

Summary: I have had this phone for about a month and here are my observations. I really like FLIP phones so this fit right into my style. There is no way to accidentally dial anyone while in your pocket - ever (I know the candy bar phones have keyboard locks but they do not always work correctly or they can by chance get unlocked if you press just the right combination of keys while in your pocket). The flip also protects the main screen too. GPS worked well, but was locked to VZNav (could not use Google maps with GPS - only cell tower triangulation) - Why does Verizon do this!? Can anyone say annoying!. The phone is a true BlackBerry with all the great things about BB phones - email, web, apps, etc. The built in music player is great. I like the standard headphone jack. Since it runs on EVDO-rev 0 its a bit slower internet connection than rev A phones (but the Bolt browser runs great on this phone). The inside screen is a bit small (although its the same size as the Tour screen on its side - 2.4"). One thing about all BB phones is that they don't come with repeat audible alerts for missed calls or messages (only the LED). I know there is a simple app that can solve this problem for a few bucks, but can anyone say annoying - my 4 year old LG phone did this right out of the box. The battery life was fine for my usage. Verizon coverage is great as we all have come to expect. The SureType keyboard is both a plus and negative. It takes some getting use to (and some will never be comfortable with it), but it allows the keyboard to be narrow and makes one handed operation easier than a full QWERTY. Overall, I like this phone enough to keep, I'm hoping the next verison of this phone is a dual flip with e-ink keys like the Alias 2. Add a bigger interior screen and you've got a real winner.

Updated on Aug 9, 2009

UPDATE: "fmarzz" asks me to compare VZW to TM coverage. It really depends on where exactly you use your phone. I can tell you that MOST places I go VZW gives better coverage than any other carrier (I travel a lot with the boy scouts to some remote places and dad's who have service from carriers other than VZW get MUCH LESS coverage than I do). But if your VZW phone does not work in your house or office that would be most annoying. So as I said it really depends on your exact location - sometimes a difference of a block or two might make a difference. I've had VZW for several years now and I've been impressed. - Oh and by the way I bought a Bluetooth GPS (Qstarz brand ~$50) and now I can use Google maps with exact GPS location (no longer limited to cell tower trianglulation).