BlackBerry 8820 Cell Phone Review - Tour & Design
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Mark Brezinski Published on October 11, 2007 Comment on this |
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Front
Left
The silvery left side of the 8820 starts off with a 2.5-mm socket, followed up with a mini USB port, the Push-to-talk shortcut key, and two metal contacts that allow the phone to connect with a hands-free car kit.
Top
Bottom
Right
Back
Battery Out
In the Box (5.5)
We have a theory that AT&T doesn't like us. First we got the Razr2 V9 in a sandwich bag. Now we receive the BlackBerry 8820 and it doesn't even come with a sandwich bag. We received a phone, charger, mini USB cable, and carrying case in the plain brown box they shipped it in. Rumors floating around indicate the boxed version also comes with a hands-free headset, BlackBerry desktop software, and a few manuals and guides.
Handling (5.0)
Compared to normal phones, the 8820 is a bit large — thin, but large. The phone is also very dense, which makes it feel quite solid. The keys are easily accessible with one hand, though you'll probably have better results using two. The buttons on the side might require a shift of your grip to access, but don't require any awkward positioning. The keys feel a bit small, but there is a great deal of differentiation between them to aid in typing.
Portability (8.0)
The 8820 weighs just as much as its predecessor: 4.8 ounces. It certainly isn't a pain to lug around. It is also just as thin (0.55 inches), and should fit into standard pockets and small purses or bags. There are also plenty of buckles, cases, and other carrying accessories you can buy for your BlackBerry.
Aesthetics (5.0)
The BlackBerry is not meant to be an aesthetically pleasing device. It is meant to look professional, and it does. In fact, this form factor has become a standard in business devices. As such, it's hard to call it a revolutionary look, especially when there's an older phone that looks exactly the same. The borrowed 8800 facade looks a bit inspired by the 80s.
Durability (9.0)
The BlackBerry 8820 is one of those devices you don't feel nervous handling. It certainly feels as though it could sustain a few falls to the sidewalk and still manage your schedule without a problem. Everything fits together tightly, and the phone barely creaks, even when twisted around vigorously. The phone also doesn't have a slide or flip mechanism, which tend to accrue wear and tear quickly. Just about the only concerns we have with the 8820 are its large, exposed screen, and, to a lesser extent, its trackball. The trackball could potentially ferry dirt and grime into the innards of the phone, but we don't feel this is cause for concern.
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